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Carteret
County Public School System
JANUARY 8, 2008 WELCOMEChairman Cathy Neagle welcomed those in attendance. Dr. Rick Luettich 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 VII.B.1 – White Oak Elementary Change
Order No. EC-01 Electrical Construction. Attorney Neil Whitford
requested the Board include in that amendment inclusion of a Closed
Session at the end of the meeting. Mr. Hill included that in his
motion. Al Hill made the motion to approve the agenda as amended. June Fulcher provided the second and all members voted aye.
RECOGNIZE 2006-2007 NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION RECIPIENTSFifteen Carteret County Public School teachers were recognized by the Board for earning National Board Certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). This recognition was for work completed during the 2006-2007 school year. Earning certification in the recent awards program were: Jodi Allen, Sherry A. Peay Cogger, Neil Davis, Rebeccah Haines, Rebecca Willis Hedgecock, Suzanne Jenkins, Kim Krohn, Sarah Lawrence, Karen McGuiness, Lisa B. Pittman, Ann Price, Tanya Scott, Susan Hannula Stroup, Racheal Whitby Woolard. Ann Campbell also earned certification while teaching in Carteret County last year, but has since moved from the area. The addition of these 15 teachers brings the total number of Carteret County Public School System teachers holding National Board Certification to 113.
RECEIVE AUDIT REPORT – JUNE 30, 2007Board members heard comments about the Carteret County Public School System’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2007. School System Finance Officer J. Ipock introduced accountants Bob Nelson and Adam Scepurek of Dixon Hughes PLLC, the firm hired to conduct the audit.
Mr. Nelson made comments
about the general audit. In the Introductory Section, Mr. Ipock noted that 65.4 percent of the operating funds for the school system comes from state, 26.0 percent comes from the county, 6.8 percent comes from federal government and 1.8% comes from other areas. Mr. Ipock said gross salary for 2007 was $49.65 million. In the Financial Section, Mr. Ipock explained the fund balance and the undesignated funds. He also noted the Capital Outlay could be a major fund next year because of QZAB funds for Morehead City Elementary School and GO Bond Procedures. Mr. Ipock said the total revenues schools collect from such things as athletics, clubs and organizations totaled almost $3 million. This money runs through the individual schools’ checking accounts and is managed by the school treasurers. Mr. Ipock said the Statistical Section was expanded this year. The section includes historical information on student demographics, personnel summaries, facility configurations, per pupil expenditures, teacher salaries and general review information. Dr. Rick Luettich asked Mr. Nelson for a verbal opinion. Mr. Nelson said he is responsible for the audits for eight schools and he reviews the audits of several other schools. Mr. Nelson said the one weakness he noted in the Carteret County Public School System’s document was the amount of the fund balance. He stated the Local Government Commission would look hard at any municipality with a fund balance lower than 8 percent of the annual expenditures. Mr. Nelson noted that would be $1.6 million for the Carteret County Public School System. He suggested the Board of Education work to increase the fund balance. The Board members will review the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and consider it at their February 2008 meeting.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA B. Personnel Matters (personnel matters are listed at end of this document); C. Student Transfers; D. Field Trip Requests; E. Fund Raiser Requests; F. Bond Projects Funding Requisitions and Change Orders –
1. East Carteret High Change Order #2; and
June Fulcher made motion to approve Consent Agenda as presented.
HIGH STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND ACHIEVEMENT
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS Dr. Rick Luettich made the motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding Between Carteret County Schools and Communities in Schools of Carteret County as presented. Al
Hill provided the second and all members voted aye. By the end of school year 2007-2008, Mrs. Temple said the following items will be purchased and distributed to schools: 689 additional computers (laptops and desktops) and 3 additional wireless canopies. She noted more canopies will be installed during the summer and during school year 2008-2009. Mrs. Temple said additional technology projects for school year 2007-2008 include 21st Century Leadership staff development opportunities, the projector installation project and exploring wireless capabilities for new construction sites. Al Hill asked about the ability for the new construction sites, as well as other sites, to be wireless. Mr.
Sneeden said the system is currently exploring the ability for
various sites to be wireless, and testing the wireless sites now in
place. The policy also includes an exhibit titled NC WISE Acceptable Use Agreement which addresses protecting the confidentiality of student information. Dr. Luettich asked about including a stipulation to require users to change their passwords at set frequencies. Dr. Lewis said that could be included, but the NC WISE system itself will force a new password to be established at set time periods. He noted the password for NC WISE must be unique for NC WISE. Dr. Lewis said NC WISE does not use social security numbers. Instead each student in the state is assigned a unique number code. Dr. Rick Luettich recommended a School System Computer System Acceptable Use Agreement should be in place with similar language and the password requirements, making it comparable to the Acceptable Use Agreement for NC WISE. He suggested the agreement would be developed to apply to NC WISE and to the school system’s computer system. Dr. Lewis will work with Board members, Superintendent Sneeden and the Policy Review committee to make changes to the proposed policy. He plans to present the proposed policy for the Board’s consideration at its February meeting.
EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE OPERATIONS
RECEIVE MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Technology – Tests for the capability of different types of applications are being reviewed by Technology staff members and they will make recommendations for the most effective methods.
Atlantic Elementary – The phone system is not dependable and
will be considered for replacement in the coming capital budget
request. Beaufort Middle – Staff continues to assist in the changes to the HVAC system until the bond work is completed.
Broad Creek Middle – Maintenance staff is assisting school staff
in bidding for replacement security cameras.
East Carteret High – Repairs are being made to the kitchen hood.
The floors in the gym and on the stage are being refinished. Morehead City Primary – A leak in the water system caused a significant increase in the utility bill. The leak has been repaired. Morehead City Elementary – The HVAC control system is working properly. Morehead City Middle – The boiler has been repaired.
Newport Elementary – Glass has been replaced in the hallway near
the media center. Newport’s football league will install a
scoreboard at no cost to the school system and will remove the
non-working scoreboard.
White Oak Elementary – The gym flooring is in place and should
be ready for use later this week.
RECEIVE BOND PROJECTS UPDATE Beaufort Middle – HVAC equipment and materials are being received. The contractor is continuing with equipment receiving and preliminary work in preparation for summer work. Broad Creek Middle – The HVAC contractor is processing submittals for review and will mobilize in the coming weeks. Croatan High Auditorium – Mr. Maready said progress is being made on the design of the auditorium. Additional time will be needed. East Carteret High – Window installation scheduled to take place during the Christmas break did not proceed as planned because of a personnel shortage on the part of the contractor. The roofing project is progressing without problems and is on track to be completed in late April. Construction of the new building is progressing well. The completion target remains in August 2008, however Mr. Maready noted it was an aggressive target and the contract commitment for completion was actually November 2008. Harkers Island Elementary – The HVAC renovation work is nearly complete. Inspections and operation demonstrations will conclude this month. Mr. Maready noted staff members were exploring putting some type of screening in front of the roof units. Morehead City Middle – Window replacement will be completed next week. Contracts for the HVAC renovation project are in place and the submittal process has begun. Morehead City Primary – Contracts for the HVAC renovation project are in place and the submittal process has begun. Newport Elementary – The HVAC renovation project and the new construction project continue to move forward. The HVAC project will continue through June 2008 and the new construction project will continue through August 2008. The CMU walls on the new building are complete. The roof structure is in place and the veneer is in progress. The new classroom addition will be ready to occupy in the fall of 2008. The roof replacement project continues to make progress without complication. Smyrna Elementary – The HVAC renovation project continues to move forward and is on target for an April 2008 completion. The window replacement work project scheduled to take place during the Christmas break did not take place because of a lack of personnel on the part of the contractor. West Carteret High – Demolition of the track is complete and the new stone subgrade and asphalt are in place. The asphalt will need to cure through most of January and then, provided temperatures are high enough, the application can take place. He hopes to have the work completed by mid-February.
White Oak Elementary – The HVAC renovation project and the new
construction project continue. Work on the dining room expansion got
underway during the Christmas break and should be completed before
the opening of school in the fall of 2008. The roofing project is
near completion. Central Services – A preconstruction meeting for the roofing project will take place in late January. Morehead City Elementary – Although not a bond project, Mr. Maready is also overseeing the renovations and improvements at Morehead City Elementary. The window replacement project is complete. The HVAC project is complete and acceptable for receipt of final pay application. Mr. Maready estimated that to date about $27 to $28 million of the $50 million bond work was completed, committed or in process. Dr. Rick Luettich asked if everything promised in the bond, particularly sealing the envelope and the humidity control, would be addressed. Mr. Maready said everything promised in the bond would be completed.
CONSIDER WHITE OAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHANGE ORDER
June Fulcher made the motion to accept White Oak Elementary School
Change Order No. EC-01 for electrical construction. All members voted aye. The work is being modified to include Wireless Technology and other related changes.
FISCAL DEPARTMENT ITEMS Finance Officer J. Ipock presented one budget revision for the Board’s consideration. Budget Revision 16 – This revision amends the Capital Outlay fund for amendments to the Bond Project Ordinance requested by the Board of Education in December and approved by the County Commissioners in December. These were for window replacements at Morehead City Middle ($25,995) plus contingency ($60,000); a change order for East Carteret High construction ($10,078); and a change order for White Oak Elementary HVAC upgrade ($6,609). Dr. Rick Luettich made the motion to approve Budget Revision 16 as presented. June Fulcher provided the second and all members voted aye.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND INVOLVEMENT AMONG STAKEHOLDERS COMMENTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT Superintendent Brad Sneeden shared information about the policy review being conducted by the NC School Boards Association. Mr. Sneeden noted the system was performing at a high level and now is the time to be creative and look at ways to move the system to a higher level. He said this review would include such things as seeking ways to keep students in school. He said the attendance policy and the number of days students are missing school, and why, will all be reviewed. Mr. Sneeden also noted that the discipline and suspension policies would be reviewed. At the same time, Mr. Sneeden stressed the importance of keeping schools safe learning places for students and working places for employees.
COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS Board Chair Cathy Neagle invited Board members to make comments. Al Hill – Mr. Hill said he would seek reelection. He is interested in continuing to address the curriculum needs of students and to the completion of the bond projects and capital improvements. Adele Collins – Mrs. Collins said the school system was a family. She said Croatan High School would host a carnival March 8 to raise money for a student with health issues. Mrs. Collins urged the Board to be conservative this year as the budget request was prepared. June Fulcher – Mrs. Fulcher suggested the superintendent explore having high school students working with the Board of Education. She noted other systems have students in those roles, not as voting members but as liaisons. Mrs. Fulcher is pleased with the progress being made on the bond work and thanked Judson Walton and Keith Maready. She also thanked Mr. Sneeden for his hard work and dedication. Mrs. Fulcher said increasing the supplement for all employees will be very important in this year’s budget process.Bill Blair – Mr. Blair said he was pleased with the bond construction work taking place, particularly at East Carteret High School. He congratulated the teachers receiving National Board Certification and said it required dedication and motivation. Mr. Blair said the Board has an obligation to do all it can to increase the supplements for all employees in the budget request. Dr. Rick Luettich – Dr. Luettich reminded citizens that he would not be seeking reelection. He encouraged those interested and living west of 20th Street and east of Hibbs Road to consider running for office. Dr. Luettich said people often think it is a thankless job, but he said it was not a thankless job – stating it was very rewarding. David Carr – Mr. Carr thanked Dr. Ralph Lewis and his staff for providing him with information about suspensions. He said the policy must be changed and other ways to address discipline must be explored. Mr. Carr thanked the pastors at First Presbyterian Church for recognizing elected officials in a recent service. Cathy Neagle – Mrs. Neagle thanked Board members for their time. She also thanked the Board members for listening to so many people and learning about issues.
REMINDERS
CLOSED SESSION Dr.
Rick Luettich made the motion to convene in closed session for the
purpose of considering a confidential matters subject to
attorney-client privilege. Bill Blair provided the second and all members voted aye. No action was taken in open session.
ADJOURNMENT
June Fulcher made the motion to adjourn the meeting.
APPROVED PERSONNEL MATTERS – JANUARY 8, 2008 New Hires Matthew Howell, Agriculture Teacher, West Carteret High School (01/14/08) Alison Raines, Special Ed Teacher, Croatan High School (12/6/07)
Transfers Lynn Hunsucker, Fr English Teacher, Croatan High School (01/22/2008) To English Teacher, West Carteret High School
Leave of Absence Katie Salter, Math Teacher, West Carteret High School (01/24/08-06/02/08)
Resignations Daniel Ervin, English Teacher, West Carteret High School (01/18/2008) Donald Thompson, Agriculture Teacher, West Carteret High School (01/11/08)
Retirements Susan Stuart, Elementary Ed Teacher, Newport Elementary School (03/03/2008)
Retirees Rehired Rebecca Ackert, English Teacher, West Carteret High School (01/22/08-06/10/08)
Non-Licensed Employees New Hires Tyler Cook, Choices Director, Newport Middle School (01/02/08)
Transfers Andrea Brown, Fr P/T Food Service, Newport Elementary School (10/01/07) To Teacher Assistant, Newport Elementary School Sheila Gurganus, Fr Teacher Assistant, West Carteret High School (01/02/08) To Teacher Assistant, Morehead City Primary Sylvia Johnston, Fr Teacher Assistant, Morehead City Primary (01/03/08) To Teacher Assistant, West Carteret High School Carol Lewis, Fr Payroll Supervisor, Finance Department (01/14/08) To HRMS Data Manager, Human Resources JoAnnette Mason, Fr Adm. Asst/Bookkeeper, Child Nutrition Department (01/28/08) To Payroll Supervisor, Finance Terminations Elizabeth Willis, Cafeteria Manager, Beaufort Elementary School (12/13/07) |