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Recognitions


2009 GCS Teacher of the Year and Finalists
The board recognized the 2009 GCS Teacher of the Year and finalists.

2009 GCS Principal of the Year and Finalists
The board recognized the 2009 GCS Principal of the Year and finalists.

Wanda Smith Earns American Red Cross Certificate of Merit
The board recognized Wanda Smith, pre-K teacher at Archer Elementary, for earning a certificate of merit from the American Red Cross.

Consent Agenda

The board approved the following items on the consent agenda:

1. Meeting Minutes
2. Personnel Reports
3. Approval of School Health Nursing Services Contract
4. Approval of Safe Schools Plan for 2009-2012
5. Contractual Agreement with Bovis Lend Lease for Pre-Construction Services at Southwest High School

Staff Reports

Schools of Choice and Magnet Schools Update
GCS will revise magnet programs in four schools next year. GCS and school staff at Bluford Communications Magnet, Hampton Leadership Academy, Montlieu Math and Science Academy and Parkview A+ Magnet will all begin to explore new themes.

GCS staff recently conducted an in-depth analysis of 42 current magnet school programs. The schools were evaluated based on school demographics, student achievement, strength of the magnet curriculum and student interest. Historical data was reviewed as well to determine the time period of the programs and recent progress.

The four schools chosen for revisions met less than 70 percent of the evaluation criteria. Seven other schools also met less than 70 percent of the evaluation criteria—these schools are either currently receiving funding under the Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP), are under restructuring due to No Child Left Behind or in are a school-within-a-school model, so they will not be revised at this time. Before deciding on new themes, the four schools will hold meetings with teachers, parents, students and community members to get their input on potential themes.


Construction Update
Six schools across GCS now have brand-new boilers, thanks to the 2008 School Bonds. Northwest High, Jamestown Elementary, Colfax Elementary, Alderman Elementary, Guilford Middle and Kirkman Park Elementary all received boiler replacements just in time for cold weather. The boilers at these six schools were more than 30 years old. Boilers are designed to last between 20 and 25 years.

The updates are part of the 21 heating and air conditioning projects listed in the 2008 School Bond. The projects, projected to total approximately $8 million, address improvements to existing heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, including boiler and chiller replacements, air conditioning of some areas, control systems and miscellaneous equipment upgrades. About half of the 21 HVAC projects listed in the bond have been completed.

Construction is underway for several other bond projects, including Jamestown Middle, where drywall is being installed in several areas throughout the building. Also at Southwest High, athletic fields are being constructed. Potential sites for the north Greensboro area elementary school have been identified and land acquisition negotiations are ongoing.

Oak Ridge Elementary School Update
GCS learned Thursday that the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) does not anticipate identifying in their final report any new areas of remediation work that will be required at Oak Ridge Elementary. As a result, GCS will continue working with Turner Group and other outside firms to complete the remediation efforts on the items previously identified by NIOSH. Click here to find the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) work plan that the district is following in consultation with Turner. 

As the district and various contractors complete each phase of the work, Turner will confirm that the appropriate protocols/standards have been met during the remediation process. At this point, GCS does not have a projected return date to Oak Ridge Elementary. GCS will continue to provide updates to the Oak Ridge Elementary community as the district completes work. In addition, the district is convening the GCS cross-departmental team to start crafting a plan that will ensure a smooth transition back into Oak Ridge Elementary School.

Guilford County Board of Education meetings are broadcast live on GCSTV 2 (cable channel 2). 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.