Regular Meeting

INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME

BUSINESS ITEMS

1.                  Approval of Agenda

2.                  Public Comment

3.                  Good News Report

4.                  Resolution of Recognition, Thanks, Commendation and Congratulations

5.                  Former Students in the Military

6.                  Consent Agenda:

A.     Minutes

B.     Personnel Report

7.                  Non-Faculty Coaches

8.                  School Calendar for 2010-2011

9.                  Calendar Issues

10.             Dropout Report for 2008-2009

11.             Facilities Master Plan and FY11 Budget

12.             Important Dates

13.             Other Items

14.             Public Comment

 

 

A sign-up sheet is available for public comment.  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 their comments to 5 minutes each, except in the event there are more than six speakers per session, at which time the chairman may limit the time allotted to 3-5 minutes per speaker. Speakers will be asked to refrain from discussing any individuals by name in accordance with the North Carolina Open Meetings Law.  

 

 

The Department of Child Nutrition and the TCS Nutrition Committee are sponsoring a Fun and Fit Activity Planner and Art Contest in celebration of National Nutrition Month. Students in grades K-8 may submit a weekly plan or monthly plan (6-8) for a daily fun activity, snack and nutrition education lesson. Art contest entries (grades K-12) may be drawings, paintings, photographs or other electronic media of healthy food. One county activity plan winner will be selected for each grade K-8. In the art contest, one county winner for each grade K-8 and one county winner for each high school will be selected. Submissions are due by March 19 and winners will be announced on March 31. Entries will be evaluated based on originality, creativity and compliance with USDA dietary guidelines. Winners will receive a B1G1F sandwich coupon from Sunrise Café and a free muffin from Bracken Mountain Bakery. 

 

On February 23, students from BMS and RMS traveled to Western Carolina University’s Ramsey Center for the Teachers of Tomorrow College Access Conference. Students had an opportunity to hear guest speakers from the education field and participate in breakout sessions on education topics. Topics included college access, scholarships, financial aid, diversity issues, teaching in today’s society, and the Teaching Fellows Program of North Carolina. This year’s conference was sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission through a college access grant, Southwestern Community College’s GEAR UP grant, and the WCU College of Education and Allied Professions. Special thanks to Dr. Kim Elliott who helped organize the event, and the BMS and RMS principals and staff who helped chaperone. Principals reported that the event was a great way to spark students’ curiosity and open their minds to the possibilities of going to college and teaching as a career. 

 

Students at Pisgah Forest Elementary School participated in National “No Name Calling” Week during the week of January 25-29. The week included lessons and activities on the importance of words and how we treat each other, self esteem, and attitude. The week culminated with students making a chain of footprints down the halls of the school. The footprints represent the fact that PFES is “taking a stand” against name calling and bullying. PFES wants to be a role model for a “No Name Calling” community. 

Seventeen Rosman Middle School students attended a peer team training session at the Transylvania Boys & Girls Club on February 19. Led by Ren Uriarte from the Center for Dialogue with help from RMS staffers Denise Reese and Ashley Witt, the training included exercises in team building, improving communication skills, listening and mediation strategies, and defining team vision. The participants were selected by their classmates as responsible and caring individuals who have the skills to serve as leaders on their campus. Peer team members may serve as campus guides, tutors and peer mediators. They are Julia Crain, Haley Parker, Madison Holden, Hannah Shugart, Alex McNeely, Luke Owen, Brianna Cole, Logan Hall, Benny Buchanan, Chase Brooks, Falyn McDonald, Hannah Reese, Kimberly Holliday, Jacey Voris, and Nich McCall.

 

Thanks to a grant from the Transylvania County Educational Foundation, Brevard Middle School will be purchasing Comic Life, a graphic editing software and site license. Comic Life provides a simple interface for students to integrate images, captions, speech balloons, and other forms of text into visually sophisticated projects while focusing on content and storytelling. The software is especially useful for engaging students who have difficulty with reading comprehension. Teachers Chris Dodson and Cathy Zandecki are enthusiastic about the future projects Comic Life will create. 

 

Students at Brevard High School raised $300 through the “Mr. and Mrs. Blue Devil” Competition held during winter spirit week. The money was presented to Dr. Ora Wells, who will be traveling to Haiti to assist in relief efforts. 

 

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Transylvania County Board of Education that commendations, thanks, congratulations and appreciation be expressed to the person(s) named:

 

 

 

 

 

*The Burroughs Wellcome Fund grants five $175,000 awards per year to outstanding science or mathematics teachers in the NC public school system. The grant is awarded to the school district on behalf of the teacher and is paid over a period of five years ($35,000 per year beginning July 1, 2010 and ending July 31, 2015).  The annual installments are allocated as follows:

 

·        $10,000 stipend to supplement the teacher’s annual salary;

·        $5,000 contributed annually to an annuity or savings account to be given to the teacher at the conclusion of the five-year award;

·        Extra salary support provided by the State Board of Education to ensure that the recipient will receive a 12-month contract;

·        $10,000 to purchase needed equipment/supplies for the teacher’s classroom or laboratory, or be shared with the teacher’s school or school district; and

·        $10,000 to be used at the discretion of the teacher for professional development activities, travel and registration for meetings or conferences, hiring substitutes, networking with colleagues, and capacity building opportunities at the school or district.  

 

Candidates must complete a rigorous application and interview process and exhibit superior knowledge of science or mathematics, excellent teaching skills, demonstrated leadership, and a commitment to continue teaching in the NC Public School System. For more information on the Burroughs Wellcome Fund and the grant application process, visit www.bwfund.org.

 

 

The Board of Education would like to recognize 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 will be updated as more names are received. 

 

 

The following items are submitted for consent approval:

 

1.                  Minutes from February 18, 2010 (attached)

2.                  Minutes from March 1, 2010 (attached)

3.                  Personnel report for March 15, 2010 (attached)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Bo Williams will present the 2010-2011 school calendar as recommended by the Calendar Committee. The proposed calendar is attached for your review.  Approval of the 2010-2011 calendar will be requested at the next regular meeting.

 

 

Dr. Jeff McDaris will discuss calendar issues and present a calendar waiver request for consideration and possible approval.   

 

 

Dr. Scott Elliott will present the dropout report for school year 2008-2009. The summary data is attached, along with an updated index and indicator for the district data notebooks. Dr. Elliott will answer any questions you may have.   

 

 

The Board will continue its review of the Transylvania County Schools Master Facilities Plan and the 2010-2011 budget. The most recent master plan cost estimate is attached, along with preliminary drafts of the FY11 current expense budget, FY11 anticipated needs list, FY11 capital outlay board priorities list, and FY11 capital outlay five-year plan. Norris Barger will answer questions from the Board.   

 

 

 

 

An opportunity will be provided for other items from board members or staff.

 

 

A sign-up sheet is available for public comment. 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 their comments to 5 minutes each, except in the event there are more than six speakers per session, at which time the chairman may limit the time allotted to 3-5 minutes per speaker. Speakers will be asked to refrain from discussing any individuals by name in accordance with the North Carolina Open Meetings Law.