Guilford County Board of Education
Board Meeting
May 8, 2007

GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

The Guilford County Board of Education met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at 712 North Eugene Street, Greensboro, North Carolina. The following board members were present: Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes, Garth Hébert, Dot Kearns, Amos Quick (arrived at 6:54 p.m.), Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe. Also present were Superintendent Terry Grier (arrived at 7:15 p.m.) and Attorney Jill Wilson.

Call to Order
Chairman Duncan called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence
Board member Jeff Belton led the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.

Recognitions

GCS Employee of the Month for April 2007
The board recognized Catherine Old, a physical education teacher at Jamestown Middle, as the district’s April Employee of the Month. Board member Anita Sharpe presented Ms. Old with a certificate of recognition. In a prior ceremony, Ms. Old received a $50 gift card from Sam’s Club, which has partnered with GCS to support the employee recognition program.

GCS Volunteer of the Month for April 2007
The board recognized Mary Sharpe, a volunteer at Sumner Elementary, as the district’s Volunteer of the Month for the month of April. Board member Nancy Routh presented Ms. Sharpe with a certificate of appreciation.  Ms. Sharpe received a $25 gift card from American Express, which has partnered with GCS to support the volunteer recognition program.

Recognition of Winter Sports State Champions
The board recognized high school students who have earned the state champion designation either as an individual competitor or team member in the areas of swimming, indoor track, and wrestling.

Public Comments
Chairman Duncan called on members of the public who requested an opportunity to address the board.

Elizabeth Olson, 4114 Ponce Deleon Drive, High Point, NC 27265
Martin Phillips, 4357 Southern Oak Drive, High Point, NC 27265
Louise Courts, 902 Bonner Drive, Jamestown, NC 27282
Patty Bullock, 4501 Talavera Drive, High Point, NC 27265
Joseph Alston, 1713 Scarborough Road, High Point, NC 27265
Vickie Alston, 1713 Scarborough Road, High Point, NC 27265
Bernita Sims, 1720 Candlewood Court, High Point, NC 27265
John Gehris, 3105 Havasu Way, High Point, NC 27265
Steve Cothran, Four Country Woods Court, Greensboro, NC 27410
Jennifer Metcalfe, Two West Burkwood Court, Jamestown, NC 27282
Monica Adams, 4727 Weston Place, Jamestown, NC 27282
Linda Mozell, 4701 Whitby Place, Greensboro, NC 27406
Rickey Brown, Dudley High School, 1200 Lincoln Street, Greensboro, NC 27401
Shawn Hillman, Dudley High School, 1200 Lincoln Street, Greensboro, NC 27401
Devin Heneryhand, Dudley High School, 1200 Lincoln Street, Greensboro, NC 27401
Quinton Bass, Dudley High School, 1200 Lincoln Street, Greensboro, NC 27401
Joe Stafford, 4604 Forest Village Drive, Greensboro, NC 27406

Approval of Agenda
Chairman Duncan asked board members to review the meeting agenda and called for a motion to approve or amend it.

Chairman Duncan requested that the Board Discussion item “Discussion of Standard Mode of Dress (SMOD)” be deferred to the regular board meeting on April 26. Motion was made by Kris Cooke, seconded by Walter Childs, to approve the agenda as amended. The motion passed upon majority voice vote of 10-to-1 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes, Garth Hébert, Dot Kearns, Amos Quick and Nancy Routh; Nays – Anita Sharpe.

Consent Agenda
Superintendent Grier presented the following Consent Agenda items:

A. Meeting Minutes
The minutes of the March 1 Special Called Meeting, March 13 Regular Meeting and March 29 Regular Meeting were presented for approval.

B. Personnel Action Reports
The consent agenda included personnel actions as noted in the monthly personnel action report requiring board approval.

C.  Contracted Transportation Services Extension
The consent agenda included a recommendation to approve a contract extension for the 2007-08 school year with First Student, Inc. for transportation of students with special needs or enrolled in special programs. On January 26, 2006, the Board of Education awarded the contract to First Student, Inc. The original bid specifications included an option whereby, if agreeable with both parties, the contract entered into for the 2006-07 school year could be extended for four additional 12-month periods.  During the 2006-07 school year, First Student, Inc. satisfactorily met the terms of the contract. 

First Student, Inc. has requested a 3.39 percent increase for providing these services. This increase is based on data obtained from the Consumer Price Index utilized by U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, specifically the South Urban area.  The specifications of the bid contained an escalation clause that allows for this requested increase.  The total annual contract for the 2007-08 school is $2,998,310.

D.  Second Reading – Policy JBC, School Admission
The consent agenda included a recommendation to approve for Second Reading – Policy JBC, School Admission. At its meeting on March 13, the board approved this policy for first reading.  The policy has been posted on the district website for a public comment period per the board’s policy. No comments were received.

Motion was made by Kris Cooke, seconded by Dot Kearns, to approve the consent agenda as presented. Consent agenda items A, C and D passed upon unanimous roll call vote.
Consent agenda item B passed upon majority roll call vote of 8-to-3 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Deena Hayes, Dot Kearns, Amos Quick and Nancy Routh; Nays – Darlene Garrett, Garth Hébert and Anita Sharpe.

Staff Reports

Eastern High School Update
Kevin Lear, chief operations officer, presented to the board an update on Eastern High School.

Mr. Lear stated that the Eastern High School project is on schedule. The work of the demolition contractor, D. H. Griffin, has been completed and the site has been cleared and is being graded. The school design is expected to be completed in April. The bidding phase will take place in May with awarding of the project expected in early June. This phase of the Eastern project is on schedule for award and completion.

The temporary modular village phase is also on schedule. The first buildings are in fabrication, and all modular construction is expected to be completed by mid July. The architects and designers are continuing to do the design on the intercom, fire alarm systems and phones. This portion is also on schedule.

Northern Elementary Split School Year for 2007-08
Dr. Mack McCary, chief academic officer, led the board in a discussion regarding the Northern Elementary split school year for 2007-08.

Chief Operations Officer Kevin Lear provided an update on the opening of Reedy Fork and Northern elementary schools. In regard to Reedy Fork, the board has reached agreement with Barnhill Contracting, Inc. to bring construction back on schedule for an August 20, 2007 completion. It is expected that all students in the Reedy Fork assignment area will begin the school year at Reedy Fork. While there is confidence that Barnhill will complete the task as agreed to, staff will have a backup plan for Reedy Fork as a contingency.

The opening of Northern Elementary is scheduled for December of 2007 with construction on target. The students that will be attending Northern will begin the school year at either Reedy Fork or Laughlin Elementary.

Northern Elementary Principal Teresa Richardson gave an update on progress at Northern. Work is moving forward at a rapid pace with the hiring of staff nearing completion. She expressed confidence that members of the staff will give their greatest efforts to work through the transition to make it as non-disruptive as possible for the students.

Rob Gasparello, planning principal, noted that the human resources staff did an excellent job of keeping principals and staff members of the feeder schools informed of progress and ensuring that students would have teachers from their original schools to provide them with familiarity in their new settings. The construction project team will be transitioned into an instruction opening-day team to get the communication out as soon as Principal Richardson completes the hiring of staff. Public meetings will also be held.

Changes in Middle School Scheduling
Dr. Mack McCary, chief academic officer, led the board in a continued discussion regarding changes in middle school scheduling and provided examples showing four different middle school scheduling scenarios.  

2007-2008 Proposed Magnet and NCLB Opt-Out Schools Update
Dr. Don Hare, executive director of federal and special programs, presented to the board an update on the proposed magnet and NCLB opt-out schools for 2007-08 (list of schools in minutes file). Staff met with board members during two administrative briefings on March 8 and March 22 to share these proposals and to answer questions. Board members discussed the list of schools provided and directed questions to Kelly Hales, Title I director, and Doyle Craven, student assignment director.

Following discussion, motion was made by Kris Cooke, seconded by Jeff Belton, to approve the administration’s recommendations for magnet and NCLB opt-out schools for the 2007-08 school year. The motion passed upon majority electronic vote of 7-to-4 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Deena Hayes, Garth Hébert, Dot Kearns and Nancy Routh; Nays – Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Amos Quick and Anita Sharpe.

Magnet Grant Proposal Update
Dr. Eric Becoats, chief of staff, led the board in a continued discussion regarding the magnet grant proposal.  Tony Burks, director of magnet schools, and Emily Scott, grant writer, provided highlights on two new programs proposed for inclusion in the magnet grant.

The first program is the Aviation Academy which is proposed to be housed at Andrews High School. The program will utilize a performance- and problem-based learning method of teaching students, which means that students will solve authentic real-world problems through case analysis utilizing science process skills, i.e. data collection analysis as well as interpretation. Andrews has been selected for this program to capitalize on the engineering and advanced technology courses which are currently offered at the school. There are also great partnership opportunities with other entities in the county.

The second program is the Science and Technology Magnet School which is proposed to be housed at Welborn Middle School. It is expected that this program would mirror the science and technology program at Aycock Middle School focusing on integration of science technology and math throughout the school’s curriculum. Students would be able to take advantage of courses in the areas of forensic science and biotechnology. They would also be utilizing spreadsheet applications, web design and digital photography. This curriculum would augment the North Carolina standard course of study that is currently followed within the district.

Dr. Becoats provided budgetary information in regard to these two programs.

2007-08 Superintendent’s Budget Recommendations
Superintendent Terry Grier and Sharon Ozment, chief finance officer, presented to the board the preliminary budget recommendations for the 2007-08 school year.

The proposed GCS fiscal year 2008 budget supports a number of critical priorities requiring new dollars that are aligned with the district’s four thematic goals:

• A weighted student formula for equitable school allocations
• Implementation of a district-wide K-5 literacy program as a result of the McRel Literacy Audit
• Enhanced execution of a district-wide K-5 math initiative
• An expansion of the district’s elementary foreign language program including a Mandarin Chinese Program at Northwood Elementary, Ferndale Middle, High Point Central High School and Northwest High School to provide students a competitive edge to compete in the global economy
• A GCS Newcomer Center to create a supportive and comprehensive learning environment for newly arrived fifth- and sixth-grade immigrant students to enhance their academic and social outcomes
• Enhanced resources for the Home Field Advantage student mobility program to meet the increased needs of participating schools
• A comprehensive program to improve school climate while decreasing student suspensions
• Improving certified and classified employee working conditions by implementing many of the strategies brought forth by diverse employee teams
• Maintenance and energy costs associated with new school facilities
• State-mandated personnel salary increases
• Funding for the incentive portion of Mission Possible

The proposed budget request also features areas of importance that have been funded by redirecting $3.5 million from the district’s existing professional development budget. These items include:

• Athletic shuttle service for Northern High School students who will move into the new facility in January of 2008
• State-mandated salary reclassifications for the district’s occupational and physical therapists
• Student academic competitions
• Improved funding for the district’s Advanced Learner, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs to better provide resources for participating students
• Added 20 additional middle school math and language arts teachers to better support the district’s goal to close achievement gaps at the middle school level
• Resources needed to reconstitute Washington and Wiley Elementary schools and Ferndale Middle School should they not meet Adequate Yearly Progress measures for the fifth consecutive year as prescribed by the federal No Child Left Behind legislation

This budget requests from Guilford County Commissioners an increase of $15,259,074 or a 9.74 percent increase. By comparison, the superintendent in Mecklenburg County requested a 9.6 percent increase and the Wake County superintendent requested a 10.1 percent increase in county appropriations for local operating expenses in their budget proposals.

Under the proposed school budget weighted student formula calculation, beginning with the 2001-02 school year GCS began the process of implementing site-based decision making as a school improvement strategy. A key component of that decentralization initiative was the introduction of a student-based budgeting system. Over a four-year timeframe, what began as a process that provided increased funds and staff in the most impacted schools (Equity and Equity Plus Funding), evolved into a weighted student formula (WSF) method of distributing resources to schools in an equitable manner. The WSF allocates funds to students based on whether they receive free and reduced meals or speak English as a second language. In fiscal year 2007 the allocations consisted of two different allocations – $3 million was distributed based on a foundation allocation for schools with high levels of free and reduced meals, and $8.1 million was distributed based on assigning weights to selected characteristics or factors such as free and reduced lunch or English as a second language. The reason this was done last year was to transition. If staff had used a simple weighted student formula last year, there would have been some schools that would have gained $75,000 in student funding and another school would have lost $200,000. The losses were simply too great to transition in one year.

In fiscal year 2008 the foundation and WSF allocations have been combined into a single WSF allocation totaling $11.3 million. This WSF allocation will be distributed to schools using the following weights:

• Non-free and reduced meal student   1.00
• Free and/or reduced meal:
• Elementary student                 1.50
• Middle school student             1.60
• High school student                1.75
• English as a second language:
• Elementary student                 1.85
• Secondary student                  2.00

Superintendent Grier discussed the projected 2007-08 student enrollment being 73,678 or an increase of 1,833 students. This would generate $3.998 million in growth dollars. The superintendent’s recommendation for spending of these growth dollars as well as the proposed allocation for redirected funds was explained.  Also discussed was personnel compensation, employee working conditions, improving school climate, reducing student suspension and improving the overall academic performance of the school system.

Board members were given the opportunity to ask questions and request information related to the 2007-08 budget. Chairman Duncan indicated that the board will continue its discussion of the budget in upcoming meetings.

Bond Referendum Update
Kevin Lear, chief operations officer and Joe Hill, facilities, presented to the board an update regarding the 2007 Bond Referendum.

Guilford County Schools
Composite of Priorities - 2007 Bond Planning Worksheet

Based on Priority Lists Received from 9 BOE Members as of 4/10/2007

Following board discussion, motion was made by Anita Sharpe, seconded by Nancy Routh, to approve projects 1 through 10 on the 2007 Bond Planning Worksheet. The motion passed upon majority electronic vote of 10-to-1 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes, Garth Hébert, Dot Kearns, Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe; Nays – Amos Quick.

Following further discussion, motion was made by Amos Quick, seconded by Garth Hébert, to approve projects 1 through 24 on the 2007 Bond Planning Worksheet using the 15 percent inflation rate at $450 million with Simeon Stadium (item 24) reduced by $1 million. The motion passed upon majority electronic vote of 7-to-4 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Deena Hayes, Garth Hébert, Dot Kearns, Amos Quick and Nancy Routh; Nays – Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett and Anita Sharpe.

Motion was made by Walter Childs, seconded by Dot Kearns, to increase the total of the bond to $451 million.

A substitute motion was made by Garth Hébert, seconded by Darlene Garrett, to approve projects 1 through 27 on the 2007 Bond Planning Worksheet and reversing the order of Page High School (athletics) (item 27) and HVAC (item 26) and reducing by $10 million the combined cost of Airport High School (item 13), Airport Middle School (item 17) and HVAC (item 26), with a total bond of $450 million using an inflation rate of 15 percent. The motion failed upon majority electronic vote of 6-to-5 as follows: Nays – Jeff Belton, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes, Dot Kearns and Anita Sharpe; Ayes – Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Garth Hébert, Amos Quick and Nancy Routh.

Motion was made by Jeff Belton, seconded by Dot Kearns, to approve items 1 through 24 on the Bond Planning Worksheet and add Page High School (athletics) (item 27), McIver Performing Arts (item 30) and HVAC (item 26) back in for a total of $477,623,628 using an inflation rate of 15 percent. The motion failed upon majority electronic vote of 7-to-4 as follows: Nays – Walter Childs, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes, Amos Quick, Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe; Ayes – Jeff Belton, Kris Cooke, Garth Hébert and Dot Kearns.

Motion was made by Jeff Belton to approve items 1 through 24 on the Bond Planning Worksheet and add Page High School (athletics) (Item 27) back in and take away a total of $10 million from Airport High School (item 17) and Airport Middle School (item 26) for a total bond of $443 million.

A substitute motion was made by Darlene Garrett, seconded by Kris Cooke, to approve items 1 through 24 on the Bond Planning Worksheet and add Page High School (athletics) (item 27) and HVAC (item 26) and reducing by $10 million the combined cost of Airport High School (item 13) and Airport Middle School (item 17) for a total bond of $450 million using an inflation rate of 15 percent. The motion passed upon majority electronic vote of 8-to-3 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Darlene Garrett, Garth Hébert, Dot Kearns, Amos Quick and Nancy Routh; Nays – Alan Duncan, Deena Hayes and Anita Sharpe.

Board Discussion

Discussion of Proposal for Attendance Zones in High Point

The chairman called on board member Garth Hébert to lead the board in a discussion regarding a proposal for attendance optional zones in High Point.

Motion was made by Garth Hébert, seconded by Darlene Garrett, to implement an open choice attendance zone involving the areas currently known as H77, 78, 79, 80 and M125, 126, 127, 128 (also known as the areas redistricted under map C3 between Southwest Middle and High School and Welborn Middle and Andrews High School). This Choice Plan will allow these students to be given the choice of either Welborn Middle School and Southwest Middle School or Andrews High School and Southwest High School as appropriate. This choice will be clearly provided at initial registration and annually during magnet school and class selection registration if desired. The administration will provide obvious and clear instructions to these students so that they are aware that a choice is available to them annually. If no choice is made during the magnet school and regular class assignment timeframe, the default school will be the one suggested by first, the prior years school attended, or second, the default attendance zone assignment. This will not be construed to interfere with existing grandfathering, petitioned reassignments, magnet programs and administrative reassignments.
Board discussion followed. Jeff Harris, director of transportation, addressed questions from the board in regard to busing. Doyle Craven, director of student assignment, addressed questions from the board regarding student assignment.

A substitute motion was made by Dot Kearns, seconded by Walter Childs, to leave the current plan in place and initiate the conversation between parents in the affected zones and with members of City Council in High Point before making a change. The motion failed upon majority electronic vote of 7-to-4 as follows: Nays – Jeff Belton, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Garth Hébert, Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe; Ayes – Walter Childs, Deena Hayes, Dot Kearns and Amos Quick.

Chairman Duncan asked for a vote to be taken on the original motion.

The original motion by Garth Hébert, seconded by Darlene Garrett, passed upon majority electronic vote of 6-4-1 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Deena Hayes, Garth Hébert and Anita Sharpe; Nays – Walter Childs, Deena Hayes, Dot Kearns and Amos Quick; Abstain – Nancy Routh.

Discussion of Standard Mode of Dress (SMOD)
This item was deferred until the April 26 board meeting.

Board Comments
Board members were each allowed two minutes to make remarks, as they deemed appropriate.

Adjournment
With no further business, at 12:06 a.m. on Wednesday, April 11, motion was made by Anita Sharpe, seconded by Kris Cooke, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote.