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Recognition
GCS Newcomers School Honorable Mention for Magna Award
The board recognized the GCS Newcomers School for the honorable mention it received in the 2009 Magna Awards recognition program, which is co-sponsored by the American School Board Journal, the National School Boards Association and Sodexo School Services. The Magna Awards recognize school board best practices and innovative programs that advance student learning.
The GCS Newcomers School enrolls students in fifth through 12th grades that have recently arrived in the United States and need additional support in accelerating their English language skills. The school helps prepare these students to enroll in their assigned school.
Consent Agenda
The board approved the following items on the consent agenda:
- Personnel Action Reports
- Contractual Agreement with D.H. Griffin/Balfour Beatty for Pre-Construction Services at Ragsdale High School
- Contractual Agreement with Samet/SRS for Pre-Construction Services at Summerfield Elementary School
- NCDOT Three Party Right-of-Way Encroachment Agreement and Maintenance Agreement Affecting the New Jamestown Middle School and Special Ed Center West Facility
The personnel action reports included contract renewals for 127 interim licensed employees whose renewal had been delayed due to the uncertainty of the budget.
Staff Reports
Update on Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
Dr. Gongshu Zhang, chief accountability and research officer, presented to the board an update on preliminary AYP results. For the 2008-09 school year, 69.8 percent of the district’s schools met AYP. This is the highest number for GCS since the measure was established in 2003. About 82 percent of the district’s middle schools, about 70 percent of elementary schools and about 58 percent of high schools made AYP. Ten of the district’s schools met AYP for the seventh year in a row.
Update on Oak Ridge Elementary
District staff presented an update to the board on Oak Ridge Elementary. GCS received preliminary reports Wednesday from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Turner Building Science & Design, LLC, which investigated the school last week at the district’s request.
NIOSH has recommended not reopening Oak Ridge until work on the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system and other initial recommendations have been completed. As a result, GCS administration proposes temporarily relocating the school at other facilities, using the “Plan B” developed in partnership with Oak Ridge parents and staff members.
As part of this plan, the bulk of the students – grades 2-5 – would be housed at Oak Ridge Military Academy through October, depending on the successful outcome of the contract negotiations. Oak Ridge pre-K students would be housed at Pearce Elementary, while kindergarten and first grade would be housed at Colfax Elementary. The estimated cost is $222,000.
Construction Update
Andy LaRowe, director of facilities and construction management, presented to the board an update on the district’s construction projects.
Capital Outlay Update
Leo Bobadilla, chief operations officer, presented to the board an update on capital outlay and capital stimulus funding. The board approved for the district to apply for about $17.1 million in Qualified School Construction Bonds, which are zero interest federal stimulus bonds. The application for the bonds must be approved by the Guilford County Board of Commissioners. If approved, the bonds will be used for school maintenance projects such as HVAC, roof, window and door replacements.
Use of the bonds could mean millions in savings for the district, according to Bobadilla. While there will be costs associated with repaying the bonds, money will be saved in interest since the bonds are interest-free. Bobadilla also said the replacement of HVAC systems could save the district in energy consumption and maintenance costs.
The board approved to use $1.1 million in red light camera funds for school allotments, band equipment and instruments, furniture and technology services due to the reduction in capital outlay funding for 2009-10. The board also approved for the district to proceed in working with Guilford County to amend its Public School Building Capital Fund request and the associated project ordinance.
Continued 2009-10 Budget Discussion
Sharon Ozment, chief financial officer, led the board in a continued budget discussion. The Guilford County Board of Education approved additional cuts to its 2009-10 budget totaling almost $2.2 million in savings. The district continues to assess its budget for the current fiscal year while awaiting the approval of a state budget by the General Assembly.
At past board meetings, district staff presented recommended cuts and redirections of approximately $36.8 million, divided into three tiers. Tier 1 cuts were included in the superintendent’s budget request and the board’s budget request to the county commissioners.
During Thursday’s meeting, the board approved to make budget cuts in respect to five items in Tier 2, including changes to the Home Field Advantage program, the dental insurance employee benefit, supplies and materials for athletics, the consolidation of bus stops for middle and high schools, and the elimination of 10 stand-by bus driver positions. The board also voted to take one Tier 2 item, consolidation of bus stops that would affect elementary students, off the table for consideration. A Tier 3 item, the International Baccalaureate program at Smith High, was also taken off of the list of considered cuts.
Board Discussion
Report on Policy JI, Student Participation in Interscholastic Athletics and Policy GBDBA, Interscholastic Athletic Coaches
The board approved Policy GBDBA, Interscholastic Athletic Coaches. The policy provides guidance on who can coach interscholastic athletic teams within GCS. Discussion on Policy JI, Student Participation in Interscholastic Athletics was tabled until a future meeting.
Report on Changes to Procedures IKEA-P, Student Accountability Standards, IFA-P, Selection of Instructional Materials/Educational Resources and IHF-P, Graduation Requirements
Dr. Barbara Zwadyk, chief curriculum and organizational development officer, presented a report on changes to procedures IKEA-P, Student Accountability Standards, IFA-P, Selection of Instructional Materials/Educational Resources and IHF-P, Graduation Requirements.
Southeast Area Elementary School and Autism Wing
The board approved the purchase of property at 1415-1417, 1423 and 1427 Mt. Hope Church Road and 601 and 625 Robertson Road in McLeansville at the amount of $637,500 for the Southeast Area Elementary School and Autism Wing. This will be a 700-student elementary school located in the Southeast area of Guilford County, including facilities for approximately 48 special needs students with Autism.
Northwest Middle/High School Campus
The board approved the purchase of property at 5210 and 5212 Northwest School Road in Greensboro at the amount of $290,000 to help improve traffic circulation at the Northwest Middle and High School campuses.
Guilford County Board of Education meetings are broadcast live on GCSTV 2 (cable channel 2) and also online at http://www.gcsnc.com/depts/gcstv2/gcstv2live.htm. The meetings re-air the day after the meeting at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and the Saturday following the meeting at 1 p.m.
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