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Carteret
County Public School System
March 1, 2011
Attending the meeting: Chair Cathy Neagle, Vice Chairman Al Hill and
Board members David Carr, Adele Collins, Perry Harker, June Fulcher
and Shelley Sylivant. Others attending included Superintendent Dr.
Dan Novey, Assistant Superintendents Dr. Ralph Lewis and Mat
Bottoms, Board Attorney Neil Whitford, Communications Director
Tabbie Nance, principals, parents, community members, employees and
members of the media.
Shelley Sylivant provided the second and all members voted aye.
Al
Hill made the motion to approve the agenda as amended.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
The
Consent Agenda items were:
B.
Personnel Matters; 1 – Broad Creek Middle Math Counts Competition, and 2 – Croatan High Indoor Percussion, AIA Championship
D.
Fund Raiser Requests; and June Fulcher made the motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Perry Harker provided the second and all members voted aye.
Board members shared some suggestions and Dr. Lewis
will consider these prior to the second reading of the policy. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ralph Lewis stated since the first reading in January, slight adjustments had been made in the criteria section with superintendent responsibilities also made explicit in the section on dismissal/reemployment of a career employee. He noted that a “career employee” covers probationary teachers, teachers and administrators. Dr. Lewis reviewed the criteria section and noted that a variety of factors will be used to determine which employees will be included in a reduction in force, including the following: performance ratings as indicated on formal evaluations and other documentation; areas of licensure and advanced certification; advanced degrees; highly qualified status; program enrollment; service in extra duty positions and ability to fill such; and length of service within the school system. Dr. Lewis said an administrative regulation, to be shared later in the meeting, will be developed for using the above noted factors to determine which employees will be recommended to the Board for inclusion in the reduction of force.
CONSIDER SECOND READING OF POLICY 7921 – REDUCTION IN
FORCE OF NON-CAREER EMPLOYEES
CONSIDER SECOND READING OF POLICY 7950 – PROBATIONARY TEACHERS NONRENEWAL Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ralph Lewis stated the school system already has this policy, but the version now proposed incorporates recent changes in state law that provide certain rights (upon re-employment) to probationary teachers who have been non-renewed as a result of reduction in force. Since first reading the last sentence of the policy was adjusted to make explicit board review of the written record in closed session. Dr. Lewis said the policy states that no later than May 15, the superintendent shall provide written notice to the probationary teacher of the superintendent’s intent to recommend nonrenewal and the teacher’s rights, within 10 days of receipt of the superintendent’s recommendation, to request and receive written notice of the reasons for the superintendent’s recommendation for nonrenewal and the information that the superintendent may share with the Board to support the recommendation for nonrenewal. Dr. Lewis noted other timelines outlined in the policy. Chair Cathy Neagle made the motion that in Policy 7950 that 3 a. and 3 b. be switched in order for the sequence to flow. Adele Collins provided the second. Attorney Neil Whitford suggested if changes were being made that the first sentence of the current section b. be changed for clarity. Mrs. Neagle withdrew her motion stating that changing that sentence would clarify her concerns. David Carr made the motion to change the first sentence of 3 b. to read: “The superintendent or designee shall notify the teacher in writing of the 60-day deadline.” Shelley Sylivant provided the second and all members voted to change the wording of that sentence.
David Carr made the motion to accept the three policies – Policy 7920, 7921 and 7950 – as amended by the Board. Al Hill provided the second and all members voted aye.
REGULATIONS Dr. Lewis noted action is not requested by the Board of Education; however, he was asking for the Board members suggestions regarding the regulations. Principals will also have input in the regulations.
REGULATION 7920/7950-R, CAREER EMPLOYEE REDUCTION IN FORCE Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ralph Lewis reviewed the regulation. He reviewed some definitions and highlighted the explanation of the meaning of “Seniority” and the meaning of “Program area” in the policy. Dr. Lewis said “Seniority” in this regulation means the most recent period of full-time, uninterrupted employment in any position with the Carteret County Schools commencing with the date of employment by the Board, less any approved unpaid leave of absence. “Program area” would mean any curricular offering, individual program, extracurricular activity or school operation. Examples include the grouping of all elementary teachers, all social studies teachers, all physical education teachers, itinerant personnel in a particular licensure area (such as school psychologists, social workers, or speech therapists), or program administrators (such as principals, assistant principals, or central office directors). Dr. Lewis reviewed the order of non-renewal, dismissal or demotion for probationary and career employees within a designated program area in which employees are currently assigned is as follows: 1 – Any probationary employee in the school system who has received a below proficient rating on one or more performance standards (such as on one or more of the five standards on the North Carolina Teacher Evaluation Process instrument) during the most recent school year; 2 – Any career employee in the school system who either has been unsuccessful in completing an action plan or directed growth plan within the past school year or has been placed on more than one action plan, growth plan or combination of the two while employed by the Carteret County Schools, regardless of outcome; 3 – The probationary, school-based employee at an individual school, or the probationary, itinerant employee system-wide, with the lowest number of points based on the criteria in Section D; 4 – The career, school-based employee in the designated program area at an individual school, or the itinerant or administrative employee system-wide, with the lowest number of points based on criteria in Section D; 5 – The probationary employee at any school in the system with the lowest point rating when needed to create a position for a career employee with proper license and qualifications who would otherwise be dismissed, unless the probationary employee possesses a unique, specialized skill that is essential to the operation of the school or program area. Dr. Lewis then outlined Section D, the proposed criteria for ratings and the points associated with each. These include: McREL Evaluation Ratings (probationary teachers only), seniority (within the Carteret County Public School System), extra duties, certification, North Carolina Teaching Fellow graduate, National Board Certification, and advanced degree(s) beyond a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university.
REGULATION 7921-R, REDUCTION IN FORCE OF NON-CAREER
EMPLOYEES He listed the order of dismissal or demotion for non-career employees within a designated program area will be made using system-wide comparisons between employees, as follows: 1 – Any employee who has received an inadequate performance rating during the most recent school year; 2 – The employee with the lowest number of points based on the criteria in Section D, with the exception that a person with a lower point total will be retained, regardless of points, if the superintendent determines that the employee possesses a unique specialized skill that is essential to the operation of the school or program area;
3 –
The continuity and stability of existing operations and programs
will also be used to make changes in dismissal or demotion order
when provided convincing documentation.
RESOLUTION OPPOSING SENATE BILL 8
The
resolution states Senate Bill 8 would entitle charter schools to a
portion of all funds that flow through local public school system
accounts, including: donations from private entities; reimbursement
of expenses (such as activity bus fees and gymnasium rental fees);
grants that school boards took affirmative action to secure for
programs that charter schools choose not to offer (such as Head
Start, More-At-Four, JROTC, and Free and Reduced Lunch); fund
balances; and child nutrition funds (which include fees paid by
parents and governmental subsidies even from charter school
entitlement would be funds where donor specifications have provided
that such funds be accounted for in a particular way, and federal
grants restricted as to use. The resolution states that Senate Bill 8 would result in a significant disparity of per pupil operating funding in favor of charter schools, it would remove the minimum number of students necessary to form a charter school, and provide for consideration of capital funding for charter schools which are owned by private in-state corporations at a time when local public school system have billions of dollars of capital needs that are going unmet. The resolution requests members of the North Carolina General Assembly to reconsider Senate Bill 8 and make modifications that address the above concerns, specifically: · Provide a mechanism for accounting for funds that are not appropriate to share with charter schools. · Allow for monies to follow the students involved, not required sharing of funds when charter schools do not provide the programs involved. · Remove the provision requiring donor specified accounting and replace it with restrictions of use of funds as stated in the grants. · Allow for reimbursement of funds (such as activity bus fees, facility rental fees) to be accounted for in such a way as to not create a surcharge for charter schools. · Reinstate a reasonable number of minimum students necessary to form a charter school. · Reconsider the capital funding provision. · Create a bill that is truly fair and equitable for all public schools and public school students in North Carolina and is not subject to ambiguities which will have to be resolved through years of litigation at the expense of students. At the minimum, revise the proposed legislation so that tradition public schools: 1 – are not required to share in self-sustaining, fee-based programs such as child nutrition; 2 – are not required to share preschool and other federal funds (such as JROTC and Free and Reduced Lunch) with charter schools that do not provide these programs; 3 – are not required to share fund balance reserves; and 4 – are not required to share reimbursements (such as facility rental fees and activity bus fees) to which charter schools have no legitimate claim. The Board’s resolution states if the General Assembly passes Senate Bill 8 without the requested changes, members requested the Governor veto the legislation. David Carr made the motion to approve the resolution opposing Senate Bill 8. Adele Collins provided the second and all members voted aye.
CONSIDER BUDGET REVISION #8 Finance Office David Millush requested the Board consider one Budget Revision. Budget Revision 8 – This revision amends the Capital Outlay budget for changes to the Bond project ordinance requested by the Board of Education and approved by the County at their last meeting. Al Hill made the motion to approve Budget Revision 8 as presented. Perry Harker provided the second and all members voted aye.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF 2011-2012 LOCAL OPERATING BUDGET
REQUEST Finance Officer David Millush reviewed several changes that had been made. Mr. Millush noted the 2011-2012 Operating Budget request totaled $22,165,624 plus the $590,000 charter school pass-through funding. Chair Cathy Neagle said the legislature has said it will make deeper cuts than what the Governor has proposed, and that creates many concerns. June Fulcher said it was wrong for the local school system and the county government to have to work to develop a budget without the final decision made by the state. She said that change must happen at the state level because it does not allow schools to effectively plan. Mr. Millush agreed and said Senate Bill 8 also complicates planning. Chair Neagle asked Dr. Novey to note to the County Commissioners that the Board of Education might need to alter the request as further details come from the state. Al Hill made the motion to approve the 2011-2012 Local Operating Budget request and provide it to the Carteret County Commissioners. Shelley Sylivant provided the second and all members voted aye.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF 2011-2012 LOCAL CAPITAL BUDGET REQUEST Superintendent Dr. Dan Novey said every Capital Budget request for resources, equipment, repairs, and maintenance made by the community, school principals, and directors was given careful scrutiny to make certain that the need is valid. Only those requests that are demonstrably critical to providing a safe, comfortable, and efficient atmosphere for the education of our children are allowed to make it into the final budget request. Dr. Novey noted the Capital Budget request specifically prioritizes needs into two categories. Those items identified in the Priority 1 Immediate Needs category are considered “mission critical” for 2011-2012. The other needs in the Remaining category are those which must be dealt with in the short-term but the immediacy of the need has not yet reached a mission critical status – although it may on any day. He noted that regardless of the category, all items requested are needed within the 2011-2012 budget year. Dr. Novey said the school system’s 2011-2012 Capital Budget request totals $3,104,535. David Carr made the motion to approve the 2011-2012 Local Capital Budget request and provide it to the Carteret County Commissioners. Al Hill provided the second and all members voted aye.
LEADERSHIP WILL GUIDE INNOVATION IN SCHOOLS
CONSIDER REQUEST TO NAME THE WEST CARTERET HIGH
SCHOOL ATHLETIC COMPLEX THE D. GORDON PATRICK ATHLETIC COMPLEX Adele Collins made the motion to approve the West Carteret High School athletic complex be named the D. Gordon Patrick Athletic Complex. June Fulcher provided the second. Board members David Carr and Al Hill shared comments and support. All members voted aye and the motion was approved.
RECEIVE MAINTENANCE UPDATE
RECEIVE BOND UPDATE Work at West Carteret High School is complete with the exception of a minor paving project. Work at East Carteret High School is going smoothly. The last 10 classrooms will be renovated and ready for occupancy in March. Work will finish at East Carteret High School in early September.
Superintendent Dr. Dan Novey shared a number of
comments with the Board.
Dr.
Novey shared a floor plan of East Carteret High School with Board
members. The plan showed programs/classes scheduled to be housed in
Wings E and F. These uses include a video conference classroom that
will bring programs, classes, field trips and staff development to
East Carteret High School and to sites throughout the county,
reducing costs and providing opportunities that would not otherwise
exist. Planned uses for the area also includes room for Carteret
Community College evening classes, the Twilight Academy, the
Alternative School, as well as a staff development center, computer
lab, book storage area, business classroom, health classroom and
custodial storage area. Community Report 2011 – Dr. Novey reported the school system’s Community Report 2011 had been printed and was available in schools and various locations throughout the county. The entire report is also posted on the front page of the school system’s website at www.carteretcountyschools.org. Other Items – Dr. Novey reported that tomorrow is Read Across America Day and would involve many volunteers from the community spending time reading with students in elementary schools across the county. He noted the school system’s AIG program was being recognized on the state level. Dr. Novey extended his congratulations to Joseph Bond, a West Carteret High School senior who was selected as a Park Scholar.
Chair Cathy Neagle invited Board members to make comments. Adele Collins – Mrs. Collins shared her concerns about the budget. She also congratulated Croatan High School’s AA wrestling champions. June Fulcher – Mrs. Fulcher said the Board of Education is working diligently on the budget. She said the Board of Education members and the County Commissioners are victims of the fallout from the state and federal government. Perry Harker – Mr. Harker said these were tough budget times. He is impressed with the parent and citizen groups speaking up in support of the education budget on the state and local level. He appreciates that support. Mr. Harker said he was pleased that the county’s AIG program was being recognized on the state level. Shelley Sylivant – Mrs. Sylivant encouraged parents and citizens to continue to be involved in the budget process. David Carr – Mr. Carr said the budget presented many difficulties. He said it upset him that people suggested that teachers take pay cuts. Mr. Carr said he would not support teachers taking pay cuts because they are the ultimate public servants. He said every successful individual can credit a teacher for all or a portion of their success. Chair Cathy Neagle expressed her appreciation to the Board for their work, and to the staff and students for their dedication.
REMINDERS
Shelley Sylivant provided the second and all members
voted aye. Adele Collins made the motion to return to open session. David Carr provided the second and all members voted aye. No action was taken in open session.
ADJOURNMENT
Licensed Employees Erin Warthen, Math Teacher, Croatan High School
(01/24/2011-06/13/2011) Temporary (01/31/2011-06/13/2011) Temporary Non-Licensed EmployeesNew HiresChristina Carey, Teacher Assistant, Morehead City Primary School (02/23/2011-06/13/2011) Temporary Janet Payne, NC Wise Data Manager, White Oak Elementary School (02/28/2011-6/13/2011) Temporary
Katherine Taylor, NC Wise Data Manager, Bogue Sound Elementary
School TransfersAimee Leslie, Fr Cafeteria Asst. Manager, Beaufort Elementary School
(01/31/2011) To Cafeteria Assistant, East Carteret High School (02/14/2011) To P/T Cafeteria Assistant, Bogue Sound Elementary School Terri Schmidt, Fr F/T Cafeteria Assistant, Bogue Sound Elementary School (02/14/2011) To P/T Cafeteria Assistant, Broad Creek Middle School Regina Ward, Fr Cafeteria Assistant, Newport Elementary School (01/31/2011) To Cafeteria Assistant, Newport Middle School ResignationsMary Adams, Cafeteria Assistant, West Carteret High School 05/27/2011) Margaret Cornell, Teacher Assistant, Morehead City Primary School (02/21/2011) RetirementsRebecca Newsome, Teacher Assistant, White Oak Elementary School (07/01/2011)
*Changes to February Board Matters Tracy Harding’s date of hire is changed from 01/24/2011 to 1/31/2011
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