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 September 18, 2023.

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

September is Attendance Awareness Month

September is National Attendance Awareness Month to spread awareness and help reduce chronic absences (missing 10% or more of school days). We salute the TCS staff who are working hard to address the issues surrounding chronic absenteeism and finding ways to improve attendance district-wide.

National Arts in Education Week – Sept. 10-16

The week of September 10-16, 2023 was National Arts in Education Week. The arts are an essential part of a complete education, and students of all ages benefit from artistic learning, innovative thinking, and creativity. We thank our arts educators for all they do and our community for their strong support of arts programs in our schools.

Constitution Day – Sept. 17

September 17 is Constitution Day in the United States. It commemorates the September 17, 1787 signing of the final version of the United States Constitution by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention. The U.S. Constitution contains the main rules and amendments that instill law and order, protect the rights of citizens, and govern politics and daily life in America. It is critical for students to learn how the power of this governing charter strengthens our nation and informs what it means to be free.

National IT Professionals Day – Sept. 19

National IT Professionals Day was created in 2015 to show appreciation to the often unsung tech wizards who are essential to keeping our work stations and networks operating flawlessly. Without them we would be back to typewriters, chalkboards and overhead projectors. Please join us in thanking Transylvania County Schools' outstanding team of IT professionals who keep us up to date, troubleshoot problems, provide training, and protect users from online threats:

Technical Support Instructional Support

Chris Whitlock , Director Alyse Sheppard

Chris Lambert Alicia LaDow

Blake Tesnow Kathryn Bailey

Stephen Shields Erik Wahus

Brenda Byrd Bridgette Whitlock

Candace Reese

#TeachAG Day – Sept. 21

National #TeachAg Day is recognized on September 21, 2023 to celebrate the important role of school-based agriculture education and to encourage students to consider careers as agriculture educators. Ag teachers are community leaders and role models, and they help students develop the skills to become leaders themselves. Agriculture teachers never have the same day twice. Consider a rewarding and fun career as an Ag teacher!

BES Artwork Displayed at Mountain State Fair

Students in the self-contained classroom at Brevard Elementary School traveled to the Mountain State Fair on Friday, September 15 to see their artwork displayed in the Very Special Arts Exhibit. Congratulations!

PFES Fairy Tales, Flannel & Flapjacks

Second graders at Pisgah Forest Elementary celebrated the Fairy Tales and Tall Tales Core Knowledge Language Arts Domain with a “Fairy Tale, Flannel and Flapjack Celebration” on Wednesday, September 13.

Homecoming Week

September 11-15, 2023 was Homecoming Week at Rosman High School and Brevard High School. Students and staff celebrated with bonfires, dress-up themes, door decorating contests, pep rallies, dances and more to show their school spirit.

NCSBA 2023 Bell Awards

At the LEAD Training Session on September 7, the Transylvania County Board of Education received the Silver Bell Award in recognition of all members having earned CEU training credits during the 2023-2024 school year. Well done!

For more good news from Transylvania County Schools, please visit us at:

Home Page: www.tcsnc.org ǀ Facebook: facebook.com/transylvania.schools

Twitter: twitter.com/transylvaniasch ǀ Flickr: flickr.com/tcsnc

Instagram: Instagram.com/transylvaniaschools ǀ YouTube: youtube.com/user/tcsnc

Smartphone App: Transylvania County Schools on Play Store and iTunes

SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/transylvaniacountyschools ǀ WSQL Radio: bit.ly/TCSYesRadio!

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 9-18-23.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:

Minutes of the July 24, 2023 meeting
Minutes of the July 24, 2023 closed session
Minutes of the August 7, 2023 meeting
Minutes of the August 7, 2023 closed session
Minutes of the August 21, 2023 meeting
Personnel report for September 18, 2023

A motion is in order to approve the consent agenda item(s).

Public Attachments:

Minutes 7-24-23.pdf

Minutes 8-07-23.pdf

Minutes 8-21-23.pdf

Personnel Report 9-18-23.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

For a number of years, Brevard High School has participated in an international student exchange program with the Mariagerfjord Gymnasium High School in Hobro, Denmark. The exchange alternates each year—one year their students come to Brevard and the next year our students go to Hobro. Students spend a week with host families, attend school, and explore local life and areas of interest. The last exchange was scheduled for the spring of 2020, but was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.

School trips that require travel outside of the continental United States must be approved by the board upon recommendation by the superintendent or designee. Andrew Healy and members of the Denmark Exchange Committee will be here to request approval of an exchange trip to Denmark this spring and answer any questions you may have. An information sheet and tentative itinerary, policy 3320 (School Trips), and regulation 3320-R are attached for your review.

The board may take action on the superintendent’s recommendation for the proposed student exchange trip to Hobro, Denmark on March 27 to April 6, 2024.

Public Attachments:

Denmark Student Exchange Trip 2024.pdf

Policy 3320__School Trips.pdf

Regulation 3320-R__School Trips.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

07. Safe Schools Update

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	X

Director Missy Ellenberger will give a Safe Schools update (see attached). She will answer questions from the board.

Public Attachments:

Safe Schools Update- September 18, 2023.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

08(A). Policy: Spring 2023 PLS Updates

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

Dr. Brian Weaver will present the first set of NCSBA Spring 2023 PLS (Policies to Lead the Schools) Custom Updates. One set contains 7 policies with only minor changes. A second set contains 13 policies with substantive changes. There are no new policies in this update.

The set with minor changes is presented for first-read information at this time. The revisions are summarized below. Dr. Weaver will answer any questions you may have.

1610/7800, Professional and Staff Development. References a new state law G.S. 115C-81.57 effective beginning with the 2023-2024 school year that requires local boards to provide professional development to carry out state law provisions regarding education in middle and high schools on the Holocaust and genocide.

4155, Assignment to Classes. Updates a legal reference.

4334/5035/7345, Use of Unmanned Aircraft (Drones). Updates the legal references.

5028/6130/7267, Automated External Defibrillator. Updates the hyperlinks in Other Resources.

6410, Organization of the Purchasing Function. Updates a hyperlink in the legal references.

7340, Employee Dress and Appearance. Updates the legal references.

7650, Employee Travel and Other Expense Reimbursement. Updates a hyperlink in the Other Resources.

A motion is in order to accept the seven polices listed above as first-read information.

Second-read approval will be scheduled for the next regular meeting on October 2.

Public Attachments:

Policy 1610-7800_revised.pdf

Policy 4155_revised.pdf

Policy 4334-5035-7345_revised.pdf

Policy 5028-6130-7267_revised.pdf

Policy 6410_revised.pdf

Policy 7340_revised.pdf

Policy 7650_revised.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

08(B). Policy: S.L. 2023-106 Special Updates

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

On August 30, the administration received a Special Custom PLS Update to comply with Session Law 2023-106 (SB 49), which creates a new Chapter 114A of the General Statutes titled “Parents’ Bill of Rights” and also amends Chapter 115C of the General Statutes to add new requirements for schools regarding parental guides and notifications. The new requirements apply with the 2023-2024 school year. The effective date is August 16, 2023 (the date the bill was signed); however, the General Assembly may alter some of the timelines and effective dates until January. NCSBA has identified seven PLS policies that require updates. The revised policies are listed below and presented as first-read information. Dr. Brian Weaver will review the updates and answer any questions you may have.

1310/4002, Parental Involvement. Substantially revises the policy to address the new requirements of the Parents’ Bill of Rights.

3210, Parental Inspection of and Objection to Instructional Materials. The school system must have a written process for parents to inspect and review all textbooks and supplementary instructional materials that will be used in their child’s classrooms.

3540, Comprehensive Health Education Program. Adds a provision prohibiting instruction on gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality in grades K through 4.

4335, Criminal Behavior. Changes the requirement for reporting to parents when their child is suspected to be the victim of a crime.

4720, Surveys of Students. Changes parental notification and consent requirements based on new state law requirements. Adds a new section about well-being questionnaires and health screening forms.

6120, Student Health Services. The new G.S. 90-211.10B contains language that prohibits health care practitioners, which includes school employees authorized under state law to perform health care services as part of their job, from providing, soliciting, or arranging medical procedures or treatments for a minor without first obtaining written or documented consent from the parent. This law goes into effect on December 1, 2023.

7300, Staff Responsibilities. Adds an employee responsibility to support parental involvement and never encourage a student to withhold information from their parents.

A motion is in order to accept the seven polices listed above as first-read information.

Second-read approval will be tentatively scheduled for the next regular meeting on October 2.

Public Attachments:

Policy 1310-4002_revised.pdf

Policy 3210_revised.pdf

Policy 3540_revised.pdf

Policy 4335_revised.pdf

Policy 4720_revised.pdf

Policy 6120_revised.pdf

Policy 7300_revised.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

09. 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

Finance Officer Gabi Juba will present an expenditure report for FY24. As of the date of this writing, we do not have a state budget.

Public Attachments:

Expenditure Report 9-18-23.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

10. Bids for BHS Astroturf Repair

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

Facilities Director Kerry Putnam will present bids for Astroturf repair at Brevard High School. Bids were received from two companies, GeoSurfaces Southeast, Inc., and Shaw Sports Turf. A third company was contacted but did not respond. The GeoSurfaces bid is $510,110 which falls within our budget. It provides a higher quality turf (woven instead of glued in) and has excellent reviews in our area. It comes with a 10-year warranty. The Shaw Sports bid is $488,587 and has an 8-year warranty. There is a difference of $21,523; however, GEO provides a longer warranty and better quality product. Mr. Putnam therefore recommends approval of the $510,110 bid from GeoSurfaces. He will answer any questions you may have.

A motion would be in order to approve a bid for Astroturf repair at Brevard High School.

Public Attachments:

GEOSurfaces Bid.pdf

Shaw Sports Turf Bid.pdf

IronTurf-SS.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

11. Capital Outlay Schedule

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

Facilities Director Kerry Putnam will give an update on capital outlay projects for FY23 (see attached). He will answer any questions you may have.

Public Attachments:

Capital Outlay Schedule - FY21-FY23 Projects.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

12. Update on Capital Reserve Study

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. Lisa Fletcher will present an update on the county’s capital reserve study. The county manager sent an update on September 8 with next steps for the education capital study work group. Discussions with the retired superintendent and retired county manager are underway. Ms. Laughter anticipates getting them in during the last week of September for Axias to present the draft report to the study group.

Groups audience:

School Board

13. Nominations for NCSBA Board of Directors

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 North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) is seeking nominations for vacancies on the 2023-2024 NCSBA Board of Directors. The term of service is two years and members are eligible to serve for two terms. The board holds in-person meetings in Raleigh in November, March and June and a virtual meeting in September. Other meetings may be scheduled as needed. Members also serve on committees that meet virtually. Nominees should be able to attend all regularly scheduled meetings.

Nominations must be made by official board action and received by September 29, 2023. A memorandum from NCSBA and nomination form are attached.

Public Attachments:

BOD recruitment memo.pdf

BOD Information Sheet.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

14. Reports from Training Event

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 training activity will provide a report of the event to other board members. On September 7, Mr. O’Neill and Mrs. Dalton attended the NCSBA LEAD Training at WRESA. They will have an opportunity to give an update.

Groups audience:

School Board

15. 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

Please note the board meeting schedule changes effective October 2023:

Regular meeting on the first Monday of the month
Work session on the third Monday of the month
Start time changes to 6:00 p.m.
Public comment at work session and regular meeting
Attorney present at both meetings (for now)

Oct. 2	REGULAR MEETING	6:00 p.m.	MEC
Oct. 6	Students dismissed at noon
Oct. 11-13	NCSBA Fall Law Conference	3 days	Asheville, NC
Oct. 16	WORK SESSION	6:00 p.m.	MEC
Oct. 27	Students dismissed at noon
Oct. 30, 31	Teacher workdays
Nov. 6	REGULAR MEETING	6:00 p.m.	MEC
Nov. 10	Veterans Day holiday
Nov. 13-15	NCSBA Annual Conference for Board Member Development	3 days	Greensboro, NC
Nov. 20	WORK SESSION	6:00 p.m.	MEC
Nov. 22-24	Thanksgiving break

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

II. BUSINESS ITEMS (including amendments and rescissions):

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. Safe Schools Update

08(A). Policy: Spring 2023 PLS Updates

08(B). Policy: S.L. 2023-106 Special Updates

09. Budget Update

10. Bids for BHS Astroturf Repair

11. Capital Outlay Schedule

12. Update on Capital Reserve Study

13. Nominations for NCSBA Board of Directors

14. Reports from Training Event

15. Important Dates

16. Other Items