Avery County Board of Education
Meeting Minutes
October 13, 2014
The Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 13, 2014 in the
Commissioners’ Boardroom. Attending were Chair John Greene, Vice Chair Kathey Aldridge, Steve Smith
Keith Tutterow, Dr. Bob Clark, Superintendent David Burleson, Jamie Johnson, Tammy Woodie, Tammy
Beach, Todd Griffin, Martha Davis, Jeff Jaynes, Ruth Shirley, Ken Townsend, Tracey Grit, Kim Davis,
Libby Wise, and parents and students.
CALL TO ORDER- Chair John Greene Mr. Greene called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM.
ETHICS STATEMENT – Chair John Greene Mr. Greene read the Ethics Statement.
“Board members are reminded that it is our duty to avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance
of conflicts of interest as we handle the work of this Board. Does any member of the Board know
of any conflict of interest or any appearance of conflict with respect to any matters coming before
us at this meeting? If so, please state them for the record. If during the course of the meeting you
become aware of an actual or apparent conflict of interest, please bring the matter to the attention
of the chair. It will then be your duty to abstain from participating in discussion on the matter and
from voting on the matter.”
INVOCATION – Keith Tutterow
PLEDEGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES (Action)
1) Approval of October 13, 2014 Board Meeting Agenda (Action) (motion: Bob Clark; second: Kathey
Aldridge; unanimous)
2) Approval of September 9, 2014 Board Meeting Open and Closed Session Minutes (Action) (motion:
Bob Clark; second: Keith Tutterow; unanimous)
UP FRONT SESSION
1) Dr. Bob Clark – North Carolina High School Athletic Association Appreciation
2) Dr. Chris Benson - North Carolina High School Athletic Association Appreciation
3) Avery County Fair Art Winners: Kevin Hayes; Paige Moody; Amber Johnson; Julie Buchanan;
Stephanie Burleson; Alexis Hayes; Jaque Maoricio; Zachary Duke; Adrianna Taylor; Allison
Gregory; Christian Lancaster; Courtney Clawson; Tiffany Nguyen; Jennifer Silva; Drew Waycaster;
Erica Wise; Kambrey Gragg; April Dugger; Jared Estrada; Regan Dellinger; Madison Calloway;
Elizabeth Thompson; Jacob Waldroop; Mallory Tenge; Grant Hughes; Maria Flores; Hannah
McCleod; Leo Cervantes; Lindsay Wiseman; Taylor Triplett; Maddie Daniels
CURRICULUM SPOTLIGHT – Ricky Ward (AMS) Tonight’s Science Extravaganza prevented AMS
from presenting the curriculum spotlight.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – David Burleson Mr. Burleson reported that the ACS were the
highest on the graduation cohort in the history of North Carolina, making ACS number one in the state with
a 95% graduation rate. ACS has received a $4000 grant from Dollar General to buy books. We appreciate
Mr. Ayers’ work on this grant. Mr. Burleson met with the College Counseling Corps of North Carolina, a
program that puts counselors in the schools. We are working with Davidson College on this program. ACS
is partnering with Crossnore School to send one person to Avery County who would be employed by
Davidson College for the 2015-2016 school year. This program has been done in several systems around
the state. We only provide them with an office. There will be a meeting this Thursday about the
Instructional Technology masters’ program with ASU. We currently have 17 people interested in this. Mr.
Burleson thanked Martha Davis for her work on the Annual Report, which will go out to parents on
Monday, October 20th, during Parent –Teacher Conference Day. The Science Extravaganza is tonight for
the entire school system. A science fair will be at ASU next month. We should have about 100 participants
this year. Mr. Burleson also thanked Kim Davis for her work on Project Lead the Way. The middle schools
and two elementary schools are also involved in Project Lead the Way with Arlene Foster. They are
working on a robotics program, which the students are very excited about. The Golden Leaf Grant is due
next week to give to the commissioners. The Mebane Foundation also has a grant we will apply for that
could help support our reading programs. The Band Classic was last Saturday and had great attendance.
Our band placed first in the Division 1A School Southern Classic Band Competition at South Caldwell
High School and earned a superior rating. Ten percent of the high school student body is in the band. The
Western Youth Network is doing a program at BRA called Circles. This program is for families living in
poverty to teach finance information and other financial life skills. Students who complete the program will
be given money to start a bank account. This Friday the Student Advisory Council meets at the high
school. Josh Dobson will be there to meet with the group. The Board is invited to come to this meeting.
October 20 is parent-teacher conference day. The Employee Health Fair is also on the 20th at the hospital
from 6:45 to 9:15.Daylight Savings Time begins November 2nd. Veterans Day is the 11th. Kathey Aldridge
congratulated Mr. Burleson on being chosen as Avery County Man of the Year by the Chamber of
Commerce. Mr. Burleson also pointed out the 2014-2015 Budget packet the Board had been provided for
information. This will be voted on at the next board meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments.
DISCUSSION AGENDA
1) Globally Competitive Students
a) Field Trips (action) (motion to approve: Bob Clark; second: Keith Tutterow; unanimous)
i) ACHS Chorus to Myrtle Beach Festival – April 16-19, 2015
ii) ACHS Smooth Dancers to NC State Folk Festival – Oct. 25-26, 2014
2) 21st Century Professionals
a) Award for Excellence in Educational Programs Endorsement (action) (motion to endorse: Keith
Tutterow; second: Steve Smith; unanimous) These are the awards from NCSBA for educational
programs. We will submit an application for Blue Ridge Academy.
b) November Meeting Schedule (action) The Board voted to hold the November meeting on
November 4 due to a conflict on November 11 (Veteran’s Day) and on the 18th (NCSBA Annual
Meeting). (Motion: Steve Smith; second: Kathey Aldridge; unanimous)
c) School Visits (information) Mr. Burleson presented dates for school visits to the Board. The Board
would like to start visits in January, with three visits in January, three in March, and three in May.
3) 21st Century Systems
a) LEA Based Calendar Waiver Request for Weather Related Causes (action) (Motion to approve:
Bob Clark; second: Kathey Aldridge; unanimous) This is the waiver request for 2015-2016 that ACS
submits every year so that ACS may start a week early. Thanks to Jeff Jaynes for doing this.
b) Medicaid MAC Program Contract Adjustment (action) (motion to approve: Bob Clark; second:
Kathey Aldridge) This is the administrative part of Medicaid. Our current contract is with
Fairbanks, which takes 9% off the top of the Medicaid reimbursement. PCG sets up a prorated
15% fee, half of which we are reimbursed, which should be a cost savings to us. Mr. Jaynes
recommends that we switch to the PCG company.
c) Title One Budget Narrative (action) (motion: Kathey Aldridge; second: Keith Tutterow;
unanimous) Title One involves federal money, so there is a lot of paper work to it. This is the
Budget Narrative (the actual budget will be submitted in November after approval of this
narrative). Dr. Clark asked Mr. Jaynes for an approximate figure of this budget; Mr. Jaynes
estimated it to be approximately one million dollars.
d) 2013-2014 LEA Performances on Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (information) Mr.
Burleson congratulated Mrs. Beach for the LEP students meeting all their goals this past year; this
is the first time this has been achieved. Laura Gill and Beth Prince have some an outstanding job.
e) Policies for 1st Reading:
Policy 1200 Governing Principle – Student Success
Policy 1320/3560 Title I Parent Involvement
Policy 1600 Governing Principle – Professional Development
Policy 2321 Closed Sessions
Policy 7130 Licensure
Policy 7425 School Administrator Contracts
Policy 7821 Petition for Removal of Personnel Records
Policy 7900 Resignations
All these policies have a few changes.
4) Leadership For Innovation
a) NCSBA Annual Conference (information) The dates for this year’s conference are November 17,
18, and 19.
b) Voting Delegates Form (action) (motion: Bob Clark; second: Kathey Aldridge) The Board elected
John Greene, Keith Tutterow, and Kathey Aldridge. Steve Smith will be the alternate if Kathey is
not allowed to be a delegate.
5) Healthy Responsible Students
a) Circles of the High Country (information) This is a mentoring program that helps students and
their families with financial literacy. The program also gives money to those who complete the
program for a savings account.
b) Brad King Bowl (information) $3423 was raised at this annual event to donate to a student at FTE
with many medical expenses. This amount is higher than usual. The Board extended thanks to
middle schools and the King family.
c) Approval of Student Representatives to the Board – Maddie Leaman (senior) and Coleman Bailey
(junior) (action) (motion to approve: Bob Clark; second: Kathey Aldridge; unanimous) Mr.
Burleson suggested that the students bring an SGA report to each meeting to present before the
Superintendent’s report.
Mr. Burleson presented the Board with a new school calendar. (information)
The Board met in closed session for the purpose of discussing information that is privileged, confidential or
not a public record as Per N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(1) students and personnel; and (a)(6) initial
employment. (motion to move to closed session: Kathey Aldridge; second: Steve Smith)
CONSENT AGENDA (Action) (Motion for Approval: Bob Clark; second: Steve Smith)
EMPLOYMENT
1) New Hires
a) Tabitha Oaks – Teacher, NES This position is open due to over-enrollment.
b) Joseph Buchanan – Part Time Bus Driver
c) Major Randel Matney – JROTC Activity Bus Driver
d) Substitute/Tutor – See attachment
e) Food Service Substitute – See attachment
f) Samuel Trivett – Volleyball - ACHS
g) Winter Sports Coaches – See attachment
2) Resignations/Family Medical Leave
a) Jamesia Harris – Resignation
b) Hannah Trice - Resignation
c) Candi Thompson – Family Medical Leave (Maternity leave is expected to start in December.)
3) Information
a) James Shoupe III – Two Step Pay Increase (information – previously approved) Mr. Shoupe
completed his locksmith certification.
STUDENT TRANSFERS
1) Release
a) Ella, Tattern, and Sally New- to Watauga County (information) (previous board poll)
2) Out of County
a) Emily Atkins – BES
b) Faith Atkins - AMS
PURCHASE OF PROPERTY
Request to Commissioners to Purchase Oakes Property: This resolution will ask the Commissioners to
purchase this strip of land that joins ACHS for ACS use. This would also help with a safety issue for
coming onto the highway at the high school. The property would also enable ACS to improve the bus
entrance, as well as helping with storm water drainage. The deed for the property would be to the county
and leased to ACS. This agreement is contingent on speaking with our attorneys.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Kathey Aldridge discussed MacBooks and lack of internet access for students who need to do school work
at home. The Board also discussed road blocks being used for fund raisers. The ACS do not allow
unsupervised students to use road blocks.
INFORMATION ITEMS
1) Social Sentinel (information)
Motion to Return to Open Session: Bob Clark; second: Keith Tutterow; unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT – Motion to Adjourn: Steve Smith; second: Bob Clark; unanimous.
_______________________________________
Chair, John Greene
________________________________________
Secretary, David Burleson
Respectfully submitted:
____________________________________
Libby Wise
Motion to Approve:
Member Seconded:
Date Approved: