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 November 21, 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

The board of education, as an elected representative body of the school system, wishes to provide a forum for citizens to express interests and concerns related to the school system. Each month, a part of at least one regularly scheduled board meeting will be set aside for citizens to address the board through public comment.

A sign-up sheet will be available for any individual or group to indicate their desire to address the board. 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 five (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 three (3) minutes per speaker. Sign-up is not required for the second public comment opportunity at the end of the meeting.

Board members will not respond to individuals who address the board except to request clarification of points made by the presenter.

Except in cases of emergency, information received during presentations will not be acted upon at the time it is received. It will take unanimous vote of the board members present to take action on a presentation considered to be of an unusual or emergency nature at the time it is presented.

Disruptions by any person or persons of a public meeting will be subject to action in accordance with G.S. 143-318.17.

Complaints about the performance of school personnel, implementation of board policy, the quality of the educational program, or school facilities should be submitted initially for a response to the school system official responsible for the program or facility or to the superintendent. The superintendent or designee shall make available policy 2310, Public Participation at Board Meetings, and other relevant grievance procedures to any individual or group submitting a complaint.

No solicitations will be allowed during public comment.

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	X

Congratulations Sarah Justice & RMS/RHS Media Center

On October 21, Sarah Justice was named the 2016 Media Coordinator of the Year by the North Carolina School Library Media Association. Congratulations to Sarah for all of her creativity and hard work.

Allison Whitmire Named School Winner in Wendy’s High School Heisman

In October, Wendy’s named Rosman High School senior Allison Whitmire as a School Winner in Wendy’s High School Heisman Trophy Competition. The Wendy’s High School Heisman has honored more than 600,000 of the nation’s most esteemed high school seniors who share Wendy’s values of giving back to their communities, treating people with respect, continuing education and excelling on the athletic field.

The Pattons Support TCS

In September, the Brevard High School JROTC, along with members of the marching band, unveiled a new 30 x 60-foot American flag that was donated to the school by Frank and Donna Patton. Mr. and Mrs. Patton have also been collecting aluminum cans for several months now in order to raise money for the Brevard High School band. Their “Cans for Band” project has raised more than $6,000 to date. A big “thank you” goes to Mr. and Mrs. Patton for all they have done and continue to do for our schools.

RHS Commended for Graduation Rate

Rosman High School recently received a letter of commendation from State Superintendent Dr. June Atkinson for achieving a graduation rate of 97.6% in 2016. Rosman was one of only 147 high schools across the state that achieved a rate of 95% or higher last year. This noteworthy achievement represents much hard work and team effort from the school’s faculty, staff, parents and community.

TC Vector Patrol Presents: Mosquitoes in Our Backyard

On November 15, the TC Vector Patrol presented “Mosquitoes in Our Backyard” at the Transylvania County Library. Dr. Brian Byrd, Western Carolina University Environmental Health expert, presented the results of local mosquito research conducted by TCS 8^th graders, TIME 4 Real Science students, and WCU students. The purpose of the study was to identify the different types of mosquitoes present in the county in order to help health officials assess the local risk of mosquito borne diseases such as Zika and LaCross Encephalitis. The results of the research will be added to a statewide database of mosquito species in North Carolina. Jennifer Williams, Brevard High School TIME science teacher, and Mary Arnaudin, Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Coordinator, were the directors.

Annual Transportation Review

On October 3, DPI Transportation Services conducted its annual review of the Transylvania County Schools bus maintenance program. The review included physical inspections of school buses, compliance with preventive maintenance schedules and monthly bus inspections, and reviews of accounting, inventory and other control systems. The TCS bus garage received an excellent review. The 2016-2017 inspection score was 14.00. This score is a means to track improvement from one year to the next. The lower the score indicates fewer defects found during the inspection. The inspection score last year was 20.33. The average score for school districts in the western region last year was 24.09. The bus garage also received a score of 100% on its random inventory check. Congratulations to Keith Wilmot and the transportation staff for their excellent work.

Cross-Country State Champs

On November 5, Brevard High School Cross Country won again at the NCHSAA 2A state meet in Greensboro—a second straight title for the Blue Devil girls anchored by Eliza Witherspoon (2^nd) and Ava Findlay (4^th), and Noah Graham’s first fall title after a double title in the spring, followed by Andrew Robinson (4^th). Huge congratulations to all the Blue Devil state finalists and champions, along with coaches Philip Latter and Jackie Witherspoon. The runners will be recognized at half-time during Brevard’s home playoff football game on Friday, November 25.

Hour of Code

Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is an annual event designed to inspire K-12 students worldwide to take interest in computer science. Transylvania County Schools will participate in the Hour of Code during the week of December 5-11, 2016. The Hour of Code gives students an opportunity to try computer programming in a fun and easy way for just one hour during the week. Computer science job opportunities are growing at twice the national average and can be applied to most any field. Start coding today!

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

SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/transylvaniacountyschools

Public Attachments:

Good News Report 2016-11-21.pdf

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 Veterans Day and Memorial Day. In honor of Veterans Day on November 11th, the board will read the names aloud. Additional names will be included as they are received.

Public Attachments:

Military List 11-21-16.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 October 17, 2016 meeting
Personnel report for November 21, 2016
Non-faculty coaches for winter sports 2016-2017

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

Public Attachments:

Minutes 10-17-16.pdf

Non-Faculty Coaches_Winter 2016-2017.pdf

Personnel Report 11-21-16.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

06. Authorization of School Trip

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

At the October meeting, Jim Leatherwood presented a request for the Brevard High School band to perform on a Carnival Cruise ship during Spring Break 2017. School trips that require travel outside if the continental United States must be approved by the board upon recommendation by the superintendent or designee. Dr. McDaris will make a recommendation to the board. The request form, board policy 3320 (School Trips), and regulations 3320-R are attached.

The board may take action on the superintendent’s recommendation.

Public Attachments:

BHS Band Trip Request.pdf

3320__School Trips.pdf

3320-R__School Trips.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

07. Instructional Update

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

Dr. Jeremy Gibbs will provide a brief update on curriculum and instruction. Dr. Gibbs plans to provide an instructional update with a different focus or theme at each monthly board meeting.

Public Attachments:

BOE-InstructionUpdate-Presentation-Gibbs-21Nov2016-REVISED.pdf

combined-evaas-charts.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

08. Policy

Groups audience:

School Board

A. 6140, Student Wellness

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

New policy 6140, Student Wellness, was presented for first read at the October meeting. There have been no changes to the policy since that time. Old policy JHCA, Student Wellness, is recommended for rescission. Brian Weaver will address any questions you may have.

A motion is in order to adopt new policy 6140 and rescind old policy JHCA.

6000 Series (Part A): Support Services
New Policies (second read; adoption)		Old Policies (second read; rescission)
6140	Student Wellness	JHCA	Student Wellness

Public Attachments:

Policy 6140_new.pdf

Policy JHCA_rescind.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

B. Fall PLS Updates

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

At the October meeting, 24 revised policies from the Fall 2016 PLS updates were accepted as first read information. No new changes have been made since that time. Mr. Weaver will address any questions you may have.

A motion is in order to adopt the 24 revised policies as indicated below.

Fall 2016 PLS Updates
1310/4002	Parental Involvement
1320/3560	Title I Parent Involvement
2010	Board and Superintendent Relations
2220	Official School Spokesperson
3225/4312/7320	Technology Responsible Use
3320	School Trips
3460	Graduation Requirements
3620	Extracurricular Activities and Student Organizations
4040/7310	Staff-Student Relations
4110	Immunization and Health Requirements for School Admission
5000	Schools and the Community
5022	Registered Sex Offenders
5027/7275	Weapons and Explosives Prohibited
6524	Network Security
7130	Licensure
7241	Drug and Alcohol Testing of Commercial motor Vehicle Operators
7425	School Administrator Contracts
7430	Substitute Teachers
7720	Employee Political Activities
7810	Evaluation of Licensed Employees
7811	Plans for Growth and Improvement of Licensed Employees
7820	Personnel Files
9110	Use and Selection of Architects, Engineers, Surveyors, and Construction Managers At Risk
9400	Sale, Disposal, and Lease of Board-Owned Real Property

Groups audience:

School Board

09. Merit-Based Bonus Plan

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	X
Operations and Support	X

As discussed at the October meeting, local boards must develop plans for distributing merit-based bonuses to non-educators for the 2016-2017 year. Only school-based administrators, central office and non-certified staff who are in state funded positions are eligible for the bonuses. Brian Weaver presented three different merit-pay options, each based on different criteria, for review. The board directed Mr. Weaver to develop a fourth option for consideration. Mr. Weaver will present the new option and answer any questions you may have. Boards must provide DPI with details of how the funds are to be distributed by December 2016. The bonuses will be distributed in January 2017.

A motion is in order to approve a merit-based bonus payment plan for Transylvania County Schools.

Public Attachments:

Merit Pay Bonus Proposal_REVISED.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

10. West Loop Bypass

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

The Brevard City Council is seeking community input on the proposed West Loop bypass for the City of Brevard. The board appreciates the opportunity to participate in public discourse about the project. In examining the potential routes for the bypass, the board has some concerns about student safety, increased traffic congestion, and other issues related to routes that are in close proximity to schools, particularly Brevard Middle School. A letter outlining the board’s concerns and a resolution regarding the proposed West Loop routing options are attached.

The board may take action to approve the letter and resolution.

Public Attachments:

Letter to Brevard City Council.pdf

Resolution Opposing West Loop Routing Options.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

11. Timeline for Bond/COPS Grant

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

At the last meeting, the board requested to review the draft timeline for a bond referendum or COPS grant and discuss other meetings to be scheduled.

Draft Schedule for Bond Referendum

January 2017 – Begin work on identifying bond needs

September 2017 – Joint meeting to review bond needs

January 2018 – Joint meeting to finalize projects

March 2018 – Notice of Intent for Bond Issue

March-November 2018 – Public meetings and information sessions

November 2018 – Bond referendum

March 2019 – Sell bonds

May 2019 – Start projects

Groups audience:

School Board

12. 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

13. 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

Nov. 23	Annual leave day (no students)
Nov. 24-25	Thanksgiving holidays
Dec. 19	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Dec. 21-22	Annual leave days (no students)
Dec. 23-Jan. 1	Christmas break
Jan. 16	Martin Luther King Jr. holiday
Jan. 16	Miss Bengal Pageant		RHS
Jan. 17	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Jan. 23	Teacher workday (no students)
Jan. 24	Second semester begins
Jan. 30 – Feb. 2	TCS District Science Fair		Rogow Room

Groups audience:

School Board

14. Report from NCSBA Annual Conference

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

Mr. Kiviniemi and Mr. Griffin will give a report from the NCSBA Annual Conference for Board Member Development that was held on November 16-18, 2016 in Greensboro, NC.

Groups audience:

School Board

15. 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

16. 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

17. Closed Session

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

Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 115C-319 and 143-318.11(a)(1), the board will convene in closed session to discuss information that is not a public record (employee personnel files).

A motion is in order to go into closed session.

Groups audience:

School Board

II. Business Items

01. Approval of Agenda

02. Public Comment

03. Good News Report

04. Former Students in the Military

05. Consent Agenda

06. Authorization of School Trip

07. Instructional Update

08. Policy

A. 6140, Student Wellness

B. Fall PLS Updates

09. Merit-Based Bonus Plan

10. West Loop Bypass

11. Timeline for Bond/COPS Grant

12. Superintendent's Update

13. Important Dates

14. Report from NCSBA Annual Conference

15. Public Comment

16. Other Items

17. Closed Session