Background material for each agenda item is available online under the Board Meeting Materials link

Consent Agenda
The board approved the following items on the consent agenda:

• Personnel Action Reports
• Budget Amendments and Transfers
• First Reading – Policy IHA, Grading and Reporting Student Progress
• First Reading -  Policy JBC, School Admission
• Duke Energy Carolinas Right-of-Way Agreement, Southern Middle School

Staff Reports

Construction Update
Andy LaRowe, executive director of facilities, presented to the board an update on the district’s construction projects.

• Contract for Southeast High Cafeteria Renovation and Expansion Project
  The board approved to award a contract to Brooks General Contractors, Greensboro, N.C. in the amount of $1,326,323 for the renovation and expansion of Southeast High, as presented by Leo Bobadilla, chief operations officer.

• Eastern Guilford High School Status Update
  The board approved to increase insurance proceeds on the EGHS project ordinance from $14 million to $17,019,750; decrease county funds on the EGHS project ordinance from $16,014,752 to $15,569,752 in order to transfer $445,000 from EGHS to Pleasant Garden ES so as to replenish the furniture/equipment/technology dollars that were temporarily transferred from Pleasant Garden ES to EGHS; transfer $108,111 from the Florence ES project ordinance to the Oak View ES project ordinance; and authorize appropriate staff member(s) to appear before the County Commission and request approval of the project ordinance revisions outlines above.

2008-09 Proposed Calendar Adjustments
The board approved the following calendar adjustments for Brooks Global Studies/Johnson Street Global Studies:

• Move the start date from July 30 to August 6

Discussion of Montessori
The board approved to change the feeder patterns for the Montessori programs. Colfax, Florence, Millis Road, Pilot and Southwest Elementary will now be in the feeder zone for Triangle Lake Montessori rather than Washington Montessori. The board also approved direct bus routes for Colfax students, for buses to have a monitor and the school to have a part time social worker.

School Nutrition Services – Contract for Processing of USDA Commodities into Pizza
The board approved to award a contract to Schwans, Inc., Marshall, M.N. in the amount of $722,088 and a contract to Nardone’s Inc., Wilkes-Barre, P.A. in the amount of $282,243 to provide processing of USDA commodities for pizza to the district, as presented by John Mann, purchasing officer.

Academic Improvement Update
Dr. Mack McCary, chief academic officer, and Dr. Beth Folger, chief curriculum and organizational development officer, presented to the board an update on academic improvement strategies.

Contracted Transportation Services Extension
The board approved a contract extension with First Student, Inc., in the amount of $3,130,236 for the 2008-09 school year as presented by John Mann, purchasing officer.

Update on GCS Newcomers School, The High School Ahead Academy and Twilight High School
The board deferred discussion of this item until the April 8, 2008 meeting.

2008-09 Magnet and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Opt-out Schools
The board approved the NCLB opt-out schools for the 2008-09 school year, as presented by Doyle Craven, director of student assignment and Kelly Hales, director of Title I.

Update on School Climate Task Force Recommendations
The board deferred discussion of this item until the April 8, 2008 meeting.

Board Discussion

First Reading - Policy FDCA, Naming of Schools
The board deferred discussion of this item until the April 8, 2008 meeting.

First Reading – Policy JCDAD, Student Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Environment
The board deferred discussion of this item until the April 8, 2008 meeting.

First Reading – Policy JCDAE, Sexual Harassment by Students
The board deferred discussion of this item until the April 8, 2008 meeting.

Legislative Agenda Update
Chairman Duncan called on board member Dot Kearns, convenor of the Legislative Committee, who presented an update on the legislative agenda.

Consideration of Date Change for May 6 Board Meeting
The board approved to change the May 6 board meeting to May 8 due to the primary election.  

Search Process for New Superintendent
The board approved to hire Ray and Associates to conduct the search for a new superintendent and to conduct at least five community meetings by partnering with at least one community group.

Guilford County Board of Education meetings are broadcast live on GCSTV 2 (cable channel 2) and re-air the day after the meeting at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and the Saturday following the meeting at 1 p.m.