Minutes
Iredell-Statesville Board of Education
Iredell County Government Center
September 13, 2010
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The Iredell-Statesville Board of Education met at the Iredell County Government Center on Monday, September 13, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
Members present: Dr. David Cash; Ms. Anna Bonham; Mr. Bill Brater; Mr. Charles Kelly; Mr. Bryan Shoemaker, and Mr. Keith Williams.
Administrators present: Mr. Brady Johnson, Superintendent; Ms. Melissa Wike; Chief Finance Officer; Dr. Ron Hargrave, Deputy Superintendent of Operations; Ms. Pam Schiffman, Associate Superintendent of Accountability and Technology; Mr. Chip Weddington, Interim Associate Superintendent of Human Resources; Mr. Bill Long, Executive Director of Teacher Support Services; and Ms. Susie Wiberg, Partnership Coordinator.
Also Present: Mrs. Susan Kennedy, Board Clerk; and members of the press.
RECOGNITIONS:
Community Schools Award: It is our pleasure to present the Community Schools Award to Dr. Michael Druzbik, a local chiropractor. Dr. Druzbik contacted us to ask if he could host a barrel to collect school supplies during the “School Tools” campaign. Dr. Druzbik held a “Patient Appreciation Day” whereby each patient see was not to pay their copay with money, but was to bring school supplies in the amount of their copay for the barrel. The barrel was overflowing by the end of the day! Thank you Dr. Druzbik for your support of the School Tools Campaign and the students of Iredell-Statesville Schools.
Teachers of the Year Recognition: Mr. Bill Long presented the following Teachers of the Year:
· Wendy McRorie Brawley Middle School
· Jason Gardner Celeste Henkel Elementary
· Donna Lanier Central Elementary
· Denise Harris Cloverleaf Elementary
· Gail Connelly Coddle Creek Elementary
· Michael Ginnerty CCTL Early College
· Tonya Cassidy Cool Spring
· Alison Whitaker East Iredell Elementary School
· Pam Bumgarner East Iredell Middle School
· Brian Shea Harmony Elementary School
· Sharon Gulledge Lake Norman Elementary School
· Patrick Cosal Lake Norman High School
· Jennifer Steimer Lakeshore Elementary School
· Kim Busch Lakeshore Middle School
· Val Falkner Monticello School
· Stacy Wozny Mt. Mourne IB
· Cindy Jurney NB Mills Elementary School
· Eric Stramecky North Iredell High School
· Kathy Harvey North Iredell Middle School
· Matthew Reid Northview Elementary School
· Kathy Guerin Pressly
· Adam Evans Scotts Elementary School
· Jessica Maddas White Sharon Elementary School
· Carla Stutts Shepherd
· Kathy Green South Iredell High School
· Amy Viars Statesville High School
· Kimberli Juliano Statesville Middle School
· Shana Toth Third Creek Elementary School
· Kim Doucette Troutman Elementary School
· Kathleen Boice Troutman Middle School
· Ashley Bragg Union Grove Elementary
· Jane Crosby VPAC
· Wendy Sherrill West Iredell High School
· Debbie Dearman West Iredell Middle School
· Laura Schweickert Woodland Heights
In addition, Mr. Long recognized Pam Bumgarner, from East Iredell Middle School, as the Iredell-Statesville Schools District Teacher of the Year.
Mr. Paul Cook, Statesville Market President for Wachovia, presented the Wachovia Outstanding Educator award for Middle and High Schools to Wendy Sherrill from West Iredell High School.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Personnel:
Approval of Acceptance of Resignations, Retirements, and Leaves of Absences: No discussion.
Approval of Classified Personnel: No discussion.
Approval of Licensed Personnel: No discussion.
Approval of Administrative Appointments: No discussion.
Approval of Minutes:
· August 2, 2010 Committee of the Whole Minutes: No discussion.
· August 8, 2010 Board of Education End-of-Year Work Session: No discussion.
· August 9, 2010 Board of Education Minutes: No discussion.
Approval of Consent Agenda: Mr. Bill Brater made a motion, seconded by Mr. Keith Williams, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion unanimously carries. These items are:
Item II-A Acceptance of Resignations, Retirements, and Leaves of Absences
Item II-B Approval of Classified Personnel
Item II-C Approval of Licensed Personnel
Item II-D Approval of Administrative Appointments
Item III Approval of Minutes of August 2, 2010 Committee of the Whole Meeting;
August 8, 2010 Board of Education Work Session Minutes; and
August 9, 2010 Board of Education Meeting
Mr. Johnson introduced Dr. Alvera Lesane who will take over as Associate Superintendent of Human Resources on October 1st.
NON-CONSENT AGENDA:
Administration:
Teachers Matter Survey from the United Way: Mrs. Pat Stewart presented the results of a teacher survey which was conducted in the spring. I-SS was one of four districts in the state selected to participate in the survey. The purpose of the survey is to study teacher effectiveness. This grant is different from any other grant in that local United Ways will work at the grass roots level to determine the secrets to success in the classroom and identifying best practices in the classroom. I-SS had 538 teachers respond to the survey. We asked these teachers for suggestions on how the community can help and we received 538 suggestions which include mentoring, parental involvement and support, parent-teacher teamwork, provide resources to move our students to be 21st Century learners, community presence in schools, county-wide volunteer programs, and professional development. A community meeting is being scheduled by United Way for September 29th at 8:30 a.m.
Revision to Policy #4400: Attendance (2nd Reading): Dr. Ron Hargrave presented this policy for second reading. These revisions align our policy with the state policy. There have been no questions or concerns that have arisen since the first reading and administration recommends approval at this time.
Mr. Bryan Shoemaker made a motion, seconded by Ms. Anna Bonham, to approve the revisions to Policy #4400 as presented. The motion unanimously carries.
Board of Education Improvement Plan: Mr. Johnson presented the current Board of Education Improvement Plan as well as the survey results from the most recent Board of Education survey. The good news is that the Board improved in three out of four indicators. The Board needs to begin focusing on which areas to concentrate on for this school year. It was the consensus of the Board that this item should be discussed in greater detail at our next Committee of the Whole meeting.
Stimulus Funds (Jobs Bill) and Impact on I-SS: The Federal Government recently passed the Education Jobs Fund Bill. I-SS is slated to receive approximately $3.8 million. The money should be distributed to the states by September 24th and available to us soon thereafter. The funds are to be used only to retain existing employees, recall or rehire former employees and to hire new employees. These employees must be school-based personnel. The intent of the bill is to use the funds during the current school year; however, the funds will be available until 2012.
How the Board of Education decides to spend this money will have a trickle down effect on our local budget. Ms. Wike has put together three scenarios to give an idea of how this money could affect the local budget. None of the scenarios involve hiring additional employees because this is a one-time shot and next year we will lose all of our stimulus money and therefore anyone hired with this new money could be without a job next year.
Mr. Johnson reminded the Board that the budget that we are operating under this school year called for two drastic actions. One was the appropriation of $1.9 million from our fund balance and the other was the reduction in our local supplement to all employees throughout the district. These two actions will save I-SS approximately $3.9 million, which is just about the amount we will receive from the Jobs Bill.
The Board would like to discuss this issue further at the next Committee of the Whole meeting.
Lottery Funds: Dr. Miller is requesting approval to apply for lottery proceeds to be drawn down funds from our account. These funds are from the 2009-10 lottery money, specifically set aside for capital improvements, and must be approved by the county commissioners.
Mr. Charles Kelly made a motion, seconded by Mr. Keith Williams, to allow Dr. Miller to take the application to the County Commissioners to draw down lottery funds to reimburse capital outlay funds. The motion unanimously carries.
Public Comment:
· NCAE Representatives Kris Rennolds and Carla Fassbender addressed the board with regard to the Jobs Bill. They are encouraging the Board to put the money first and foremost, into hiring, re-hiring and retaining teachers.
· Debbie Ferrell spoke to the board regarding the Jobs Bill. She is representing Media Coordinators district-wide to ask the Board to reinstate the Media Assistant position as part of the Jobs Bill funding.
Superintendent’s Comments:
Mr. Johnson shared our SAT scores for the 2009-10 school year. Our SAT scores have dipped for the second consecutive year. I-SS is ranked 19th in the state. We are still outperforming the Mooresville Graded School District, our 20 peer districts, the SWRESA, the State of North Carolina, and the United States; however, Mr. Johnson is concerned that the budget cuts are impacting what we are doing in the district. He is concerned about maintaining our high level of performance given the budget cuts we have sustained over the past two years.
Mr. Bill Brater made a motion, seconded by Mr. Bryan Shoemaker, according to NCGS 143-318 for the board to enter closed session to discuss personnel issues and property issues. The motion unanimously carries.
Mr. Bill Brater made a motion, seconded by Mr. Charles Kelly, for the board to return to open session. The motion unanimously carries.
There being no further business before the board, Mr. Bill Brater made a motion, seconded by Ms. Anna Bonham to adjourn. The motion unanimously carries.
Signed:______
Dr. David W. Cash, Chairman
Board of Education
______
Mr. Brady Johnson, Superintendent
Secretary, Board of Education
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