| [../../../banner.htm] | |
|
[../../../navbar.htm]
|
Carteret
County Public School System April
11, 2006 – 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 David Carr, June Fulcher, Al Hill and Dr. Rick
Luettich. Mike Hodges arrived late. Board member Bill Blair was
absent. Prior to the meeting, Board members conducted a public comment forum from 6-6:30 p.m. to receive comments on various topics. WELCOMEChairman
Cathy Neagle welcomed those in attendance. Al Hill
gave the invocation and led the Pledge to the United States flag. CONSIDER
APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
Al
Hill made the motion to amend the agenda to add a Field Trip request
from Harkers Island Elementary School to the Consent Agenda. June
Fulcher provided the second and all members voted aye. Al
Hill made the motion to approve the agenda as amended. June Fulcher
provided the second and all members voted aye. CONSIDER
PUBLIC SCHOOL VOLUNTEER WEEK Board
members heard a proclamation regarding Public School Volunteer Week.
Communications Director Tabbie Nance read the proclamation. Dr.
Rick Luettich made the motion to accept the proclamation to declare
April 23-29, 2006, as Public School Volunteer Week in Carteret
County. Al Hill provided the second and all members voted aye.
Carteret
County Public School System’s Finance Department was recognized
for receiving quality management awards from three agencies. The
system attained the North Carolina State Board of Education
Recognition of Achievement in Financial Resource Management for
fiscal year 2004-2005, the Association of School Business Officials
Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for fiscal year
2003-2004, and the Government Finance Officers Association
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for
fiscal year 2003-2004. J. Ipock is the finance officer for the
Carteret County Public School System. Four
students were recognized for receiving The People’s Choice awards
from the 7th Annual Carteret County Schools Student Art
Exhibition. Board member June Fulcher explained that visitors to the
student art show vote for their favorite artwork. This year’s
winners were: Meghan Nyberg, a Beaufort Elementary 2nd
grader; Meagan Norman, a Beaufort Elementary School 5th grader;
Kyndall Winegar, a Newport Middle School 8th grader; and
Leigh Hawkins, a West Carteret High School 11th grader.
West
Carteret High School Senior James Waters was honored for being named
a Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill for the fall of 2006. Dr. Rick Luettich made the presentation
to Mr. Waters. The Morehead Scholarship pays all expenses for four
years of undergraduate study, including costs of a laptop computer
and four summer enrichment experiences. The scholarship has a value
of about $80,000. Mr. Waters is the son of James and Barbara Waters
of Morehead City. (Mike
Hodges arrived at this time.)
Sixteen
Carteret County Public School System students are among the 400
North Carolina rising high school juniors and seniors selected to
attend the 2006 Governor’s School, a six-week summer program for
academically or intellectually gifted students. Croatan
High School had eight students selected: Elizabeth P. Clark,
Courtney M. Grafton, Clayton F. Zeller-Townson, Elyse P. Smith,
Lauren C. Love, Tiffany M. Statler, Hope A. Echols, and Julia A.
Glew. West
Carteret High School had eight students selected: Michael L.
Candelario, Mark A. Starnes, Rebecca V. Cumbie, Jacob H. Jenkins,
Leigh A. Hawkins, Brett D. Scibal, Aaron P. Ramus, and Reuben A.
Rosado. CONSIDER
APPROVAL OF AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CLASS Board
members approved the addition of an Advanced Placement Environmental
Science Course as presented by Dr. Pennylloyd Baldridge. West
Carteret High School science teacher Matt Graham presented the
course to the Curriculum Advisory Board. The course has also been
reviewed and approved by West Carteret High’s science department,
the principal and the school improvement team. Board approval will
make it possible for the course to be offered at all high schools in
the county. Dr. Baldridge said the request was to have the course
begin fall semester of 2007-2008 to provide time for the three high
schools to generate student interest and train teachers. Dr.
Rick Luettich asked if the system followed up on the success of AP
courses, and Dr. Baldridge said each was assessed. Dr. Luettich
asked that these results be reported to the Board. Dr. Baldridge
said a report could be made to the Board. Dr.
Luettich made the motion to approve the addition of an Advanced
Placement Environmental Science Course. June Fulcher provided the
second and all members voted aye. Board
members approved an Honors Teacher Cadet Course to begin second
semester of the 2006-2007 school year. Dr. Pennylloyd Baldridge made
the request on behalf of the Curriculum Advisory Council. She noted
the Council recommended waiving the required 12-18 month timeline
because this was a critically important course. Dr.
Baldridge noted several compelling reasons for approving this
request including: the worsening teacher shortage in the state, the
plan to help students make informed decisions about becoming
teachers before entering college, and the fact that Carteret County
is one of only 14 school systems in the state that does not have a
Teacher Cadet Course. She also noted that this course could also
help recruit minority teachers, as outlined in the school system’s
Minority Achievement Plan Evaluation. Carrie
Sheehan, an East Carteret High School teacher, said the move was to
have the cadet course be declared an Honors course. Ms. Sheehan has
been trained as a cadet instructor. June
Fulcher noted that the five points these students earn through this
class are very beneficial. Dr.
Lenker said in his discussions it would not require additional staff
at East Carteret High School. Board approval will make it possible
for the course to be offered at all high schools in the county. Dr.
Rick Luettich made the motion to approve the addition of an Honors
Teacher Cadet Course. June Fulcher provided the second and all
members voted aye. CONSIDER
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Chairman
Cathy Neagle reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda. She noted a
field trip request from Harkers Island Elementary School had been
added. These
items were: Consider Approval of Minutes of March 14, 2006, Board
Meeting; Consider Field Trip Requests; Consider Fund Raiser
Requests; Student Transfers; Personnel Matters (personnel matters
are listed at end of this document); and School Advisory Council
Members. Mr.
Carr noted an update on the political environment in Peru be checked
prior to the departure date. Mike
Hodges made the motion to approve the items on the consent
agenda. Al Hill provided the second and all members voted aye. QUALITY
TEACHERS, STAFF AND ADMINISTRATORS Board
members heard an update on the Continuous Improvement Monitoring
System from Exceptional Children’s Program Director Pollye Pruitt.
Ms. Pruitt said this system was designed to improve outcomes for
children with disabilities. The system included a demographic
summary, a survey analysis summary and compliance data to include an
internal record review summary, a class size and transportation
summary. Assistant Director Debbie Sewell gave a program quality
summary and a student performance summary. EFFICIENT,
EFFECTIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE OPERATIONS RECEIVE
MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS UPDATE White
Oak Elementary – The pre-construction meeting for the septic
system has been held and all areas were reviewed by the
Environmental Health Department. It is possible to begin sewer
system construction over spring break. Surplus
Sales – Staff is continuing the use of the online auction with
GovDeals.com. This method is creating more dollars per item than we
experienced using public auctions. CONSIDER BID FOR HVAC AT MOREHEAD CITY ELEMENTARYMr.
Walton noted the project had been re-bid to try to bring it within
budget. The low bidder is Diversified Construction Systems. Mr.
Walton noted it was bid as a single prime bid that listed
subcontractors and that a question has arisen as to the proper
licensure of a subcontractor. Mr.
Walton said a subcontractor without a valid license would not be
allowed to work on a project. Earlier
in the day Contractor Ray Flores challenged the award of the
contract to Diversified Construction Systems because of the
licensure issue, and he spoke at the public comment time prior to
the Board meeting. David
Carr made the motion to table the decision. June Fulcher provided
the second. The motion to table failed 3-3 with Mr. Carr, Mrs.
Fulcher and Al Hill voting to table the motion and Mrs. Neagle, Mr.
Hodges and Dr. Luettich voting not to table the motion. Attorney
Neil Whitford said the next lowest bidder was MechWorks and that
company would like the Board of Education to disqualify
Diversified’s bid and awarded it to them. Attorney Whitford said
there was no compelling evidence that Diversified’s bid was wrong.
Attorney Whitford said he needs to find out if there is a need that
a subcontractor even be listed. Dr.
Rick Luettich made the motion to table the decision on this contract
until the Board’s special meeting tomorrow, April 12. June Fulcher
provided the second and all members voted aye. CONSIDER CROATAN MOISTURE UPDATEBoard
Attorney Neil Whitford reported a proposed $95,000 settlement with
Cheatham & Associates, Mechanical Engineers, Wrightsville Beach,
NC, that will conclude the system’s legal claims. He noted that
this settlement also includes a final release of the project
architects. Attorney Whitford said the school system made a claim to
Cheatham & Associates about a year ago, after it became clear
that successfully sealing Croatan High School from rainwater leaks
had not reduced interior humidity levels. Attorney
Whitford noted the settlement was reached without filing a law suit.
(A
copy of the Memorandum from Attorney Neil Whitford is attached to
the minutes.) Mike
Hodges said the complexity of the issue was overwhelming. Mike
Hodges made the motion to approve the $95,000 settlement offer from
Cheatham & Associates to settle the claim. Dr. Rick Luettich
provided the second. Dr.
Luettich said this was the final piece to the puzzle. He said the
Board of Education has stuck with the problem to make the contractor
and architects make the school a well-built one. He added that the
first offer was for $25,000. The
motion passed 6-0. CONSIDER INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH COUNTY ON SCHOOL BOND CONSTRUCTIONBoard
members approved an Interlocal Agreement between Carteret County and
the Board of Education. Attorney
Whitford noted school campuses owned by the county allow the county
to get part of the sales tax back. School systems cannot get the
sales tax back. Attorney Whitford noted the transfer of title was
done on Bogue Sound Elementary and Croatan High and the amount of
sales tax returned to the county was significant. He noted the
county holds title to several school campuses. He
said all the campuses with pending bond project work would be under
this agreement. The county has asked for one addition to the
agreement and Attorney Whitford asked that, if appropriate, the
following statement be included in the motion: “Change orders that
exceed $10,000 or 10 percent of a contingency fund per bond project
go to the County Commissioners for approval.” Dr.
Luettich made the motion to accept the interlocal agreement and the
leasing agreement as presented by Board Attorney Neil Whitford with
the statement that change orders exceeding $10,000 or 10 percent of
a contingency fund per bond project go to the County Commissioners
for approval. (Copy
of agreement is attached to minutes.) June
Fulcher provided the second and all members voted aye. (June
Fulcher left the meeting at this time.) CONSIDER FISCAL DEPARTMENT ITEMSFinance
Officer J. Ipock updated the Board on several fiscal department
items. Budget
Revision #17 – This revision adjusts the Capital Outlay budget for
the amount approved by the County ($475,627) to purchase chillers
approved in the Bond. Al
Hill made the motion to approve Budget Revision #17. Dr. Rick
Luettich provided the second and the motion passed 5-0. Solid
Waste Collection and Disposal Bid – Mr. Ipock recommended the
Board approve a five-year contract for solid waste collection and
disposal with Waste Industries. Requests for proposals were sent out
in February calling for a three-year contract with the option to
renew for two additional one-year periods. Proposals were received
March 3 from Waste Industries, the system’s current provider, and
GDS Republic, the county’s current provider. The proposals
received based on that information were GDS Republic - $151,582.10
per year and Waste Industries - $164,716.76 per year. Mr.
Ipock reported that Waste Industries presented an alternative
proposal for a five-year contract at $119,587.40 per year. Mr. Ipock
contacted GDS Republic for a five-year contract and it totaled
$143,910.70 per year. Al
Hill made the motion to approve a five-year contract with Waste
Industries. Attorney
Whitford made the correction that the Board was not approving a
contract, but was approving a bid. Mr.
Hodges withdrew his second, and Al withdrew his motion. Al
Hill made motion to approve a five-year bid with Waste Industries
based on normal CPI rate of increase adjustment. Mike
Hodges provided the second and the motion passed 5-0. Attorney
Whitford reminded the Board that the actual contract would have to
be approved at a later time.
Board
members Cathy Neagle, Mike Hodges and Al Hill agreed to serve on a
committee to hear student issues. Attorney Whitford said three
members should be appointed with the stipulation that at least two
of the three be present at the hearing. The hearing was sent for
April 25 at 9 a.m. CONSIDER APPOINTMENT FOR CARTERET COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRUSTEE POSITION Board
members voted to reappoint Rose Malay to the Carteret Community
College Board of Trustees. Mike
Hodges made the motion to reappoint Ms. Malay. Al Hill proved the
second and all members voted aye. Dr.
David Lenker said staff members are working on bond figures to be
presented to the Board at the special meeting April 12. He
congratulated Croatan’s Winterguard for winning gold at the World
Championship. COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERSBoard
Chairman Cathy Neagle invited Board members to make comments. Mike
Hodges – Mr. Hodges thanked the school family for their concern on
the recent death of his father in law. He commended the Croatan
Winterguard on winning the World Championship, and he reminded
everyone to vote in the primary. Al
Hill – Mr. Hill wished everyone a safe Easter break next week. Dr.
Rick Luettich – Dr.
Luettich congratulated Board member Al Hill on his recent retirement
from Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative. Ms.
Neagle – Ms. Neagle said she was disappointed that the estimates
were not meeting the bond projects as she hoped. She noted the
commitment of the Board was to the students and public to make sure
the bond money was used in the most efficient and effective way as
possible to meet as many of the needs as possible with the money
available.
The
next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.,
May 9, 2006. Board members will meet with School Advisory Council
members from 5-6 p.m. and will hold a public comment period from
6-6:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Mike
Hodges made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Al Hill provided the
second and all members voted aye.
APPROVED
PERSONNEL MATTERS – APRIL 11, 2006 Licensed
Employees Leave
of Absence Alice
Aldredge, Band Director, Croatan High School (03/27/06-05/08/06) Retirements Charlotte
Austin, Elementary Teacher, Smyrna Elementary School (07/01/06) Deborah
Booth, Elementary Teacher, Beaufort Elementary School (07/01/06) Pam
Flynn, Elementary Teacher, Morehead City Primary School (07/01/06) Audrey
Hardy, Elementary Teacher, White Oak Elementary School (07/01/06) Phyllis
Parker, Reading Teacher, Beaufort Elementary School (07/01/06)
Madeleine
Schaw, Speech Pathologist, Smyrna Elementary School (07/01/06) Edith
Styron, PE/Health Teacher, Beaufort Elementary School (07/01/06) Support
Employees Transfers Linda
Fairchild, Fr. Child Nutrition Supervisor, Central Office (04/01/06)
To Director of Child Nutrition, Central Office Hires Felicia
Crabtree, Secretary/Clerk, Maintenance
(03/20/06) Bethani
Edwards, Teacher Assistant, Morehead City Primary School (04//03/06) Shirley
Hardison, Part-time Food Service, Newport Elementary School (03/13/06) Janet
Molokash, Teacher Assistant, West Carteret High School (04/10/06) Shannon
Nelson, Teacher Assistant, West Carteret High School (03/20/06) Transfers Deborah
Hascup, Fr. Part-time Food Service, Newport Elementary School (03/09/06)
To Full-time Food Service, Newport Elementary School Jennifer
King, Fr. Full-time Food Service, Newport Elementary School (03/07/06)
To Cafeteria Manager, Newport Elementary School Resignations (07/01/06) Monica
Jarman, Part-time Food Service, Morehead City Primary School (03/23/06) Wanda
Kistler, Guidance Receptionist, West Carteret High School (03/31/06) Tim
McCart, Teacher Assistant, West Carteret High School (03/10/06) Kenneth
Roberson, Cafeteria Manager, Morehead City Middle School (03/27/06) Kelly
Schaefer, Teacher Assistant, Morehead City Primary School (03/31/06) Retirements Linda
Gibson, SIMS Data Manager, Bogue Sound Elementary School (07/01/06) Martha
Jones, Cafeteria Manager, Beaufort Elementary School (05/31/06)
|