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Guilford County Board of Education
Board Meeting
February 10, 2004

GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

The Guilford County Board of Education held its winter retreat on Saturday, January 24, 2004, at 712 North Eugene Street, Greensboro, North Carolina. The following Board members were present: Garry Burnett (arrived at 10:17 a.m. and departed at 3:33 p.m.), Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan (departed at 3:53 p.m.), Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes (arrived at 11:54 a.m.), Johnny Hodge (departed at 4:52 p.m.), Dot Kearns, Susan Mendenhall, Nancy Routh, Anita Sharpe, and Marti Sykes. Also present were Superintendent Terry Grier and Attorney Jill Wilson.

Chairman Duncan called the meeting to order at 10:08 a.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a Moment of Silence.

Board of Education Goals for 2004

The Board reviewed the goals it set during the September, 2003 retreat and discussed the status of each goal. The Board then created the following list of goals for 2004:

1. Continue to raise student achievement of middle and high schools while maintaining the progress made at the elementary level.
2. Continue to close the achievement gap.
3. Focus on school facility maintenance.
4. Increase parental/family involvement.
5. Continue good working relationships with county commissioners and nurture relationships with all levels of government.
6. Personnel recruitment, retention, and compensation.
7. Continue to lower the drop-out rate and increase the graduation rate.
8. Reduce the suspension rate while maintaining discipline and a safe environment.
9. Continue to explore issues of race and diversity.
10. Explore test coordinating to ensure the most effective process.
11. Dealing with and helping the community understand ESEA.
12. Accomplish the task of redistricting and choice programs.
13. Continue to look at efficiencies to reduce costs (not to affect student achievement).
14. Continue to lead the one county movement and search for a central office location.
15. Continue to increase MWBE participation in district business operations.

Board member Johnny Hodge left the meeting at 10:30 a.m. and returned at 11:05 a.m.

High Point High Schools Choice Plan

Superintendent Grier presented information regarding the proposed High Point High Schools Choice Plan (copy of information included in minutes file). Chairman Duncan presented the proposed plan during the Board's January 13 meeting. He reminded the Board that further discussion would be held during its January 29 meeting.

Superintendent Grier shared that the goals of the proposed plan are to increase academic achievement by providing an economically diverse student population in each of the three high schools in High Point; to provide stability in the assignment of students by allowing students to attend the same school from ninth through 12th grade; to provide equitable access for all students to a high quality, rigorous curriculum; to equitably utilize the three High Point area high schools and to provide the district greater flexibility in efficiently using the school facilities; and to provide more high school program options for students in the High Point area.

The plan calls for the elimination of the three High Point area high schools' attendance lines. Each of the high schools would adopt a major magnet theme with several additional academy or cluster programs. Each school would provide the comprehensive core and extracurricular activities offered at other high schools in the Guilford County School district, including a minimum of 15 different Advanced Placement courses in each school. In addition, each school will offer a variety of choice options. Andrews High School will be the Andrews Center for Advanced Research and Technology. High Point Central High School will be the High Point Central Institute of International Studies and Languages. Southwest High School will be the Southwest Institute for the Visual and Performing Arts.

Superintendent Grier reported that the plan would be phased in beginning in the fall of 2004 with each entering ninth-grade class. Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students currently attending High Point area high schools would be grandfathered into their current schools. Students and parents will select their choice of high schools by selecting a first, second, and third choice. The goal would be to assign students to schools so that each school is within plus or minus two percentage points of the three schools free and reduced meal average of the incoming ninth grade students.

Board members presented questions related to the proposed plan and requested that Superintendent Grier provide answers during the Board's meeting on January 29.

Redistricting Process

The Board discussed the process in which it would determine school attendance zone lines when opening a new school. The staff recommended a process whereby after land is purchased for a school, staff would prepare proposed attendance lines and present them to the Board for its review and approval. The Board would then allow for a period of public input prior to making final decisions.

It was the consensus of the Board to review and evaluate the 1995 Redistricting Principles during its February 26 meeting prior to taking action on the recommended process.

Development of Native American Mascot Policy

Upon request from the Board, Attorney Wilson provided three draft policies relating to the elimination of American Indian mascots following action taken by the Board during its January 13 meeting.

It was the consensus of the Board that it would meet with the representatives of Andrews and Southern High Schools and further discuss American Indian mascots and the development of a policy at its January 29 meeting. Board members were asked to review the policies presented and be prepared to discuss them at the January 29 meeting.

Naming of School Facilities Policy

Chief Administrative Officer John Wright presented a draft version of Administrative Procedure, FDCA-P Naming of Schools and School Facilities. Board members were given the opportunity to provide feedback regarding the procedure.

It was the consensus of the Board that the proposed procedure be further discussed at its February 10 meeting to allow Board members the opportunity to review the procedure in more detail.

Handling of Board Panels

Chief Administrative Officer John Wright and Hearing Officer Arnita Dula discussed the manner in which the Board hears matters requiring a panel of Board members. It was the consensus of the Board that Ms. Dula would search for alternative scheduling options such as morning and evening panel hearings. She would also explore holding panel proceedings in different locals such Greensboro and High Point. Ms. Dula indicated that she would create a schedule of future panel hearings and asked Board members to sign up for dates in which they could serve as a panel member.

Board member Garry Burnett departed at 3:33 p.m. and did not return for the remainder of the meeting.

Johnson Street Global Studies Magnet Program - Proposed Addition of 6th grade and Developing a K-8 Program

Superintendent Grier presented a proposal to expand Johnson Street Global Studies magnet program into a K-8 program and to a sixth grade for the 2004-2005 school year. Principal Chris Vecchione indicated that the school could create space by reducing the number of kindergarten students that it admits into the program.

Chairman Duncan departed at 3:53 p.m. and did not return for the remainder of the meeting. Vice-Chairman Anita Sharpe presided over the remainder of the meeting.

It was the consensus of the Board to survey the parents of students who attend Brooks and Johnson Street Global Magnet Studies to determine the amount of interest in a middle grades global magnet program. The Board will further discuss the issue at its February 10 meeting at which time the results of the survey and projected costs will be discussed.

Travel Outside of North Carolina During Code Orange

Board members expressed concerns relating to travel outside of North Carolina during a Code Orange Terror Alert status. Superintendent Grier reminded the Board that it was the district's practice to prohibit school sponsored trips outside North Carolina during Code Orange or Red status.

It was the consensus of the Board that the Governance Review Committee review the topic and prepare a policy for Board review.

Report on School Talk

The Board discussed feedback it received during recent School Talk meetings with elementary, middle, and high school principals.

The Board will hold a School Talk meeting with members of the Guilford County Association of Educational Office Professionals (GCAEOP) on February 25.

At 5:00 p.m., motion was made by Marti Sykes, seconded by Dot Kearns, to recess the meeting. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote.

Note: The retreat was scheduled to reconvene at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 25, 2004 but was postponed due to inclement weather.