OPEN SESSION MINUTES EDGECOMBE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION Regular Meeting of the Board Held at Edgecombe County Board Rooms 412 Pearl Street Tarboro, NC March 8, 2010 Board Members Present:
Others Present:
Teresa Bryant Charlie Cobb Janice Davidson John Edmondson
Ann Kent Keith Pittman Evelyn S. Wilson
Dr. Craig Witherspoon, Superintendent Dr. L. Stephen Mazingo, Interim Superintendent Sandra Jones, Assoc. Superintendent Dr. Lana VanderLinden, Assoc. Superintendent Roland Whitted, Assoc. Superintendent Jonathan Blumberg, Board Attorney Juanita Westry, Board Assistant
CALL TO ORDER – Board Chair Evelyn Wilson provided a welcome to those in attendance. The meeting was called to order. The Board led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Board Chairperson Evelyn Wilson provided guidelines for speakers on addressing the Board with comments regarding the Superintendent search. PUBLIC FORUM/SUPERINTENDENT CHARACTERISTICS – Mrs. Bernice Pitt congratulated the Board on their fiscal responsibility and laptop initiative. She requested that as the Board searches for a new superintendent that foremost of the list this individual work towards a stronger relationship with business, be one who knows the school system, and has been here for some time or already in place. Reverend Roosevelt Higgs asked that the candidate be mindful of the composition and challenges of Edgecombe County and have this knowledge prior to coming, not after being selected. Reverend Higgs asked that because this is an election year for the Board that the Board slow the process down to enable newly elected candidate to be a part of the process. He requested that the candidate have the ability to make parents feel they are a part of the school system – not intimidated. Mrs. Shannelle Daniels asked that the candidate be accessible to families and the community, involved in community functions, and know the background of the community. She asked that the candidate work with the Exceptional Children Program to make it a little easier for parents who have children in the program understand the process better. Mrs. Daniels pointed out that some of the students who have dropped out of school may have had learning disabilities that were not appropriately addressed. She asked that the candidate be fair and compassionate.
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Ms. Glenda Knight asked that the candidate have a Doctorate’s Degree, a resident of the county or willing to relocate, be approachable, engage available resources, be firm but fair, and address the special need population. Ms. Yolanda Thigpen asked that the candidate be engaged in the community, seek conformity within the district, be visible in the schools as well as the community, have a plan of action to address the achievement gap, and be able to follow through with results. Mr. Curmilus Dancy asked that if the candidate comes from outside the district, that he/she come in with a sound financial system and possess quality technology skills. Mr. Dancy stated that he wished age could be one of the criteria because the young have a tendency to move on and the old retire. He asked that the Board consider the hiring of another black male if one applies and is qualified, considering the makeup of the county. Mr. John Wooten informed the Board that he had attended a function at C.B. Martin Middle School and was overwhelmed with the changes that have been made that shows what kids can do. He asked that the Board consider a candidate that can concentrate on maintaining a balanced budget, be an advocate of technology, be honest and forthright, have a commitment to meeting quarterly with teachers, hold sessions with student councils, and provide follow-up with citizens. PUBLIC COMMENTS – There were none. RECOGNITION – Mrs. Diane LeFiles, Director of Public Relations, informed the Board that two groups of students from South Edgecombe Middle School were being recognized – the football team with an 8-0 record for the year and the basketball team with a 16-0 record for the year. Coaches Cliff Webb and Kelvin Horne and their teams received congratulations from the Board. Mrs. LeFiles recognized Members of the Board for certificates received for training hours for the 2008-2009 school year. Members recognized were: Board Chairperson Evelyn Wilson – Scholars Circle; Janice Davidson – Award of Distinction; Keith Pittman – Gold Award; and Charles Cobb – Bronze Award. Mrs. LeFiles read a resolution recognizing outgoing Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon for outstanding service on behalf of the Board. Dr. Witherspoon was presented with a painting of the Tar River Bridge. Board Chairperson Evelyn Wilson introduced incoming Interim Superintendent Dr. Stephen Mazingo to the audience.
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Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon thanked the Board for the opportunity to serve as Superintendent for Edgecombe County Public Schools and for their leadership in making things happen for the district. Board Chair Evelyn Wilson recognized Dr. Deborah Lamm, President of Edgecombe Community College. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon requested the tabling of Item (8.5.B) Lighting for SWEHS Baseball Field to establish that procedures were followed regarding the bidding process. Board Chair Evelyn Wilson requested the addition of Item (6.1) Job Ready Program to be presented by Dr. Deborah Lamm. A motion was made by Member Ann Kent to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Member Janice Davidson and, with a unanimous vote, approved by the Board. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – A motion was made by Member Ann Kent to approve the open session minutes of February 8, 2010, as written. The motion was seconded by Member Janice Davidson and, with a unanimous vote, approved by the Board. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION – Dr. Deborah Lamm, President of Edgecombe Community College extended an invitation to the Board to discuss concerns related to the quality of a prepared workforce. She informed the Board that colleges are asking members of boards to ban together to develop strategies in an effort to create a better workforce. She informed the Board that the meeting is scheduled to take place on April 26, 2010 from 6:00 -8:30 p.m. in the Flemming Building at Edgecombe Community College. The meeting will be in the format of presentation, discussion, and questions. COMMITTEE REPORTS – Policy Committee Chairperson Ann Kent presented information on policy revisions. She informed the Board that changes to policy 5840 Action Plans include changing the title as a result of placing employees on the same evaluation scale – new teachers and veteran teachers; the verbiage is more positive; and it places in-line with the new pilot teacher instrument. The Board discussed changes to the policy. Questions raised by the Board included: Will teachers have the same number of observations (yes and no – career teachers will have a formal observation by the principal); will the same instrument be used for all teachers (yes, all held to the same standard); have teachers been prepared (yes, one of the reasons ECPS volunteered to pilot); and, are there teachers saying they don’t like (yes – but next year it will be done statewide). A motion was made by Member Ann Kent to approve revisions to policy 5840, as presented. The motion was seconded by Member Janice Davidson and, with a unanimous vote, approved by the Board.
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A motion was made by Member Ann Kent to approve revisions to policy 4180 Pregnant Students. The motion was seconded by Member Janice Davidson and, with a unanimous vote, approved by the Board. CONSENT AGENDA – A motion was made by Member Ann Kent to approve Consent Items (8.1.A) as follows: •
Field trips for Tarboro High, SouthWest Edgecombe, and North Edgecombe High Schools LEP students to Raleigh, NC [3/26/10]; G.W. Bulluck, G.W. Carver, Coker-Wimberly, W.A. Pattillo, and Princeville Montessori’s 4th grade AIG students to Wilmington, NC [4/30/10]; G. W. Carver, G.W. Bulluck, CokerWimberly, W.A. Pattillo, and Princeville Montessori’s 5th grade AIG students to Williamsburg, VA [5/7/10]; G. W. Carver’s 4th grade students to Asheboro, NC [5/13/10]; North Edgecombe’s JROTC to Washington, NC [3/13/10] and Army JROTC to Washington, DC [4/12-14/10]; South Edgecombe’s 8th grade to Williamsburg [5/28/10] and Athletes to Greensboro, NC [3/26/10]; SouthWest Edgecombe’s JROTC to Washington, NC [3/13/10], AFROTC to Kitty Hawk, NC [3/20/10], AVID I students to Chapel Hill, NC [3/23/10], FBLA students to Raleigh, NC [4/22-24/10], Band students to Charlotte, NC [4/2325/10], and AFJROTC to Jacksonville, NC [5/22/10]; Tarboro High School’s Concert Band students to Havelock, NC [3/17/20]; West Edgecombe’s Jr. BETA Club to Washington, DC [4/23-25/10], and 6th grade students to Williamsburg, VA [5/7/10], as presented.
The motion was seconded by Member Janice Davidson and, with a unanimous vote, approved by the Board. ITEMS FOR ACTION – The Board heard from Mrs. Helen Hines-Hunter with a request from the Phillips High School Alumni to place a permanent marker denoting that Phillips Middle School was once a high school in the county. She informed the Board that if approved, the unveiling and dedication ceremony would take place Memorial Day weekend. Member Keith Pittman questioned who would maintain the marker (the alumni). A motion was made by Member Ann Kent to approve the request of the Phillips High School Alumni to place a permanent marker on the Phillips Middle School campus, as presented. The motion was seconded by Member Charlie Cobb and, with a unanimous vote, approved by the Board. Mrs. Laurie Leary, Director of Finance, presented budget amendments for 2009-2010. A motion was made by Member Ann Kent to approve budget amendments, as presented. The motion was seconded by Member Janice Davidson and, with a unanimous vote, approved by the Board. Mrs. Laurie Leary presented the 2010-2011 Budget to the Board for approval. She informed the Board that the document is the preliminary budget, not the final budget. A motion was made by Member Ann Kent to approve the 2010-2011 Budget, as presented. The motion was seconded by Member Janice Davidson and, with a unanimous vote, approved by the Board. Mrs. Janet Morris, Director of Accountability, presented a continuation agreement with Follett Software Company formerly TetraData. Mrs. Morris informed the Board that with the Accountability Department being comprised of two individuals, the data warehouse has been a tremendous asset. She informed the Board that three years ago data was in so many places there
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was no way to cross reference it. A motion was made by Member Janice Davidson to approve the agreement continuation with Follett Software at a cost of $144,231.00 over a three-year period, as presented. The motion was seconded by Member Charlie Cobb and, with a unanimous vote, approved by the Board. A motion was made by Member Ann Kent under the North Carolina Open Meetings Law, Section 143-318.11 (a) (1), (a) (3), and (a) (6), to go into Closed Session to consider personnel matters, to consult with the attorney to preserve attorney-client privileged information, and to prevent the disclosure of student records rendered confidential under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232g, and the disclosure of personnel records rendered confidential under G.S. 115C-319 through 321. The motion was seconded by Member Janice Davidson and, with a unanimous vote, approved by the Board. OPEN SESSION – A motion was made by Member Ann Kent to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation for personnel management as discussed and amended in closed session. The motion was seconded by Member Janice Davidson and, with a unanimous vote, approved by the Board. A motion was made by Member Ann Kent to approve the closed session minutes of February 8, 2010, as discussed and amended in closed session. The motion was seconded by Member Janice Davidson and, with a unanimous vote, approved by the Board. BOARD CORRESPONDENCE – Board Chair Evelyn Wilson shared correspondence regarding the invitation to the College Round Up on March 13, 2010 and High School Visitation Day where representatives from Keihin, QVC, and Sara Lee will speak to seniors – the Board will be notified when the date has been scheduled. ITEMS BROUGHT BY BOARD MEMBERS/SUPERINTENDENT FOR CONSIDERATION/DISCUSSION – There were none. There being no further business, a motion was made by Member Janice Davidson to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Member Ann Kent and, with a unanimous vote, approved by the Board. Respectfully submitted,
________________________________ Dr. Craig Witherspoon, Superintendent Approved by the Edgecombe County Board of Education
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BY:
___________________________ Evelyn S. Wilson, Chairperson
DATE: ___________________________