Board of Education Minutes April 11, 2005
"We Open Tomorrow's Eyes"

The Iredell-Statesville Board of Education met at the Iredell County Government Center on Monday, April 11, 2005 at 6:00 p.m.

Members present:  Dr. David Cash; Ms. Tara Cashion; Mr. Jim Head; Mr. Charles Kelly; Mr. David Parker; Mr. Keith Williams; and Dr. Kenneth Wilson.

Administrators present:  Dr. Terry K. Holliday, Superintendent; Dr. Steve Lane, Deputy Superintendent; Ms. Kay Fulp, Finance Officer; Ms. Susan Allred, Chief Academic Officer; Dr. Steve Hill, Director of High Schools and Workforce Development; Ms. Pam Schiffman, Executive Director Information Systems; and Ms. Maureen Moore, Executive Director of Public Relations.

Also Present:  Ms. Susan Agate, Board Clerk and members of the press.

 Dr. Cash called the meeting to order.

Consent Agenda:

 Approval of Facility Use Agreements (Church Renewals):  No discussion.

 Approval of Resolution to Lease=Purchase Agreement No. NC-051675 dated as of January 1,2005:  No discussion.  Dr. Holliday mentioned that we are doing this in order to move away from renting and to enter into a lease-purchase agreement for mobile units so at the end of the lease-purchase we have some value or some equity in the modular units.

 Acceptance of Resignations, Retirements and Leaves of Absences:  No discussion.

 Approval of Classified Personnel:  No discussion.

 Approval of Licensed Personnel:  No discussion.

 Approval of Administrative Contracts:  No discussion.

 Notice of Teachers Eligible to Achieve Career Status:  No discussion.  This will lie on the table for 30 days and will require a vote next month.

 Approval of Minutes:  No discussion.

 Approval of Consent Agenda:

 Dr. Ken Wilson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Keith Williams, to approve the Consent Agenda and Minutes.  The motion unanimously carries.  These items are:

 
Item I-B Approval of Facilities Use Agreements (church Renewals)
Item I-C Approval of Resolution to Lease-Purchase Agreement No. NC-051675
dated as of January 1, 2005
Item I-D Acceptance of Resignations, Retirements, and Leaves of Absences
 Item I-E Approval of Classified Personnel
Item I-F Approval of Licensed Personnel
Item I-G Approval of Administrative Contracts
 Item II  Approval of Minutes

 Dr. Holliday announced that Iredell-Statesville Schools began a process of applying for a grant through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and through the New Schools Project sponsored through the Public School Forum to recreate the way we do high schools.  We have received a planning grant and at this time we need to appoint a principal for this new school, which is a collaboration between Mitchell Community College, Mooresville Graded School District and Iredell-Statesville Schools.  It will begin with the 9th grade next year and students will have an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and a two-year associates degree at no cost to parents.  At this time Dr. Holliday is recommending Ms. Penny Hedrick as Principal of this new Early College Program as of July 1, 2005.

 Dr. Wilson made a motion, seconded by Ms. Tara Cashion to approve Penny Hedrick as the new principal of the Early College.  The motion unanimously carries.

Recognitions:

Community Schools’ Award:  It is our pleasure to present the Iredell-Statesville Schools Community Schools Award to Ms. Libby Campbell.  Ms. Campbell is a retired teacher who devotes much of her spare time to teach poetry lessons to students at Cool Spring Elementary.  Once a month, she comes to a first grade class and three fourth grade classes to share poetry with the children.  The students read and write poetry of their own.  In addition, she arranges for the residents at Statesville Place to come to Cool Spring Elementary to listen to the first graders read and for the fourth graders to visit Statesville Place residence once a month.

Ms. Campbell is also involved in helping students submit their poetry to a national organization called Creative Communications.  Students can submit poetry to be printed in the North Carolina/South Carolina edition that is published every spring.  She was Co-Chair of the Elementary Battle of the Books in February and was a judge at the Middle Schools Battle of the Books in March.  She retired in 2001 as a teacher at North Middle School.

District Spelling Bee Winner:  We are excited to present Riley Jones from Lakeshore Middle School who, after making it through 19 rounds, was declared the District Spelling Bee Champion after correctly spelling the word E-M-B-E-L-L-I-S-H.  Riley participated in the regional spelling bee on March 12 where he did a great job representing Iredell-Statesville Schools.

Battle of the Books Winners:  This year we had 15 elementary and seven middle schools participate in the Battle of the Books.  It is our pleasure to announce the following winners:

Elementary Winner – Troutman Elementary School.  Team members include Payton Blankenship, Savannah Davis, Emily Froelich, Heather Fuller, Natalie Haydt, Brian Ikard, Megan Kelly, Sara Malo Marlee Mercer, Brandon Payne, Tori Plyler, Danielle Poff, Dallas Reed, Brooke Stevens, and Mack Williams.  Coaches are Stephanie and Perry Justice.

Middle School Winner – Lakeshore Middle School.  Team members include Catherine Tyree, Jennifer Sell, Danielle Enrique, Jordan Bishopp, Erich Lohrmann, Melissa Smithson, Courtney Dinkins, Cortney Cogar, Jennifer Wenger, Emily Kulenkamp, Heather Martel, Abby Ahern.  Coach was Joan Milliken.

Ms. Milliken announced that the Lakeshore Middle School Battle of the Books team won the Regional Competition on Friday and will now move on to the State Competition on April 29th.

Science Fair District and Region Winners:  It is our pleasure to recognize the District, Regional and State Science Fair Winners.

1st Place Elementary District Winners:  Andrew Myers-Cool Spring; Caroline deSaussure-Lake Norman; Clayton Sapp-Lake Norman.

1st Place Junior Division District Winners:  Katrina Conant-Troutman Middle; Abbey Alley-West Middle; Hannah Simpson-West Middle; Alex Bustle-Troutman Middle.

Regional winners include Caroline deSaussure-Lake Norman, Clayton Sapp-Lake Norman and Nicholas Holt-Scotts Elementary.  Junior Earth Science 1st Place winner was Christian Greene from Brawley Middle who went on to the State level.

Caroline deSaussure and Clayton Sapp will be going on to the National Science Fair Competition.

Governor’s School Winners:  Ms Patsy Wilson recognized those students selected by the Board of Governors for North Carolina Governor School who will participate in the 2005 Summer Residency Program.  The students chosen are:

Governor’s School West:
• Brent Williams, Lake Norman High School – Art
• Sarah C. Foushee, Statesville High School – Mathematics
• Taylor J. Isenberg, Lake Norman High School – Social Science

Governor’s School East:
• Katelyn E. Stroupe, Statesville High School-Instrumental Music
• Elizabeth M. Yopp, Statesville High School – English
• Dwight N. Bellingham, Statesville High School-Mathematics
• Robert M. Andrews, Statesville High School – Mathematics
• Alexandra B. Bentz, Lake Norman High School – Social Science

Athletic Recognitions:  Mr. David Rothwell recognized the following students:

• Cameron Jordan, a senior at SHS-Academic All American in swimming.
• Ben Madison, a Senior at SHS-All State in wrestling, Ben won 186 matches over his four year career and ranks 10th All Time in NC.
• Seth Parlier, North Iredell High School All State in wrestling.
 

Administration:

Construction Update:  Mr. Rob Jackson presented the following updates:

• Harmony Elementary:  Asphalt paving of the parking lot is 90% complete; installation of the fire access road and fire alarm installation in the gym is being completed; final clean-up is continuing.  Construction is anticipated to be completed in about three weeks.

• Scotts Elementary:  Roofing is 95% complete; sheet rock installation is 95% complete; concrete sidewalks are being poured; and we are working on punch list items, painting has begun and ceiling grids are being installed.  Construction is on schedule.

• Woodland Heights Elementary:  Final grading and seeding for the parking lot and surrounding areas is occurring; Fire Marshall inspections are being done; final cleanup of classrooms and hallways is ongoing as well as testing and balancing of the HVAC system.  We are moving in furniture at this time.  Construction is on schedule with final completion slated for April 30, 2005.

Lakeshore Elementary Right-of-Way Request:  Mr. Jackson advised the board that Spur Development has requested an easement along Lakeshore School Road for the installation of a 4” force main sewer line that would serve the 35+ acres that borders both sides of the entrance road.  All work would be completed in accordance with the activities at the school and would not interfere with traffic.  It would also meet all DOT requirements for utility easements and all regulations set by the Town of Mooresville.

Mr. Jim Head made a motion, seconded by Ms. Tara Cashion to approve the Right-of-Way Request as presented.  The motion unanimously carries.

Lake Norman High School Schedule:  Mr. David Blattner presented a proposed Tri-Schedule for Lake Norman High.  A task force was assembled consisting of 20 members which convened four times to look at several ways of dealing with overcrowding next year within the current building.  The most feasible solution was to have a three shift, staggered start day which basically adds a period at the beginning of the day and a period at the end of the day.  There is some significant costs in doing this.  After surveying the students and staff, only 6% would opt to attend the latest start.  A list of concerns was reviewed with the board.

Administration has requested that the Board of Education put in the capital outlay budget for 2005-2006, a request for two mega units at Lake Norman High School, which will be less expensive in the long run than the proposed three shift schedule.

Ms. Tara Cashion made a motion, seconded by Mr. Jim Head to approve the request for funds from capital outlay budget for two mega units, to keep Lake Norman High School on a traditional schedule.  The motion unanimously carries.

Report on Board of Education Progress on Board Goals and Measures:  Dr. Holliday presented an update based on mid-year review completion of Systems Check III by board members.  Dr. Holliday reviewed the Board goals and mission statement.  Core Processes for the Board of Education were reviewed, as well as the improvement priorities and recommended action steps.

 2005-2006 Budget Public Hearing:  The Budget Public Hearing was opened for discussion.  There were no individuals who indicated a desire to speak at tonight’s Budget Public Hearing.  The public hearing portion of the meeting was closed.

 Dr. Holliday commended the County Manager, Joel Mashburn and the County Finance Officer, Susan Blumenstein on their excellent work.  The county commissioners approved a funding formula for next year and our local budget for the upcoming year is balanced.  There will be a joint meeting on April 19th to work on a timeline and funding for facilities.

Superintendent’s Comments:

Closed Session (if needed):  No closed session is needed tonight..

 Mr. Jim Head made a motion, seconded by Ms. Tara Cashion, to adjourn.  The motion unanimously carries.
 

     Signed:__________________________________
      Dr. David W. Cash, Chairman
      Board of Education
 

      __________________________________
      Dr. Terry K. Holliday, Superintendent
      Secretary, Board of Education