COMMUNICATOR

March 13, 2007 – The Carteret County Board of Education met in regular session at 6:30 p.m. in the administrative offices of the school system, Beaufort, NC. Attending the meeting: Chairman Cathy Neagle, and Board members Bill Blair, David Carr, Adele Collins, Al Hill and Dr. Rick Luettich. Vice Chairman June Fulcher was absent.
Others attending included Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ralph Lewis (filling in for Superintendent Dr. David Lenker who is on medical leave), Assistant Superintendent Dr. Pennylloyd Baldridge, Attorney Melissa Berryman (filling in for Board Attorney Neil Whitford), Communications Director Tabbie Nance, principals, parents, community members, employees and members of the media.
This Carteret County Board of Education meeting can be viewed on TV 10 Time Warner Cable Sunday, March 18, at 12 noon.
Board members conducted a public comment forum from 6-6:30 p.m. with an emphasis on the 2007-2008 school system budget.

WELCOME

Chairman Cathy Neagle welcomed those in attendance. Mrs. Neagle gave the invocation and led the Pledge to the United States flag.

 

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
David Carr made the motion to accept the agenda.
Adele Collins provided the second and all members voted to approve the agenda.

RECOGNIZE SUPERINTENDENT’S CHOICE WINTER ART AWARDS
Four students were recognized as award winners in the Superintendent’s Choice Winter Arts Awards. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Pennylloyd Baldridge presented the following awards:

Elementary School Division - De’Asia Reeves, Beaufort Elementary School;

Middle School Division – Jessica Kelley, Newport Middle School;

High School Division – Tiffany Taylor, West Carteret High School; and

Overall Division – Yvonne Chazal, Morehead City Middle School.

RECOGNIZE NC MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION TEAM OF THE YEAR
The Marlin Team from Broad Creek Middle School is the North Carolina Middle School Association’s Region 2 Team of the Year for the 2005-2006 school year. Director of Middle and High School Education Tamara Ishee presented the award. The Marlin Team is a sixth grade team. The team was nominated for its achievements last school year. David Holland is the team leader and a science teacher. Ryan Koczot teaches social studies. Anna Crawford teaches math. Zina Briley was the team’s language teacher last year.

 

RECOGNIZE BROAD CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR RECEIVING SCHOOLS TO WATCH AWARD
Broad Creek Middle School is one of eight schools in North Carolina and one of 107 schools in the nation to be named Schools to Watch. The designation is made by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform.
Board member Al Hill presented the award to Broad Creek Middle School teacher Sandra Kelly. Principal Cathy Tomon requested the award be presented to Ms. Kelly because of her hard work and dedication.

Launched in 1999, Schools to Watch began as a program to identify middle grades schools across the country that were meeting or exceeding a set of strict criteria for excellence.

 

RECOGNIZE FINANCE DEPARTMENT FOR TWO AWARDS
Board member David Carr presented two awards to Finance Officer J. Ipock.
For the 17^th consecutive year the school system has received a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International. This award is presented for excellence in preparation and issuance of the system’s annual financial report.

ASBO is a professional association that provides programs and services to promote the highest standards of school business management practices, professional growth, and the effective use of educational resources.

For the 15^th year, the Carteret County Public School System's Finance Department has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. This certificate is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving 12,625 government finance professionals across the country and in Canada. The attainment of this recognition is a significant accomplishment by the government body and its management.

Mr. Ipock was also honored with a letter of congratulations and a certificate from Senator Jean Preston.

Mr. Ipock noted the outstanding support of the finance office, the school secretaries and many other administrators.

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Chairman Neagle reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda. These items were:
Consider Approval of Minutes of January 30, 2007, Special Board Meeting, of February 13, 2007, Board Meeting, and of February 19, 2007, Special Board Meeting; Consider Personnel Matters (personnel matters are listed at end of this document); Advisory Council Recommendations; Student Transfers; Field Trip Requests; and Bond Projects Funding Requisitions for 1 – West Carteret High School softball field lights; 2 – Harkers Island Elementary School roof replacement; 3 – Beaufort Middle School roofing change order.

Bill Blair made the motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
David Carr provided the second. The motion passed with all Board members voting aye.

HIGH STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND ACHIEVEMENT
RECEIVE FIRST READING OF REVISIONS TO POLICY JPA, PARTICIPATION IN CURRICULAR AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Pennylloyd Baldridge presented this recommendation on behalf of the Policy Committee. The committee noted that Bridges Alternative School expanded to include ninth graders and, because of this, it was necessary that Policy JPA address the eligibility of alterative students to participate on high school athletic teams in the county. The committee’s recommendation includes language from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s handbook and aligns the eligibility of alternative high school students with what is already in practice with middle school alternative students.

RECEIVE FIRST READING OF REVISIONS TO POLICY JGA – USE OF RESTRAINT, SECLUSION OR AVERSIVE PROCEDURES
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Pennylloyd Baldridge presented this recommendation on behalf of the Policy Committee. The committee recommends a complete rewording of the previous Student Discipline & Corporal Punishment Policy JGA. Dr. Baldridge noted that Policy and Regulation JGA has been rewritten to comply with NC House Bill 1032 (Reasonable Force). That bill mandates that public schools notice, report and document all permissible and prohibitive incidences involving restraint, seclusion and isolation. A reporting form has also been written to be included with the policy and regulation. Dr. Baldridge noted the school system has trained all principals, and principals are in the process of training staff as required by the mandates of House Bill 1032.

CONSIDER SECOND READING OF CHANGES TO POLICY IIAC – SELECTION OF RESOURCE MATERIALS
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Pennylloyd Baldridge presented the second reading of Policy IIAC – Selection of Resource Materials. She noted that no changes had been made since the first reading at the Board’s February 13, 2007, meeting. The Policy Committee began studying and reviewing the policy revision in November. Director of Technology and Media Joe Poletti and four media coordinators drafted the proposed policy. They used current information from the American Library Association, the Library Bill of Rights and a template from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to update the policy. The existing policy has been in place more than 10 years and does not mention selection/use of video materials.
Dr. Baldridge noted that the suggested policy revisions were emailed to school principals, DPI and Board Attorney Neil Whitford. The principals and DPI did not suggest any changes. Attorney Whitford’s suggestions were approved by the Policy Committee and incorporated in the suggested revisions before the first reading.

Dr. Rick Luettich made the motion to approve the revisions to Policy IIAC – Selection of Resource Materials.
Adele Collins provided the second and all members voted aye.

 

RECEIVE STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING GRADUATION RATES
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ralph Lewis shared information with the Board about the recently released 2006 Report of High School Cohort Graduation Rate. This was released for the first time by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The report followed students who entered high school for the first time in 2002-2003 and who graduated by June 30, 2006. The figures include students who transfer into a high school and are on track to graduate at the same time as their original ninth-grade classmates. Figures exclude students who transfer out of a high school to another public or private high school, or to another state.
Dr. Lewis said the county’s graduation rate is 69.2 percent. The state’s rate is 68.1 percent.

Dr. Lewis noted a Graduating All Students committee was in place to address concerns and develop ways to keep students in school. The committee is also working to develop exit surveys.

Director of Middle and High School Education Tamara Ishee noted a number of programs focusing on the dropout rates.

Freshman Express started at East Carteret High School four years ago, and she said data is beginning to show success with that program.

She noted a Bridge Back program was also in place to allow students to “buy back” time from days absent.

Mrs. Ishee also noted the work taking place at Bridges Alternative School, and she showed a video about that school.

Chair Cathy Neagle shared information about high school reform that she learned at a workshop by the North Carolina School Boards Association.

RECEIVE BOND PROJECTS UPDATE
Receive Update
Mr. Maready noted that all active bond projects are progressing well.
He updated the Board on several Bond projects.

Atlantic Elementary, Harkers Island Elementary and Smyrna Elementary – The HVAC project work at these three schools was awarded to Mechworks, Inc. The project duration is about one year.
Beaufort Middle – The roof replacement project will be completed by the end of March. The manufacturers inspection is expected in late March or early April.

Bogue Sound Elementary – The classroom addition and the HVAC renovation project is on schedule. He noted the first footing pour would be done March 14. The new classrooms should be ready for use in the coming school year.

Broad Creek Middle – The roof replacement project is progressing and should be completed in early May.
East Carteret High – Work on the building pad is complete. He noted the placement of about 40,000 cubic yards of dirt on site went well. He said an average of 170 trucks per day delivered the dirt. Settlement plates are being monitored on a bi-weekly basis. The construction of the new classroom building will begin after the structural engineer, the geotechnical engineer and the civil engineer approve the building pad.
Harkers Island Elementary – The roofing project has been awarded to Owens Roofing. The pre-construction meeting is scheduled for early April with completion expected in mid-August.

Newport Elementary – Bid openings for the new building will take place mid-April.
White Oak Elementary – Installation of the new HVAC system in the gym is complete. He noted the system is functioning properly and has made a remarkable difference in the air quality, climate control and dehumidification.
A new leased modular unit is on site at White Oak Elementary School and workers are preparing to relocate the existing unit.

Bids for new buildings at White Oak Elementary School will take place in mid-April.

Design Work – Design work for the remainder of the bond HVAC projects is complete. Bid dates will be coordinated with curriculum schedules as well as the work force capability.

Morehead City Elementary – Mr. Maready also updated the Board on the work at Morehead City Elementary School. This work is not a bond project. It is funded through a Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB). He noted, with the exception of the final inspection, the roof replacement at the school is completed. The HVAC and electrical work at the school continues. The work takes place day and night, and all day work is limited to work on two classrooms per week.

Board member Adele Collins requested Keith Maready notify contractors and project workers that they must sign in at the office. She also expressed concern about workers driving trucks close to the playground.

 

MAINTENACE AND CONSTRUCTION
CONSIDER SEWER LINE EASEMENT
Finance Officer J. Ipock presented this information for Plant Operations Director Judson Walton.
Mr. Ipock presented a sewer line easement requested by the Town of Beaufort for the installation of new sewer lines on the property around the school system’s maintenance building. Board Attorney Neil Whitford prepared the document. Mr. Ipock said a town lift station is located behind the maintenance building and a new line needs to be installed.

Dr. Rick Luettich made the motion to approve the sewer line easement as presented.

David Carr provided the second and all members voted aye.

 

RECEIVE MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Finance Office J. Ipock presented this information for Plant Operations Director Judson Walton.
Bridges Alternative – Permitting should be complete for the new Bridges Alternative site. Mr. Walton plans to meet with adjoining property owners to show them the plans. The modular school building is complete and ready for delivery as soon as the remaining site preparation is completed. That work should start in the next few weeks.

Harkers Island Elementary – The intercom at the school has been contracted and installation should start in the near future.

West Carteret High – The automatic operator for one door is the only item missing in completing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) revisions for West Carteret as requested by the school system and approved by the county.

Communications – The communication systems for each school have been identified and staff is working with the Technology Department preparing a packet for review by the Superintendent and Board of Education members. All information is based on the Designer Guidelines that are currently in place. Staff is preparing a package for each school that shows our standards for communications systems based on the Designer Guidelines. This will serve as a standard guide if any school purchased communication equipment on their own.

FISCAL DEPARTMENT ITEMS
CONSIDER BUDGET REVISION

Finance Officer J. Ipock requested Board members consider two budget revisions.
Budget Revision 17 – This revision amends the Capital outlay fund for amendments to the Bond Project Ordinance requested by the Board of Education at their February meeting and approved by the County Commissioners at their February meeting.

Dr. Rick Luettich made the motion to approve Budget Revision #17 to change the Bond Projects ordinance requested by the Board of Education and approved by the County Commissioners in February relating to advertising, minor permits, etc. for $20,000; increasing construction management services by $50,000; mobile classroom costs at Newport Elementary School for $1,900 and White Oak Elementary School for $52,150; and electrical upgrades at Atlantic Elementary for $45,346.

Bill Blair provided the second and all members voted aye.

 

Budget Revision 18 – This revision budgets for estimated costs for the superintendent search by the North Carolina School Boards Association as approved by the Board at a special meeting.

Dr. Rick Luettich asked what was the projection for the fund balance less this money.

Mr. Ipock said his projection for the fund balance at the end of the year would be about $30,000.

Dr. Rick Luettich made the motion to approve Budget Revision #18 using $10,000 from fund balance to fund the cost of the superintendent search.

Al Hill provided the second and all members voted aye.

 

CONSIDER ADOPTING OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET REQUESTS FOR 2007-2008

Finance Officer J. Ipock reviewed the Operating Budget Request and the Capital Budget Request for 2007-2008.

Mr. Ipock noted the County funding request for 2007-2008 in the local operating revenues is $20,011,887. This is a $2,611,887, or 15 percent, increase over the 2006-2007 amount budgeted.
Mr. Ipock noted that part of that increase in the County funding is because in past years the school system has been able to pay for some of its local operating budget out of its fund balance. However, the fund balance projections are near zero for the current year and therefore, at this time, no money is expected to be available for use toward the 2007-2008 budget.

Dr. Rick Luettich made the motion to accept the Local Operating Budget for 2007-2008 as presented with expenditures of $21,201,887. Funding would be comprised of $1,190,000 of non-county revenues and $20,011,887 of county revenues.
David Carr provided the second.
Adele Collins questioned the need to hire a parts clerk for the Transportation Department. She spoke with Transportation Director John Barbour and from that conversation she does not think this new position is cost effective at this time. Mrs. Collins gathered the costs of parts from Mr. Ipock and said with that amount, a full-time position was not cost effective.
Al Hill said Transportation Director John Barbour told him the parts clerk was a needed position.

Cathy Neagle said she understood part of this position was for record keeping.

Mr. Carr said he would like more details on the duties of the proposed position. He appreciated Mrs. Collins comments and said, from her information, it seemed like a relatively low inventory to manage. However, he would like Mr. Barbour to share the intended duties of the position. Mr. Carr suggested more information be gathered from Mr. Barbour and then, if needed, an amendment could be made to the budget.

Dr. Luettich agreed that more information was needed.

All Board members agreed they would like to hear more information about the position at a future meeting.

After discussion, the Board voted on the motion and second on the floor.

The motion to approve the Operating Budget for 2007-2007 passed 6-0 with follow up discussion of the requested parts clerk position for the Transportation Department.

 

Mr. Ipock reviewed the 2007-2008 Capital Budget Request.

Mrs. Collins expressed concern about the quotes for technology. She had contacted Director of Technology and Media Joe Poletti and Director of Technical Support Harry Smith about the prices for the technology items, namely the laptops and desktops. Mrs. Collins said the documentation she received had conflicting prices, and she said some of the documentation she requested had not been provided.

Dr. Rick Luettich said he refused to pass a budget that contained numbers Board members did not have confidence in. He said the Board could vote on the Capital Budget without the technology piece completely. He said he would not vote for a budget that did not contain accurate numbers.

All members expressed the need for technology in our schools, but said the numbers must be accurate.
Members noted the budget was due to the county by Friday, March 16, 2007.

David Carr motion to table the capital budget until accurate information on the technology request is obtained. He said, if necessary, a special meeting could take place with the understanding that it would take place by Friday in order to meet the deadline.

Al Hill provided the second.

Dr. Luettich asked that the parts clerk be addressed at special meeting, if it takes place, with the understanding that the Operating Budget could be amended.
(Later in the meeting, Chair Cathy Neagle set the special meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday, March 15, 2007.)

 

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND INVOLVEMENT AMONG STAKEHOLDERS

RECEIVE 2007 BOARD MEETING DATES
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ralph Lewis reminded the Board of the change in the meeting date from the second Tuesday of the month to the first Tuesday of the month. She set the following 2007 meeting dates: April 3, May 1, June 5, June 26, August 7, September 4, October 2, November 13 and December 4.

REPORT FROM ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ralph Lewis is handling many of the duties of the superintendent’s office while Dr. David Lenker is on medical leave.
Dr. Lewis noted the state writing tests took place today and he said initial feedback shows attendance was high and the tests went well.

COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS

Board Chairman Cathy Neagle invited Board members to make comments.
Bill Blair – Mr. Blair expressed his support for programs such as Bridges Alternative School. He stressed the vital need to help students succeed in all settings.

Dr. Rick Luettich – Dr. Luettich said in five budget processes this has been the smoothest until tonight. He said the most credible information has been presented. He regrets having to do this – but will not support figures that do not add up.

David Carr – Mr. Carr wished Dr. Lenker a speedy recovery. He thanked the staff for taking on additional duties. Mr. Carr also expressed appreciation to Mrs. Collins for her detailed review.

Adele Collins – Mrs. Collins said she just wants to get the figures straight. She supports technology, but is still waiting on other quotes.

Al Hill – Mr. Hill congratulated Broad Creek Middle on their many awards. He also congratulated Dr. Pennylloyd Baldridge on her coming retirement. He wants the finished budget to be complete.

Mrs. Neagle thanked the Board for the preparation. She thanked Dr. Ralph Lewis for his support and willingness to take the added responsibilities of the superintendent’s position.

REMINDERS
Chair Cathy Neagle noted the next Board of Education meeting would take place April 3, 6:30 p.m. The Board will conduct a public comment time from 6-6:30 p.m. that evening.
Chair Neagle said an emergency Board meeting would take place Thursday, March 15, 2007, at 6 p.m. for the purpose of considering the 2007-2008 Budget Requests. The meeting will take place in the central office, Beaufort.

CLOSED SESSION
David Carr made the motion to convene in closed session pursuant to General Statute 143-318.11 (a) (6) to consider personnel issues.
Al Hill provided the second and all members voted aye.

 

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
Al Hill made the motion to return to open session.

Bill Blair provided the second and all members voted aye.
No action was taken in open session.
 

ADJOURNMENT

Dr. Rick Luettich made the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Adele Collins provided the second and all members voted aye.

 

 

 

APPROVED PERSONNEL MATTERS – MARCH 13, 2007

Licensed Employees

Hires

Josephine Boyette, Special Education Teacher, Smyrna Elementary School

(02/07/07-06/12/07)            Interim Position

Kelly Crichton, Special Education Teacher, Bridges Alternative School

(03/22/07)

Victoria Ellison, English Teacher, East Carteret High School

(01/22/07-06/12/07) Interim Position

Shammara Henderson, PE Teacher, West Carteret High School

(08/16/07)

Myriam Nantz, Social Studies Teacher, West Carteret High School

(03/13/07-06/12/07) Interim Position

Donna Smith, English Teacher, Croatan High School

(03/26/07)

Transfers
Shauna Daniels, Fr. Sp Ed Teacher, Smyrna Elementary School

(02/07/07) To Sp Ed Teacher, Morehead City Middle School

 

Resignations

David Ellis, School Counselor, West Carteret High School

(06/12/07)

Eddie Gwaltney, Part-time Math Teacher, West Carteret High School

(06/08/07)

Robert Joyce, Social Studies, West Carteret High School

(03/09/07)

Donald Kiefer, PE Teacher/Coach, East Carteret High School

(03/02/07)

Rosemond Ward, Science Teacher, West Carteret High School

(06/12/07)

 

Retirements

Dr. Pennylloyd Baldridge, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, (07/01/07) Central Office

Michael Bernstein, Social Studies Teacher, West Carteret High School

(07/01/07)

Sarah Tootle, Marketing Teacher, West Carteret High School

(07/01/07)

Lynn Ward, Business Tech Teacher, West Carteret High School

(07/01/07)

 

Support Employees

Hires

Crystal Copeland, Teacher Assistant, Morehead City Primary School

(02/21/07)

 

Transfers

Maria Gregorio, Fr. HRMS Data Manager, Central Office

(04/01/07) To Licensure Specialist, Central Office

 

Resignations

William Angel, Warehouseman, Maintenance

(02/23/07)

Mary Detwiller, Teacher Assistant, Morehead City Primary School

(03/06/07)

Yvonne Goss, Part-time Food Service, West Carteret High School

(06/07/07)

Sharon Joyner, Part-time Food Service, Newport Elementary School

(02/20/07)

Leonard Mitchell, Custodian, Beaufort Elementary School

(02/08/07)

 

Retirements  

Max Kell, HVAC Division Head, Maintenance

(06/01/07)

Kathy Merrill, School Nurse, Beaufort Elementary School           

(05/01/07)

 

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