Guilford County Board of Education
Board Meeting
February 8, 2007

GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

The Guilford County Board of Education met in a regular meeting on Thursday, January 25, 2007, at 712 North Eugene Street, Greensboro, North Carolina. The following board members were present: Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Garth Hébert, Dot Kearns, Amos Quick, Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe. Board member Deena Hayes was absent. Also present were Superintendent Terry Grier and Attorney Jill Wilson.

Call to Order
Chairman Duncan called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance
Board member Anita Sharpe led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Moment of Remembrance and Silence
Chairman Duncan led the board in a moment of remembrance and silence in honor of students who have tragically lost their lives during this school year.

Recognitions
Guilford County Schools PTA Council Recognition – “Engaging Families for Student Success Grants”

The board recognized 18 schools as recipients of the Engaging Families for Student Success Grant. PTA Council President Debbie Maines presented certificates of recognition to the following schools:

Public Comments

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

Jeffrey Knotts, 29 Wheaton Circle, Greensboro, NC 27406
Kristin Quigley, 4313 Whitby Place, Greensboro, NC 27406
Mary Helen Uffman, 4001 Presbyterian Road, Greensboro, NC 27406
Debora Mauser, 7507 William Bailey Road, Summerfield, NC 27358
Eric Huey, 6213 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27410
Gwen McAllister, 3614 Chippendale Trail, Greensboro, NC 27406
Pam Berckman, 303 Debanne Road, McLeansville, NC 27301

Approval of Agenda

Chairman Duncan asked board members to review the meeting agenda and called for a motion to approve or amend it. Board member Amos Quick requested that Item E under Staff Reports, “Student Suspension Support – New Light Baptist Church Program,” be moved after Item B, “Eastern High School Update.”

Motion was made by Kris Cooke, seconded by Walter Childs, to approve the agenda as amended. 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.  Budget Amendments and Transfers

The Consent Agenda included State, Local, Federal, Capital Outlay and After School Care Enrichment Services (ACES) budget amendments/transfers for the 2006-07 school year as follows:

State Public School Fund Amendment #2 reflects:

• the charter school adjustments to the following allotments:
• Classroom Teachers ($234,358), Non-Instructional Support Personnel ($25,131), Instructional Support ($28,432), Career and Technical Education-Months of Employment ($23,339), Career and Technical Education-Program Support ($1,290), School Technology Fund ($697), Teacher Assistants ($30,305), Academically/Intellectually Gifted ($4,050), Transportation of Pupils ($26,544), Classroom Materials/Instructional Supplies and Equipment ($5,277) and At-Risk Student Services ($15,223)
• the receipt of:
• Substitute reimbursement for September and October, 2006 ($32,805)
• September and October, 2006 interest for School Technology Fund ($6,868)
• 2006-07 Children with Special Needs group home funds allocation ($241,566)
• ABC Incentive Award allotment ($2,847,260)
• Transportation allotment adjustment based on NCDPI "budget/efficiency rating" calculations ($5,351,383)
• Improving Student Accountability Standards funds based on the number of students who score at Level I or Level II on either reading or mathematics end-of grade tests in grades 3-8 ($1,528,936)
• the transfers due to site-based requests and year-to-date expenditures

Local Current Expense Fund Amendment #2 reflects:

• the 2005-06 deferred revenue for the Smaller Learning Communities Grant ($59,185)
• the charter school adjustment to the state textbook allotment ($6,543)
• the receipt of:
• Medicaid Administrative Claim reimbursements for quarters ending December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006 ($189,922)
• Indian Education Grant ($38,688)
• Advanced Placement Incentive Program Grant ($283,317)
• Teacher Incentive Program Grant ($1,790,060)
• Smart Start reimbursements for October, 2006 ($14,625) and November, 2006 ($14,950)
• More at Four reimbursements for October, 2006 ($123,735) and November, 2006 ($125,195)
• More at Four startup funds ($36,000)
• Moses Cone-Wesley Long Community Health Foundation School Health grant payment ($44,823)
• Eastern Guilford High School (EGHS) donations ($329,512)
• EGHS insurance payment from Department of Public Instruction ($5,000,000)
• Band support ($4,000)
• Superintendents' Development Fund ($25,000)
• School Impact Grant reimbursements for August, September and October, 2006 ($7,313)
• the transfers due to site-based requests and year-to-date expenditures

Federal Grant Fund Amendment #2 reflects:

• the 2005-06 carryover adjustment to FIE Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration Grant (-$8,347)
• the adjustments due to receipt of initial versus planning allotment:
• Career Technical Education - Program Improvement ($45,792), IDEA VI-B Capacity Building Improvement (-$46,741), Title IV - Safe & Drug-Free Schools and Communities (-$65), ESEA Title I - Basic Program ($278,718), Title V - Innovative Education Programs ($15), IDEA VI-B Handicapped ($1,054,081), Title II - Improving Teacher Quality ($2,683), Title III - Language Acquisition ($102,935) and Title III - Language Acquisition - Significant Increase ($77,416)
• the receipt of 2006-07 allotments for the following:
• Career Technical Education - Tech Prep Education ($98,568), McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ($40,000) and Children with Disabilities - Risk Pool ($214,384)
• the transfers due to site-based requests and year-to-date expenditures
  

Capital Outlay Fund Amendment #2 reflects:

• the allotment from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for installment payments for the lease/purchase of replacement school buses ($1,531,050)
• the transfer of available funds within projects to purchase furniture/equipment and transfers due to site-based requests and year-to-date expenditures
  

After School Care Enrichment Services (ACES) #2 reflects:

• the transfers due to site-based requests and year-to-date expenditures

                               
Motion was made by Walter Childs, seconded by Kris Cooke, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.Item A passed upon majority roll-call vote of 8-to-2 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Dot Kearns, Amos Quick, Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe; Nays – Darlene Garrett and Garth Hébert. Item B passed upon majority electronic vote of 9-to-1 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Dot Kearns, Amos Quick, Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe; Nays – Garth Hébert.

Public Hearing on MWBE (Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise) Goal

Chairman Duncan called on Attorney Jill Wilson to state the purpose of this hearing. North Carolina Statute 143-128.2 authorizes the adoption of a minority- and women-owned business goal. This statute requires each local public entity, after noticing a public hearing, to establish a verifiable percentage goal for participation. An amendment to the board’s goal is proposed, and therefore it requires a public hearing. Chairman Duncan declared the hearing open and called on members of the public who have requested an opportunity to address the board regarding the MWBE Goal.

Derrick Giles, 1008 Martin Street, Greensboro, NC 27406

Comments were made in regard to the wording of Policy DK, Participation by Women- and Minority-Owned Businesses.

Following the conclusion of public comments, Chairman Duncan declared the hearing closed.

Board member Nancy Routh stated the desire of the Governance Committee to include stronger language in the introductory paragraph of Policy DK, Participation by Woman- and Minority-Owned Businesses, stating the board’s commitment to doing everything possible to attain greater participation in GCS projects. There was consensus by board members that the Governance Committee restudy the wording of the policy.

Motion was made by Dot Kearns, seconded by Kris Cooke, to adopt the goal of 12.46 percent as the verifiable percentage goal for participation by minority- and women-owned businesses. The motion passed upon unanimous electronic vote.

Staff Reports

Consideration for Naming of New Northwest Area Elementary School

Kevin Lear, chief operations officer, presented a recommendation that the board study and support the proposed name Pleasant Ridge Elementary School and, following a period of public comment, consider approval of the nomination or direct the administration to request the project team 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. Pursuant to the district’s procedure on the naming of schools (FDCA-P), the project team working on the new northwest area elementary school has received input from the community about an appropriate name for the new school. The community submitted numerous names for consideration. Following a full review of suggested names and the criteria for selection, the project team has reported out a recommendation of Pleasant Ridge Elementary School.

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

Speaking in support of the name Pleasant Ridge Elementary School:
Courtney Spencer, 5382 Beechmont Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410

Speaking in support of the name E. P. Pearce Elementary School:
Pearce Landry, 303 Meadowbrook Terrace, Greensboro, NC 27408
Bob Clendenin, 113 Kensington Road, Greensboro, NC 27403
Thorpe Jones, 3105 Northampton Drive, Greensboro, NC 27408
John Hardy, 33 Fountain Manor Drive, Greensboro, NC 27408
T. G. Madison, Jr., 4803 Vickery Chapel Road, Greensboro, NC 27407
Lee Kinard, 908 Greenwood Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410
Sarah Pearce Golden, 3805 Round Hill Road, Greensboro, NC 27408

Speaking in support of the name Benny W. Higgins Elementary School:
Chris Canipe, 1814 Walker Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27403

Speaking in support of the name Randall Jarrell Elementary School:
Hal Sieber, 2540 Merritt Drive, Apt. B, Greensboro, NC 27407

Speaking in support of the names Ronald E. McNair Elementary School and Dolly Madison Elementary School:
Joe Stafford, 4604 Forest Village Drive, Greensboro, NC 27406

Board discussion on the proposed recommendations followed.

Motion was made by Jeff Belton, seconded by Kris Cooke, to study and support the proposed name for the new northwest area elementary school as E. P. Pearce Elementary School and, following a period of public comment, consider approval of the nomination or direct the administration to request the project team 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 majority electronic vote of 7-to-3 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Dot Kearns, Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe; Nays - Walter Childs, Garth Hébert and Amos Quick.

Eastern High School Update

Kevin Lear, chief operations officer, presented to the board an update on Eastern High School.

Mr. Lear provided information on the two tracks of the Eastern High School project. The first track is the Eastern High School replacement project, which consists of building the Northern High School project on the Eastern High School site. It is believed that final construction documents on the actual building will be completed by mid April, and final completion of the project will be January of 2009. The facilities team will make every effort to expedite this process. The intention is get the students out of the modular village and into the new building as soon as possible.

The second track is the construction of the modular village. This project is on schedule and went out to bid on January 22 with bids due on February 6. These bids will be presented to the board at its February 8 meeting with anticipated completion of the village in time for the first day of school.

Mr. Lear provided information on construction management at risk for Eastern. Request for Proposals for Construction Management at Risk for Eastern Guilford High School was advertised on December 24, 2006. A mandatory pre-proposal conference was held on January 4, 2007 with 17 contractors in attendance. Eight proposals were received on January 11, 2007.

After an extensive review by GCS staff, three companies have been selected to be forwarded to the Architect Selection Committee. The three companies are: Barnhill Contracting Company, Raleigh, NC; New Atlantic Contracting Group, Winston Salem, NC; and BE&K, Raleigh, NC.

The Architect Selection Committee reviewed the recommendations submitted by staff and ranked the companies as follows: Barnhill, New Atlantic and BE&K.

The number one ranked company, Barnhill Contracting Company, has an extensive background in construction management at risk, including eight high schools. Its HUB Participation on these projects has ranged from 11.6 percent to 36.2 percent. In addition, Barnhill Contracting Company has construction experience with GCS that includes: Falkener Elementary, Hairston Middle and Reedy Fork Elementary.

Motion was made by Darlene Garret, seconded by Nancy Routh, to move forward and enter into negotiations to provide services as a Construction Management at Risk for Eastern Guilford High School in the order ranked as follows: Barnhill Contacting Company, New Atlantic Contracting Group and BE&K. The motion passed upon unanimous electronic vote.

Student Suspension Support – New Light Baptist Church Program

Dr. Eric Becoats, chief of staff, presented to the board an update on a program developed by GCS staff and representatives from New Light Baptist Church that will reduce student suspensions and improve staff and student relations. The program outline for New Light At Risk Intergenerational Outreach Program (NARIOP) and Guilford County Schools (GCS) Partnership Framework was discussed. Information was provided regarding the GCS Monthly Suspension Report Summary by School Category, NARIOP Intake Process Flow Chart, the NARIOP Application and the projected budget.

The program is designed to benefit high school students who have been suspended from school through counseling/encouragement, educational enrichment, anger/conflict resolution and community agency involvement.

Motion was made by Walter Childs, seconded by Dot Kearns, to move forward with the proposal with the New Light At Risk Intergenerational Outreach Program (NARIOP) and Guilford County Schools (GCS) Partnership Framework. The motion passed upon majority electronic vote of 9-0-1 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Garth Hébert, Dot Kearns, Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe; Abstain – Amos Quick.

Update on High School Reform

Chief Academic Officer Mack McCary called on Dr. Phyllis Martin, principal at Dudley High; Dr. Noah Rogers, principal at Smith High; and Esther Coble, principal at the Middle College at Bennett, to present to the board an update on high school reform.

After carefully examining two options for comprehensive high school reform and conducting on-site visits to model schools, Dudley and Smith high schools will adopt the Talent Development Model. These two schools are collaboratively developing a more detailed planning timeline, which was shared with the board.

The Middle College at Bennett will pursue a partnership with the New Schools Project for promoting smaller learning communities.

Academic Scorecard Report

Dr. Gongshu Zhang, executive accountability and research officer, presented to the board a report regarding the academic scorecard.

Board Discussion

Second Reading – Policy DK, Participation by Women- and Minority-Owned Businesses

Chairman Duncan called on board member Dr. Nancy Routh, convenor of the governance committee, to lead the board in a discussion regarding the second reading of Policy DK, Participation by Women- and Minority-Owned Businesses. Dr. Routh stated that the board discussion after the public hearing on the MWBE goal disposes of addressing this item at this time. The policy will be reviewed by the Governance Committee and brought back to the board at a later date.

Facilities Usage Update

Chairman Duncan led the board in a discussion regarding facilities usage. A question came to the attention of board members that caused some concern, specifically in regard to PTA usage of facilities and the consistency of how the policy is applied. Chief Human Resources Officer Peggy Thompson stated that, after speaking with principals about this policy, the policy is being revisited to separate policy and procedure. Board member Kris Cooke asked that it be stated that the intention is not to charge PTAs to have meetings at schools. Attorney Wilson confirmed that PTAs will not be charged.

Board Comments

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

Closed Session

At 10:03 p.m. motion was made by Alan Duncan, seconded by Kris Cooke, to go into closed session to preserve the attorney client privilege and to discuss a personnel matter. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote.

The board returned to open session at 10:30 p.m.

Adjournment

With no further business, at 10:31 p.m., motion was made by Anita Sharpe, seconded by Kris Cooke, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote.