Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education
Meeting
January 25, 2010
Minutes
The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education met on January 25, 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, Mrs. Kay Norman, and Mr. Bryce Beard. Also
present were Dr. Judy Grissom, Dr. Rebecca Smith, Mr. Walter Hart, Mr. Gene Miller, Mrs. Delores
Morris, attorney Mr. Don Sayers 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 shared a moment for
meditation. Mrs. Kay Norman officiated the Pledge of Allegiance.
Adopt Agenda
** Mrs. Norman moved approval of agenda as amended. Mrs. Kennedy seconded. Unanimously
approved. (7:0)
Celebrations
Apple Inc. will make a special presentation honoring North Rowan High School for being
selected as an Apple Exemplary Program for the 2009-2010 school year.
Mrs. Janice Adams made a special presentation to the Board. She announced that NRHS was
selected as an Apple Exemplary Program for 2009-2010. Only 37 schools were honored in the
nation. Visionary was essential, but collaboration was important as well.
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 January are:
1. Lera Irving – Henderson Independent High School
2. Ruth Qualman – Transportation
3. Trina Crowe – Landis Elementary School
4. Patricia Lentz – Student Services
STATE CHAMPIONS - West Rowan High School Football Team won the STATE 3A Championship! Scott
Young is the WRHS Football Coach
Salisbury High School has been awarded a Bronze designation as being one of
“America’s Best High Schools for 2010” by the US News and World Report.
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Rowan-Salisbury School System received 3 State Blue Ribbons for excellence in
communications by the NCSPRA (North Carolina School Public Relations Association).
Awards were received for the following:
o RSS 2008-2009 Annual Report
o RSS 2009-2010 Master Calendar
o Middle School Connections – Special Purpose Category
Communication to the Board
None
Superintendent and Board Comments
Dr. Grissom asked Mr. Gene Miller to say a few words regarding why the decision was made this
morning to close school for students. Mr. Miller advised that very early Transportation Director,
Mrs. Judy Burris, and he were made aware that there were about 10 areas that had serious
flooding and roads were closed. He said he was told by DOT that they were not sure if the water
would go down within two hours. Mr. Miller said as it turned out, the decision to cancel school
was a good one. He noted that with a two-hour delay, 57 of the buses would have been affected
and their routes altered.
Dr. Grissom stated that the day would be made up on February 15.
Consideration of the Consent Agenda
Financial Summary for January 2010
November 23 and December 21, 2009, and January 11 and 20, 2010
January 2010 Budget Amendments
Field Trip Request – ERHS
** Mrs. Norman moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Mrs. Freeze seconded. Unanimously
approved. (7:0)
Discussion Items
NC Department of Transportation Bus Inspection Report
Mr. Miller and Mrs. Burris shared information that was on the report. Mrs. Burris said that her
department had been working very diligently to improve the department and safety of the buses.
Mrs. Burris noted that the score last year was 56.63, which ended up parking seven buses because of
safety issues. However, this year the score was 22.00 and the state average was 38.38. Mrs. Burris
said she was very pleased overall with the improvement of their operation and the report she
received. Mr. Miller added that in the last 10 years, this was the third time with a score in this range.
Carson High’s Partnership with China
Dr. Smith stated that the school system and Carson High had developed partnerships with the NC
Center for Understanding and China. She informed the Board that Mr. Henry Kluttz and Mrs. Kelly
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Withers of Carson High were among a delegation from North Carolina that visited China and the
partner school there during summer. Dr. Smith noted that she and Ms. Kathy McDuffie traveled in
December with a delegation of 300 for further discussions for partnering with China.
Mr. Kluttz shared his and Mrs. Wither’s experience during their visit to China. He said the school they
are partnering with had an enrollment of approximately 6000 students. A slide show showcasing part
of their trip was presented to the Board. Mr. Kluttz said that the partner school would be here to visit
with Carson April 27 and 28.
Dr. Smith thanked the Board for their support, and said that this is a program that the administration
hopes to develop beyond Carson.
RSSS 8th Grade Technology Literacy Assessment Plan
Mrs. Zelia Frick reviewed the history of the Computer Skills Test, and summarized the new
Technology Literacy Assessment Plan, along with the reporting requirements.
Mrs. Frick noted that Mr. Colby Cochran would be sending home a letter to parents informing them
that students will no longer be taking the Computer Skills Test, but will be taking a Technology
Literacy Assessment.
Dr. Emerson asked when students will be acquiring these computer skills. Mrs. Frick said that it is
incorporated in the K-12 curriculum. She explained that there is not a computer skills course, but
rather computer skills are integrated in each course curriculum.
High School Guidebook
Ms. Kathy McDuffie distributed copies of the High School Guidebook, 9th Grade Transition, the 20102011 Guidebook Updates and the High School Guidebook for 2013 and Beyond, which she reviewed.
She explained that the revisions were made in course changes to align with the local Board and State
Board requirements.
Mrs. Freeze left the meeting at 6:14 p.m. She re-entered the meeting at 6:16 p.m.
**Ms. Carpenter moved approval of Class 2013 and Beyond High School Guidebook. Mrs. Norman
seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
2nd Reading of BOE Policy 2-4, Code of Ethics for RSS Board of Education Members
**Ms. Carpenter moved approval on 2nd reading, Policy 2-4, Code of Ethics for RSS Board of
Education Members. Mrs. Freeze seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Consider Various Criteria for Future Redistricting
Ms. Carpenter commented that at the last Board Work Session meeting it was questioned what the
triggers and the time frame would be to begin another dialog for redistricting. She asked how the
Board would evaluate the success of the choice zones. Ms. Carpenter asked, “If this was a one year
process or is there going to be a number trigger.” She said she was interested in how the Board
would decide to come together and do something else. She would like to have a plan and time table
in place for when the Board plans to evaluate the situation.
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Mrs. Williams said her concern is that, because she represents a district that is also getting low in
numbers, all high schools are being given equitable educational opportunities and not just to look at
numbers. She said she does believe that if the Board makes some changes and does some things
that it can be a better place for NRHS.
Mr. Beard said he believes that some things are being done at NRHS proactively and have been for
the last couple years. He said he believes in the next two or three years things will happen. Mr.
Beard stated that the Board desires equal educational opportunities and that is what we need to hear
from the administration and the staff at NRHS. He said good things are in the process, and how they
grow and develop will show as students move to NRHS.
Mrs. Kennedy asked Mr. Beard to elaborate on the proactive things being done at NRHS. Mr. Beard
said additional teachers for one thing. Dr. Grissom noted that five additional teachers were assigned
to NRHS. Mrs. Kennedy asked Mr. Beard to give the student to teacher ratio, and asked Mr. Beard
again to list the proactive things. Mr. Beard said the new administrator is very encouraging about the
way things are taking shape there to make the school the best it can be. He said he understands
that the numbers are low, but there are other schools in the state that have low numbers.
Mrs. Carpenter said numbers is not the issue and stated that if smaller schools were better, the Board
would have voted for redistricting. She said again, “That is not the point.” Ms. Carpenter said she
would like to see quarterly updates brought to the Board meetings of the progress that is happening
at NRHS. In the absence of agreeing to take action at a certain time, that the Board should receive
periodic updates.
Mrs. Kennedy said she also wanted to hear from those who would be sitting on the Board next year.
She wants to know what is being done. Mrs. Freeze said she thought a report quarterly could be
done.
Dr. Grissom said one of the reports she is working on at this time is the number of AP courses being
offered by schools for the 2nd semester. She is also checked on of the students who signed up for AP
courses but did not get it, and there are none. Dr. Grissom reminded the Board of the meeting that
several of them attended, where she, her staff and staff from NRHS discussed future plans for North.
She said a plan will be submitted to the Board at the February meeting for the short term and long
term plans for NRHS. Once the Board agrees with the plan, reports can be made quarterly.
Committee Assignments
Dr. Emerson said he didn’t see any point in changing the committee assignments unless the Board
members wanted to a change.
Mrs. Freeze said she would help as an alternate for the Appeals Committee.
Dr. Emerson asked the Board members to be present for their respective committee meetings, but to
call in advance if they had a conflict with a scheduled meeting.
Closed Session
Mrs. Williams made a motion to recess into Closed Session at 6:46 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
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or confidential pursuant to state or federal law [NC Gen. Stat. 143-318.11(a)(1) Mrs. Kennedy
seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
BOE Closed Session Minutes of December 21, 2009 and January 20, 2010
January Personnel Report
The Board took a five-minute break.
Report of Closed Session
** Ms. Carpenter moved to approve the January Personnel Report. Mrs. Freeze seconded.
Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Announcements
2/2
Report Cards Issued
2/3
BOE Curriculum Sub-committee/Long Street/2:00 p.m.
2/5
RSSS Technology Tour/Beginning at NRHS/8:00 a.m.
2/22 BOE Meeting/Long Street/5:00 p.m.
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. Kennedy moved to adjourn at 7:04 p.m. Dr. Emerson seconded. Unanimously approved.
(7:0)
Dr. Jim Emerson, Chairman
Dr. Judy S. Grissom, Ed. D., Secretary
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