July 13, 2015
MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
MINUTES
July 13, 2015
The Montgomery County Board of Education convened in its regular monthly meeting on Monday, July 13, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. Board members present were as follows: Steven W. DeBerry – Chair, Tommy Blake – Vice Chair, Bryan Dozier, Jesse Hill, Shirley Threadgill, Ann Long and Sandra Miller.
Chairman DeBerry called the meeting to order and moved to adopt the agenda as shown. With a motion by Ann Long and a second from Sandra Miller, the agenda was adopted and consent request approved unanimously by the board.
Chairman DeBerry opened the meeting with a devotional by reading from the book of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Perhaps more than any other leader in the 20th century, Winston Churchill rallied a nation to believe in what it could do. His speeches during World War II not only express resolution, but a profound peace of mind and a feeling of “rightness.” Here are some of his words to England and the world: “You ask, what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land, and air, with all our might and all the strength that God can give us. You ask, What is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory. Victory at all costs. Victory in spite of all terror. Victory however long and hard the road may be. For without victory, there is no survival. We shall go on to the end; we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches; we shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields and in the streets; we shall fight in the hills…we shall never surrender.” What wonderful words to adapt to any fight against evil! Success comes in cans; failure comes in can’ts.
Chairman DeBerry led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Superintendent Ellis and Kevin Lancaster recognized the June employees of the month at East Montgomery. Daniel Kern, teacher, was selected as Certified Employee of the Month and James Page, custodian, as Classified Employee of the Month. Mr. Kern, who was attending a Vocational Conference, was unable to attend. Dr. Lancaster recognized Mr. Page,as a hard worker, who takes initiative and pride in his work. Congratulations to both employees!
Next, Dr. Ellis thanked Kerry Hensley with the Montgomery Fund for awarding ten thousand dollars through the ACCESS Grant. The grant will be used to support East and West High school. The fund has also given individual grants to several teachers for smaller projects. Ms. Hensley said, “The Montgomery Fund is one of fourty-five under the Community Foundation. This was the largest amount donated so far this year. It’s important to let teachers know we support the efforts they are making and we appreciate the opportunity”.
Jeff James thanked Natalie Blake for awarding Montgomery County with the Z Smith Reynolds Grant, in the amount of two hundred, twenty-five thousand dollars. Ms. Blake added, “I am very impressed with the incredible work going on in Montgomery County. I’m very passionate about this area and was grateful they (Z Smith Reynolds) funded the entire amount, which is rare”. The grant is a one to one initiative that will help public education on a daily basis.
Superintendent Ellis introduced DARE Officers Shirley Green and Jeff Branch and Sheriff Chris Watkins. Mrs. Green, who is retiring from the sheriff’s office, was recognized as being a DARE Officer at Star Elementary from 1991 to 2015. Mrs. Green kept every DARE essay. If a former student landed in jail, she would pull out their essay and remind them of the promise they made through DARE. When asked if she had anything to say, Mrs. Green shared that she was grateful for DARE; “I believe in it; anything to keep them out of jail or the funeral home”.
The following items were approved on the consent agenda:
1) 1) Board Minutes from June 1, 2015;
2) 2) Personnel and Auxillary Report:
a. Upon the recommendation of the principal, approval of the following addition to the substitute teacher list:
Certified Recommended By Record Check
1) Perry Owens Joan Frye Pending
2) Maria Ferrell Sharon Castelli Yes
3) Ariel Lowe Heather Seawell Pending
4) Dustin Elliott Heather Seawell Yes
5) Jessie Myrick Jr. Joan Frye Pending
b. Superintendent reports the acceptance of the following resignations/retirements:
Resignation/Retirement School/Assignment Effective Date
1) Lourdes Yarbrough Central Office May 29, 2015
Resignation Finance Dept.
2) Jerimy Rinker West Middle School June 12, 2015
Resignation Health/PE Teacher
3) Susan Fox Central Office August 31, 2015
Retirement Adm. Asst. Human Res.
4) Sam Wiles East Montgomery High June 30, 2015
Resignation ROTC Instructor
5) Lueginia Alston West Montgomery High June 12, 2015
Resignation Science Teacher
6) Teddi Benson West Montgomery High July 15, 2015
Resignation EC Teacher
7) Gracia Pack Troy Elementary School July 2, 2015
Resignation Adm. Asst./Data Mgr.
Bookkeeper
8) Angela Sorenson West Middle School June 30, 2015
Resignation Assistant Principal
9) Michael Williams Elementary School June 18, 2015
Resignation Instructional Technology
Specialist
10) Joan Frye West Middle School August 1, 2015
Retirement Principal
11) Landy Hilger West Middle School July 10, 2015
Resignation Language Arts Teacher
12) Debra Russell Troy Elementary School July 6, 2015
Retirement Elementary Teacher
13) LeAnne Coyle West Middle School July 1, 2015
Resignation Office Support
14) Carol Parsons Green Ridge Elementary August 1, 2015
Retirement Elementary Testing
c. Upon recommendation, approval of the following probationary contracts for the 2015-2016 school year as provided by General Statute 115C-325:
Contract/ School/ Record
Effective Date Assignment Check Replacing
1) Amanda Williams Troy Elementary School Yes Sharon Furlano
08/17/2015 Speech Language Path.
2) Angela Shue Page Street Elementary Yes
08/18/2015 3rd Grade Teacher
3) Patience Whitehead West Montgomery High Yes Lueginia Alston
08/18/2015 Science Teacher
4) Shannon Parsons Green Ridge Elementary Pending Jane Rubino
08/18/2015 Kindergarten Teacher
5) Dave Paddock East Montgomery High Yes New Position
08/18/2015 Social Studies Teacher
6) Sandra Stone Mt. Gilead Elementary Pending Terry Maness
08/18/2015 5th Grade Teacher
d. Report of the following transfers:
Transfer/
Effective Date From To Replacing
1) Deborah Thomas East Middle School Montgomery Learning
08/18/2015 Science Teacher Science Teacher
2) Holly Morgan Troy Elementary Page Street Elem.
08/18/2015 Elementary Teacher Elementary Teacher
3) Russ Saladin Page Street Elem. Green Ridge Elem.
08/18/2015 EC Teacher EC Teacher
4) Frances Morris Mt. Gilead Elem. Troy Elementary
08/18/2015 EC Teacher EC Teacher
5) Opal Sloan-Archie Green Ridge Elem. East Montgomery High
08/18/2015 EC Teacher EC Teacher
6) Claudia Stewart East Montgomery West Montgomery
08/18/2015 EC Teacher EC Teacher
7) Sandy Byrd East Middle West Montgomery
08/18/2015 EC Teacher EC Teacher
8) Cindy Sweet West Middle School East Middle School
08/18/2015 Special Pops Coord. EC Teacher
9) Delores Mauldin County Office Troy Elementary Gracia Pack
07/06/2015 Adm. Asst. EC Adm. Asst./Data Mgr.
Bookkeeper
10) Emily Dunn East Montgomery West Middle Cindy Sweet
08/01/2015 Business Teacher High School Testing
Coordinator/Instructional
Management Coordinator
11) Melissa Kidd East Montgomery Mt. Gilead/Candor
07/06/2015 Spanish Teacher Instructional Technology
Specialist
e. Upon recommendation, approval of the following coaches for the fall 2015 sports season:
East Montgomery High School
David Paddock Football
Dustin Elliott Football
Angela Everette JV and Varsity Cheerleading
Sean Hassell Cross Country
Mishele Hare Cross Country
Ben Hammer Football and Weight Room
Ray Massey Football
Martino Huey Football (Background Pending)
Ray Deaton Football
Barry Jackson Football
Jerry Spencer Football
John Weis Football
Chris Hadlock Soccer and Athletic Director
Scott Blue Soccer and Field Maintenance
Blake Frazier Tennis
Terry Appen Tennis
Leslie Shoffner Volleyball
Julie Buchikos Volleyball
Mark Miller Athletic Director
Mike Barrington Athletic Trainer
Talitha Auman Athletic Trainer
West Montgomery High School
Nick Eddins Football
Ken Neal Football
James Johnson Football
Terry Callicutt Football
Eddie Swan Football
Daniel Coggins Football
Clay McKnight Football
Perry Owens Football
Jimbo McIntyre First Responder
Chris Brown First Responder
April Britt Cross Country
Earle Poole Cross Country
Suzie Boros Women’s Tennis
Stephanie Panzer Volleyball
Vickie Panzer Volleyball
John Paul Callicutt Volleyball
Seth Dunlap Athletic Director
f. Upon recommendation of the superintendent, approval of recommendation for employment of the following bus driver/sub drivers for the 2015-2016 school year that are not dual employees:
Vicky Drake Bus Monitor
John Frederick Bryant Bus Driver
g. Upon recommendation, approval of the following administrative contract:
· Chris Jonassen, Assistant Principal, annual eleven-month term, commencing July 6, 2015 and ending June 30, 2017.
3) 3) Budget Amendment;
1) 4) Alternative Accountability Model Participation for MLA;
2) 5) WMHS Cafeteria Equipment Purchase.
Dr. Ellis presented an Early College Power Point Presentation listing the needs of Montgomery County Schools including: in-district high school options, an alternative to standard curricula, a refined and focused CTE component that leads directly to jobs, STEM and advanced options that lead to degrees and college credits for advanced students. Students who are given higher expectations will reach higher to achieve those goals. Early College would benefit struggling students who do not expect to attend college. Student Achievement is a major advantage of an Early College program. Early College students will take classes that relate to real world jobs, making the connection between classroom and career. Some Early College programs are based on community college campuses, while others are created within traditional high school settings. Steps needed to implement Early College at Montgomery County Schools include: a recommendation from the Education Facilities Committee, approval by MCS Board of Education, approval by Montgomery Community College Board of Trustees and approval by Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. Dr. Ellis stated that several things need to be worked out, but the timing couldn’t be better for this program.
Next, Superintendent Ellis gave an overview of the recruitment of Teachers and staff, safety, the articulation of the mission, vision and values statement and Principal accountability. This year, we face a dwindling teacher pool, mainly due to pay issues and people going into other fields. To combat this problem, we have established a diversity committee to develop a plan for minority recruitment. Safety is an area where training is ongoing. A safe environment saves money, which means cheaper insurance premiums. Online training in safety procedures, such as blood-borne pathogens, must be completed by all staff members and documented by Human Resources. The mission, vision and values are reaffirmed at mid-year and end of year reviews, posted on our letterhead and logo and lived through actions and policy recommendations. Principals are held accountable in all areas relating to district, state and federal mandates through the School Administrator Evaluation Process. Problems, concerns or commendations are addressed during four quarterly meetings per year, or anytime the need arises.
Dr. Ellis asked the board for a date to hold the end of the year review. The board decided on Tuesday, September 1st at 5:30 pm.
Dr. Lancaster presented the following policy codes for first reading: 1310/4002 Parental Involvement, 4110 Immunization and Health Requirements for School Admission, 4600 Student Fees, 4601 Collection of Student Fees and Charges, 7500 Workday and Overtime.
Superintendent Ellis decided to reserve his remarks until the August board meeting.
Chairman DeBerry then asked for a motion to adjourn and move into closed session. With a motion from Sandra Miller, and a second from Jesse Hill, the board unanimously approved going into closed session to discuss personnel.
After returning from closed session, Chairman DeBerry asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. With a motion by Bryan Dozier and a second by Tommy Blake, the meeting was duly adjourned.
The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, August 3, 2015 at 6:30 pm.
__________________________ ________________________
Steven W. DeBerry, Chairman Dale Ellis, Ed. D., Secretary