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Regular Meeting

Dates: 
Monday, December 6, 2021 - 6:30pm
 
The Transylvania County Board of Education will hold a regular business meeting on Monday, December 6, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. at the Morris Education Center, 225 Rosenwald Lane, Brevard.  The meeting is open to the public.  Effective November 29, 2021, masks are optional in all Transylvania County Schools facilities.  The meeting will be livestreamed and may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/tcsnc.
 
 
Groups audience: 
School Board

I. Opening of Meeting

Invocation

Pledge of Allegiance

Call to Order

Welcome

 

Groups audience: 
School Board

II. Business Items (including amendments and recissions)

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 December 6, 2021.
 
 
Groups audience: 
School Board

02. Election of Officers

 
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
 
 
 
N.C.G.S. § 115C-41 requires all local boards of education to have an organizational meeting no later than 60 days after the swearing in of members following election or appointment.  At the organizational meeting, the members of all boards shall elect one or their members as chairman for a period of one year, or until his successor is elected and qualified.  The Transylvania County Board of Education has traditionally elected a chair and vice chair each year at its first meeting in December. 
 
The board may elect officers for 2022 at this time. 
 
 
Groups audience: 
School Board

03. 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 orderly 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 orderly manner. 
  • Board members will not respond to individuals who address the board except to request clarification of points made by the presenter.
  • Issues involving individual personnel or student matters are confidential and, therefore, are not appropriate for the public comment session.  Concerns related to personnel or student matters should be handled as a complaint and reported to the superintendent or designee.
  • 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 act 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. 
  • No solicitations will be allowed during public comment.
  • 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.
  • If the board does not hold a regular meeting during a month, the board will not provide a time for public comment at any other meeting held during that month, unless a majority of the board votes to allow public comment at the meeting or unless the purpose of the meeting is a public hearing.
 
Groups audience: 
School Board

04. Good News Report

 
Strategic Priority
Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
 
Action
 
Excellent Educators
X
Information
X
   Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
 
Discussion
 
Operations and Support
X
 
 
 
Chris Whitlock Named Western Region Technology Director of the Year
Congratulations to Chris Whitlock for being named as one of eight 2022 Regional Technology Directors of the Year by the North Carolina Technology in Education Society (NCTies).  Mr. Whitlock was selected by his peers in the Western region for making a significant impact on transforming student learning through the integration of technology.  The NCTies state winner will be announced in March. 
 
Superintendent McDaris Honored for Leadership During Pandemic
Congratulations to Dr. Jeff McDaris for being one of five regional superintendents honored by the Land of Sky Regional Council for extraordinary leadership of their respective school systems during the pandemic.  The Land of Sky Board of Delegates presented Excellence in Public Service Awards to the superintendents of Transylvania County Schools, Henderson County Schools, Buncombe County Schools, Asheville City Schools, and Madison County Schools at a meeting on December 1, 2021.    
 
 
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

05. 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.  One new name, Chris Wiener, has been added to the list.  Additional names will be included as they are received.
 
Public Attachments: 
PDF icon Military List 12-06-21.pdf
Groups audience: 
School Board

06. 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):
  1. Minutes of the November 15, 2021 meeting
  2. Personnel report for December 6, 2021
A motion is in order to approve the consent agenda items.
 
Public Attachments: 
PDF icon Minutes 11-15-21.pdf
PDF icon Personnel Report 12-06-21.pdf
Groups audience: 
School Board

07. Proposal to Purchase Board Property for Workforce Housing

 
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
 
 
 
At the last two meetings, the board has discussed a proposal from Jim Yamin, President of Workforce Homestead, Inc., to purchase approximately 7.7 acres of land owned by the board in order to build an 84-unit development for workforce housing.  The property is located adjacent to N. Country Club Road and Gillespie Circle.  At the November 15 meeting, the board directed and authorized the superintendent to seek a terms sheet and written offer; get an independent appraisal; promote public comment for the December 6th meeting; and negotiate on the board’s behalf.  Dr. McDaris will give an update.  Amy Fisher of Fisher Realty of Brevard will be present to answer any questions
 
The board will discuss and may take action.
 
 
Groups audience: 
School Board

08. School Calendar 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
 
 
 
Transylvania County Schools elementary educators and administrators will begin LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training in January 2022.  This is in accordance with the Excellent Public Schools Act, signed in April 2021.  This training will require approximately 30 hours of professional development learning during the spring of 2022.  To assist with the required live LETRS training sessions, TCS will make the following changes to the current school calendar:
  • February 18 will become a normal school day.  It was previously designated as an Early Release Day. 
  • February 21 Remote Learning Day will move to February 24.
  • February 25 will become a Remote Learning Day.
  • April 29 will become a Remote Learning Day.   
The revised school calendar for 2021-2022 is attached.  Dr. Brian Weaver will answer any questions you may have.
 
Public Attachments: 
PDF icon 2021-2022 TCS Calendar_Revised November 23_2021.pdf
Groups audience: 
School Board

09. Mental Health Services

 
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
 
 
 
 
Director Missy Ellenberger will give an update on mental health services in the schools (see attached).
 
Public Attachments: 
PDF icon BoE Student Services Update 12_6_21.pdf
Groups audience: 
School Board

10. Policy: Fall 2021 Custom Updates

 
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
X
Discussion
 
Operations and Support
X
 
 
 
Dr. Brian Weaver will present as first-read information 46 revised policies from the NCSBA Fall 2021 Custom Policy Updates.  Several updates contain only minor changes to wording, legal references, and/or cross references.  Others have more notable changes (see below).  Approval of the policies will be requested at the next regular meeting.  Dr. Weaver will answer any questions you may have.
 
Policies related to the COVID-19 response: 
  • 1510/4200/7270, School Safety
  • 5020, Visitors to the Schools
  • 5030, Community Use of Facilities
  • 6305, Safety and Student Transportation Services
  • 4400, Attendance
Other notable revisions:
  • 3225/4312/7320, Technology Responsible Use:  Revised extensively to incorporate current technology-related practices.  Policy 1310/4002, Parental Involvement, contains a conforming change. 
  • 3420, Student Promotion and Accountability:  Session Law 2021-8 modified the legal requirements of the North Carolina Read to Achieve Program.  Some of the requirements are effective this school year, while others take effect next school year. 
  • 4120, Domicile or Residence Requirements:  Incorporates changes to the law related to residence requirements for, and remote enrollment of, students whose parents or guardians are on active military duty. 
  • 4150, Student Assignment:  Revised extensively to address student assignments more comprehensively, better distinguish between reassignments and transfers (and the different reassignment/transfer rules applicable to categories of students), and simplify the process for requesting reassignment.
  • 5022, Registered Sex Offenders:  Revised to improve clarity and to more closely conform its prohibitions against sex offenders being present on school property to those set out in G.S. 14-208.18 (including incorporating recent changes to the statute).  In light of court decisions in recent years that have found various provisions of states’ sex offender registration programs to be unconstitutional, boards are encouraged to consult with the board attorney before adopting prohibitions more stringent than those set forth in this policy.
  • 5030, Community Use of Facilities:  In addition to the COVID-19 changes noted above, this policy has been revised to provide clarification, improve organizational structure, and remove unnecessary language. 
  • 7262, Communicable Diseases – Employees:  Revised to improve organizational structure and to conform to the recent update to policy 4230, Communicable Diseases – Students. 
  • 8305, Federal Grant Administration:  Revised throughout to incorporate new rules from the 2020 amendment to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
  • Several policies have small conforming changes in response to recent U.S. Supreme Court and 4th Circuit decisions clarifying legal protections for LGBTQ individuals and legal prohibitions against gender-specific dress codes.  These include: 1720/4030/7235, Title IX Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex; 4316, Student Dress Code; 7100, Recruitment and Selection of Personnel; and 7340, Employee Dress and Appearance.
A motion is in order to accept the 46 policies listed below as first-read information. 
 
Fall 2021 Custom Updates
Parental Involvement
School Safety
1720/4030/7235
Title IX Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex
1725/4035/7236
Title IX Sexual Harassment – Prohibited Conduct and Reporting Process
1726/4036/7237
Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Process
2125/7315
Confidential Information
2127
Board Member Technology Use
2302
Remote Participation in Board Meetings
2310
Public Participation at Board Meetings
3100
Curriculum Development
3225/4312/7320
Technology Responsible Use
3410
Testing and Assessment Program
3420
Student Promotion and Accountability
3460
Graduation Requirements
4050
Children of Military Families
4120
Domicile or Residence Requirements
4150
Student Assignment
4152
Unsafe School Choice Transfer
4300
Student Behavior Policies
4316
Student Dress Code
4329/7311
Bullying and Harassing Behavior Prohibited
4400
Attendance
4700
Student Records
4720
Student Surveys
5020
Visitors to the Schools
5022
Registered Sex Offenders
5030
Community Use of Facilities
5210
Distribution and Display of Non-School Material
6305
Safety and Student Transportation Services
6320
Use of Student Transportation Services
6340
Transportation Service/Vehicle Contracts
7100
Recruitment and Selection of Personnel
7110
Information Provided by Applicant or Employee
7130
Licensure
7262
Communicable Diseases - Employees
7340
Employee Dress and Appearance
7400
Job Descriptions
7503
Teleworking
7510
Leave
7520
Family and Medical Leave
7530
Military Leave
7820
Personnel Files
8305
Federal Grant Administration
8310
Annual Independent Audit
9000
Planning to Address Facility Needs
9020
Facility Design
 
Public Attachments: 
PDF icon Policy 1310-4002_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 1510-4200-7270_revised_CS.pdf
PDF icon Policy 1720-4030-7235_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 1725-4035-7236_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 1726-4036-7237_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 2125-7315_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 2127_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 2302_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 2310_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 3100_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 3225-4312-7320_revised_CS.pdf
PDF icon Policy 3410_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 3420_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 3460_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 4050_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 4120_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 4150_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 4152_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 4300_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 4316_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 4329-7311_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 4400_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 4700_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 4720_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 5020_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 5022_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 5030_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 5210_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 6305_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 6320_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 6340_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 7100_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 7110_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 7130_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 7262_revised_CS.pdf
PDF icon Policy 7340_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 7400_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 7503_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 7510_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 7520_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 7530_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 7820_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 8305_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 8310_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 9000_revised.pdf
PDF icon Policy 9020_revised.pdf
Groups audience: 
School Board

11. FY22 Budget 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
 
 

 
On November 18, Governor Cooper signed the state budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.  Among other items, the budget includes raises and bonuses for teachers and state employees and cost-of-living adjustments for government retirees.  Highlights include:
  • Teacher salaries would rise an average of 2.5% in each year of the two-year budget. The increase is a combination of a 1.3% increase in the base salary schedule and step increases.  Most teachers will receive a $1,000 bonus as well as a $300 bonus that is repurposed money for merit-based bonuses that can’t be given this year because of lack of valid accountability data due to COVID-19 disruptions.  
  • School principals will receive a 2.5% increase in each year of the two-year budget.  Principals will also receive a $1,800 bonus.
  • The budget includes a new $100 million fund to help school districts supplement teacher salaries.  The allotments would be based on county wealth.  Small and rural counties have trouble hiring and keeping teachers because they cannot afford to supplement state salaries to the degree that wealthier counties can.  Ninety-five counties are eligible to receive these funds.  The counties that do not qualify are Wake, Mecklenberg, Guilford, Durham, and Buncombe.
  • State employees will receive 2.5% raises in each of the two budget years.
  • The budget institutes a minimum wage for state employees of $13 an hour this year and $15 an hour next year.
  • The budget includes bonuses for all local school employees and all state employees for their extraordinary work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Employees who make less than $75,000 a year will receive $1,500 bonuses.  Employees who make more than $75,000 a year will receive $1,000 bonuses.  
  • Government retirees will receive one-time cost-of-living adjustments of 2% this year and 3% next year.
Current salaries/pay remain in effect until December 31, 2021.  One must be employed effective January 1, 2022 to receive these salary changes/bonuses.  The amount of the legislative increase for the period July 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 will be paid in the form of a retroactive bonus/pay.  No specific date has been provided but it will occur after January 1st.  This is to provide time for the new scales to be put in place.  The new schedules then go into effect on January 1, 2022 for the ongoing payroll. 
 
Dr. McDaris and Dr. Weaver will answer questions from the board.
 
 
 
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. Jeff McDaris will give an update on current and emerging educational issues.
 
 
Groups audience: 
School Board

13. Appointment to Community Relations Board

 
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
 
 
 
The Transylvania County Community Relations Board (CRB) works to foster positive community relations and reduce real and perceived discrimination and/or bullying of any citizen.  The board of education is responsible for appointing two student representatives to serve on the CRB.  Brevard High School student representative Abreanna Deshauteurs has rotated off the board.  Dr. Bryan Abernethy has recommended Raquel “Kitty” Pizzo to serve as the new BHS representative.
 
A motion is in order to appoint Kitty Pizzo to the Transylvania County Community Relations Board. 
 
 
Groups audience: 
School Board

14. 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
 
 
 
 
Dec. 7
SPECIAL MEETING
5:30 p.m.
MEC
Dec. 20
REGULAR MEETING
6:30 p.m.
MEC
Dec. 22
Students dismissed at noon
 
 
Dec. 23 -
Jan. 3
Christmas break
 
 
Jan. 3
NO MEETING (holiday for staff and students)
 
 
Jan. 4, 5
Teacher workdays
 
 
Jan. 6
Students return from break
 
 
Jan. 17
MLK day (annual leave; no students)
 
 
Jan. 18 (Tue.)
REGULAR MEETING
6:30 p.m.
MEC
Feb. 7
REGULAR MEETING or PLANNING SESSION
6:30 p.m.
MEC
Feb. 21
REGULAR MEETING
6:30 p.m.
MEC
 
 
 
 
Groups audience: 
School Board

15. Reports from NCSBA Training Activity

 
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 board of education members to receive a minimum of 12 hours of professional development training every two years.  Local board policy states that members who attend a professional development activity will provide a report of the event to other board members.  On November 11-12, Mr. Kiviniemi and Mr. Griffin attended the NCSBA 2021 Annual Conference for Board Member Development in Greensboro.  They will have an opportunity to give reports from the conference.
 
 
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 comments and/or other items from board members.
 
 
Groups audience: 
School Board

III. Adjournment

Groups audience: 
School Board
Source URL: https://aws.nc.transylvania.schoolboard.net/node/5705