Regular Meeting CANCELED

Dates:

Monday, March 16, 2020 - 6:30pm

The Transylvania County Board of Education meeting for March 16, 2020 has been canceled. The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, April 6, 2020 (or a date to be determined as needed and if conditions are appropriate).

Groups audience:

School Board

I. Opening of Meeting

Invocation

Pledge of Allegiance

Call to Order

Welcome

Groups audience:

School Board

II. Business Items

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 March 16, 2020.

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 order 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 order manner.

Board members will not respond to individuals who address the board except to request clarification of points made by the presenter.

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 take action 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.

Complaints about the performance of school personnel, implementation of board policy, the quality of the educational program, or school facilities should be submitted initially for a response to the school system official responsible for the program or facility or to the superintendent. The superintendent or designee shall make available policy 2310, Public Participation at Board Meetings, and other relevant grievance procedures to any individual or group submitting a complaint.

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.

No solicitations will be allowed during public comment.

Groups audience:

School Board

03. Good News Report

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

March is Music in Our Schools Month

March is National Music in Our Schools Month and a time to support the educators, students, and programs that make all the concerts and performances possible. Not only does music enhance our lives, but learning to sing, read music, or play an instrument stimulates the brain and improves all areas of academia. At a time when many school music programs are facing budget cuts, we continue to support our music and arts programs. Please join us in celebrating music educators for all they do to enrich learning and bring music into our lives.

March is National Social Workers Month

Celebrated each March, National Professional Social Work Month is an opportunity to recognize the important contributions of school social workers in providing services to children in need. This year’s theme, “Social Workers: Generations Strong,” pays tribute to the many roles of these hardworking individuals. Whether serving as advocates, advisors, counselors, or facilitators, school social workers provide services in crisis situations and help guide children through obstacles and uncertainty. They also help students gain the social-emotional understanding needed to find academic success and positive strategies for life. We appreciate their work and thank them for their service.

Kindergarten Registration 2020

Kindergarten registration for the 2020-2021 school year is now open in all our elementary schools. Starting school is an exciting experience for young children and we want to be sure it is a positive one. A Kindergarten Readiness Rally is scheduled for Thursday, April 9 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Transylvania County Recreation Department (pending any public health and safety decisions). All children who will be five (5) years old on or before August 31, 2020 are eligible to start kindergarten this fall. Visit www.tcsnc.org/k for forms and more information.

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. Additional names will be included as they are received.

Public Attachments:

Military List 3-16-20.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 February 27 and March 2, 2020 meetings
Personnel report for March 16, 2020

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

Public Attachments:

Minutes 2-27-20.pdf

Minutes 3-02-20.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

06. E-Rate Technology Purchase

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

Director Chris Whitlock will present a request to approve the purchase of technology equipment for the 2020-2021 year. Due to the lack of a state budget, there has been a significant delay in getting state contracts signed between DPI and the Department of Information Technology (DIT). This delay has created a very short turnaround for local units trying to get equipment specifications, quotes for the bid process and selection of vendors. (Our IT department is in the middle of receiving bids and may not have final quotes in time for the board meeting.) Other districts facing the same situation have presented their boards with information about the purchases, and their boards have taken action to pre-approve not to exceed an allotted amount. This procedure allows LEAs to meet the E-rate application deadline of March 25.

Transylvania County Schools will purchase network switches for installation this summer. Mr. Whitlock is anticipating a cost of approximately $250,000. Of this 80% will be covered by E-rate funds and the other 20% will be covered by state funding. No local funds will be used for the purchase. Board approval is required for purchases in excess of $90,000. Mr. Whitlock will answer any questions you may have.

A motion would be in order to pre-approve the purchase of network technology for the 2020-2021 school year via E-rate and state funds in an amount not to exceed $250,000.

Groups audience:

School Board

07. Curriculum Update

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

Curriculum Director Missy Ellenberger will give an update on curriculum and instruction.

Groups audience:

School Board

08. FY21 Budget

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

Norris Barger will present a budget update for the fiscal year 2020-2021. A summary is attached.

Public Attachments:

FY21 Fund 2 Budget Changes_3-02-20.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

09. Bond 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

Norris Barger will give an update on school bond construction projects and answer any questions.

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. 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

Mar. 23	Teacher workday
Apr. 6	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Apr. 7	“Teacher of the Year” Awards Reception	5:30 p.m.	Rogow Room
Apr. 10	Students dismissed at noon	12:00 p.m.
Apr. 13-17	Spring break
May 4	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
May 5	TCSEF “Taste of Transylvania”	5:00 p.m.	Shuford Farm, Penrose
May 18	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
May 21	Scholars’ Recognition Evening	5:00 p.m.	BHS
May 25	Memorial Day holiday
June 1	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
June 4	DRS Graduation	10:00 a.m.	Brevard Community Church
June 4	Last pupil day; students dismissed at noon	12:00 p.m.
June 5	Teacher workday
June 5	BHS Graduation	6:00 p.m.	Brevard Music Center
June 6	RHS Graduation	10:00 a.m.	Brevard Music Center
June 8-10	Teacher workdays
June 15	4-day summer schedule begins
June 15	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC

Groups audience:

School Board

12. 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 will provide a second opportunity for public comment.

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

III. Adjournment

Groups audience:

School Board