Published on Transylvania County Schools | powered by schoolboard.net (https://transylvania.schoolboard.net)

Regular Meeting

Dates:

Monday, October 19, 2020 - 6:30pm

The Transylvania County Board of Education will hold a regular business meeting on Monday, October 19, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. at the Morris Education Center, 225 Rosenwald Lane, Brevard.

The board will adhere to the remote meetings statute from the General Assembly and the Governor’s guidelines for public gatherings. Therefore, public access for all remote meetings will not be permitted at this time. The meeting will be conducted electronically and may be livestreamed at https://youtube.com/tcsnc.

Any person wishing to make a public comment may email their comments to Jenny Hunter at jhunter@tcsnc.org. Comments received by 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19 will be shared during the meeting as appropriate within board guidelines.

Groups audience:

I. Opening of Meeting

Invocation

Pledge of Allegiance

Call to Order

Welcome

Groups audience:

II. Business Items

Groups audience:

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 19, 2020.

Groups audience:

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

Any person wishing to address the board during Public Comment should email their comment(s) to Jenny Hunter at jhunter@tcsnc.org by 1:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting and their item will be read aloud at the meeting as appropriate within board guidelines.

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 orderly 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 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.

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:

03. Good News Report

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

October is National Principals’ Month

The National Association of Secondary Principals (NASSP) and the National Association of Elementary Principals (NAESP) have declared October 2020 as National Principals’ Month. The North Carolina Principals & Assistant Principals Association (NCPAPA) supports this effort and recognizes all NC principals for the essential role they play in leading schools in our state. Principals are among the hardest working, yet often least recognized individuals in education. They set the academic tone for their schools, and it is their vision, dedication, and determination that provide the mobilizing force for achieving student success. This year will be unique and challenging as school leaders strive to return some sense of normalcy for students and educators amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Our gratitude to the Transylvania County Schools principals for all they do:

Mike Kirst, Brevard Elementary

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

Bright Ideas Grants

Congratulations to teachers Laura Sullivan (RES/TCH) and Justin Ausburn (BMS) for being awarded Bright Ideas Grants from Haywood EMC. Haywood EMC is one of North Carolina's 27 electric cooperatives that sponsor the Bright Ideas grant program. The program strives to improve education in North Carolina classrooms by awarding grants to teachers for innovative, classroom-based projects in grades K-12 that would not otherwise be funded. Mr. Ausburn will purchase a CNC router worth about $1600 for the CTE workshop, and Mrs. Sullivan will continue an important subscription to ‘Quaver Music’ with a grant for $1680. Congratulations to all our forward-thinking teachers, and thank you to Haywood EMC and the Bright Ideas Grant program!

WLOS Thanks to Teachers

Congratulations to Jeanne DeJong, 5^th grade teacher at Brevard Elementary School, who was featured in a “Thanks to Teachers” segment on WLOS in September. DeJong, who has taught at BES for 20 years, chose to teach virtually this year because she has a new grandbaby and wanted to be as socially distanced as possible. She says finding the right mix of structure and creativity is key to making virtual learning work and keeping her students engaged and learning. She’s enjoying getting to know her students online, and her students are looking forward to one day being able to greet her in person!

Outdoor Seating Donated to Elementary Schools

The Wild Child Workshop in Durham, NC has recently donated 60 outdoor seats to our four elementary schools. The Wild Child Workshop creates wood products for outdoor learning environments, playgrounds, nature play areas, museums, child care centers, and parks. The donated seats are cut from locust wood, which naturally repels insects and rot, making it the perfect material for harsh outdoor conditions. Our thanks to the Wild Child Workshop for their generous donation.

Tobacco Treatment Specialist

The C.A.R.E. Coalition and Healthy Communities, both part of Transylvania Public Health, have partnered with Blue Ridge Community College to a provide a tobacco treatment specialist in Transylvania County Schools. Ms. Bailey Varley, also the BRCC Career Coach, has been trained to support students on their journey to quit nicotine—cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or vaping devices. The attached document and sample flyer provide more information about this program. Our thanks to the C.A.R.E. Coalition, Healthy Communities, Transylvania Public Health, and Blue Ridge Community College for providing this important service for our students.

National Custodial Worker’s Recognition Day

On October 2, National Custodial Worker’s Recognition Day encourages appreciation to the hard-working men and women who keep our schools and workplaces clean, well maintained, and running smoothly. They often operate behind the scenes, but their efforts contribute to critical first impressions and a safer, healthier work and learning environment—which is more important than ever before due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you know a custodial worker, THANK THEM TODAY!

National School Lunch Week

National School Lunch Week, October 12-16, 2020, is an annual celebration of the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and the impact it has inside and outside of the classroom. The COVID-19 pandemic has without a doubt shown just how incredibly important school meals are for children and their families. The National School Lunch Program serves nearly 30 million children every school day. Please join us in celebrating the hard-working School Nutrition staff for all they do to feed the students of Transylvania County Schools.

National School Bus Safety Week

School districts throughout the country will observe National School Bus Safety Week during October 19-23, 2020. This year’s theme is “Red Lights Mean STOP!” 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 spreads awareness and offers a reminder to parents, students, and motorists to adhere to all safety procedures and bus-stopping laws.

National Bullying Prevention Month

Every October, schools and organizations across the country observe National Bullying Prevention Month. The goal is to encourage schools, communities and organizations to work together to stop bullying and cyberbullying and put an end to hatred and racism by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of all forms of bullying on children of all ages. Activities throughout the month will be designed around various themes. The week of October 5^th is “Make Friends with Someone You Don’t Know at School” and “Challenge Others to Be Kind.” The week of October 12^th is “Stand Up for Others Week.” The week of October 19^th is “Week of Inclusion,” and the week of October 26^th is “Start Conversations Among Your Peers.”

National Red Ribbon Week

The National Red Ribbon Campaign has a new theme for 2020, “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free.” This theme will be highlighted during Red Ribbon Week, the nation’s oldest and largest drug-abuse prevention campaign, which takes place annually from October 23-31. Red Ribbon Week activities encourage children, families, and communities to live healthy, happy, and drug-free lives and serves as a reminder that we are all empowered with shaping the communities around us through positivity, bravery, and strength.

American Education Week

November 16-20, 2020 is American Education Week, a time to celebrate public education and the individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every student receives a quality education. Each year the board recognizes the observance by adopting a proclamation designating American Education Week in Transylvania County (see attached). In addition, all current and retired school system employees are invited to a free Thanksgiving lunch as guests of the board on a designated day in November. This year’s Thanksgiving lunch is planned for Thursday, November 19.

A motion is in order to approve the American Education Week 2020 proclamation.

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

Public Attachments:

Good News Report 10-19-20.pdf

Tobacco Treatment Specialist_CARE.pdf

Tobacco Treatment Flyer.pdf

American Education Week Proclamation 2020.pdf

Groups audience:

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 10-19-20.pdf

Groups audience:

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 September 14, 2020 meeting
Minutes of the September 21, 2020 meeting
Minutes of the October 5, 2020 meeting
Personnel report for October 19, 2020

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

Public Attachments:

Minutes 9-14-20.pdf

Minutes 9-21-20.pdf

Minutes 10-05-20.pdf

Personnel Report 10-19-20.pdf

Groups audience:

06. Beginning Teacher Support Program

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

The Transylvania County Schools Beginning Teacher Support Program (BTSP) has been revised to be in compliance with a recent legislative change. The revision requires the completion of a graduate survey by the Beginning Teacher (BT) and the completion of an employer survey by the school principal during the BT’s first year of teaching. The surveys must be completed at the end of the first year of teaching. This is part of the requirements to measure the performance of Educator Performance Programs (EPPs) as provided in G.S. 115C-269.35. The revised Beginning Teacher Support Program is attached. Dr. Brian Weaver will answer any questions you may have.

A motion is in order to approve the Beginning Teacher Support Program as revised.

Public Attachments:

Revised_BTSP plan_2020_pending BOE approval.pdf

Groups audience:

07. 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 the school bond construction projects. A summary of the bond project budget and actual expenditures to date is attached for your review. A status update is also attached.

Public Attachments:

Bond Projects Budget and Actual_10-15-20.pdf

Monthly Status Report 10-01-20.pdf

Groups audience:

08. 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 issues.

Groups audience:

09. Reports from Training Events

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 September 10, 2020, Mrs. Domokur, Mrs. Wellborn, and Mrs. McCoy attended the NCSBA District 8 Virtual Fall Meeting. On October 7-9, Mrs. Domokur, Mr. Griffin, and Mr. Kiviniemi attended the NCSBA Virtual Fall Law Conference. Members will have an opportunity to give reports from the training events.

Groups audience:

10. 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, 20	Remote learning days
Nov. 2	WORK SESSION	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Nov. 11	Veterans’ Day holiday
Nov. 16	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Nov. 19	American Education Week Thanksgiving Lunch
Nov. 25	Annual leave day (no students)
Nov. 26-27	Thanksgiving holidays
Dec. 7	WORK SESSION	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Dec. 21	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Dec. 22	End of first semester
Dec. 22	Students dismissed at noon
Dec. 23 – Jan. 4	Christmas break
Jan. 5-6	Teacher workdays
Jan. 7	Beginning of second semester
Jan. 18	Martin Luther King Day; Annual leave day
Jan. 19 (Tue.)	REGULAR MEETING	6:30 p.m.	MEC

Groups audience:

11. 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:

III. Adjournment

Groups audience:

Source URL: https://transylvania.schoolboard.net/node/5432