Guilford County Board of Education
Board Meeting
October 12, 2004

GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

The Guilford County Board of Education met in a regular meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 23, 2004 , at 900 English Road , High Point , North Carolina . The following Board members were present: Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett (arrived by 5:03 p.m. ), Deena Hayes (arrived at 5:03 p.m. ), Johnny Hodge, Dot Kearns, Nancy Routh, Anita Sharpe, and Marti Sykes (arrived at 5:23 p.m. ). Board member Susan Mendenhall was absent. Also present were Superintendent Terry Grier and Attorney Jill Wilson .

Call to Order

Chairman Duncan called the meeting to order at 4:44 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Chairman Duncan led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silence.

Remembrance of Garry Burnett

Board members each said few words in remembrance of Board member Garry Burnett who passed away on Friday, September 17, 2004 . The Board followed the remembrance with a moment of silence.

Approval of Agenda

Chairman Duncan asked Board members to review the revised meeting agenda. He noted that the Board would break at 6:25 p.m. and resume the meeting at 6:45 p.m. with the Public Comment Period. Motion was made by Dot Kearns seconded by Nancy Routh , to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote.

Consent Agenda
Superintendent Grier presented the following Consent Agenda items:

 A. First Reading – Policy JD, Student Discipline

The Consent Agenda included a recommendation to approve for first reading Board Policy JD, Student Discipline. This policy has been under study, review, and revision by the Board’s Governance Committee. Policy JD has been proposed to be amended to reflect the intended process to make a voluntary reassignment to an alternative school as an option in lieu of long-term suspension.

B . First Reading – Policy IFCB, Field Trips

The Consent Agenda included a recommendation to approve for first reading Board Policy IFCB, Field Trips. Policy IFCB has been under study, review, and revision by the Board’s Governance Committee. It has been proposed with wording to indicate circumstances under which trips may be cancelled or postponed.

C. Second Reading – Policy JBCC, Student Assignment

The Consent Agenda included a recommendation to approve for second reading Board Policy JBCC, Student Assignment. The Board approved Board Policy JBCC, Student Assignment for first reading at its May 27 meeting, and after its second reading was deferred due to time constraints on July 13, it was placed on the Board’s agenda for July 29. Following discussion, the policy was sent to the Governance Committee for additional study. The proposed changes to the previous version are found on page 2 of the policy.

E. Extension of GTCC Lease of Washington Street Facility

The Consent Agenda included a recommendation that the Board authorize the extension of Guilford Technical Community College ’s (GTCC) present lease of the Washington Street Annex facility to January 31, 2005 . At the March 25, 2004 Board meeting, the Board approved GTCC’s request to extend its lease to December 31, 2004 .

While the district anticipates a need for that space, and will require some time to prepare it for occupancy, the administration believes it is in the best interest of the community to work with this additional extension request and believes it can be accomplished without undue complications.

E. Personnel Action Report

The Consent Agenda included an addendum to the Personnel Action Report for the period ending August 21, 2004 . The Addendum included the appointment of Gilda Scott and Zella Harris as part-time School Support Officers effective September 20, 2004.

Board member Nancy Routh, Convener of the Governance Review Committee, provided further explanation of the proposed policies on behalf of the committee. Following discussion, Item A - Policy JD, Student Discipline, was removed from consent agenda and discussed in conjunction with the SCALE Update.

Motion was then made by Dot Kearns, seconded by Nancy Routh , to approve the Consent Agenda (items B-E) as presented. Items B, D, and E passed upon unanimous roll call vote. Item C – Policy JBCC, Student Assignment failed upon majority roll call vote of 7 to 1 as follows: Noes – Dot Kearns, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Anita Sharpe, Johnny Hodge, Deena Hayes, and Darlene Garrett ; Ayes – Nancy Routh . Board member Marti Sykes was absent from the discussion and vote of the Consent Agenda.

Chairman Duncan asked the Governance Review Committee to revisit Policy JBCC and bring back to the Board at a future meeting.

Staff Reports

2004-2005 Budget Resolution

Sharon Ozment, Chief Financial Officer, presented the 2004-2005 Budget Resolution for adoption which reflected action taken by the Board on August 10, 2004 . She reminded the Board that on June 24, 2004, it a dopted an interim budget resolution in accordance with NCGS 115C-434 as a result of (a) the State of North Carolina had not yet adopted a continuing resolution or final budget for fiscal year 2004-2005; (b) the Guilford County Board of Commissioners had not yet adopted an interim or final budget resolution for fiscal year 2004-2005; and (c) the Guilford County Board of Education did not have a sufficient fund balance to operate the school system for fiscal year 2004-2005.

The State of North Carolina adopted a final budget for fiscal year 2004-2005 on July 17, 2004 and the Guilford County Board of Commissioners adopted a 2004-2005 budget ordinance for fiscal year 2004-2005 on the evening of June 24, 2004 . After the Board of County Commissioners made its appropriations to the local school administrative unit, NCGS 115C-432 requires the Board to adopt a budget resolution making appropriations for the budget year and further specifies that such budget resolution shall conform to the uniform budget format established by the State Board of Education .

Ms. Ozment reviewed the budget resolution and noted that it reflected:

• current allocations/projections for state, federal, child nutrition and ACES (After School Care Enrichment Services) funding
• a county appropriation to the Local Current Expense Fund of $130,665,521
• appropriations to the Capital Outlay Fund of $10,170,000 in sales tax revenues plus $2,970,877 in projected Public School Building Capital Funds

Chairman Duncan asked the Legislative Committee to contact the Speaker of the House regarding a lack of state funding.

Motion was made by Darlene Garrett , seconded by Marti Sykes , to approve the resolution as presented (copy included with minutes). The motion passed upon a majority roll call vote of 8 to 1 as follows: Ayes - Marti Sykes, Dot Kearns, Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes, Johnny Hodge, Alan Duncan, Kris Cooke, and Nancy Routh ; Noes – Anita Sharpe.

SCALE Update

Dr. Delores Fogg, Chief Student Services Officer, updated the Board on the district’s School-Community Alternative Learning Environment (SCALE) program. Dr. Fogg shared that the mission of SCALE is to provide students with the academic and behavioral skills required for present and future success. When students are long-term suspended from their home school, services are provided through SCALE to minimize educational loss, bring about behavior modification, and provide a support system to excluded students. She reported that 496 students were long-term suspended in 2003-2004 as compared to 550 students in 2002-2003. Of the 496 students long-term suspended in 2003-2004, 371 were males and 125 were females. And 83 of the 496 students were two or more years older than their peers.

Dr. Fogg also informed the Board that program enhancements provided this school year enable the district to better serve these students to ensure a successful school experience through to graduation. She reported that the following program enhancements had been made: behavior management contract, transition plan developed by SCALE and sending school, revised student orientation, separate middle and high school classes, and increased exceptional children’s services.

Dr. Fogg also reviewed the process used when a student is recommended for long-term suspension and Policy JD, Student Discipline.

It was the consensus of the Board to hold a work session/informational meeting with staff at the Pisgah Church SCALE facility. In the interim, the Board by consensus, agreed to allow the SCALE program to proceed as outlined until the work session is held.

No action was taken on the first reading of Policy JD, Student Discipline. The Governance Committee will again study the policy and bring back to the Board at a later date.

2004-2005 Enrollment Update

Chief Financial Officer Sharon Ozment presented an update on the district’s enrollment and per student county appropriation and asked the Board for its consideration to approach the Board of County Commissioners to seek funding. She noted that the December 2003 projections reflected a total 2004-2005 enrollment of 68,295 students (66,720 GCS students plus 1,575 charter school students). The actual 20th day membership was 67,182 and the projected 20th day membership for charters remained at 1,575, for a total 20th day membership in 2004-2005 of 68,757 students, 462 students more than was originally projected. The February 2004 projections reflected a total 2004-2005 enrollment of 68,583 students (67,008 GCS students plus 1,575 charter school students). The 2004-2005 local current expense fund budget was developed based on the 68,583 enrollment number, or an increase in student enrollment of 1,133 students. The difference between the 68,583 projected enrollment figure and the actual total 20th day membership figure of 68,757 is 174.

The budget ordinance approved by the county commissioners on June 24, 2004 included an appropriation to the district’s local current expense fund of $130,665,521. Based on a total enrollment of 68,583 (67,008 GCS students plus 1,575 charter school students), that equates to a per pupil county appropriation of $1,905.22 for 2004-2005. At $1,905.22 per student, the 174 additional students could generate an additional $331,508.28 in county appropriation funding.

She also reported that Guilford County Schools has received funding for a total of 561 less students that were enrolled as of the 20th day for fiscal years 1996-1997 through 2004-2005. The district has not returned funds to the county for the 166 students by which projected enrollment exceeded actual enrollment in fiscal years 1996-1997 and 1997-1998. Likewise, the district has not requested additional funds for the 553 students by which actual enrollment exceeded projected enrollment for fiscal years 1998-1999 through 2003-2004.

The $1,905.22 county appropriation per student for the 174 additional students could generate $331,508.28 that could be used to hire seven teachers and offset increased costs associated with providing transportation for approximately 100 additional students.

The Board took no action on Ms. Ozment’s report.

Update on Dropout Recovery Efforts

Superintendent Grier reported that staff were working hard to get students back into school especially with students that have been retained two or more times.

Chairman Duncan requested that the Board further discuss the district’s dropout recovery efforts in conjunction with the SCALE work session.

Sodexho Custodial Update

Superintendent Grier informed the Board that he had been asked whether or not Sodexho had instituted a hiring freeze. Chief Administrative Officer John Wright informed the Board that the rumor is false. He reported that Sodexho has been “right-sizing” its custodial staff based on square footage as required by the contract.

Dr. Wright indicated that the monthly custodial report requested by the Board would be distributed in the coming weeks. Following review of that report, Board members were asked to send questions or concerns to Dr. Wright.

Public Comments

Chairman Duncan recognized the following citizens who addressed comments to the Board:

Darryl Kosciak, 3910 Clifton Road , Greensboro , NC 27407
Sharon Shepard, 100 Buckeye Road , Jamestown , NC 27282
Dale Tonkins, 1118 S. English Street , Greensboro , NC 27406
Tyronne Melton, 3401-B West Wendover Avenue , Greensboro , NC 27407
Loretta Jennings, 1810 Woodmere Drive , Greensboro , NC 27410
Z.M. Holler, 113 South Treemont Drive , Greensboro , NC 27403
Deborah Compton-Holt, 3103 Pinecroft Road , Greensboro , NC 27407
Nettie Coad, 706 Martin Luther King Drive , Greensboro , NC 27406
Ken Cubbin, 4219 Clovelly Drive , Greensboro , NC 27406
Beverly Gibson, 3906 N. Main Street , High Point , NC 27265
Barbara Ann McAbee, 6414 Ivy Stone Drive , Jamestown , NC 27282
Harold Parker, 105 Hidden Ridge Drive, Jamestown , NC 27282
Jeff Peeler, 3309 Sparrowhawk Drive , High Point , NC 27265
Roy Shipman, 921 Flicker Lane , High Point , NC 27262
Joe Stafford, 4604 Forest Village Drive , Greensboro , NC 27406

Recognitions

Blue Ribbon Schools
The Board recognized Claxton Elementary and Shadybrook Elementary for being named No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools by the United States Department of Education. The No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools program was established to honor elementary and secondary schools in the United States that make significant progress in closing the achievement gap, or whose students achieve at very high levels.

Claxton Elementary met 11 out of 11 No Child Left Behind target goals in 2002-2003 and met 13 out of 13 target goals in 2003-2004. Last year, 94.5 percent students’ ABCs test scores were above the proficient level.

Shadybrook Elementary met 19 out of 19 target goals in 2002-2003 and met 17 out of 17 target goals in 2003-2004. Shadybrook was recently recognized as an Honor School of Excellence with 96.2 percent of its students’ test scores above the proficient level.

The No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools program was established to honor elementary and secondary schools in the United States that make significant progress in closing the achievement gap, or whose students achieve at very high levels.

Teacher of the Year and Finalists

The Board recognized the 2004 Teacher of the Year, Susan Poindexter of Jefferson Elementary, and the four finalists. The four Teacher of the Year finalists are: Heather Lanier from Page High, Lynn Geer from Western Guilford High, Annette Powell from Jamestown Middle, and Kimberly Pemberton from Washington Elementary.

Chairman Duncan recognized Ms. Poindexter for also being named the Elementary School Teacher of the Year, Annette Powell from Jamestown Middle School for being named the Middle School Teacher of the Year, and Lynn Geer for being named the High School Teacher of the Year.

Jerry Kiker of Harris Teeter Supermarkets presented Ms. Poindexter with a new car. Each finalist was given her choice of receiving $2,000 in groceries or a laptop computer courtesy of Harris Teeter.

Discussion of Board Vacancy

The Board discussed the District 1 vacancy due to the death of Board member Garry Burnett.

Chairman Duncan reported that he and Vice-Chairman Sharpe had discussed the legal requirements and past process to fill Board vacancies. He shared that previous efforts to fill a vacancy have taken approximately five to six weeks and that the District 1 representative would be determined by the upcoming November elections.

Therefore, motion was made by Chairman Duncan, seconded by Anita Sharpe, to not proceed with the process of filling the District 1 vacancy at this time and that the person elected to represent District 1 as a result of the November election be appointed to the Board at the earliest available Board meeting. The District 1 representative would then be sworn in to the full four year term during the Board’s regular meeting in December. The motion passed upon unanimous show of hands.

Closed Session

At 8:08 p.m. , motion was made by Anita Sharpe, seconded by Darlene Garrett , to go into closed session to preserve attorney client privilege, to discuss personnel matters protected by State law under N.C.G.S. 115C-321, to give instruction to the Board’s attorneys and staff regarding the price or other material term to be included in a proposed contract for the purchase of real property protected by N.C.G.S. 143-318.11., and to discuss a lawsuit encaptioned as Shelia D.P. Lea and Others v. Guilford County Board of Education and others.

The Board returned to open session at 1:17 a.m. on Friday, September 24, 2004.

Upon return to open session, motion was made by Dot Kearns, seconded by Darlene Garrett, to approve a resolution (copy included with the minutes) relating to land for the Northern area Elementary School . The motion passed unanimous show of hands.

Chairman Duncan announced that the Board did not complete its evaluation of the Superintendent and that it would work to schedule a meeting to do so.

Board Comments

Board members were each allowed two minutes to make remarks as they deemed appropriate.

Adjournment

With no further business, at 1:21 a.m. on Friday, September 24, 2004, motion was made by Anita Sharpe, seconded by Johnny Hodge, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote.