MINUTES CABARRUS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION BUSINESS MEETING DECEMBER 12, 2011 The Cabarrus County Board of Education met for a Business Meeting on Monday, December 12, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the Education Center. Board Members in attendance were Board Chair Lynn Shue, Vice-Chair Blake Kiger, Mrs. Holly Blackwelder, Mr. Tim Furr and Mrs. Grace Mynatt. Also in attendance were Superintendent Dr. Barry Shepherd, Board Attorney Sarah Motley Stone, Teacher Liaison Janelle Patterson and Board Clerk Ailene Monroe. Board Members Carolyn Carpenter and Cindy Fertenbaugh were not in attendance at the meeting. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Board Chair Lynn Shue. Mr. Shue acknowledged Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Deputy Buckwell for providing security for the meeting. OPENING CEREMONY The opening ceremony was conducted by the Central Cabarrus High School Air Force JROTC and the Central Cabarrus High School Chorus. The following JROTC Cadets presented the colors: Cadet Chief Master Sergeant A. J. Smith, Cadet Second Lieutenant Ashley Haas, Cadet Tech Sergeant William Page and Cadet Airman First Class Joy Lacarta. The Cadets were led by Lt. Col. Nelson English and MSgt. Carlos Delacruz. The National Anthem was performed by the Central Cabarrus High School Chorus under the direction of Mr. Joel King. SETTING THE AGENDA A motion was made by Mrs. Holly Blackwelder and seconded by Mr. Blake Kiger that the agenda be approved as presented. The motion was unanimously approved. RECOGNITIONS Mrs. Ronnye Boone, Public Relations Director, recognized the following individuals as Impact through Education Award winners for their respective schools: Charles E. Boger Elementary School Student: Kate Prager (Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Prager) Student: Jacob Rush (Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Rush) Certified Staff: Mrs. Dalea Beane Support Staff: Mrs. Dixie Cote Hickory Ridge Middle School Student: Marissa Artuso (Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Victor Artuso) 1 Student: Joseph Cawley (Parent: Ms. Marie Cawley) Certified Staff: Ms. Tierney Fairchild Support Staff: Ms. Rose Elderbroom Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Awards Mr. Tim Vaughn of Hilbish Ford and Superintendent Dr. Barry Shepherd presented Teacher of the Month Awards for November 2011 and December 2011. The Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month for November 2011 is Mr. Joshua Kauffman from Hickory Ridge Middle School. The Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month for December 2011 is Mrs. Summer Owens from Jay M. Robinson High School. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Apps for the Environment Challenge Winner Mr. Jason Van Heukelum, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, recognized Ali Hasan, a junior at Mount Pleasant High School, as the Environmental Protection Agency Apps for the Environment Challenge Winner. North Carolina Big Sweep Design Contest Winner Mr. Jason Van Heukelum, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, recognized Kendall Quick, a student at Mount Pleasant High School, as the 2012 North Carolina Big Sweep Artist of the Year. North Carolina Home Builders Association Construction Trades Teacher of the Year Award Mr. Jason Van Heukelum, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, recognized Mr. Darren Hartsell, masonry teacher at Jay M. Robinson High School, as the North Carolina Home Builders Association Construction Trades Teacher of the Year. College Board Second Annual Advanced Placement Honor Roll Award Mr. Jason Van Heukelum, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, presented Board Chair Lynn Shue with the College Board Second Annual Advanced Placement Honor Roll Award for Cabarrus County Schools. This national award recognizes the district’s success and efforts to expand AP access, performance and commitment to increasing student achievement. Cabarrus County Schools was one of 367 districts selected nationwide. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Mrs. Holly Blackwelder and seconded by Mr. Blake Kiger that the Minutes of the November 7, 2011 Work Session and the Minutes of the November 21, 2011 Business Meeting be approved as presented. The motion was unanimously approved. REPORTS Application for Charter for Virtual Charter School Dr. Barry Shepherd, Superintendent, addressed the Board regarding a proposal for a virtual charter school. Dr. Shepherd noted that last summer, the General Assembly eliminated the cap on the number of charter schools in North Carolina. He was contacted by Mr. Jeff Barnhardt of McGuire Woods regarding interest in sponsoring a virtual charter school. Dr. Shepherd stated he was impressed with the discussion and forwarded information to the Board and to the Board 2 Attorney for review. Dr. Shepherd stated that Board Attorney Sarah Motley Stone will review the evaluation rubric and Mr. Joseph Chisholm of K12, Inc. will present a proposal for developing a successful working relationship with Cabarrus County Schools. Dr. Shepherd advised he would continue the discussion with the Board at their January 2012 Work Session and would ask that they take action at their January 2012 Business Meeting. Dr. Shepherd noted that K12, Inc. is interested in Cabarrus County Schools and their efforts to reach all students, having successfully established a Performance Learning Center, an Early College High School, elementary and middle school magnets and most recently, expanded magnet offerings to include an IB high school and a STEM high school. Board Attorney Sarah Motley Stone advised the Board that the evaluation rubric they had received was used by the North Carolina State Board of Education when they review charter schools. Attorney Stone noted that the Board can adopt the rubric or make changes as they see fit. She noted that the application is due by February 1, 2012, and asked the Board to review the application and consider whether they would like to adopt the state rubric or use a different evaluation process. Mr. Joseph Chisholm, Vice President of School Development for K12, Inc., addressed the Board to present a proposal for a virtual charter school. The virtual charter school is proposed to open in the fall of 2012 and would be open to students in grades kindergarten through tenth grade initially, but would eventually include eleventh and twelfth grades. Mr. Chisholm noted that the initial enrollment would be 2,750 students, with about 250 students per grade with approximately 2.5 students in the grade levels coming from each county across North Carolina. He stated that the school would be open to any student in the state of North Carolina who is eligible to an education and those who do not currently attend public schools. He estimated that 1.5 million students in the state are eligible to apply. Mr. Chisholm stated that he looks forward to presenting a full proposal to the Board after it is fine-tuned by the district, according to whatever rubric they select and looks forward to presenting it to the Board at their January 2012 meeting. Mr. Chisholm noted that the contract with the state would provide for a ten year charter. Mr. Chisholm introduced Ms. Allison Cleveland, Senior Vice President with K12, Inc. Mr. Chisholm and Ms. Cleveland responded to questions from the Board regarding their proposal. Board Chair Comments Board Chair Lynn Shue noted this is the last meeting of 2011 for the Board. Mr. Shue thanked all teachers, staff and anyone who has a part in educating children for their hard work and wished everyone a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous New Year. Superintendent Comments Dr. Barry Shepherd congratulated Central Cabarrus High School for receiving a $25,000 technology grant from Windstream. Dr. Shepherd congratulated Board Member Grace Mynatt, who was recently named a Paul Harris Fellow by The Cabarrus Rotary Club. Mrs. Mynatt was recognized because The Cabarrus 3 Rotary believes her life exemplifies the humanitarian and educational objectives of The Rotary Foundation, demonstrating in her life and vocation a commitment to helping persons in need, here and around the world. Dr. Shepherd announced and congratulated the winners of the first CCS Holiday E-Card Design Contest. E-cards will be sent online to community and business leaders and other school superintendents in an effort to be more efficient. The five winners will be invited to the January 23, 2012 Business Meeting to be recognized. The winners are as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Gabrielle Poole, 12th grade, Northwest Cabarrus High School Nelson Martinez, 11th grade, Northwest Cabarrus High School Kara Wheeler, 10th grade, Mount Pleasant High School Taylor Tucker, 10th grade, Mount Pleasant High School Jordan Griffin, 9th grade, Mount Pleasant High School Parker Burns, 8th grade, Hickory Ridge Middle School Dr. Shepherd announced that CCS has entered the world of social media, having just launched Facebook and Twitter sites. Dr. Shepherd noted that the Head Start Administrative Report for October 2011 has been sent to all Board Members. Dr. Shepherd stated that second quarter progress reports went home with students today, December 12, 2011. Dr. Shepherd reminded parents and staff members to review the inclement weather procedures posted on the CCS district website in order to be prepared in the event there are school closings or delays caused by winter weather. Dr. Shepherd wished everyone a very happy holiday season and encouraged all to stay safe during the winter break. Dr. Shepherd looks forward to welcoming students and staff back in the New Year. GUEST SPEAKERS The following guest speakers addressed the Board: Mrs. Noelle Scott, President and CEO of the Cabarrus Arts Council, thanked the Board for the wonderful and powerful partnership between the Arts Council and Cabarrus County Schools and noted some of the events that take place every year with CCS students. Mr. Mark Troutman, CCS parent, addressed the Board regarding his concerns with his daughter’s bus stop. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA The following items were presented to the Board for approval on the Consent Agenda: Approval of Budget Amendments 4 Approval of Policies on First Reading: Policy # 3101 - Concurrent Dual Enrollment and Other Curriculum Expansions Policy # 3110 - Innovation in Curriculum and Instruction Policy # 3300 - School Time Calendar and Time for Learning Policy # 3410 - Testing and Assessment Program Policy # 4151 - Unsafe School and Choice Transfer Policy # 4155 - Assignment to Classes Policy # 4335 - Criminal Behavior Policy # 4400 - Attendance Policy # 7240 - Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy # 7620 - Payroll Deductions Policy # 7800 - Professional and Staff Development ***Policy # 7811 – Plans for Growth and Development of Professionally Licensed Employees ***Updated Policy Attached Approval of Policies on Second Reading: Policy # 1510/4200/7270 - School Safety Policy # 3530 - Citizenship and Character Education Policy # 4100 - Age Requirements for Initial Entry Policy # 4150 - School Assignment Policy # 4316 - Student Dress Code Policy # 4353 - Long-Term Suspension, 365 Suspension, Expulsion Policy # 7130 - Licensure Policy # 7200 - Professional Standards of Conduct and Performance for Teachers Policy # 7810 - Evaluation of Licensed Employees Policy # 7815 - Evaluation of Non-Licensed Employees Policy # 7820 - Personnel Files Policy # 7930 - Licensed Employee: Demotion and Dismissal Policy # 7950 - Probationary Teachers: Non-Renewal Approval of QSCB Project Request: Concord High School Chiller Replacement Project Bid Award to Jeff Hargett Mechanical, Inc., including both alternates, in the amount of $291,122 Approval of QSCB Project Request: Northwest Cabarrus High School Chiller Replacement Project Bid Award to Catawba Mechanical Services, including both alternates, in the amount of $275,100 A motion was made by Mrs. Grace Mynatt and seconded by Mrs. Holly Blackwelder that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. The motion was unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION A motion was made by Mr. Blake Kiger and seconded by Mrs. Holly Blackwelder that the Board convene in Closed Session, pursuant to General Statute 143.318.11(a)(6) to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee; or to hear or investigate a complaint, charge or grievance by or 5 against an individual public officer or employee and pursuant to General Statute 143318.11(a)(3) to consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged. The motion was unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION A motion was made by Mrs. Holly Blackwelder and seconded by Mrs. Grace Mynatt that the Board reconvene in Open Session. The motion was unanimously approved. AMENDMENT TO AGENDA A motion was made by Mrs. Holly Blackwelder and seconded by Mr. Blake Kiger that the agenda be amended to add “Request for Board Direction on the QSCB Project for a Gymnasium Addition at Northwest Cabarrus High School.” The motion was unanimously approved. Request for Board Direction on the QSCB Project for a Gymnasium Addition at Northwest Cabarrus High School Mr. Len Witke, Executive Director of Facilities Management, presented information from Morris Berg Associates regarding four options for the gym expansion/renovation at Northwest Cabarrus High School. The various proposals and costs associated were presented and discussed by the Board, including costs, accessibility issues, and overall system priorities. Chairman Shue agreed to discuss this project at the next Chair-Vice Chair meeting with the County Commissioners. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 12, 2011 PERSONNEL LIST A motion was made by Mrs. Grace Mynatt and seconded by Mr. Tim Furr that the December 12, 2011 Personnel List be approved as presented. The motion was unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Mr. Tim Furr and seconded by Mr. Blake Kiger that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was unanimously approved. APPROVED ON JANUARY 23, 2012: Lynn Shue Board Chair Dr. Barry C. Shepherd Superintendent 6