III. 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 agenda for November 18, 2024.

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. Time will begin when the speaker reaches the podium. 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. 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 read aloud twice a year in recognition of Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Additional names are included as they are received.

The board will read the names aloud at this meeting in honor of the recent Veterans Day on November 11, 2024.

Public Attachments:

Military List 11-18-24.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

04. 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

American Education Week & Annual Thanksgiving Meal 2024

American Education Week is November 18-22, 2024. It is a time to honor all the people who make education possible, celebrate the heritage of learning, and recognize excellence in education. Each year this board adopts a proclamation designating American Education Week in Transylvania County. In addition, all current and retired school system employees are invited to a free Thanksgiving meal in the school cafeterias courtesy of the board of education. Volunteers from the central office will be helping to serve the meals. This year’s Thanksgiving meal will be served on Wednesday, November 20.

A motion is in order to adopt the attached proclamation designating the week of November 18-22, 2024 as American Education Week in Transylvania County.

TCSEF Creative Classroom Grant Applications for 2025-2026 Available

The Transylvania County Schools Education Foundation (TCSEF) has opened applications for the Creative Classroom Grants for 2025-2026. The Foundation offers the Creative Classroom Grants as a supplement to the resources available to Transylvania County Schools for the purpose of preserving, advancing and enriching public education in Transylvania County. Visit tcsef.org/creative-classroom-grants/ to submit an application.

Applications are due by December 6, 2024.
Grants will be awarded in early 2025.
All teachers and staff employed with Transylvania County Public Schools are eligible to apply for the grants.
Winners will have 18 months to use awarded funds.

Chief Academic Officer Accepted into DPI Navigate NC Program

Congratulations to Chief Academic Officer, Carrie Norris, who was recently accepted into the Navigate NC program with the Department of Public Instruction. During this year long program, Mrs. Norris will collaborate with colleagues across the state on best practices for learning, instruction, and leadership.

BES Digital Citizenship Week

Last month at Brevard Elementary School, students of all ages celebrated Digital Citizenship Week by learning about media balance and how to make healthy choices when using technology. Students participated in technology-related activities using Legos, magnetic tiles, writing, and games like charades that are healthy alternatives to screen time.

School Leaders Take the NC Crunch Challenge

The NC Crunch, co-hosted by the Farm to School Coalition of North Carolina, celebrates agriculture, nutrition, and farm to school activities for Farm to School Month in October. Annual NC Crunch events offer kids and adults an opportunity to taste and learn about locally grown NC produce as well as honor all those who contribute to feeding our kids and communities–from farmers, farmworkers, and food hub distributors, to School and Early Care Nutrition professionals, educators, garden coordinators, bus drivers, and transportation professionals. It’s also a fun way to connect food and agriculture to all kinds of classroom curricula – from science to art. Our principals and directors showed their support by taking the NC Crunch Challenge last month: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/transylvania_county_schools_ar/article/image/large_43fc7da1-d49b-4771-9cf0-3b845096f565.jpeg

Congratulations to All Fall Sport Athletes, Teams and Coaches!

In the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference, the BMS Boys Cross Country finished in 3rd place overall with two individual placers; taking 3rd was Charlie Faulkner and 10th was Parker Laughridge.
BMS Boys Soccer finished in 8^th place.
BMS Volleyball had a great season and finished in 2nd place.
BMS Football had a good season and came in at 4th place.
RHS Football was excited to win the last game that will be played on the grass field.
RHS Volleyball came in second in conference and beat the undefeated Draughn team in 3 sets for their last regular game of the season.
BHS Men’s Varsity Soccer won their Conference Championship—Outstanding!
BHS Football defeated R-S Central to clinch the Mountain Foothills 7 Conference title with a record of 5-0. On Friday night they beat Anson High School 42-6 at home in the first round of the 2A NCHSAA State Playoffs. This week they will play away at Bunker Hill on the 22^nd in the second round playoff game. Go Devils!
Congratulations to the BHS Men’s Cross Country Team – MEN'S STATE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONS AGAIN!

FFA Students Volunteer at WNC State Fair

Agriculture teachers Clayton, McNeely and Harris from Brevard and Rosman High Schools took 34 Future Farmers of America students to volunteer at the MOOternity Ward at the Western North Carolina State Fair in September. Students cared for jersey cows that were due to have calves that week, along with some new babies and younger cattle. They interacted with the public to educate them about the dairy industry and where our local milk comes from and also got to explore the fair. Avery Pressley, RHS junior, participated in the ice cream eating contest and took home the championship trophy!

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!

Public Attachments:

American Education Week Proclamation 2024.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 September 3, 2024 meeting
Personnel report for November 18, 2024
Non-faculty coaches for winter sports 2024-2025

A motion is in order to approve the consent items.

Public Attachments:

Minutes 9-03-24.pdf

Non-Faculty Coaches Winter Sports 2024-2025.pdf

Personnel Report 11-18-24.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

06. Annual Financial Report for FY 2023-2024

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

Ms. Shannon Dennison, CPA, with Anderson, Smith & Wike PLLC, Certified Public Accountants, will present the Transylvania County Schools Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. The audit report is attached for your review. Ms. Dennison will answer any questions you may have.

Public Attachments:

Transylvania County Schools 2024 Audit.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

07. Budget Amendment

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

Dr. Brian Weaver will present Budget Amendment No. 1 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The amendment and a summary of the changes are attached.

A motion is in order to approve Budget Amendment No. 1 for FY25.

Public Attachments:

Budget Amendment 1_Summary.pdf

Budget Amendment No. 1_11-18-24.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

08. School Improvement Plans 2024-2025

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	X	Discussion
Operations and Support	X

Chief Academic Officer Carrie Norris will present the School Improvement Plans for 2024-2025 as first-read information. An overview is attached. The individual plans are available by clicking the link at the top of page 4. Mrs. Norris and the school principals will answer any questions you may have. Approval of the plans will be requested at the next regular meeting on December 16.

Public Attachments:

School Improvement Plans Overview - TCS 2024.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

09. Update on Chronic Absenteeism

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

Transylvania County Schools Dropout Prevention Coordinator Jessica Sharp will give an update on chronic absenteeism and dropout prevention in Transylvania County Schools. She will answer any questions you may have.

Public Attachments:

Update on Chronic Absenteeism and Dropout Data.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

10. Policy: Spring 2024 PLS Custom Updates

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

At the October 21 meeting, Dr. Brian Weaver presented 18 policies from the NCSBA Spring 2024 PLS Custom Updates and one policy from the July 2024 Special Custom Updates for second-read approval. (First-reads took place on September 16.) Mr. Wiener requested to postpone all of the policies for another month due to lack of time to properly review. Per Dr. Weaver’s recommendation, the board unanimously approved four of the policies due to their time-sensitive nature. The remaining 15 policies are being presented again for approval. There have been no new changes. Dr. Weaver will answer any questions you may have.

A motion is in order to approve the 15 policies listed below as presented:

1310/4002, Parental Involvement. Adds language from SBE policy PRNT-002 in subsection C.2.e. In subsection C.3., adds a reference to the notifications required by law when a school and/or school system is identified as low-performing. Clarifies language in subsection C.4.g. In Section H, references the reporting requirements of SBE policy PRNT-002. Corrects minor errors in Section D. Updates the legal references.

1760/7280, Prohibition Against Retaliation. Clarifies language.

2127, Board Member Technology Use. Changes Twitter to X. Revises the language in subsection C.3.c to reflect the new legal standard established in a recent U.S. Supreme Court case. Updates legal references.

3220, Technology in the Educational Program. Adds new Section D to address the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI). Adds information on training on the use of generative AI in Section E. Updates the other resources.

3225/4312/7320, Technology Responsible Use. In Section G, references generative AI guidelines as described in policy 3220. Adds other resources.

3420, Student Promotion and Accountability. Creates new Section K to address students receiving high school credit for courses taken while studying abroad. Adds a reference to three-year high school graduation in Section L. Updates the legal references. (See lines 220-223 for revisions based on recommendations from September 16.)

3460, Graduation Requirements. Adds new student notice requirements in the paragraph preceding Section A. Reorganizes information from the paragraph preceding Section A into other parts of the policy. Adds a reference in Section A to policy 3420 in regard to credit for courses taken abroad. Changes the local graduation “requirements” to local graduation “recommendations.” Adds information in C.4 regarding gradation high school in three years. Updates the diploma endorsements language. Includes various other minor changes. Updates the legal references. Custom language in c.7 has been removed for consistency with G.S.115C-83.31(c).

3620, Extracurricular Activities and Student Organizations. Removes the local attendance standard for interscholastic athletics participation in light of the new SBE attendance standard effective July 1, 2024. Removes language referencing NCHSAA eligibility rules and adds a reference to applicable eligibility standards of law in B.1.a. Adds a new subsection B.1.c to grant students who transfer schools within the school system immediate eligibility to participate in interscholastic athletics. Adds a new subsection B.1.d to address the participation of home school students in interscholastic athletics (The board must select one of the three options. The county athletic director, high school principals, and school athletic directors recommend Option 2 with local modifications). Removes C.3. Includes other minor editorial changes. Updates the legal references.

4040/7310, Staff-Student Relations. Revises language in subsection C.4 to reference policy 7130, which now contains the reporting requirements from new 16 N.C.A.C.6C .0608. Updates legal references and cross references.

4140, Foreign Exchange Students (NEW). Addresses the admission of foreign exchange students with J-1 visa status.

4240/7312, Child Abuse and Related Threats to Child Safety. Revises language in Section D to reference policy 7130, which now contains the reporting requirements from new 16 N.C.A.C.6C .0608. In Section H, adds a new statutory requirement that applies with the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. Updates legal references and cross references.

4270/6145, Concussion and Head Injury. Updates statutory references throughout the policy. Includes other minor changes. Updates legal references and other resources.

5071/7351, Electronically Stored Information Retention. Updates legal references.

6125, Administering Medicines to Students. Updates the division names of N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Updates the other resources.

8510, School Finance Officer. Updates the duties of the school finance officer based on the information in State Board of Education Policy FINO-000. Adds new Section C regarding continuing professional education. Updates legal references and cross references.

Public Attachments:

1310-4002_revised.pdf

1760-7280_revised.pdf

2127_revised.pdf

3220_revised.pdf

3225-4312-7320_revised.pdf

3420_revised_10-07-24.pdf

3460_revised.pdf

3620_revised.pdf

4040-7310_revised.pdf

4140_new.pdf

4240-7312_revised.pdf

4270-6145_revised.pdf

5071-7351_revised.pdf

6125_revised.pdf

8510_revised.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

11. 41 Confederate Lane Property

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

At the September 16 meeting, the board tabled further discussion regarding the 41 Confederate Lane property in order for the board attorney and superintendent to look into options for transferring the property to a land trust. Dr. Fletcher will give an update.

Groups audience:

School Board

12. Bond Project Management

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. Fletcher will give an update on the status of the bond project management proposal.

Groups audience:

School Board

13. Facilities 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

Facilities Director Kerry Putman will give an update on facilities.

Groups audience:

School Board

14. 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

Nov. 18-20	NCSBA Annual Conference for Board Member Development	3 days	Greensboro
Nov. 27-29	Thanksgiving break
Dec. 3	SPECIAL CALLED MEETING	6:00 p.m.	MEC
Dec. 12-13	NCSBA CORE Training	Day 1: 10am–4:30pm Day 2: 9am – 1:30 m	NCSBA Office Raleigh
Dec. 16	REGULAR MEETING	6:00 p.m.	MEC
Dec. 20	Noon dismissal - students
Dec. 23 – Jan. 3	Winter break
Jan. 6	Students return from break
Jan. 13-14	NCSBA CORE Training	Day 1: 10am–4:30pm Day 2: 9am – 1:30pm	NCSBA Office Raleigh
Jan. 17	First semester ends
Jan. 20	MLK Day (teacher workday)
Jan. 21	Second semester begins
Jan. 21 (Tues)*	REGULAR MEETING	6:00 p.m.	MEC
Jan. 29-30	NCSBA CORE Training	Day 1: 9am – 5pm Day 2: 9am – 12pm	WRESA Office Asheville

*The January board meeting will be held on Tuesday, 1/21/25 due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, 1/20/25.

Groups audience:

School Board

15. Special Recognitions

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

Special recognitions will be given to Tawny McCoy, Kimsey Jackson, and Bryan O’Neill, whose tenures on the Transylvania County Board of Education will end this month.

Mrs. McCoy was elected to her first term on the board in 2008. She was elected as vice chair in June of 2009 and served 3.5 years in that capacity through 2012. She was elected as chairman in 2013 and served 11 years in that office. She is stepping down after 16 years on the board.

Mr. Jackson was elected to the board in 2020. During his four-year term, he served one year as vice chairman in 2023 and one year as chairman in 2024.

Mr. O’Neill was appointed to the board in August 2023 to fill the remainder of Ron Kiviniemi’s unexpired term until the 2024 election. He has served on the board for one year and three months.

During their terms, each member has devoted countless hours to supporting public education, the schools, and the students, teachers and staff of the school system. Dr. Fletcher will present engraved plaques to Mrs. McCoy, Mr. Jackson, and Mr. O’Neill in appreciation for their dedicated service and leadership. An opportunity will be provided for members to pay their respects and say their farewells.

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

17. Closed Session

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

Per G.S. 115C-105.27(c)(1), as part of the School Improvement Plan approval process, the superintendent is required to review the safety components of the school improvement plans with the board and make recommendations to the board. The safety components of the plans are not public records open to inspection [N.C.G.S. 115C-105.27(a)(2)], and the board’s review of the safety components must be done in closed session 115C-105.27(c)(1). This process should take place before the board votes on the overall School Improvement Plans.

The board will entertain a motion to go into closed session pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 115C-318.11 subsection (a)(8) to formulate and adopt the school safety components of school improvement plans.

Groups audience:

School Board