March 2, 2015

MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

MINUTES

March 2, 2015

             The Montgomery County Board of Education convened in its regular monthly meeting on Monday, March 2, 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

Sandra Miller

             Chairman DeBerry called the meeting to order and moved to adopt the agenda as shown, holding the consent agenda until closed session.  With a motion by Bryan Dozier and a second from Shirley Threadgill, the agenda was adopted and consent request approved unanimously by the board.

           Chairman DeBerry opened the meeting by reading from the book of James chapter 3 verse 5:  Even so the tongue is a little member and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  Ida and David both wanted all their sons to graduate from college. They knew their boys would have to pay their own way since David never made more than $150 a month. Still, they encouraged their sons to achieve all they could. Arthur, however, went directly from high school to a job. Edgar began studying law. When Dwight graduated, he didn't have a goal in mind, so he and Ed made a pact: Dwight would work two years while Ed studied, sending Ed as much as he could, and then they would reverse the arrangement. While working Dwight found an opportunity that appealed to him more than college - West Point. Both his mom and dad were crushed by Dwight’s decision; they thought war was evil. Still they gave him the  choice to follow his dream. Ida and David held their tongues, but never their applause, especially on the day their son, General Dwight Eisenhower, became President of the United States of America. 

           Asheton and Aidan Lamonds, students from Green Ridge Elementary, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

           A Resolution of Esteem was presented to the families of Geneva Mae Comer King, Betty Lee Jordan Hamilton and Alice A. Hamilton, all former employees with Montgomery County Schools. The resolutions read as follows:

        WHEREAS, our Heavenly Father, in His infinite love and wisdom, saw fit to call home Geneva Mae Comer King on January 12, 2015, and WHEREAS, her services as a food service employee with Montgomery County Schools were a living testament of her integrity and skill, and WHEREAS, her loss will be deeply felt not only by those with whom she served, but also throughout her entire community and county. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Montgomery County Board of Education goes on record in expressing a sense of real loss and regret in her passing; that a copy of this resolution be conveyed to her family as an indication of our deep sympathy; and that a copy of the same be filed as a part of the permanent minutes of the Board of Education.

        WHEREAS, our Heavenly Father, in His infinite love and wisdom, saw fit to call home Betty Lee Jordan Hamilton on January 20, 2015, and WHEREAS, her services as a teacher with Montgomery County Schools were a living testament of her integrity and skill, and WHEREAS, her loss will be deeply felt not only by those with whom she served, but also throughout her entire community and county. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Montgomery County Board of Education goes on record in expressing a sense of real loss and regret in her passing; that a copy of this resolution be conveyed to her family as an indication of our deep sympathy; and that a copy of the same be filed as a part of the permanent minutes of the Board of Education.

         WHEREAS, our Heavenly Father, in His infinite love and wisdom, saw fit to call home Alice A. Hamilton on January 29, 2015, and WHEREAS, her services as a bus driver with Montgomery County Schools were a living testament of her integrity and skill, and WHEREAS, her loss will be deeply felt not only by those with whom she served, but also throughout her entire community and county. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Montgomery County Board of Education goes on record in expressing a sense of real loss and regret in her passing; that a copy of this resolution be conveyed to her family as an indication of our deep sympathy; and that a copy of the same be filed as a part of the permanent minutes of the Board of Education.

          Dr. Ellis and Laurie Brown, Assistant Principal at Green Ridge Elementary, presented Theodore Horne and Anita Mashburn certificates for Classified and Certified employees of the month. Mrs. Brown stated how blessed they were to have both Mr. Horne and Mrs. Mashburn at Green Ridge Elementary. Dr. Ellis commended both employees on a job well done.

          Deidra Steed recognized Alexis Barrington as the winner of Montgomery County Schools Spelling Bee. Alexis is a student at East Middle School.   

            Next, Mrs. Steed presented the winners of the UNCP Science Fair. Bradley Wright from Page Street and Bryston Auman from Star Elementary both received Honorable Mention for their entry. David Steed from Candor Elementary was the overall winner. David also won a UNCP Biology Award. Congratulations to Alexis, Bradley, Bryston and David on their accomplishment!     

             Superintendent Ellis introduced the 1A State Wrestling Championship finalists. AJ Hill was the winner in the 160-pound weight class, with Levi Rushing coming in second. Both are seniors at East Montgomery High School.   

             Green Ridge Elementary Assistant Principal Laurie Brown, along with teachers Mary Wilson, Celia Knight and Lisa Bunting presented “Reteach and Enrich: A Standards-Based, Data-Driven Approach to Targeted Interventions”.     

              Dr. Ellis asked the board to approve several policies presented for First Reading at the February board meeting. The are policy codes are:7201/7271 Injury and Loss Prevention, 7540 Voluntary Shared Leave, 7422 Deputy/Associate/Assistant Superintendent Contracts, 7425 School Administrator Contracts, 7510 Leave, 7635 Return to Work, 7820 Personnel File, 7950 Non-Career Status Teachers: Non-renewal, 9115 Prequalification of Bidders for Construction Projects, 9120 Bidding for Construction Work and 9220 Security of Facilities. The board voted to approve the policy changes with a motion by Sandra Miller and a second by Tommy Blake.               

              In his superintendent remarks, Dr. Ellis discussed Governor Pat McCrory’s education budget. Governor McCrory offered a preview of his budget in Charlotte today and seems to be keeping his promise to boost salaries for beginning teachers up to $35,000 while offering very little to veteran teachers and making deep cuts to teacher assistants. The plan raised beginning teacher pay up to $33,000 last year and promised to raise it to $35,000 for 2015-16.         

             Chairman DeBerry then asked for a motion to adjourn and move into closed session. With a motion from Bryan Dozier, along with a second from Tommy Blake, the board unanimously approved going into closed session to discuss personnel.

            Upon returning from closed session, with a motion by Sandra Miller and a second by Bryan Dozier, the board approved the consent agenda as follows:

 1)    Board Minutes from February 2, 2015;

 2)    Personnel and Auxillary Reports:

      a. Upon the recommendation of the principal, approval of the following additions to the substitute teacher list:

            Noncertified                            Recommended By                Record Check

1)    Gail Robinson                         Donnie Lynthacum                      Yes

2)    Julie Daniel                             Donna Kennedy                           Yes

 

b.    Superintendent reports the acceptance of the following resignations/retirements:

Resignation/Retirement        School/Assignment              Effective Date

1)    Kennith Shamberger               Star Elementary School         02/13/2015

Resignation                             Tutor

2)    Jorge Munoz                           West Montgomery High          02/09/2015

Resignation                             P/T Custodian

3)    Gary Thomas                          West Montgomery High          06/15/2015

Resignation                             AG Teacher

4)    Cindy Sweet                           West Middle School                06/15/2015

Resignation                             Special Populations

                                                            Coordinator

c.    Upon recommendation, approval of the following interim temporary contracts for the 2014-2015 school year as provided by General Statute 115C-325:

 Contract/                       School/                                  Record        

           Effective Date               Assignment                          Check                   Replacing

 1)    Julie Buchikos              East Montgomery High             Yes                      Claudia Stewart

02/15/2015                   EC Teacher                                                        (Position Change)

 2)    Sherron Harris             West Middle School                  Yes                      New Position

02/01/2015                  Coordinator of After School

                                     METAL Program

 

d.    Upon recommendation of the superintendent, approval of recommendation for employment of the following non-certified personnel:

Employee/                            School/                              Record

         Effective Date                    Assignment                       Check              Replacing

1)    Ellen Smith                      Green Ridge Elem.                 Yes                  Melissa Munoz

02/09/2015                      Speech Language

                                        Pathologist Assistant

2)    Tawanda Gamble           Central Office                         Yes

02/09/2015                      Child Nutrition Sub

3)    Ashley Hogan                 Central Office                         Yes

02/17/2015                      Child Nutrition Sub

4)    Nikimia Ratliff Wall         Green Ridge Elem.                 Yes               Harvest Little

02/10/2015                      EC Support

5)    Jackie Chunn                  Troy Elementary                     Yes               Corina Hill

02/20/2015                      P/T Kindergarten Support

   

e.    Report of the following transfers:

 Transfer/

 Effective Date                From                         To                                    Replacing

1)    Harvest Little               Green Ridge Elem.     East Middle School          New Position

02/10/2015                  EC Support                 ASQI Coordinator

2)    Elsa De Los Angeles   Troy/Page Street        Page Street

02/17/2015                  Temp. Translator        Tutor

3)    Darlethia Ingram         Green Ridge Elem.     Green Ridge Elem.

01/27/2015                  P/T One-on-One         F/T One-on-One

4)    Janice Williamson       Central Office             Central Office

02/09/2015                  Child Nutrition P/T       Child Nutrition Sub

5)    Rhonda Thompson     West Montgomery      West Montgomery     

06/01/2015                  Clerical                        Clerical

            10 month                     11 month

6)    Patty Byrd                   West Montgomery      West Montgomery

06/01/2015                  Clerical                        Clerical

                                    11 month                     10 month

East Montgomery High School

Johnathan Frazier           Tennis

Stacy Gilman                 Softball

West Montgomery High School

Lugenia Alston               Track

g.    Upon recommendation, approval of the following tutors:

Mary Gilman      East Montgomery High School

Texie Thomas    Candor Elementary

Rindia Devogt    Candor Elementary

Karen Reece      Candor Elementary

Maria Ruiz          Star Elementary 

 

         Erica Armstrong – Bus Monitor

  

i.      Upon recommendation, approval of the following administrative contracts:

 ·         Laurie Brown, Assistant Principal, Green Ridge Elementary, annual eleven-month term, commencing February 9, 2015, and ending June 30, 2017.

 ·         Donnie Lynthacum, Principal, Candor Elementary School, annual twelve-month term, commencing July 1, 2015, and ending June 30, 2019.

 Upon recommendation approval of the following overnight trips is requested.

 March 26-27, 2015 – East Montgomery High School Concert Band to Glenn High School for Piedmont Honor Band

 April 20-22, 2015 – East Montgomery High School Destination Imagination to Destination State Tournament, Flat Rock, NC

 April 21-23, 2015 –  East Montgomery and West Montgomery High School SkillsUSA to SkillsUSA State Conference, Greensboro, NC

 Upon recommendation approval of the following Montgomery County School students for early graduation is requested.

 West Montgomery High School

X’Orion Malik Richmond

ADDENDUM

 

1. Upon recommendation, approval of the following administrative contract:

·         Mesha Cameron, Director of Federal Programs/Chief Diversity Officer, annual twelve-month term commencing, March 5, 2015 and ending June 30, 2017, pending background check.

 

        3)    Budget Amendment #4 – Mitch Taylor