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 18, 2021.

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 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

03. 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	X	Discussion
Operations and Support	X

Marty Griffin Selected to NCSBA Board of Directors

Congratulations to Marty Griffin for being selected by the NCBSA Nominating Committee to serve on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina School Boards Association. Formal election to the board will take place during the NCSBA Annual Conference on November 11-12, 2021 in Greensboro.

October is National Principals’ Month

National Principals’ Month in October is a widely recognized celebration of school principals for the essential role they play in making a school great. It is their vision, dedication, and determination that provide the mobilizing force for achieving student success. Please join us in thanking the Transylvania County Schools principals for their tireless pursuit of excellence in our schools:

Mike Kirst, Brevard Elementary

Dr. Bryan Abernethy, Brevard High

Jeff Bailey, Brevard Middle

Barbara Grimm, Davidson River

Tonya Treadway, Pisgah Forest Elementary

Bob Dinsdale, Rosman Elementary

Jason Ormsby, Rosman High

Scott Strickler, Rosman Middle

Patrick Chapman, T. C. Henderson

National Custodial Workers’ Recognition Day

October 2, 2021 was National Custodian Day, a time for recognizing the people who work diligently, often behind the scenes, to make sure our schools and workplaces are spotless and sanitary. School custodians have been true heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please take a moment to show your appreciation to the custodians who help keep us all safe.

National School Lunch Week

The week of October 11-15, 2021 is National School Lunch Week and an annual celebration of the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life, inside and outside the classroom. This year’s theme is Wild About School Lunch, and we encourage everyone to celebrate cafeteria workers by showing them that we are “wild” about the healthy and delicious meals they prepare and serve every day.

National School Bus Safety Week

Held during the third full week of October each year, National School Bus Safety Week (October 18-22, 2021) is an excellent time for parents, students, teachers, motorists, school bus drivers and others to promote the importance of school bus safety. Although school buses are considered to be the safest motor vehicles on the road, accidents do happen, and most accidents occur when a vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus. School Bus Safety Week helps spread awareness and offers a reminder to everyone to adhere to all safety procedures and bus-stopping laws.

National Bullying Prevention Month

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a month-long event to help prevent childhood bullying and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Wednesday, October 20, 2021 is National Unity Day, when everyone is urged to wear orange as a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying.

National Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week takes place each year from October 23 through October 31. The 2021 theme, Drug Free Looks Like Me, was created by Marin Wurst, a 7^th grader at Sonon Middle School in Solon, Ohio. It serves as a reminder that everyday Americans across the county make significant daily contributions to their communities by being the best they can be because they live drug-free.

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. One new name, Jason Voiselle, has been added to the list. Additional names will be included as they are received.

Public Attachments:

Military List 10-18-21.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 October 4, 2021 meeting
Personnel report for October 18, 2021

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

Public Attachments:

Minutes 10-04-21.pdf

Personnel Report 10-18-21.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

06. ESSER Mechanical Engineer RFQ Award

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

Norris Barger will present two responses to the ESSER RFQ for mechanical engineering services. One was from McGill Associates, PA, and the other was from Reece, Noland, McElrath, Inc. Both firms presented outstanding credentials and references, and both firms are highly qualified to perform the services needed. We have a combination of ESSER funding and Capital Outlay budget funding for 6 schools (all except Brevard High, Rosman High and Rosman Middle). Given the number of separate projects and the nature of the projects, the superintendent recommends that the board award the work to both firms based on the accompanying breakdown (see attached) and subject to appropriate contract terms.

A motion is in order to approve McGill Associates, PA; and Reese, Noland, McElrath, Inc., to perform mechanical engineering services for the referenced schools based on the breakdown presented and subject to appropriate contract terms.

Public Attachments:

ESSER Mechanical Engineer proposed award (2).pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

07. Rosman Property Purchase

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

On August 2, 2021, the board approved the purchase of the former Paul’s Quick Service property in Rosman, NC under the terms listed below. The board also authorized a presentation to the board of county commissioners for the purpose of approving the price. Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments have been performed. Norris Barger will give an update including the results of the Phase II environmental study and title search.

Purchase price - $100,000
Non-refundable due diligence fee - $2,500. This allows an examination of the property by the Board for up to 90 days.
Closing to take place no more than 60 days after the end of the examination period

A motion is in order to authorize the superintendent to move forward with closing on the purchase of the former Paul’s Quick Service property in Rosman or to investigate further.

Groups audience:

School Board

08. 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

Dr. McDaris and Mr. Barger will give an update on the FY22 budget.

Groups audience:

School Board

09. COVID Update & Review of Mask 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

On August 27, the Transylvania County Board of Education voted to require masks for all students, staff, and visitors in school buildings effective August 30, 2021; to follow protocols 1-6 below for all school properties; and to review the mask policy again on September 20. On August 30, North Carolina Session Law 2021-139 was approved requiring boards to adopt a policy regarding the use of face coverings by employees and students for the 2021-2022 school year, and requiring boards to revisit the mask policy at least once a month and vote on whether to make any modifications. On September 20, the board voted to affirm the current mask policy for another month and to vote again at the second board meeting of each subsequent month.

Mandatory masks will be worn inside all school buildings used for student instruction at all times by students, staff, and visitors (except for legally required exceptions);
Masks will not be required outdoors;
In accordance with the StrongSchoolsNC Toolkit from NCDHHS as used since last school year, mask breaks are encouraged;
During indoor athletic events held at schools, masks will be required of everyone, including spectators. However, students may remove their masks while engaged in strenuous activity;
Inside all other Transylvania County Schools properties, we will continue to request that all unvaccinated individuals wear a mask on the honor system; and
We will continue to encourage everyone eligible to be vaccinated, but will not require proof of vaccination.

The board will receive information, including data from Transylvania Public Health concerning COVID-19 cases in the school system, and will vote on whether to affirm or amend the current mask policy.

Public Attachments:

BOE Covid Update- October 18, 2021 (1).pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

10. 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

11. 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. 19	Remote learning day
Nov. 1	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Nov. 11	Veterans Day holiday
Nov. 11-12	NCSBA Annual Conference for Board Member Development		Greensboro, NC
Nov. 15	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Nov. 24	Annual leave day (no students)
Nov. 25-26	Thanksgiving holidays
Dec. 22	Students dismissed at noon
Dec. 6	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Dec. 20	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Dec. 23-Jan. 3	Christmas break
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

Groups audience:

School Board

12. Report 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 October 13-15, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Kiviniemi attended the NCSBA 2021 Fall Law Conference in Asheville. They will have an opportunity to give updates from the conference.

Groups audience:

School Board

13. 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

14. 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

Chairman McCoy will entertain a motion for the board to go into closed session pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 143-318.11 under subsection (a)(3) to consult with an attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege.

Groups audience:

School Board

II. Business Items (including amendments and recissions):

01. Approval of Agenda

02. Public Comment

03. Good News Report

04. Former Students in the Military

05. Consent Agenda

06. ESSER Mechanical Engineer RFQ Award

07. Rosman Property Purchase

08. FY22 Budget Update

09. COVID Update & Review of Mask Policy

10. Superintendent's Update

11. Important Dates

12. Report from NCSBA Training Activity

13. Other Items

14. Closed Session