Guilford County Board of Education
Board Meeting
November 9, 2006

GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

The Guilford County Board of Education met in a regular meeting on Monday, October 23, 2006, at 712 North Eugene Street, Greensboro, North Carolina. The following board members were present: Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes, Amos Quick (arrived at 6:51 p.m.), Nancy Routh, Anita Sharpe and Marti Sykes. Board members Dot Kearns and Susan Mendenhall were absent. Also present were Superintendent Terry Grier and Attorney Jill Wilson.

Call to Order

Chairman Duncan called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence
Board member Nancy Routh led the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.

Recognitions

Chairman Alan Duncan gave special thanks to Guilford County Schools’ staff and students for making the October 18, 2006 visit by President George W. Bush and Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings to Falkener Elementary School so successful.

A. North Carolina Art Teacher of the Year

The board recognized Joy Hudson, an art teacher at Colfax Elementary, as the North Carolina Art Educators Association’s Art Teacher of the Year. Anita Sharpe assisted in the presentation of this certificate of recognition.

B. 2007 GCS Principal of the Year and Finalists

The board announced and recognized the 2006-07 Wachovia Principal of the Year, Lewis Ferebee, from Hairston Middle. The board also recognized Lewis Ferebee as the Secondary Principal of the Year and Judy Robbins from Madison Elementary as the Elementary Principal of the Year. In addition, the board recognized all Principal of the Year candidates, which included: Laverne Bass, Frazier Elementary; Valerie Bridges, Jesse Wharton Elementary; LaToy Kennedy, Bluford Elementary; Angelo Kidd, Northwest High (Finalist); Grenita Lathan, Washington Elementary (Finalist); Linda Lyon, Gateway Education Center (Finalist); Francine Mallory, Peck Elementary; Alan Parker, Southwest High; Jesse Pratt, Allen Middle; Bill Stewart, Northwest Middle (Finalist); and Nola Taylor, Mendenhall Middle. Board member Kris Cooke assisted in the presentation of the awards. As a result of the district’s ongoing partnership with Harris Teeter Neighborhood Supermarkets, Inc., Mr. Ferebee received his choice of a $2,000 Harris Teeter gift card or a free trip to an educational conference of his choice. The remaining five finalists each received their choice of a $1,500 Harris Teeter gift card or a free trip to any educational conference valued at $1,500.

Public Comments

Chairman Duncan called on members of the public who requested an opportunity to address the board.

Jeannie Perkins, 913 Pembroke Road, Greensboro, NC 27408
Pal Lineberry Ingold, 4015 Straw Hat Road, Greensboro, NC 27410
Delane Williams, 7708 Sorrell Run Court, Summerfield, NC 27358
Ray Riffe, 6104 Dawn Ridge Trail, Greensboro, NC 27410
Joe Stafford, 4604 Forest Village Drive, Greensboro, NC 27406

Approval of Agenda

Chairman Duncan asked board members to review the meeting agenda and called for a motion to approve or amend it. Motion was made by Darlene Garrett, seconded by Deena Hayes, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote.

Consent Agenda
Superintendent Grier presented the following Consent Agenda items:

A.   Personnel Action Reports

The consent agenda included personnel actions as noted in the monthly Personnel Action Report requiring board approval.

B.  Banking and Investment Services

The consent agenda included a recommendation to award the banking services contract for the board’s District Fund, School Nutrition Services Fund and After-School Care Enrichment Services Fund for a four and one-half year period (January 1, 2007 – June 30, 2011) with the option to renew for five additional years (July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2016) to Wachovia.

C. Request for Easement for Right-of-Way at the Oak View Elementary School Property

The consent agenda included a recommendation to approve the right-of-way and easement as requested by the City of High Point affecting the Oak View Elementary School property. The City of High Point has requested that the board transfer to it (for a consideration of $1) two small parcels of the Oak View Elementary School property as additional permanent right-of-way for a limited widening of Oakview Road and James Road. The property area in question involves 306 square feet adjacent to the current right-of-way line of Oakview Road and 721 square feet adjacent to the current right-of-way line of James Road.

The City of High Point has also requested that the board grant to it (for a consideration of $1) a permanent sidewalk existence easement affecting an area containing 891 square feet adjacent to the James Road right-of-way and a temporary sidewalk construction easement containing a total of 9,982 square feet adjoining the Oakview Road and James Road rights-of-way.

Motion was made by Marti Sykes, seconded by Walter Childs, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Consent Agenda Item A passed upon majority roll call vote of 7-1-1 as follows: Ayes – Anita Sharpe, Nancy Routh, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Marti Sykes and Deena Hayes; Nays – Darlene Garrett; Abstain – Amos Quick. Consent Agenda Item B passed upon majority roll call vote of 7-0-2 as follows: Ayes – Nancy Routh, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Marti Sykes, Deena Hayes and Darlene Garrett; Abstain – Anita Sharpe and Amos Quick. Consent Agenda Item C passed upon majority roll call vote of 7-0-2 as follows: Ayes – Anita Sharpe, Nancy Routh, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Marti Sykes, Deena Hayes and Darlene Garrett; Abstain – Alan Duncan and Amos Quick.

Staff Reports

Naming of Facilities

1. Consideration for Naming of Guilford County Schools Transportation Facility

Kevin Lear, chief operations officer, presented a recommendation that the board study and support the proposed name, Moen Transportation Center, and following a period of public comment or input, consider approval of the nomination or direct the administration to provide any further information as may be required by the board in order to more fully consider the request and to make a decision. The administration has requested that the district transportation facility be named in honor of a distinguished individual who has made outstanding contributions to the school system, as well as the community. Chairman Duncan provided members of the public the opportunity to share comments regarding this item.

Motion was made by Kris Cooke, seconded by Walter Childs, to support the proposed name, Moen Transportation Center, and following a period of public comment or input, consider approval of the nomination or direct the administration to provide any further information as may be required by the board in order to more fully consider the request and to make a decision. The motion passed upon unanimous electronic vote.

2. Approval of Recommended Name for Grimsley High School Stadium Concession Stand

Kevin Lear, chief operations officer, presented a recommendation that the board approve the use of the name, John and Ruth Comer Concession and Press Box Facility. If the name is approved, staff will contact the community representative to review the plans for any signage the community effort would provide. At the September 28, 2006 board meeting, Mr. Neal Hatcher, previous athletic director of Grimsley High, on behalf of the community, had requested that Grimsley’s Jamieson Stadium concession stand and press box be named in honor of two distinguished individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Guilford County School District, as well as the community. The recommended name was posted on the district Web site for a period of public comment and feedback. Twenty-eight comments were received, all in favor of the proposed name. Chairman Duncan provided members of the public the opportunity to share comments regarding this item.

Motion was made by Marti Sykes, seconded by Walter Childs, to approve the use of the name, John and Ruth Comer Concession and Press Box Facility, and to direct staff to contact the community representative to review the plans for any signage the community effort would provide. The motion passed upon unanimous electronic vote.

3. Consideration for Naming of the Mendenhall Middle School Athletic Stadium

Kevin Lear, chief operations officer, presented a recommendation that the board study and support the proposed name, Deebs Young Memorial Stadium, and following a period of public comment or input, consider approval of the nomination or direct the administration to request the nominator to provide any further information as may be required by the board in order to more fully consider the request and to make a decision. Nola Taylor, principal of Mendenhall Middle, on behalf of the school, booster club and surrounding community, has requested that Mendenhall’s stadium be named in honor of an individual in recognition of his excellence and who has demonstrated positive values having a lasting affect on the Guilford County School District, students and community. Chairman Duncan provided members of the public the opportunity to share comments regarding this item.

Motion was made by Darlene Garrett, seconded by Kris Cooke, to study and support the proposed name, Deebs Young Memorial Stadium, and following a period of public comment or input, consider approval of the nomination or direct the administration to request the nominator to provide any further information as may be required by the board in order to more fully consider the request and to make a decision. The motion passed upon unanimous electronic vote.

Chairman Alan Duncan departed at 7:09 p.m.

Magnet Grant Budget Update

Dr. Eric Becoats, chief of staff, and Dr. Don Hare, executive director of federal and special programs, presented to the board an update on the preliminary International Baccalaureate (IB) and Montessori magnet grant budget. Details on costs for personnel, fringe benefits, travel, furniture/equipment, supplies, contractual, construction and other costs including training stipends for Ferndale Middle, Hairston Middle, Northwood Elementary and Washington Elementary were provided. The staff is currently working on the proposed budget for Allen Jay and will provide this information to the board in the near future. Board member Nancy Routh requested that transportation costs be added to the magnet grant budget summary.

Safe Schools Plan Update

Dr. Terrence Young, chief information officer, presented to the board an update on the Safe Schools Plan. The Safe Schools Plan is updated every three years, and this is the renewal year for the 2006-09 cycle. The Safe Schools Plan was updated and developed with the guidelines provided by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and as required by ABC’s of Public Education Legislation General Statute (G.S.) 115-105.47 and in accordance with School Improvement Plans G.S. 115c-105.27.

Motion was made by Marti Sykes, seconded by Walter Childs, to approve the Safe Schools Plan. The motion passed upon majority electronic vote of 7-to-1 as follows: Ayes - Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Darlene Garrett, Amos Quick, Nancy Routh, Anita Sharpe and Marti Sykes; Nays – Deena Hayes.

SAT Update

Dr. Gongshu Zhang, chief accountability & research officer, presented to the board an SAT update as well as a study projecting what the 2007 SAT results will be.

Chairman Alan Duncan returned at 8:17 p.m.

Planning Guidelines for High School Scheduling

Dr. Eric Becoats, chief of staff, presented to the board planning guidelines for high schools who want to change their schedule from block to traditional or from traditional to block. It is recommended that when requesting a change, principals will, at a minimum, provide justification for how the change will impact the following areas:

1. AYP indicators
2. Increase in minority participation in rigorous courses
3. Decrease in-school suspension rate
4. Decrease drop-out rate
5. Improve school climate
6. Increase in graduation rate
7. Community/school support – involvement in the decision-making process
8. Current student schedules/graduation
9. College university prep and college tech prep completers

The information must be provided to the school’s instructional improvement officer no later than December 1 for consideration.

Chief Academic Officer Mack McCary stated that certain instructional models require block scheduling for implementation. Chairman Duncan stated that this information should be added to the planning guidelines and criteria. Board member Nancy Routh requested a report on choices for school reform showing what the requirements of chosen programs are so that costs and scheduling requirements can be determined.

Board Discussion

North Carolina State Board Association Conference Delegates

Chairman Duncan led a discussion of North Carolina School Board Association delegates. NCSBA will hold its annual conference on November 13-15, 2006 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Guilford County Board of Education is eligible to have four board members serve as voting delegates at the conference. Chairman Duncan requested that board member Kris Cooke and Attorney Jill Wilson get further information regarding requirements for delegates in regard to conference attendance and registration and report back to the board.

Construction Review Panel Update

Board member Anita Sharpe led the board in a discussion regarding the construction review panel. The purpose of the panel is to offer recommendations for improvement of the construction planning, design, budgeting and bid process based on a review of past practices and to infuse current construction success models. The goal is to ultimately document and follow a construction planning, design and bid process that offers GCS the highest value in construction investment allowed in current markets. There was preliminary discussion regarding who should serve on this committee and what the resources might be in obtaining the right people. Ms. Sharpe asked board members to provide input and suggestions in regard to this process and also stated that GCS will benefit from a study Wake County is currently performing.

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

Closed Session

At 9:36 p.m., motion was made by Deena Hayes, seconded by Darlene Garret, to go into closed session to preserve the attorney client privilege and to discuss personnel matters protected by state law. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote.

The board returned to open session at 10:32 p.m.

Adjournment
With no further business, at 10:33 p.m., motion was made by Kris Cooke, seconded by Anita Sharpe, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote.