MINUTES EDGECOMBE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING HELD IN EDGECOMBE COUNTY BOARD ROOM APRIL 10, 1995 7:30 P.M. Board Members Present:
Lawrence Bradley, Chairman Charlie Cobb Clifford Coles Ann Kent Joe Price Glenn Warren Evelyn Wilson
Others Present:
David Bryant Nelda Cabell
Call to Order -- The meeting was called to order by Chairman Lawrence Bradley. The Board pledged allegiance to the flag. Approval of Minutes -- Member Glenn Warren questioned the Board approval of the bid for removal and installation of fuel tanks at the bus garage by Barnhill Contracting Company for $11,235, stating the fuel tanks had been removed previously and therefore the board approved the paving of area around the fuel tanks. Upon clarification of this bid approval on page 4, third paragraph, the minutes of the March 13, 1995 meeting of the Edgecombe County Board of Education were unanimously approved, as corrected, on motion by Glenn Warren, and seconded by Clifford Coles. Special Recognition -- Gold Key Recognition Awards were given to those students selected from schools within the system for exhibiting role model qualities in academics and citizenship. The following students were recognized and presented certificates by Lawrence Bradley, Board Chairman, and David Bryant, Superintendent, and given momentos by Diane LeFiles, Director of Community Schools: Jarmonte Bullock - Bridgers Adrian Ferguson - Bulluck Alison Jones - Carver Ebonie Smith - Coker-Wimberly Vicki Lynn Wade - North Edgecombe Derrick Williams - Martin Middle Matt Alston - Pattillo William Allen Hopkins - Phillips Janel Glass – Princeville
Edgecombe County Board of Education Minutes of April 10, 1995 Page 2 Quameatrius Pittman - Roberson Sabrina Long - South Edgecombe Catisha Knight - SouthWest Edgecombe
Session Break -- The Board recessed for a short break. The Board recognized the late arrival of a Gold Key Student with presentations as listed above. Items for Information -- The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act was reviewed and Clifford Coles commented on the fact that Cecil Long was doing a good job with the asbestos situation. Public Comments -- Dewey Hudson was recognized by Chairman Bradley. Mr. Hudson's comments were in the form of questions directed to Dr. Bryant. His questions were concerning the previous sale of items at Willow Grove School, how value of items was determined, was equipment value being re-appraised, and had Dr. Bryant and Jay Randall worked together at another system on sale of items. Mr. Hudson said he needed more time and asked if Board could make a motion to grant him more time. Member Joe Price made a motion to grant Mr. Hudson additional time. The motion failed by a vote of 6 to 1. Chairman Bradley recognized Janice Thompson. Mrs. Thompson read and presented a copy of her letter to the Board members. Her concerns included the request to stop assigning books containing profanity as required classroom reading or to obtain parent's written permission before imposing books with profanity to their children. She also stated in her letter that she wanted the Board of Education members to make the decision concerning annotated bibliographies, not the principals. Chairman Bradley recognized Bonnie Forbes who read and presented a copy of her letter to the Board members concerning special interest groups pre-selecting the material for teachers. Committee Reports -- Glenn Warren stated the Policy Committee had not met. Dr. Bryant presented a policy draft on "Off-Campus Lunch Privileges for Students" which prohibits students from leaving any school campus for lunch. Ann Kent commented that perhaps each high school could grant one senior privilege, and thereby, Tarboro High could possibly allow open lunch for seniors, and the other high schools offer another senior privilege. It was the opinion of the board that this suggestion
Edgecombe County Board of Education Minutes of April 10, 1995 Page 3 should be discussed with the principals and referred back to the Policy Committee. The Board recognized the late arrival of a representative of Sud and Associates who gave a presentation on Energy Management. Sud and Associates are energy consultants who will recommend, write specifications, supervise energy saving programs and write grants to help fund energy saving equipment. Other Items for Action -- On motion by Evelyn Wilson, seconded by Ann Kent and unanimously approved by the Board, the Board approved the State, Local, Capital Outlay, and Child Nutrition Budget Amendments as presented by Finance Officer, Ann Morris. Dr. Bryant introduced Mary Williams, Director of Student Services, who presented an abstract of a proposal for Safe and Drug-Free Schools Grant. Mrs. Williams commented that a change should be made on page 1 listing the number of teachers to be trained as 528, rather than 75. She said private schools had been offered services as an assurance to the State Department of Public Instruction. On motion by Evelyn Wilson, seconded by Glenn Warren, and unanimously approved, the Board approved the proposal of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Grant. Mrs. Williams requested approval of CEO (Community Enrichment Organization) assistance service for out-of-school suspension program in the East Tarboro area. On motion by Glenn Warren, seconded by Clifford Coles, and unanimously approved, the Board approved the contractual services for CEO. Dr. Bryant introduced Betty Webb, Director of Exceptional Children, who presented the IDEA Program and Preschool Grant Program and stated the IDEA program serves 972 children at $392 per child and the Preschool Grant program serves 96 children at $645 per child. On motion by Glenn Warren, seconded by Evelyn Wilson, and unanimously approved, the Board approved both programs. On motion by Glenn Warren, seconded by Charlie Cobb, and unanimously approved, the Board approved the Waiver of Fees for the Recreational Program for Youth Activities. On motion by Ann Kent, seconded by Glenn Warren, and unanimously approved, the Board approved the Martin Middle School request to add wrestling and soccer to their athletic program.
Edgecombe County Board of Education Minutes of April 10, 1995 Page 4 On motion by Clifford Coles, seconded by Charlie Cobb, and unanimously approved, the Board approved the selection of James Taylor as Edgecombe Community College Board of Trustees member. On motion by Clifford Coles, seconded by Ann Kent, and unanimously approved, the Board approved resurfacing the tennis courts at Tarboro High School for $5,950 by Floor and Court, as presented by Jay Randall. On motion by Clifford Coles, seconded by Charlie Cobb, and unanimously approved, the Board approved the lighting bids for Tarboro High, Martin Middle and North Edgecombe Schools by IllumElex for $35,267.50, as presented by Jay Randall. On motion by Evelyn Wilson, seconded by Charlie Cobb, and unanimously approved, the Board approved the bids for fencing at Bulluck by Seegars Fence for $650, Princeville by Seegars Fence for $2,340, and South Edgecombe by Robbins Fence for $640, as presented by Jay Randall. Mr. Randall was asked to seek and resubmit bids for 6-foot fencing at Tarboro High and Carver Schools. On motion by Clifford Coles, seconded by Charlie Cobb, and unanimously approved, the Board approved the bid for painting West Edgecombe by Edgecombe Electric for $13,248, as presented by Jay Randall. On motion by Glenn Warren, seconded by Ann Kent, and unanimously approved, the Board approved the bid for the removal of asbestos at South Edgecombe by Republic Industries for $2,685, and asbestos air monitoring at South Edgecombe by Roche Analytics Laboratories, as presented by Jay Randall. On motion by Glenn Warren, seconded by Ann Kent, and unanimously approved, the Board approved the field trips as presented by Dr. Bryant for North Edgecombe cheerleaders and SGA members to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg on May 20, North Edgecombe FHA and FFA members to Kings Dominion on May 13, and West Edgecombe students to Kings Dominion on May 26. Dr. Bryant presented a request from Martin Middle that he received April 10 for band students to participate in the Kings Dominion Concert Band Festival at Kings Dominion on April 29. On motion by Clifford Coles, seconded by Evelyn Wilson, and
Edgecombe County Board of Education Minutes of April 10, 1995 Page 5 unanimously approved, the Board approved the trip under the condition that the organization of the trip be supervised by Principal Privott since time guidelines and proper procedures were not followed in making this request. Dr. Bryant requested that a special Board meeting be scheduled for the budget presentation. The date was set for April 27, 1995 at 7:30 p.m. Closed Session -- On motion by Glenn Warren, seconded by Clifford Coles, and unanimously approved, the Board went into closed session. On motion by Clifford Coles, seconded by Charlie Cobb, the Board went into open session. Items Brought By Members For Consideration -- Glenn Warren suggested that a letter be written to Ms. Lorraine Dickens stating we are in process of working on Willow Grove property sale. Chairman Bradley stated he had been approached by Gideons asking if Bibles could be distributed to fifth grade students. Board Attorney, Jonathan Blumberg, stated he would look into policies concerning distribution of Bibles and/or other materials in schools. Member Ann Kent voiced her concern as to how middle school students could be better served and asked if At-Risk monies could be used for remediation and to reduce class size. Dr. Bryant said it possibly could, and would check on that. Evelyn Wilson also expressed concern over pregnant girls at middle school age and offered to help organize nutritional classes for these students. Member Glenn Warren questioned the duties and responsibilities of teachers while working with student teachers. Dr. Bryant stated that student teachers should observe first, and later teach one or two classes during the day. Mr. Warren suggested that some of the classes with student teachers should be observed to insure that proper teaching practices were being followed.
Edgecombe County Board of Education Minutes of April 10, 1995 Page 6 Dr. Bryant announced that Yvonne Wade, a long-time employee of Edgecombe County Schools, had passed away. Dr. Bryant announced that Pattillo School had received a $75,000 A+ School Grant. There being no further business, on motion by Glenn Warren, seconded by Ann Kent, and unanimously approved, the meeting of the Board was adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
_______________________________ H. David Bryant, Superintendent
Approved by the Edgecombe County Board of Education
By:
_____________________________ Lawrence Bradley, Chairperson
Date:
_____________________________
