01. Approval of Agenda

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action	X
Excellent Educators		Information
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

A motion is in order to approve or revise the meeting agenda for April 18, 2016.

Groups audience:

School Board

02. Public Comment

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

N.C.G.S. §115C-51 states that local boards shall provide at least one period for public comment per month at a regular meeting of the board. A sign-up sheet is available for public comment. A maximum of 30 minutes will be allotted for public comment at the beginning of the meeting and at the end of the meeting. Speakers will be asked to limit comments to 5 minutes each, unless there are more than six speakers per session, in which case the chairman may limit the time allotted to no more than 3 minutes per speaker. Speakers will be asked to refrain from discussing specific individuals by name in accordance with the North Carolina Open Meetings Law. No solicitations will be allowed during public comment. Sign-up is not required for the second public comment opportunity at the end of the meeting.

Groups audience:

School Board

03. Good News Report

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship	X	Action
Excellent Educators	X	Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support

Autism Awareness Month

April is National Autism Awareness Month, a time to promote autism awareness and acceptance, and to draw attention to the tens of thousands facing an autism diagnosis every year. The colorful puzzle pattern was adopted in 1999 as the universal symbol of autism awareness. It reflects the complexity of the autism spectrum, and the different colors and shapes represent the diversity of people and families living with the condition. Brevard Middle School teacher, George Sutherland, has purchased tee shirts displaying the autism puzzle and the logo, “Autism Awareness: Transform a Life,” for school principals and exceptional children staff to wear during Autism Awareness Month.

Elementary All-County Chorus

The third annual Transylvania Elementary All-County Chorus Festival was held on April 12 at Brevard High School. To prepare for the event, fourth and fifth graders from each elementary school worked on new music throughout the winter at their respective schools. They came together on the day of the concert for an all-day rehearsal with a guest conductor before giving the group performance later that evening. Congratulations to all of our young musicians and elementary music teachers for a tremendous event.

W.A.Y. Club

Students at Rosman Middle School have a new way to learn about the different cultures of the world in the after-school “World Around You” (WAY) Club. Supported in part by a grant from the TCS Educational Foundation, the WAY club gives students, friends and family members an opportunity to meet with people who either hail from or travel extensively to other countries, sample new foods, listen to music, make crafts, and learn to speak phrases in languages as diverse as Chinese, Zulu, French, Spanish, Thai, Russian and German. Led by Spanish teacher Linda Carrillo, the WAY club meets at Rosman Middle School at 3:00 p.m. It is open to everyone.

“On Cloud Nine” Project

Brevard Elementary School media coordinator Charlene Cali combined three grants—a Transylvania County Schools Educational Foundation grant, a Haywood Electric Bright Ideas grant, and a building-level grant—into one massive learning unit that inspires students to use communication, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Using Nexus tablets, “Makey Makey” and “Squishy Circuits” kits, Wonder Robots, a laptop, 40” TV, and other materials purchased with the grants, Cali transformed the BES media center into a 21^st century learning center via her On Cloud Nine Technology Stations unit. On Cloud Nine contains six stations of interactive lessons for fourth and fifth grade students to cycle through with each station focusing on a different curriculum concept. Station One teaches students how red and blue lenses create 3D images. Station Two challenges students’ spatial and processing skills by having them work together to complete a complex interactive puzzle of the solar system and research how planets interact in space. Station Three has students use coding to program two robots named Dot and Dash to navigate around the room. Station Four students take a digital camera around the school and download the photos for a “Where in the School Is This” challenge for their classmates. Station Five participants create working circuits using everyday items like bananas and Play-Doh through collaborative problem solving. In Station Six, students use an interactive SmartBoard and the Scratch and Botlogic coding language to solve problems and practice coding skills. Thanks to the Educational Foundation, Haywood Electric, and BES for sponsoring the grants and to Ms. Cali for her vision and creativity.

TIME 4 Real Science State Winners

Congratulations to the following TIME 4 Real Science students from Brevard High School who won a number of awards at the 2016 State Research Competition:

Carver Nichols: Predicting Graft Compatibility of Kudzu, Soybeans, and Garden Peas through Peroxidase Analysis

1st place Biotechnology, North Carolina Student Academy of Science
Grand Award: Expenses paid trip to represent NC at the American Academy for the Advancement of Science Meeting in Boston, MA
1st place BioGENEius Award
Grand Award: All expenses paid trip for Carver and a chaperone to represent NC at the International BioGENEius Challenge in San Francisco, CA

Ingrid Findlay and Selina Brown: Nosema ceranae vs. Nosema apis in Transylvania County: Implications for Treatment of Local Honey Bees

1st place Biology, North Carolina Student Academy of Science
Grand Award: Expenses paid trip to represent NC at the American Academy for the Advancement of Science Meeting in Boston, MA

Chase Bishop and James Thompson: The Feasibility of a Solid Carbon Dioxide Pressure Engine as an Energy Source for Mars Exploration and Colonization

1st place Technology and Engineering, North Carolina Student Academy of Science
Grand Award: Expenses paid trip to represent NC at the American Academy for the Advancement of Science Meeting in Boston, MA

Aidan Spradlin, Sam Lemel and Hannah Field: Screening Mucor fragilis and Trichoderma spp. for Lead Remediation Potential

2nd place Environmental Science, North Carolina Student Academy of Science
Silver Medal, US Army Award, North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair
SSS Founders Award for Excellence in Public Health, North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair

Bryce Spradlin and Lauren Tooley: Analysis of Cellulosic Enzyme Production by Trichoderma harzianum and Fusarium solani Isolated from Lignocellulosic Compost

2nd place Biotechnology, North Carolina Student Academy of Science
Western NC Representative, North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair

Bain Brown, Nicole Rideout and John Nguyen: Determining the Feasibility of Using Seed Oil from Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) as a Source of Biodiesel through Solvent Oil Extraction and Chemical Analysis

2nd place Chemistry, North Carolina Student Academy of Science

Sarah Branagan and Candace Britt: The Effects of Music on the Cognitive Process and Mood in High School Students

3rd place Behavioral Science, North Carolina Student Academy of Science

Emma Dauster, Kylie Evans and Cullen Duval: The Toxicity of Glyphosate and Imidacloprid to Terrestrial Tardigrades in Transylvania County

Western NC Representative, North Carolina Student Academy of Science
Western NC Representative, North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair

Emily Trusler and Hannah Lenze: Identification of Mycorrhizal Fungi of the Red Spruce Tree

Western NC Representative, North Carolina Student Academy of Science

Fritz Ruppert: Are Our Water Woes Caused by Fertilizer Foes?

1st Place Poster Competition, North Carolina Student Academy of Science

Matthew Tuckey: High School Teacher Award, North Carolina Student Academy of Science

RMS/RHS Bengal Earns Recognition

The Rosman Middle/High School Bengal yearbook has been recognized for excellence and featured in the 2016 Josten’s Look Book, celebrating the best in yearbook design and coverage. The Bengal spread that won the award was created by Hannah Reese, former yearbook editor, and Korinne Hawk, copy editor, under the direction of yearbook advisor, Tammy Hall. The spread was based on photos and stories from the 2015 Miss Bengal pageant. The Bengal has now earned a “National School of Excellence” designation in the Look Book for five consecutive years. Congratulations to all of the past and present RMS/RHS yearbook staff members.

FBLA State Winners

Congratulations to the TCS Future Business Leaders of America students who brought home awards from the 62^nd Annual FBLA State Leadership Conference in Greensboro. Rosman FBLA students scored the following top-three finishes, qualifying them for the national competition in Atlanta this summer: Luke Owen, 2^nd place, Agribusiness; and Levi Hall and Rachel Owen, 3^rd Place, Publication. The following Rosman students earned “Top Ten” designations: Madison Holden, Healthcare Administration; Sam Ballard, Introduction to Information Technology; and Grace Owen and Jenna Odom, Introduction to Business Presentation. Brevard High School student Amy Borhaug served as the FBLA Western Region Vice President for the 2015-2016 year. As a regional officer, she spoke on the topic of leadership to over 2000 attendees at the conference. Other competitors at the state conference were Rachel Perry (RHS), Agribusiness; Alyssa Abram (RHS), Personal Finance; Ressie Owen & Jasmine Myers (RHS), Graphic Design; Heidi Hall (RHS) Word Processing (2^nd at Regionals in December); Tyler Arant (RHS), Impromptu Speaking; Cullen Duval (BHS), Public Speaking I; and Alan Hennebery (BHS), Public Speaking II. Lisa Gillespie (RHS) and Dolly McCall (BHS) are the sponsors.

For more good news from Transylvania County Schools, please visit us at:

Home Page: www.tcsnc.org ǀ Facebook: facebook.com/transylvaniaschools

Twitter: twitter.com/transylvaniasch ǀ Flickr: flickr.com/tcsnc

Instagram: Instagram.com/transylvaniaschools ǀ YouTube: youtube.com/tcsnc

Smartphone App: Transylvania County Schools on Play Store and iTunes

Groups audience:

School Board

04. Former Students in the Military

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

The board wishes to thank the former students from Brevard High School, Rosman High School, and Davidson River School who are currently serving or have previously served in the U.S. Military. The attached list of names is recognized at every meeting and read aloud twice a year in recognition of Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day. Additional names will be included as they are received.

Public Attachments:

Military List 4-18-16.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

05. Consent Agenda

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action	X
Excellent Educators	X	Information
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

The following items are submitted for consent approval (see attached):

Minutes of the April 4, 2016 meeting
Personnel report for April 18, 2016

A motion is in order to approve the consent agenda items.

Public Attachments:

Minutes 4-04-16.pdf

Personnel Report 4-18-16.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

06A. Policy

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action	X
Excellent Educators	X	Information
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

At the March 7 meeting, 20 new policies from the 7000 Series: Personnel (Part C) and 17 old policies to be rescinded were presented as first-read information. The following changes have been made since the first reads:

Policy 7620, Payroll Deductions, has received a minor revision.
Policy 7650/8620, Travel Expense Reimbursement, has been removed and replaced by new policy 7650, Employee Travel and Other Expense Reimbursement. Policy 7650 is included as one of the first-read policies from the Spring PLS Updates.
Policy 7810, Evaluation of Licensed Employees, has received a minor revision.

Dr. Jeremy Gibbs will review the policies and answer any questions you may have.

A motion is in order to adopt the 19 new policies and rescind the 17 old policies as identified below:

7000 Series: Personnel Part C
New Policies (second read; adoption in April)		Old Policies (second read; rescission in April)
7600	Employee Compensation	DLA; GCBA/GDBA; GDBA; GDBA-R	Payroll Schedules; Salary Schedules; Classified Staff Salary Assignment
7610	Defense of Board Employees
7620	Payroll Deductions	GCBC-R	Annuities
~~7650/8620~~	~~Travel Expense Reimbursement~~	DLC	Expense Reimbursement
7710	Membership in Professional Organizations
7720	Employee Political Activities
7730	Employee Conflict of Interest
7805	Superintendent Evaluation	CBBC; CBBC-E	Evaluation of the Superintendent
7810	Evaluation of Licensed Employees	GCN	Evaluation Process for Licensed Employees
7811	Plans for Growth and Improvement of Licensed Employees	GCL	Plans for Growth and Improvement of Licensed Employees
7815	Evaluation of Non-Licensed Employees
7820	Personnel Files	GBL; GBL-R	Personnel Files/Records
7821	Petition for Removal of Personnel Records
4705/7825	Confidentiality of Personal Identifying Information
7900	Resignation	GCNA	Voluntary Resignation for Professional Employees
7910	Retirement	GCPC	Retirement
7920	Reduction in Force: Teachers and School Administrators	GCPA	Professional Personnel Reduction in Force
7921	Classified Personnel Reduction	GDPA	Non-Certified Personnel Reduction in Force
7930	Professional Employees: Demotion and Dismissal
7940	Classified Personnel: Suspension and Dismissal	GDPD	Suspension or Dismissal of Classified Employees

Groups audience:

School Board

06B. Policy

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action	X
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

NCSBA recently released its Spring 2016 “Policies to Lead the Schools” (PLS) updates. Two new policies and 10 revised policies from the PLS updates are presented as first-read information. Dr. Gibbs will review the policies and answer any questions you may have. These policies will be presented for action at the next regular meeting.

A motion is in order to accept the 12 policies identified below as first-read information:

Spring 2016 PLS Updates (first read; adoption/approval in May)
1720/4015/7225	Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying Complaint Procedure
1760/7280	Prohibition Against Retaliation
2130	Board Member Compensation and Expenses
3410	Testing and Assessment Program
3420	Student Promotion and Accountability
3620	Extracurricular Activities and Student Organizations
5027/7275	Weapons and Explosives Prohibited
5028/6130/7267	Automated External Defibrillator
7635	Return to Work
7650 NEW	Employee Travel and Other Expense Reimbursement
7950	Non-Career Status Teachers: Nonrenewal
8305 NEW	Federal Grant Administration

Public Attachments:

Policy 1720-4015-7225_revised.pdf

Policy 1760-7280_revised.pdf

Policy 2130_revised.pdf

Policy 3410_revised.pdf

Policy 3420_revised.pdf

Policy 3620_revised.pdf

Policy 5027-7275_revised.pdf

Policy 5028-6130-7267_revised.pdf

Policy 7635_revised.pdf

Policy 7650_new.pdf

Policy 7950_revised.pdf

Policy 8305_new.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

06C. Policy

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action	X
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

As requested by the board, new policy 9300, Naming Facilities, is attached for review and discussion. Dr. Gibbs will answer any questions you may have. Approval of the policy may be requested at the next regular meeting.

A motion is in order to accept policy 9300 as first-read information.

Public Attachments:

Policy 9300_new.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

07. Teens in Crisis Report

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students	X	Discussion
Operations and Support

At the April 4 meeting, the board heard a presentation on the Brevard High School Giving Closet that provides clothing, food and other items to high school students in need. Leca Chapman will give a report on the ways in which other TCS schools are reaching out to help students in crisis.

Groups audience:

School Board

08. Student Services Update

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

As requested at the March 21 meeting, Leca Chapman will give an update on student services. A spreadsheet is attached for your information.

Public Attachments:

Counselor Spreadsheet.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

09. RHS Fence

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action	X
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

Pursuant to policy DJ-R, Rosman High School would like approval to replace the fence around the football field. The policy states that “the purchase and/or development of capital projects (construction, remodeling, landscaping, etc.) with an estimated value of $10,000 or more (including the value of donated materials and volunteer labor) and funded by individual school funds (including boosters, alumni, and other supporting organizations) must receive prior approval from the superintendent and board of education prior to entering into any contracts or agreements with any vendor, contractor or volunteer. All of the thresholds and bidding requirements set forth in this policy/procedure shall apply to school requests for construction, repair or renovation to any school building, facility, grounds or athletic fields.”

A copy of policy DJ-R and two schematics of the RHS football field are attached. Principal Jason Ormsby and Norris Barger will be available to answer questions about the project.

The board may take action on the request.

Public Attachments:

Policy DJ-R.pdf

RHS football field.pdf

RHS football field_floor plan.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

10. FY17 Budget

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

Norris Barger will present the latest information for the 2016-2017 budget. The board must submit its budget request for the 2016-2017 year to the county by May 1.

Public Attachments:

FY17 Capital Needs 4-18-16.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

11. Superintendent's Update

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

Dr. McDaris will give an update on current and emerging educational issues.

Groups audience:

School Board

12. Important Dates

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

May 2	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
May 3	“Taste of Transylvania”	6:00 – 9:00 p.m.	Brevard Lumberyard
May 16	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
May 17	TCAE Banquet	6:00 p.m.	Rogow Room
May 19	Transylvania Scholars Recognition Evening	5:30 p.m.	BHS
May 20	“Teacher of the Year” Awards Luncheon	11:30 a.m.	Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
May 30	Annual leave day (no students)
June 6	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
June 8	Last student day (noon dismissal)
June 9, 10	Teacher workdays (required)
June 10	BHS Graduation	6:00 p.m.	Brevard Music Center
June 11	RHS Graduation	10:00 a.m.	Brevard Music Center
June 13, 14	Teacher workdays (optional)
June 13	4-day summer schedule begins
June 20	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC

Groups audience:

School Board

13. Public Comment

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

The board will provide a second opportunity for public comment.

Groups audience:

School Board

14. Other Items

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

An opportunity will be provided for other items from board members or staff.

Groups audience:

School Board

Regular Meeting

I. Opening of Meeting

II. Business Items

01. Approval of Agenda

02. Public Comment

03. Good News Report

04. Former Students in the Military

05. Consent Agenda

06A. Policy

06B. Policy

06C. Policy

07. Teens in Crisis Report

08. Student Services Update

09. RHS Fence

10. FY17 Budget

11. Superintendent's Update

12. Important Dates

13. Public Comment

14. Other Items

III. Adjournment