Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education
Meeting
May 24, 2010
Minutes
The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education met on May 24, 2010 at the Long Street Administrative
Office with the following members present: Dr. Jim Emerson, Mrs. W. Jean Kennedy, Mrs. Patty
Williams, Mrs. Linda Freeze, Ms. Karen Carpenter and Mr. Bryce Beard. Mrs. Kay Wright Norman
was absent. Also present were Dr. Judy Grissom, Dr. Rebecca Smith, Mr. Walter Hart, Mr. Gene
Miller, Mrs. Delores Morris, and Mrs. Bonnie Holder, Clerk to the Board.
Call to Order / Roll Call
Dr. Emerson called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Mrs. Kennedy officiated the Pledge of
Allegiance. Ms. Carpenter shared a moment for meditation.
Mrs. Kay Norman joined the meeting at 5:03 p.m.
Adopt Agenda
Dr. Emerson requested that an item, Evaluation of the Superintendent, be added under Discussion
Items.
**Ms. Carpenter moved approval of agenda with the addition of item #8, Evaluation of the
Superintendent. Mrs. Williams seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Celebrations
Congratulations to the following staff and students of the Rowan-Salisbury School System
for the following accomplishments:
CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARDS:
RSS employees may be nominated to receive the “Customer Service Award,” which
recognizes employees for achieving excellent customer service. Anyone may nominate
a RSS employee for this honor. Forms are located on our website. Employees
nominated for the month of May are:
1. Jim Smith – School Food Service Manager
2. Tessa Jackson – Long Street Central Office Receptionist
SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS:
Child Nutrition State DPI Recognitions:
1. Paul Hart
2. Angela Lambert
Hanford-Dole Elementary
North Rowan Elementary
1
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Angela Lambert
Sallie Lowe
Wanda Pender
Renea Bailey
Carolina Hernandez
North Rowan Middle
Mt. Ulla Elementary
Millbridge Elementary
Overton Elementary
Hurley Elementary
This award, given by the NC Department of Public Instruction and is designed to recognize
the great work of Child Nutrition in the local schools. Staff participated in 7 categories;
Nutrition Education, Marketing and Customer Service, Management, Professional
Development, Environmental Management and Quality Food Production.
Bryson Nesbitt, a school bus driver at CLMS, placed 3rd in the NC State Bus
Roadeo competition in Raleigh.
Communication to the Board
Mr. Robert Boone – Citizen of Rowan County. Said he felt all students should make A+.
Communication is the key. He said he feels there are many students who graduate without
knowing how to read a tape measure, add or subtract.
Ms. Arnethea Alexander – A community member who said she was not speaking to the Board as a
RSSS employee, but was here as a Salisbury City and Rowan County tax payer. She said she was
concerned with the declining in enrollment at NRHS. Mrs. Alexander asked the Board to consider
placing an International Baccalaureate program at NRHS.
Mr. David Silverstrom – A parent speaking to the Board on the possible loss of teachers at GQES,
and the policy of last hired, first fired.
Superintendent and Board Comments
Dr. Grissom publicly thanked the Blanche and Julian Robertson Foundation. She said the school
system would be receiving close to $700,000 in grant funding, with the majority being used for
technology in our system. Dr. Grissom said that this amount was quite an increase from last year,
and without the funding from this foundation, we would not be where we are with our technology.
Dr. Emerson acknowledged and thanked the foundation for their generosity. Mrs. Norman asked
Dr. Grissom to comment on the funding of our schools. Dr. Grissom explained that she had
written several articles in the newspaper about where our funding comes from, but explained what
state, federal and local funding is used for. Mr. Beard added to Dr. Grissom’s statements further
stating that the Board of County Commissioners must support the school system through local
funding.
Dr. Emerson requested that the Board allow Ms. Dorothy Haas to speak because he overlooked
her during public comment.
Ms. Haas said she has always been an advocate for the school system. She explained that she
attended the Retiree Banquet the previous week, and was not happy with one of the Board
members who took the time to introduce a political candidate. Ms. Haas said she feels that this
Board member owes the retirees an apology for the comments he made.
2
Consideration of the Consent Agenda
April 2010 Budget Amendments
May 2010 Financial Summary
BOE Minutes of 4/26 and May 3, 2010
Field Trip Request/Corriher-Lipe Middle
Dr. Emerson said that he appreciated CLMS changing their field trip plans per the Board’s request
and since Mrs. Wooten revised the trip to take place during spring break, that if there is inclement
weather causing snow make-up days during the break, the school still be allowed to take the trip.
** Mrs. Norman moved approval of the Consent Agenda as presented. Mrs. Freeze seconded.
Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Discussion Items
Update on High School Academies
Mrs. McDuffie and the high school principals addressed the Board. Ms. McDuffie distributed a packet
that outlined the process of how students will request to attend a specific academy. Ms. McDuffie
reviewed the information. She explained that since this is the first year for their academies, the staff
is still learning and processing.
Each principal shared an overview of his school’s academy.
Dr. Emerson asked how students requesting transfers so they can attend academies is being
monitored. Mr. Kluttz explained that students will have to go through the academy program entirely,
and that his staff will be reviewing their portfolios and archived data.
Dr. Grissom reminded the Board that last year when the academies were discussed, neither North
nor East was ready to begin a program.
Ms. McDuffie stated that East was looking into an Allied Health Academy, but has not formulated that
program yet.
2010-2011 Capital Outlay Budget
Mr. Miller reviewed the Capital Outlay budget. He distributed a spreadsheet of revenue comparisons.
He stated that there was not much money for in the budget this year. He said that we are dealing
with 25% of the budget we had three years ago.
Mr. Miller said it was a shame that more can’t be done, because contractors are out there wanting to
work and will do the work for less money.
Mr. Miller said that this year will be a year to do emergency repair and replacement issues.
**Mrs. Freeze moved to approve the Capital Outlay budget as presented. Ms. Carpenter seconded.
Unanimously approved. (7:0)
3
Federal Energy Grant
Mr. Miller requested that the Board approve the acceptance of the federal energy grant. He said that
RSSS was one of five schools that received the grant and that we received the most funds. Mr. Miller
said that the money would be used to install digital controls at four schools. He said this gives the
school system the ability to shut down electricity from a central location. Mr. Miller noted that these
are the last four schools where there is no centralized control. He said the other seven projects are
lighting projects in the gymnasium and/or media center at three middle schools and four high
schools.
Mr. Miller said that in the next 60 – 90 days, six to nine of our schools will receive an energy star
recognition.
**Ms. Carpenter moved to approve the acceptance of the federal energy grant in the amount of
$199,723.00. Mrs. Kennedy seconded. Unanimously approved (7:0)
**Ms. Carpenter moved to approve the bid of Harris lighting in the amount of $47,301.45. Mrs.
Kennedy seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Amendment to 403(b) Plan
Mrs. Tara Trexler stated that in December 2008 the Board approved a plan for our 403b platform.
She said that at that time the IRS put more responsibility on the employer. Mrs. Trexler said we
chose Great American Plan administrators to handle the 403b Plan. She said the sample they were
given for the contract did not include language to allow funds from a former employer plan to be
transferred to another plan. Our third party administrator can handle all of that for us.
Mrs. Trexler said she would like to make an amendment to that plan contract that will be more
employee friendly and allow for those plan to plan transfers as the IRS approves.
**Mr. Beard moved to approve revision in the contract language to the plan to plan transfer so that
employees can bring investment funds into our plan. Mrs. Williams seconded. Unanimously
approved (7:0)
2nd Reading of the 2010-2011 Code of Conduct Revisions
Dr. Hart said that there had been no feedback or questions on the 2010-2011 Code of Conduct
revisions since the first reading in April
**Mrs. Freeze moved to approve the 2010-2011 Code of Conduct on second reading. Mrs. Kennedy
seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
BOE Policy 7-20 – Criminal Review
Mrs. Delores Morris noted this was the 2nd reading and there had been no discussion or feedback
since the first reading of the policy.
**Ms. Carpenter moved approval of Policy 7-20, Criminal Review. Mrs. Kennedy seconded.
Unanimously approved. (7:0)
4
2nd Reading of Technology Policies 6-24, 6-25, 6-25b and 6-27
Mrs. Morris requested approval being no further discussions.
**Ms. Carpenter moved approval on second reading of 6-24, 6-25, 6-25b and 6-27. Mrs. Freeze
seconded. Unanimously approved (7:0)
Evaluation Superintendent, Dr. Judy Grissom
Dr. Emerson asked Mrs. Kennedy to discuss the report of the superintendent’s evaluation.
Mrs. Kennedy said members of the Board met in closed session on May 3 to conduct the evaluation
of the superintendent. She said they reviewed the seven areas Dr. Grissom was evaluated on.
Mrs. Kennedy said the Board members assessed Dr. Grissom on the basis of a very comprehensive
portfolio that she had maintained throughout the year. She said following review of the portfolio,
each member viewed and rated the superintendent independently. Mrs. Kennedy said the consensus
from the Board was that the performance of Dr. Judy Grissom is exceptional.
Mrs. Kennedy said Dr. Grissom has already told Dr. Emerson and her that she would not consider a
pay raise. Mrs. Kennedy said that in light of that, the best the Board can do to compensate Dr.
Grissom is to offer a one year extension of her contract.
**Dr. Emerson moved to accept the Board’s recommendation to retain the Superintendent and
congratulate her on a job well done. Ms. Carpenter seconded. Unanimously approved (7:0)
Closed Session
Ms. Carpenter made a motion to recess into Closed Session at 6:50 p.m. to consider personnel
action that involves an [officer] or [employee], or [prospective public officer or employee] of this
board. [NC Gen. Stat. #143-318.11(a)(6)]; to prevent disclosure of information that is privileged
or confidential pursuant to state or federal law [NC Gen. Stat. 143-318.11(a)(1). Mrs. Kennedy
seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
BOE Minutes of May 24 and “Special” Work Session Minutes of May 3, 2010
May Personnel Report
The Board took a five-minute break.
Report of Closed Session
** Mrs. Kennedy moved to approve the May Personnel Report. Mrs. Freeze seconded. Unanimously
approved. (6:0)
**Mrs. Norman moved to approve the superintendent’s recommendation to have a reduction in force
due to the decrease in student enrollment. Mrs. Freeze seconded. Unanimously approved. (6:0)
Dr. Grissom said there was no business to bring to the Board for the June 7 BOE meeting. The
consensus of the Board was to cancel the June 7 meeting. Dr. Grissom asked the Board members to
attend the Board of County Commissioners public hearing on the budget that will be held on June 7.
5
Announcements
5/31 - Memorial Day Holiday - Offices and Schools Closed
6/7 - BOE Meeting/5:00 p.m./Long Street
6/7 - Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing on the Budget/6:00 p.m.
6/30 - BOE Meeting/5:00 p.m./Long Street
NOTE:
NO Personnel or Building & Grounds Sub-committee Mtgs. in June
GRADUATION SCHEDULE
All schools will hold graduation on Friday, June 11
Schools graduating on their own campus:
8:00 a.m.
West Rowan
11:00 a.m.
Henderson
2:00 p.m.
Jesse Carson
**Schools graduating at Keppel Auditorium:
9:00 a.m.
South Rowan
12:00 noon East Rowan
4:00 p.m.
North Rowan
8:00 p.m.
Salisbury
Please check the 2010 Rowan-Salisbury Master Calendar or our website (www.rss.k12.nc.us) for
district events and school programs that are scheduled.
Adjournment
**Mrs. Freeze moved to adjourn at 7:33 p.m. Mrs. Williams seconded. Unanimously approved.
(6:0)
Dr. Jim Emerson, Chairman
Dr. Judy S. Grissom, Ed. D., Secretary
6