Regular Meeting
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Submitted by Migration on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 10:19am
Dates:
Tuesday, January 20, 2015 - 6:30pm
January 20, 2015
Morris Education Center
6:30 p.m.
INVOCATION / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER / WELCOME
BUSINESS ITEMS:
1. Approval of Agenda
2. Public Comment
3. Good News Report
4. Former Students in the Military
5. Consent Agenda:
A. Minutes
B. Personnel Report
6. Alternative Accountability Model for Davidson River School
7. School Improvement Plans 2014-2016
8. Policy:
A. GBB/JR, “Staff-Student Relations”
9. Non-Faculty Coaches
10. TCS Annual Financial Report for 2013-2014
11. FY15 Capital Outlay Update
12. Dates for School Facility Tours
13. Superintendent’s Update
14. Important Dates
15. Public Comment
16. Other Items
Approval of Agenda
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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Action
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X
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Excellent Educators
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Information
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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Discussion
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Operations and Support
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X
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A motion is in order to approve or revise the meeting agenda for January 20, 2015.
Public Comment
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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Action
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Excellent Educators
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Information
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X
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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Discussion
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Operations and Support
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X
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N.C.G.S. §115C-51 states that local boards of education shall provide at least one period for public comment per month at a regular meeting of the board. 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, in which case the chairman may limit the time allotted to 3-5 minutes per speaker. Speakers will be asked to refrain from discussing specific individuals by name in accordance with the North Carolina Open Meetings Law. No solicitations will be allowed during public comment. Sign-up is not required for the second public comment opportunity at the end of the meeting.
Good News Report
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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X
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Action
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Excellent Educators
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Information
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X
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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Discussion
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Operations and Support
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X
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Warm Coats
Frank Porter with Comporium recently shared the following story with Dr. McDaris: Comporium has been collecting coats this winter for donation to the Sharing House. One morning, a TCS school bus driver stopped in after completing her route to ask about getting a coat from their stack for a little girl who rides her bus. It was about 18 degrees that morning and the driver reported that the child, who is rarely dressed properly, had no coat on that day. The driver found a warm, child-sized coat and said that she would be giving it to the child when she got on the bus that afternoon. Many thanks go to the bus driver and to Comporium. We are fortunate indeed to have such a giving community.
School Board Appreciation Month
January is School Board Appreciation Month, and we would like to say “thank you” to all of our board members who do so much for the Transylvania County Schools. Thank you for the hours you put in at meetings, hearings, and school visits; thank you for always striving to learn more about public education; thank you for working tirelessly to better our district; and thank you for never failing to advocate for a great education for each child. We are proud to have such a dedicated group of people and appreciate all that you do.
Rosman High Hosts Two Representatives
Last month, Rosman High School had a unique opportunity to host two state representatives on the same day. North Carolina House Representative Chris Whitmire (R--NC 113th District), and South Carolina House Representative David Hiott (R—SC District 4, Pickens) spoke to Julie Queen’s Character Education class and Freddie Whitman’s Honors Civics class on December 19. Representative Whitmire spoke about the importance of the military to North Carolina and how Transylvania County could play an important part in future training missions as groups need to practice white water and mountain terrain rescues. Representative Hiott spoke about jobs and how young people need to take advantage of the opportunities that are given to them. He talked about how BMW is trying to expand in the Upstate but cannot find qualified workers. Students were encouraged to find their “niche” and get the training and education needed for good jobs.
Davidson River School News
In December, a supporter of the Taiko program at DRS donated $1,650 to the school---$1,000 for Taiko and $650 that was needed for roofing materials for the storage shed. The Rotary Club has donated $1,500 for needy students at DRS—this is over and above the $1,500 they provided for student scholarships. The Pitcher Foundation has funded $3,700 for arts integration, classroom libraries, and college visits. Also, several DRS teachers were recently awarded mini-grants by the Transylvania County Education Foundation.
Buster the Bus
The TCS Transportation Department’s application has been approved by DPI to receive a new “Buster the Bus” training robot to help teach young children about bus safety. The training robot would provide at least 50 hours of instruction for the 2015-2016 school year and could possibly arrive in time to be used this spring as well. The “Buster the Bus” technology is valued at approximately $9,500 and will be funded through an additional allotment to the TCS state transportation allocation.
Love the Bus Week 2015
During the week of Valentine’s Day, February 9-13, 2015, the State of North Carolina encourages citizens to “love the bus” and to recognize the excellence of our state’s school bus drivers and their good record of safety. Every day in North Carolina, over 13,000 school buses carry more than 790,000 students to and from school. It is estimated that the use of school buses saves over 65 million gallons of fuel statewide each year, compared to that required by individual family cars. School buses provide safe, reliable access to public schools that many students may not otherwise have, and statistically are still the safest way to get to and from school.
Former Students in the Military
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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Action
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Excellent Educators
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Information
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X
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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Discussion
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Operations and Support
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X
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The Board of Education 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 names on the attached list are recognized at every meeting and read aloud twice a year in honor of Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day. Additional names will be included as they are received.
Consent Agenda
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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Action
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X
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Excellent Educators
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X
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Information
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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Discussion
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Operations and Support
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The following items are submitted for consent approval (see attached):
1. Minutes of the December 15, 2014 meeting
2. Personnel report for January 20, 2015
A motion is in order to approve the consent agenda items.
Alternative Accountability Model for DRS
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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X
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Action
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X
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Excellent Educators
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Information
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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Discussion
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Operations and Support
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At the December 15 meeting, Brian Weaver presented the Department of Public Instruction’s new options for participation in the state accountability model for alternative schools. Local boards must select one of the four options by February 2, 2015.
1. Option A. Alternative schools can participate in School Performance Grades as defined by G.S. §115C-83.15, or
2. Option B. Alternative schools can return data/results back to students’ home schools and receive no designations, or
3. Option C. Alternative schools can participate in the Alternative Schools’ Progress Model, or
4. Option D. The alternative school may propose its own accountability model for approval by the State Board of Education.
A motion is in order to approve an option for Davidson River School’s participation in the accountability model for alternative schools.
School Improvement Plans 2014-2016
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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X
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Action
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X
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Excellent Educators
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X
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Information
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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X
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Discussion
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Operations and Support
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X
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At the December 15 meeting, Jeremy Gibbs presented the school improvement plans for 2014-2016. The plans are attached for your review. Mr. Gibbs will answer any questions you may have.
A motion is in order to approve the school improvement plans for 2014-2016.
Policy
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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Action
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Excellent Educators
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X
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Information
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X
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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X
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Discussion
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Operations and Support
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Jeremy Gibbs will present new policy GBB/JR, “Staff-Student Relations,” for first-read information. The draft policy is attached. Mr. Gibbs will discuss the policy and answer any questions you may have. Approval of the policy will be requested at the next regular meeting.
Mr. Gibbs will also update the Board on a possible new loss prevention policy that is being recommended by the North Carolina School Boards Association. The state policy is attached as information only.
Non-Faculty Coaches
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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Action
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X
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Excellent Educators
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Information
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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Discussion
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Operations and Support
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X
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The North Carolina High School Athletic Association requires local boards to grant permission to employ non-faculty individuals as head coaches of varsity or junior varsity teams. As a rule, the Transylvania County Board of Education approves all volunteer and contract coaches for Transylvania County Schools.
One new name, Tom Smith, has been submitted for approval. Mr. Smith will be coaching indoor track for Brevard High School.
A motion is in order to approve Tom Smith as a non-faculty coach for 2014-2015.
TCS Annual Financial Report
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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Action
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Excellent Educators
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Information
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X
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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Discussion
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Operations and Support
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X
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Norris Barger will present the Transylvania County Schools Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. The financial report and auditors’ compliance report are attached for your review.
FY15 Capital Outlay Update
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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Action
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Excellent Educators
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Information
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X
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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Discussion
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Operations and Support
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X
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Norris Barger will present a status report on capital outlay projects and a first look at FY16 anticipated budget changes (attached).
Dates for School Facility Tours
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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Action
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Excellent Educators
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Information
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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Discussion
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X
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Operations and Support
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X
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As part of its annual budget process, the Board of Education sets aside two days in February to visit the schools and evaluate capital outlay needs. The following dates are being considered for the 2015 school tours. The Board may discuss and set dates for the tours.
Tuesday, Feb. 3
Thursday, Feb. 5 (morning)
Friday, Feb. 6 (morning)
Monday, Feb. 9
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Thursday, Feb. 12
Friday, Feb. 20
Superintendent’s Update
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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Action
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Excellent Educators
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Information
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X
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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Discussion
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Operations and Support
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X
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Dr. McDaris will give an update on current and emerging educational issues.
Important Dates
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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Action
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Excellent Educators
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Information
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X
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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Discussion
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Operations and Support
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X
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Jan. 21
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Second semester begins
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Jan. 27
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WORK SESSION
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7:30 a.m.
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MEC
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Feb. 2
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WORK SESSION
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5:00 or 5:30 p.m.
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MEC
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Feb. 11
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Students dismissed at noon
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Feb. 16
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Teacher workday
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Feb. 16
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REGULAR MEETING
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6:30 p.m.
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MEC
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Apr. 27-29
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AdvancED District Accreditation External Review
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Apr. 27
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AdvancED interviews with BOE
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10:45 – 11:45 a.m.
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MEC
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Apr. 29
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SPECIAL MEETING to receive exit report from AdvancED evaluators
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TBD
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MEC
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Public Comment
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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Action
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Excellent Educators
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Information
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X
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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Discussion
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Operations and Support
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The Board will provide a second opportunity for public comment.
Other Items
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Strategic Priority
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Reason for Consideration
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Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
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Action
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Excellent Educators
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Information
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X
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Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
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Discussion
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Operations and Support
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An opportunity will be provided for other items from board members or staff.
Adjourn
Public Attachments:
Groups audience: