CASWELL COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES

October 12, 2015

The Caswell County Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m. in the Whitley Administration Building of Caswell County Schools. Members present: Chairman June Dailey, Vice Chairman Gladys Garland, Sylvia Johnson, Donna Hudson, Mel Battle, Ross Gwynn, and Betty Sartin. Others present include Superintendent Dr. M. Brock Womble, Nicole McGhee, Sheena Sigmon, Andrew Tyrrell, JoAnna Gwynn, Jennifer O’Briant, Steve Evans, Carol Boaz, Bill Foster, Kelly McVay, Donielle Totten, Jonathan Barnes, Jennifer Giles, Dr. Sammy Shields, Darrell Dumas, Steven Poindexter, Steven Walton, Crystal Kessler, Kelly Brown, Susan Painter, Chelsea Carhuff, Shannon Gammon, Diamond Hatchett, Deborah Jones, Nelson Showalter, Carlene Bailey, Rebecca Brown, Carmon Graves, Ashley Ellison, Bryana Boaz, Althea Gwynn, Evangelina Balmori, and Board Attorney Ron Bradsher. Connie Kimrey recorded the minutes. (Note: Others may have been present but did not sign the roster).

I. A. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order and a moment of silence was observed followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Bartlett Yancey High School student Donielle Totten.

I. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Sylvia Johnson moved, seconded by Betty Sartin, to approve the minutes of the September 28, 2015 meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

I. C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Gladys Garland moved, seconded by Betty Sartin to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

I. D. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Personnel Director Nicole McGhee introduced recently hired transportation director William (Bill) Foster to the board. Principals from Bartlett Yancey, North Elementary and South Elementary also introduced new staff members.

I. E. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Diamond Hatchett, 2526 Solomon Lea Road, Leasburg, NC

Ms. Hatchett presented a question to the board regarding ACT work keys test and subgroups. Dr. Womble replied that someone would get in touch with her to answer her questions.

II. REPORTS

Principal JoAnna Gwynn and members of her staff presented the school improvement plan for Bartlett Yancey High School. The school improvement plan was not approved at this time.

III. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

·  Policy # 460 – Corporal Punishment

Ross Gwynn moved, seconded by Gladys Garland to remove Policy # 460, Corporal Punishment from the table. The motion carried unanimously.

Upon no questions or comments, Mel Battle moved, seconded by Donna Hudson to approve the changes to Policy # 460, Corporal Punishment as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT……………………………………………………….………………………………………460

Adopted 06/21/04 / Amended 10/12/15

The court has upheld the constitutionality of N. C. General Statute 115C-390, which empowers school officials to use reasonable force in the exercise of lawful authority to restrain or correct students and to maintain order.

Statutory authority to administer corporal punishment as one means of discipline is granted to principals and teachers. Corporal punishment, although not encouraged, may be administered at all levels is not supported by the Caswell County Board of Education.

Corporal punishment may not be used as a disciplinary tool by school personnel.

Recommended Course of Action

Action by Teacher

1.  Discuss the matter with the student and unless the seriousness of the offense merits immediate action, warn student that continued misbehavior will result in the loss of certain privileges.

2.  Proceed with any of the following corrective actions if misbehavior continues:

a.  Isolate within the classroom

b.  Have student write a letter to parent/guardian concerning misbehavior.

c.  Have student call parent/guardian at home or work to explain misbehavior.

d.  Detain student after school provided adequate prior arrangements have been made with a parent/guardian.

e.  Withhold privileges. (By law no student may be denied the right to participate in any part of the instructional program.)

f.  Isolate outside the classroom under supervision if facilities are available.

g.  Contact parent/guardian by telephone/letter for input and cooperation when necessary.

h.  Consult with principal concerning misbehavior.

i.  Refer student to principal for further corrective action.

j.  Any other acceptable action as adopted by the school staff.

Action by Principal

After counseling with the student and/or conferring with the teacher, take corrective action up to and including the recommendation of suspension from school.

It was noted that this policy will be shared with staff to make them aware of recent changes.

IV. NEW BUSINESS

1.  Consent Agenda

A.  Transfer Request

Donna Hudson moved, seconded by Mel Battle to discuss this item during closed session. The motion carried unanimously.

2.  Instructional Coaching & Training Agreement / Averett

Nelson Showalter reviewed information regarding the instructional coaching and training agreement noting no cost to the school system. This will assist students at the middle school and at Oakwood Elementary. Upon review, Dr. Womble recommended approval of the agreement as presented. Betty Sartin moved, seconded by Ross Gwynn to approve the instructional coaching and training agreement as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

3.  CDI Contract

Dr. Womble shared information regarding CDI contract for computer updates for all teachers as discussed in previous work session. Upon review, Dr. Womble recommended approval. Gladys Garland moved, seconded by Betty Sartin to approve the CDI contract as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

CDI, 130 South Town Centre Blvd., Markham, Ontario L6G 1B8

Quote # 680818 / Phone: 888-226-5727 x-3715 / David Popovsi

Dell Latitude E6420 – Intel Core 15 – 2.5 GHZ, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB HD, DVD-ROM, Windows 7, PRO – 64 BIT

Qty = 175 Pricing: $65,265.00

Shipping: $ 862.00

Total: $66,487.00

Funding will be used from ADM and requires no match if used for technology.

4.  Apple Store Contract

Dr. Womble shared information on quote from Apple Store for iPads at Oakwood Elementary. Upon discussion among board members, concerns were mentioned that until a final budget is presented, they did not feel comfortable approving this contract at this time.

Sylvia Johnson moved, seconded by Gladys Garland to table the contract with Apple until final budget figures from the State have been received. The motion carried unanimously.

5.  Shiloh Utilities, Inc.

Dr. Womble reviewed information on quote from Shiloh Utilities, Inc. to install the water meter at North Elementary. The contract that was approved has not completed service as of yet and the Town of Yanceyville would like to proceed. The old contract will be voided.

Sylvia Johnson moved, seconded by Betty Sartin to approve contract with Shiloh Utilities, Inc. to install water meter at North Elementary at a cost of $6,000. The motion carried unanimously.

Shiloh Utilities, Inc. 521 Patrick Street, Eden, NC 27288 / Phone: 336-627-4772 (Keith Duncan)

Includes locate of existing utilities, excavation of existing 4” PVC waterline to determine outside diameter of existing pipe, fittings, meter box (PVC), 2” by-pass with 2” valves, labor, insurance, mobilization and any miscellaneous necessary to complete project.

Note: 2” Meter & Equipment will be furnished by Caswell County Schools

Permits by Owner (if necessary) Total: $6,000.00

(Town of Yanceyville has previously provided meter)

Contract with C&J Utilities (approved at June 18, 2015 meeting) will be voided along with appropriate paperwork.

C&J Utilities, Inc., 2307 Deep Creek Church Road, Burlington, NC 27217 / 336-578-2931

Total Cost: $5,375.00

6.  Softball Field Renovations

Dr. Womble reviewed information for select areas of the softball field. Upon discussion, Dr. Womble was advised to bring back information once he had compiled everything as requested by the board earlier. More estimates are needed on certain areas along with providing a complete list of everything that is being requested for this project.

Sylvia Johnson moved, seconded by Betty Sartin to table this item and review at the next budget work session. The motion carried unanimously.

Dr. Womble was directed to present the entire plan rather than a few items at a time. Items that were to be included: turf planner/trugreen/irrigation/handicap ramp, block, fencing, nylon netting, and press box to be considered.

7.  Upslope – Code of Conduct

Dr. Womble recommended approval of using Upslope and stated he was told that Title II funds could be used to pay for this; however, he had not confirmed this from DPI. Other funds that could be considered include small school and/or low wealth.

Discussion took place among board members regarding what this contract included and if updates will be included at no cost. Dr. Womble implied that they would; however, he was not certain. The board was not comfortable with making a decision on this due to the amount of unanswered questions.

Battle moved, seconded by Sylvia Johnson to table the Code of Conduct with Upslope until more information is received. The motion carried unanimously.

IV. SUPERINTENDENT UPDATES

·  Dr. Womble shared information on driver’s education program

·  Capital outlay budget was shared with the board

·  Bids for the Oakwood renovation project will be advertised

·  Dr. Sammy Shields reviewed information on low performing schools and noted that the board will need to respond within 30 days. Letters will be going out to students on October 30, 2015.


V. CLOSED SESSION

Gladys Garland made a motion to go into closed session for the purpose of considering a personnel action that involves an officer or employee of this Board (NC General Statute 143-318.11(a)(6); and for the purpose of discussing information that is privileged, confidential or not a public record (NC General Statute 143-318.11(a)(1) and to confer with legal counsel after a break. Donna Hudson seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

VI. OPEN SESSION

Ross Gwynn made a motion to return to open session. Betty Sartin seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Dr. Womble recommended approval of student transfer. Gladys Garland moved, seconded by Sylvia Johnson to approve transfer request as presented. The motion carried 6-1 with Hudson voting “No.”

Myers, Jason H. Oakwood to North 5th grade

VII. PERSONNEL LISTING

Dr. Brock Womble recommended approval of personnel as presented. Sylvia Johnson moved, seconded by Gladys Garland. The motion carried unanimously.

Employment
Oakwood Elementary / Willie McBee – Part Time Custodian – Eff. 10/13/15
(Replaces Belinda Elliott)
Stoney Creek Elementary / Nyra Williams – Bus Driver (Sub) = Eff. 10/13/15
Resignation
Stoney Creek Elementary / Sylvia Paschal – Eff. 10/29/15

VIII. COMMUNICATIONS

·  Joint meeting with County Commissioners on November 9th at 5:30 p.m. Board of Education meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Mel Battle moved, seconded by Donna Hudson to move time for the Nov. 9, 2015 board of education meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.

·  Law conference = October 14-16, 2015.

·  Dr. Womble will provide the formula for low wealth at the next meeting.

X. BOARD MEMBER OBSERVATIONS

o  Betty Sartin shared that she had received positive comments from former employees of the school system on the work that Lori Daniel is doing at the alternative program.

XI. ADJOURN

Ross Gwynn made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 p.m., Betty Sartin seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, October 26, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. in the Whitley Administration Building.

______

June B. Dailey Dr. M. Brock Womble

Chairman Superintendent

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