Regular Meeting

Dates:

Monday, March 19, 2018 - 6:30pm

The Transylvania County Board of Education will hold a regular business meeting on Monday, March 19, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at the Morris Education Center, 225 Rosenwald Lane, Brevard. The meeting is open to the public.

Groups audience:

School Board

I. Opening of Meeting

Invocation

Pledge of Allegiance

Call to Order

Welcome

Groups audience:

School Board

II. Business Items

Groups audience:

School Board

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 March 19, 2018.

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. In order that the board may conduct an order meeting while providing an opportunity for input, individuals or groups may be heard by the board in accordance with policy 2310, Public Participation at Board Meetings, or policy 2300, Board Meetings (subsection D.2).

Each month, the first 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 30 minutes before the meeting begins for any individual or group to indicate their desire to address the board.

Each speaker will receive 3 minutes to present comments. The public comment session will not exceed 30 minutes total except by majority vote of the board.

The board chair will recognize speakers in the order in which they signed in. Substitute speakers will not be permitted and speakers may not donate any portion of their time to another speaker. If a speaker is unable to present all of his or her information within the specified time limit, the speaker may provide the board with additional information in written form. If an unusually large number of people requests to speak, a majority of the board may decide to reduce the time for each individual or to require the designation of a spokesperson for each group of persons supporting or opposing the same positions. At any time, the board may establish additional procedures to ensure that public comment sessions proceed in an efficient and order manner.

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.

The board may choose to offer a second opportunity for public comment at the end of the meeting. Sign-ups will not be required for the second public comment opportunity.

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

Kindergarten Registration 2018

Elementary schools are now enrolling children for kindergarten for the 2018-2019 school year. Registration is taking place in each elementary school from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and also by appointment. This is the perfect time for families to get the information they need to prepare for “big school” this fall. All children turning five (5) on or before August 31, 2018 are eligible to start kindergarten. Visit tcsnc.org/kinder for forms and more information.

DAR Presents

During February and March, the Transylvania Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) have been hosting a series of historical skits for all fourth graders in the county. The skits are written and performed by DAR members, and showcase the first five U.S. presidents’ wives in historically accurate costumes, all of which were handmade by a DAR member. The skits have been performed at TCH, RES, and BES, with the final performance to be held on Wednesday, March 21, at 8:20 a.m. at Pisgah Forest Elementary School. Everyone is invited to attend.

BHS Band Members at District and All-State

The following musicians represented BHS during the All-District Band Clinic at Western Carolina University on February 9-10. Seven students (those with an asterisk *) qualified to audition for All-State Band on March 2. Of those seven, three earned seats in the All-State Honors Band. Congratulations to the students, Mr. Leatherwood, and the private instructors who help coach these musicians:

Western District High School Band (9th-10th grades): Anna de la Torre, 10th chair flute; Frank Parsons, 2nd chair* clarinet; Elise Poché, 4th chair* clarinet; Clare Kennerly, 12th chair clarinet; Rebecca Milligan, 6th chair trumpet

Western District Senior High School Band (11th-12th grades): Madison Allen, 1st chair* alto sax; Sara Megown, 6th chair* clarinet; Asher de la Torre, 2nd chair* tenor sax; Aaron Flynn, 1st chair* baritone sax; John Nguyen, 1st chair* bass clarinet.

All-State Honors Band: Sara Megown, 3rd chair clarinet; John Nguyen, 3rd chair bass clarinet; and Elise Poché, 15th chair clarinet. They are invited to UNC-Chapel Hill for the All-State Clinic on May 4-6.

Jazz Band Swinging with Talent

Brevard High School congratulates Madison Allen, a senior who recently earned a top alto saxophone position in the Western North Carolina All-Regional Jazz Band at Asheville High School. Madison will audition for All-State Jazz Band in March 2018. Madison has represented Transylvania County and Brevard High School in the All-Regional Jazz Band for the past two years. Contenders were scored on preparing a solo, etude, improvisation, and sight reading. Of the 32 who auditioned in the West region, only 4 were selected for the All-Region Jazz Band Clinic at Asheville High School on February 2-3. Congratulations, Madison!

Students Join Mars Hill Festival

Students from Brevard and Rosman High Schools represented Transylvania County Schools at the 70th Annual Mars Hill Choral Festival. Candace Britt, Sabra Freeman, Douglas Grimm, Sofia Pandolfo, Emily Sheffield, and Michael Keever were invited to sing in the festival chorus on February 2-3 after they auditioned for the ensemble in October.

BHS Earns Sweepstakes Again!

The Brevard High School choir scored another Sweepstakes in their Music Performance Adjudication today (March 19th), which means BHS earned Superior ratings in every area during their performance for judges at Brevard College. More details will be forthcoming, but congratulations are in order!

BMS Band Members at District and All-State
The following BMS students were accepted in the 2018 Western District Bands and traveled to Western Carolina on February 9-10 to rehearse and perform a concert for the public. These musicians compete against hundreds of students from 15 Western North Carolina counties for positions in one of the two middle school district bands. They were scored in three criteria: scales/rudiments, prepared solo, and sight-reading. Three students ([those with an asterisk *) also qualified to audition for All-State Band on March 3, and two earned seats in the All-State Middle School Band that will perform on May 2-4 at UNC-Chapel Hill. Congratulations to all of the musicians, band director Donnie Mulligan, and instructors:

Middle School Symphonic Band: Anna Reed, 1st chair* flute; Emma Patrie, 2nd chair* oboe; Sierra Gardner, 8th chair clarinet; Jaydn Garvitte, 17th chair clarinet; Grace Gentle, 3rd chair bass clarinet; Joe Smith, 1st chair* bari sax; Emma Coye, 7th chair French horn; Brayden Grosvenor, 5th chair trombone.

Middle School Concert Band: Adam Barwick, 1st chair flute; Morgan Singleton, 9th chair flute; Jessie Dodson, 10th chair clarinet; Val Butler, 2nd chair bass clarinet; Dylan Zink, 2nd chair trumpet.

All-State Middle School Band: Joe Smith,1st chair baritone sax; and Anna Reed, 3rd chair flute.

Governor’s School

Three students from Transylvania County Schools have been selected to attend the 2018 North Carolina Governor’s School this summer. Azilee “Grace” Owen (RHS) has been selected in the area of math; Emily Trusler (BHS) has been selected in the area of Spanish; and Sara Megown (BHS) has been selected for clarinet. Students who accept the invitation will attend a five-and-a-half week session on the campus of Salem or Meredith College in June and July.

Dr. Sam Houston Leadership Award

The NC Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCASLD) and the NC School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA) has selected Dr. Jeremy Gibbs, Chief Academic Officer of Transylvania County Schools, as the recipient of the Dr. Samuel Houston Leadership Award for 2018. This annual award is presented to a graduate of the NCASLD’s Aspiring Superintendent Program, which is designed to empower transformational leaders for North Carolina’s public schools. The award is named for Dr. Sam Houston, the President and CEO of the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center, and a distinguished trailblazer in public education. Speaking of Dr. Gibbs’ honor, NCSSA Executive Director Jack Hoke said, “Dr. Gibbs exemplifies the traits that guide Dr. Sam Houston’s career in educational leadership. Dr. Gibbs has a commitment to continuous improvement, high standards of ethical conduct, strategic planning, improving student performance, and meeting the needs of the 21^st century workforce.” Superintendent McDaris added, “Dr. Gibbs brings a focus on improving the future for all students into his work on behalf of Transylvania County Schools. His work with teachers and curriculum has a proactive and commonsense approach that fosters a strong sense of efficacy and teacher empowerment.” Dr. Gibbs was presented a check for $1000 to be used for personal professional development.

Congratulations, Dr. Marshall!

Congratulations to Rosman High School teacher, Alana Marshall, who recently earned her doctorate in education. We are extremely proud of Dr. Marshall for her accomplishments, hard work, and dedication to excellence.

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

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. Additional names will be included as they are received.

Public Attachments:

Military List 3-19-18.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 attachments):

Minutes of the March 5, 2018 meeting
Personnel report for March 19, 2018

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

Public Attachments:

Minutes 3-05-18.pdf

Personnel Report 3-19-18.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

06. Instructional Update

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

Dr. Jeremy Gibbs will give an update on curriculum and instruction. This topic will be dropout data.

Public Attachments:

BOE-InstructionUpdate-Presentation-Gibbs-March2018.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

07. Policy

Groups audience:

School Board

A. 7410: Teacher Contracts

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

Tabled from March 5:

Policy 7410, Teacher Contracts, was presented as first-read information at the February 19 meeting. The policy initially provided four options for boards to determine the length of teacher contracts. The board selected Option 2, Uniform Contract Length Based on Years of Employment, which calls for one-year contracts for teachers who have been employed less than three years, two-year contracts for teachers in good standing who have achieved three years, and four-year contracts for teachers in good standing who have completed the two-year contracts. The board endorsed further revisions to (1) require that the three years be consecutive years in Transylvania County Schools, and (2) differentiate between warnings and reprimands as they pertain to disciplinary documentation in personnel files. Dr. Brian Weaver will review the new changes to the policy and answer any questions you may have.

A motion is in order to approve revised policy 7410, Teacher Contracts, as presented.

Public Attachments:

Policy 7410_revised 2-28-18.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

B. Final Cleanup

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

Eight new policies and 13 old policies were presented as first-read information on March 5. These policies represent the final clean-up of the custom policy manual project. Moving forward, the board will continue to receive regular PLS updates, which are usually released in the spring and fall each year. Dr. Weaver will answer any questions you may have.

A motion is in order to adopt the 8 new policies and rescind the 13 old policies as listed below.

Final Cleanup
New Policies (second read; adoption)		Old Policies (second read; rescission)
1200	Governing Principle – Student Success	BCFA	Community-Schools Advisory Council
1300	Governing Principle – Parental Involvement	CBBA	Recruitment and Appointment of Superintendent/Confidentiality
1400	Governing Principle – School Initiatives	CBBB	Recruitment and Appointment of Superintendent/Public Participation
1500	Governing Principle – Safe, Orderly, and Inviting Environment	DO	Medicaid Funding for Eligible Services
1600	Governing Principle – Professional Development	EBC; EBC-R	Emergency Plans
1700	Governing Principle – Removal of Barriers	EDBA/GC	Allocation of Personnel and Supplies
1800	Governing Principle – Stewardship of Resources	EEBA	Vehicle Usage
		IHI	Contracted Services
		JGB	Student Seclusion/Restraint/Isolation (replaced by 4302-R)
3103 (custom)	Dual Enrollment of Private and Home School Students	JECA; JECA-R; JECA-E(1)	Private/Home Schools – Enrollment

Groups audience:

School Board

08. Support Staff 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

At the March 5 meeting, the board requested a report on the numbers and ratios of student support staff (school nurses, social workers, psychologists, and counselors) for our district. Dr. McDaris will provide an update.

Social Workers (2.8)	Counselors (8)	Psychologists (3)	School Nurses (3)
TCS = 1:1214	BES = 1:564	TCS = 1:1133	TCS = 1:1133
	PFE = 1:509
	RES = 1:315
	TCH = 0.3/134 = 1:227.8
	BMS = 1:522
	RMS = 0.7/253 = 1:328
	DRS = 1:92
	BHS = 1:373
	RHS = 1:327
	Nat’l Recommendation = 1:250
	NC Recommendation = 1:400

PRC-007 Instructional Support Personnel - Certified (State Public School Fund)

Guaranteed funding for salaries and benefits for certified instructional support personnel. Positions in this category include school counselors, social workers, media coordinators, psychologists, speech language pathologists, technology facilitators. The funding shall not be used for administrators, coordinators, supervisors, or directors.

Current state allotment is 16 positions in this area. We have well over 16 such positions so we use other funding sources to cover the rest.

Groups audience:

School Board

09. Class Size Reporting Affidavit

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 PowerSchool class size reports for the Legislative Class Size Collection have been finalized for March 2018. Superintendents of each LEA are required to submit an affidavit stating that the LEA is in compliance with class size ratios for grades K-3. Dr. McDaris will submit the required affidavit which is due by April 20, 2018.

Groups audience:

School Board

10. FY19 Budget

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

Mr. Barger and Dr. McDaris will present the most recent information on the FY19 budget. The latest draft documents are attached.

Mr. Barger will request approval of an application for the release of $111,265 in state lottery funds for replacement of the main section of the Brevard Middle School roof. The application must also be approved by the county commissioners. The application is attached.

A motion is in order to request the release of $111,265 from the Public School Building Capital Fund (Lottery Distribution) for the Brevard Middle School roof replacement project.

Public Attachments:

FY19 Fund 2 Budget Changes 3-06-18.pdf

FY19 LCE Budget 3-06-18.pdf

FY19 Capital Needs 3-13-18.pdf

Funding for Advance Planning 3-13-18.pdf

FY18 BMS roof lottery app.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

11. Bond Update

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

At the county commissioner meeting on February 26, the board of education asked the board of commissioners to place a $68 million bond referendum for renovations/construction at BHS, RHS and RMS on the November 2018 general election ballot. The board may discuss next steps.

As a reminder, the Local Government Commission (LGC) recommends a 120-day process for approval for a ballot measure. Each of these steps are required, including public hearings.

BOE passes resolution and makes a written request to the commissioners.
Basics of what the bond will cover are clarified.
County hires bond attorney.
County applies to the LGC with the costs of the bond.
LGC approves (assuming).
Measure is placed on ballot.
Public hearings and meetings held to promote the bond.
Measure passes or not at election.

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

Mar. 20	Community Meeting on School Safety	6:00 p.m.	BHS Auditorium
Mar. 23	Teacher workday
Mar. 30	Annual leave day - no students
Apr. 2-6	Spring break
Apr. 16	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Apr. 26	National Technical Honor Society Induction	6:00 p.m.	BHS
May 1	TCSEF “Taste of Transylvania”	6:00 p.m.	Brevard Lumberyard
May 2	Early release – students	12:00 p.m.
May 7	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
May 10	TCAE “Friends of Education” Banquet	6:00 p.m.	Rogow Room
May 17	TC Scholars Banquet and Awards Presentation	5:00 p.m.	BHS
May 21	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
May 28	Holiday – no school

Groups audience:

School Board

14. 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

15. 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 comments and/or other items from board members.

Groups audience:

School Board

III. Adjournment

Groups audience:

School Board