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 October 16, 2017.

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	X
Excellent Educators	X	Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

25-Year Recognitions

Each year the board recognizes the employees who have achieved 25 years of service with the Transylvania County Schools. The board would like to congratulate and present pins to the individuals listed below:

Linda Daves, Bus Driver, Brevard High School

Rene Gray, Cafeteria Manager, Brevard High School

Rosa Lance, Bus Driver, Rosman Elementary School

Cynthia Waters, School Nutrition Worker, Brevard Middle School

Missy West, Teacher, Rosman Middle School

PFES Special Recognitions

This summer, three students from the Brevard High School Art Guild created a beautiful wall mural for the students and staff at Pisgah Forest Elementary School. Julia Lusk, Josie Seymour, and Gelena Cortez donated hours of design work and painting to help brighten up the interior of the school. Principal Tonya Treadway will be here to present certificates of appreciation to the artists for their outstanding work.

American Education Week

American Education Week is November 13-17, 2017. With the theme, “Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility,” American Education Week is a time to celebrate public education and honor the individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education. Each year the board recognizes the observance by adopting a proclamation designating American Education Week in Transylvania County (see attached). In addition, all current and retired school system employees are invited to a free Thanksgiving lunch as guests of the board on a designated day in November. This year’s Thanksgiving lunch will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2017. The Transylvania County Retired School Personnel (TCRSP) will hold their fall meeting on that day at Brevard Elementary School.

A motion is in order to approve the 2017 American Education Week proclamation.

National School Lunch Week

The week of October 9-13, 2017, was National School Lunch Week. Created by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, the National School Lunch Program serves more than 30 million children every school day. During the annual weeklong celebration, School Nutrition departments and students around the country celebrate with decorations, special menus, events, and more. A big thank you to the Transylvania County School Nutrition Staff for all they do to serve delicious and healthy meals to students and staff every day.

October is National Principals Month

The National Association of Secondary Principals (NASSP) and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) have declared October 2017 as National Principals Month. The North Carolina Principals & Assistant Principals Association (NCPAPA) leads the way in recognizing principals for the essential role they play in leading schools across the state. Principals are among the hardest working, yet often least recognized individuals in education. They set the academic tone for their schools and provide the mobilizing force for achieving student success. Please join us in saying “thank you” to our own outstanding school leaders:

April Gaydosh, Brevard Elementary School

Dr. Bryan Abernethy, Brevard High School

Jeff Bailey, Brevard Middle School

Donna Wilde, Davidson River School

Tonya Treadway, Pisgah Forest Elementary School

Scott Strickler, Rosman Elementary School

Jason Ormsby, Rosman High School

Greg Carter, Rosman Middle School

Audrey Reneau, T. C. Henderson School of Science & Technology

Rosman High School Recognized by NCHSAA

The North Carolina High School Association recently honored Rosman High School with a certificate of achievement for the school’s “continuous display of exemplary sportsmanship, teamwork, and integrity in remaining ejection-free for five consecutive school years (2012-13 through 2016-2017).” Rosman High was the only school in Region 8 to achieve this honor. Well done, Tigers!

TCSEF Mini-Grant Applications

The Transylvania County Schools Educational Foundation has again made $18,000 available for grants to TCS teachers, out of nearly $23,000 given to classrooms and alumni. We appreciate very much their fundraising efforts with the annual Taste of Transylvania and the work of the Grants Committee, which evaluates upwards of 50 proposals each year. Proposals for the 2018-2019 mini-grants are due October 23, 2017 at 4 p.m., and the application is available online at http://www.tcsef.org/grants/grant-application/. Grant recipients have up to 18 months from the date awarded to use the grant money. Good luck, teachers and administrators, and thank you, TCS Educational Foundation.

Western Region School Social Worker of the Year

Congratulations to Beth Branagan for being named as the 2017 Western Regional School Worker of the Year by the North Carolina School Social Work Association in recognition of all that she does to support the students, families, and staff in Transylvania County Schools. As regional winner, Ms. Branagan will move on to compete for the Gary L. Shaffer School Social Worker of the Year award for the state. Congratulations to Beth, and good luck!

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:

American Education Week Proclamation 2017.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. Additional names will be included as they are received.

Public Attachments:

Military List 10-16-17.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 September 18, 2017 meeting
Personnel report for October 16, 2017

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

Public Attachments:

Minutes 9-18-17.pdf

Personnel Report 10-16-17.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

06. Request for Authorization of School Trip

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

Brevard High School teachers Sara Plum, Laura Patch, Mark McCann, Andrew Healy, and Candice Burchill will present a request for approval of a student exchange trip to Denmark in the spring of 2018. School trips that require travel outside of the continental United States must be approved by the board upon recommendation by the superintendent or designee. Dr. McDaris has met with Ms. Plum to review trip details and will make a recommendation to the board. Policy 3320 (School Trips), and regulations 3320-R are attached.

A motion is in order to take action on the superintendent’s recommendation for the 2018 student exchange trip to Denmark.

Public Attachments:

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 an update on curriculum and instruction each month from October through April. Tonight’s report will focus on student achievement data. Dr. Gibbs will answer any questions you may have.

Public Attachments:

2017-BOE-Achievement-Presentation-Gibbs-September.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

08. Policy

Groups audience:

School Board

A. 4000 Series Parts B & C: Students

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

Sixteen new policies from the 4000 Series (Students) Parts B and C and 13 old policies were approved as first-read information in September. There have been no changes to the policies since that time. Brian Weaver will answer any questions you may have.

A motion is in order to adopt the 16 new policies from the 4000 Series and rescind the 13 old policies as indicated below:

4000 Series (Parts B and C): Students
New Policies (second read; adoption)		Old Policies (second read; rescission)
4307	Disciplinary Action for Exceptional Children/Students with Disabilities
4310	Integrity and Civility
4315	Disruptive Behavior	JFC; JFCK	Student Conduct/Discipline; Student Public Displays of Affection
4330	Theft, Trespass, and Damage to Property	JFC	Student Conduct/Discipline
4331	Assaults, Threats, and Harassment	JFC; GBEAA; GBEAA-R; GBEAA-E	Student Conduct/Discipline; Staff Protection; Staff Protection; Staff Protection
4333	Weapons, Bomb Threats, Terrorist Threats, and Clear Threats to Safety	JGDC	Weapons, Bomb Threats, Terrorist Threats, and Clear Threats to Safety
4335	Criminal Behavior	JFCA	Criminal Behavior
4340	School-Level Investigations
4341	Parental Involvement in Student Behavior Issues	JFDB	Parental Involvement in Student Behavior Issues
4345	Student Discipline Records	JP	Student Discipline Records
4351	Short-Term Suspension	JGD	Short-Term Suspension
4352	Removal of Student During the Day
4353	Long-Term Suspension, 365-Day Suspension, Expulsion	JGDA	Long-Term Suspension; 365-Day Suspension, and Expulsion
4362	Requests for Readmission of Students Suspended for 365 Days or Expelled	JGDD	Requests for Readmission of Students Suspended for 365 Days or Expelled
4370	Student Discipline Hearing Procedures	JFA	Student Hearing Discipline Procedures
4600	Student Fees

Groups audience:

School Board

B. Policy 2670, Business Advisory Council

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

The North Carolina School Boards Association has recently issued the Fall 2017 PLS Updates, including 43 policies with substantive revisions and 28 policies with minor technical revisions. Customized versions of the policies are being developed for review. In the meantime, one new policy is being recommended now. Policy 2670, Business Advisory Council, was developed to comply with a new statutory requirement for local boards to create a business advisory council to assist in providing CTE programming. The board is required to establish a policy on the appointment of members to the council, and the statute contains explicit requirements for who can/must serve on the council. The board must make the initial appointment of members to the council for terms beginning January 1, 2018. Policy 2670 is attached for your review.

A motion is in order to accept policy 2670 as first-read information.

Public Attachments:

Policy 2670_new.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

09. Calendar Waiver Request for 2018-2019

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

Transylvania County Schools is eligible to apply for an LEA-based calendar waiver for the 2018-2019 school year. The waiver request form is attached. Dr. McDaris will discuss the waiver and answer any questions you may have.

A motion is in order to approve the calendar waiver request for the 2018-2019 school year.

Public Attachments:

School Calendar Waiver Request 2018-2019.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

10. Bond 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	X
Operations and Support	X

In August, the board voted unanimously to seek a general obligation bond for school facility improvements to be placed on the November 2018 ballot (final amount to be determined). Dr. McDaris and Mr. Barger will provide the latest information and the board will discuss next steps.

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

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

Oct. 17	WORK SESSION	6:30 a.m.	MEC
Oct. 18	Early dismissal – students	12:00 p.m.
Oct. 26	Makeup day for Sept. 12
Oct. 27	Teacher workday
Nov. 10	Veterans Day holiday
Nov. 13-15	NCSBA Annual Conference for Board Member Development	3 days	Greensboro
Nov. 16	Annual Thanksgiving dinner for TCS staff and retirees
Nov. 20	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Nov. 22	Annual leave day
Nov. 23-24	Thanksgiving holidays
Dec. 18	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Dec. 20	Early dismissal – students	12:00 p.m.
Dec. 21 – Jan. 2	Christmas break

Groups audience:

School Board

13. Reports from Board Training Events

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

North Carolina statute requires all board of education members to receive a minimum of 12 hours of training every two years. Board policy states that members who attend a professional development activity will provide a report of the event to other board members. On September 28, the board and the superintendent attended the NCSBA District 8 Meeting in Asheville. On October 11-13, Chairman McCoy, Mrs. McGaha, and Mrs. Wellborn attended the NCSBA Fall Law Conference in Asheville. Members will have an opportunity to give brief reports from the meetings.

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 other items from board members or staff.

Groups audience:

School Board

16. 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 go into closed session to discuss a confidential personnel matter.

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. Request for Authorization of School Trip

07. Instructional Update

08. Policy

A. 4000 Series Parts B & C: Students

B. Policy 2670, Business Advisory Council

09. Calendar Waiver Request for 2018-2019

10. Bond Update

11. Superintendent's Update

12. Important Dates

13. Reports from Board Training Events

14. Public Comment

15. Other Items

16. Closed Session