Background material for each agenda item is available online under the Board Meeting Materials link

Recognitions

Arts Education Teacher of the Year
The board recognized GCS winners of the Kindermusik and United Arts Council Arts Educator of the Year award. Paula Owens, elementary music specialist at Morehead Elementary, was recognized as the 2007 Arts Education Teacher of the Year. Mary Beth Boone, elementary art specialist at Summerfield Elementary and Lennis Cooper, Jr., choral director at Mendenhall Middle School, were also recognized as finalists.

Consent Agenda

The board approved the following items on the consent agenda:

• Personnel Action Reports
• Budget Amendments and Transfers
• First Reading – Policy GAMAA, Sexual Harassment of Students
• First Reading – Policy GAMA, Sexual Harassment of Staff
• First Reading – Policy JR, Student Records
• Expansion of Montessori Program at Triangle Lake

Staff Reports

Reedy Fork Elementary
The board voted to approve a change order to Barnhill Contracting in the amount of $250,000 to accelerate the construction of Reedy Fork Elementary School.

Eastern High School Update
The board voted to authorize the board chairman, attorney and staff to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Guilford County Board of Commissioners to finance school construction by issuance of certificates of participation or other appropriate means for financing school construction, including but not limited to, the reconstruction and associated capital costs for Eastern Guilford High School, in an amount not to exceed $53 million.

The board also voted to award a contract to Barnhill Contracting Company in the amount of $2,941,570 for Phase I of the Eastern Guilford High School project.

Magnet Grant Proposal Update
Dr. Eric Becoats, chief of staff, presented the board with an update on the magnet grant proposal.

Changes in Middle School Scheduling
Dr. Mack McCary, chief academic officer, presented the board with an overview of the middle school scheduling.

Superintendent’s Goals for 2007-08
The board approved the following as the Superintendent’s goals for 2007-08:

• Ensure greater stability in principal positions within the district
• Reduce student suspensions while enhancing positive school environments
• Materially increase the percentage of third grade students reading on grade level
• Decrease the achievement gap in middle school mathematics
• Increase the district’s graduation rate (include five-year data analysis as well)
• Follow up on employee survey of working conditions for implementation when financially feasible
• Improve communication and foster collaboration

Bond Referendum Update
The board approved staff to develop a bond package in the amount of $450 million, inclusive of a 16 percent inflation rate.

Board Discussion

Second Reading – Policy DK, Participation by Women- and Minority-Owned Businesses
The board approved the second reading of Policy DK, Participation by Women- and Minority-Owned Businesses.

Proposal for Attendance Optional Zones in High Point and Greensboro
The board voted to table this item until the April 10 meeting.