Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education
Meeting
December 21, 2009
Minutes
The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education met on December 21, 2009 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 Mrs. Kay Norman,
Mr. Bryce Beard and Mrs. Patty Williams. Also present were Dr. Judy Grissom, Dr. Rebecca Smith,
Mr. Walter Hart, 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. Freeze officiated the Pledge of
Allegiance. Mrs. Kennedy shared a Christmas story.
Adopt Agenda
Mrs. Kennedy made a request to add discussion on Race to the Top, which is a part of President
Obama’s Educational Reform. Dr. Emerson noted the item would become Item 5 on the Agenda.
Dr. Emerson requested the addition of discussion of the new redistricting map. With no
opposition, the topic was added as Item #6.
**Mrs. Norman moved approval of agenda as amended. Mrs. Kennedy seconded. Unanimously
approved. (7:0)
Presentation
Dr. Emerson recognized Mrs. Norman for her 15 years of service to the Rowan-Salisbury School
Board. He read a summary of the many meetings she had attended and decisions she had made
for the students of Rowan-Salisbury Schools. Mrs. Norman was also presented with flowers and a
plaque. The Board of Education, and Dr. Grissom and her staff also honored Mrs. Norman with a
dinner prior to the Board meeting.
Celebrations
RELAY FOR LIFE : Brooke Moose from the American Cancer Society will make a special
presentation to our school system.
STATE CHAMPIONS - Salisbury High School Girls Tennis Team won the STATE 2A Championship! Chris
Myers is the SHS Girls Tennis Team Coach
Joy Loeblein
Hannah Lebowitz
TEAM MEMBERS
Caroline Graham
Sarah Shirley
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Jordan Pring
Katelyn Storey
Erika Nelson
Alex Yarborough
Sallie Kate Meyerhoeffer
Anna Page
Meredith Hovis
Lauren Gray
Mary Margaret Mills
Sierra Davis
Savannah Ware
Mally Fisher
Six members of the team made All County and All Conference:
Hannah Lebowitz, Joy Loeblein, Erika Nelson, Katelyn Storey, Anna Page, and Sierra Davis
Hannah Lebowitz was named the Individual State Champion, and Player of the Year for
the 3 rd Consecutive Year
Erika Nelson was named the State Final MVP
Coach Chris Myers was named the Coach of the Year
Election of Board Chairman – Dr. Grissom
Dr. Grissom opened the floor for nominations for Board Chairperson. Mr. Beard nominated Dr.
Emerson. Mrs. Norman moved to accept the nomination by acclamation. (7:0)
Election of Board Vice Chairman - Chairman
Dr. Emerson opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chairperson. Dr. Emerson nominated Mrs.
Kennedy. Mrs. Freeze seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Communication to the Board
None
Superintendent and Board Comments
Dr. Emerson said that another super team, West Rowan High School, did a fine job during their
football season. Dr. Grissom said the team would be recognized at the January 25 Board meeting.
Dr. Emerson said he had judged graduation projects at East Rowan, and thought the students did
a fine job and he was impressed with this project. He said that he has become an advocate for
the requirement of the graduation project.
Consideration of the Consent Agenda
Financial Summary for December 2009
November 23 and December 11, 2009 Board Minutes
December 2009 Budget Amendments
Field Trip Requests – Mt. Ulla and CGMS
**Mrs. Carpenter moved approval of the Consent Agenda with the exception of the Minutes. Mrs.
Freeze seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
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Mr. Beard asked that Mrs. Holder listen to the tape of the November 23 meeting, and revise the
three paragraphs where he addressed the Board regarding redistricting. Dr. Sayers suggested to
table the minutes for November 23, 2009 and have them re-submitted at the January 25 meeting.
**Mrs. Carpenter moved approval of the Work Session Minutes of December 16, 2009. Mrs.
Williams seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Discussion Items
Energy Report
Mr. Mike Austin of the Maintenance Department and Mr. Nelson Jessup of Educon reviewed the latest
energy report and discussed the savings that the school system has made since the inception of the
energy program in December 2002. Mr. Jessup noted that the school system is finishing the seventh
year.
The Board viewed a Power Point narrated by Mr. Jessup. He said that retaining the energy
management manager is very important, and that position should always been maintained.
Mr. Jessup reviewed the results, actual utility costs over the past 6 years. He said that in the first
three years, there was a savings of $244,000. In year four, there was a $102,000 increase because
a school was opened. Mr. Jessup stated that in years five and six, three new schools were opened
showing an increase. However, that would be understandable.
Mr. Jessup said that there were two base indicators: How much spending per sq. ft. and how much is
being used per sq. ft. (kBtu Usage).
Dr. Emerson asked if there was information showing the cost savings during the past summer
months where the school system worked four ten-hour days. Mr. Austin distributed a handout that
showed the comparison of actual utility cost. Mr. Austin pointed out that the savings were $165,000.
Dr. Grissom stated that this figure was more than they had originally thought it would be.
Dr. Emerson asked if there was a down side to the 4-10 hour days. Mr. Miller said that some
personnel still wanted to get in the building on Saturday or Sunday. However, he said there are
alternative ways to work that out. Mr. Austin said he encouraged personnel to operate in one part of
the building instead of being throughout the building so that energy was spent in one specific area.
Mrs. Williams commended Mr. Austin, the Maintenance Department, and the principals for the job
they are doing.
Mrs. Norman asked if there was a cost comparison of the schools where some of the buildings are
very old. Mr. Austin said if all the CO’s were in one location, the cost savings would be great. He
said the schools are utilizing the program as it works for their particular building.
2nd Reading of BOE Policy 8-23, Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment and
Bullying
Mr. Smith reminded the Board that this policy was amended as a result of Senate Bill 526. He said
our existing policy was expanded and made more comprehensive. Mr. Smith said there had been no
feedback regarding the changes in the policy since the first reading.
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Mr. Smith said the state is going to be conducting several webinars, concerning this policy and ways
the state feels we can implement it.
**Ms. Carpenter moved to approve Policy 8-23, Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment and
Bullying on second reading. Mrs. Freeze seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
2nd Reading of BOE Policy 4-16, Payment for Goods and Services, Section D., From
Internal School Accounts
Mrs. Trexler reviewed the changes that had been made to the particular section of Policy 4-16.
**Ms. Carpenter moved to approve BOE Policy 4-16, Payment for Goods and Services, Section D.,
From Internal School Accounts, on second reading. Mrs. Freeze seconded. Unanimously approved.
1st Reading of BOE Policy 2-4, Code of Ethics for RSS Board of Education Members
Ms. Carpenter said creation of this policy was a result in new legislation, and was addressed in our
regional NCSBA meeting. She said the language is taken directly from the NCSBA’s draft policy that
they developed.
**Mrs. Norman moved to approve on first reading, BOE Policy 2-4, Code of Ethics for RSS Board of
Education Members. Mrs. Kennedy seconded.
Ms. Carpenter noted that the last sentence was optional. Dr. Emerson said he didn’t see a problem
with including that statement in the policy. Ms. Carpenter said she didn’t either, and that many
boards have their members sign an ethics statement.
Dr. Emerson called for the question. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
The Board looked over the dates for the training.
Ms. Carpenter reviewed a calendar of ethics trainings that will be held during the next six months.
Dr. Emerson suggested that we might request that someone from NCSBA come in and provide the
training to our board during a summer retreat. Mrs. Holder is to check on this option.
Race to the Top
Mrs. Kennedy introduced information that she received in November. She said that Race to the Top
(RttT) is part of President Obama’s Educational Reform. Mrs. Kennedy distributed a document that
gave key talking points. She said it is a four year initiative with $1,000,000 per year giving the state
50% and the LEA’s 50%. Mrs. Kennedy said RSS could get $648,839 based on our student
enrollment of 20,655 right now.
Mrs. Kennedy discussed the stringent requirements that our Board has to undertake, and that NCAE
has to agree to it. She noted that our local NCAE has already signed our MOA to support the
initiative.
Mrs. Kennedy said the only thing that she did not like about the plan is that North Carolina cannot
place a cap on charter schools.
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She asked Dr. Grissom to give more details of the grant. Dr. Grissom said that the state department
has been working on this grant for quite a while. However, she said the problem was that the
federal government was late in getting the information to the state.
Dr. Grissom said North Carolina probably has a good chance at receiving the funds because many of
the requirements in the grant are programs and initiatives that our state is working on or developing.
Dr. Grissom said a lot of the funding at the state level will be used to develop assessments in the
content area, and some of the funds will be used for low performing schools and systems. Dr.
Grissom said it is her opinion that the state is going to move in the direction with the momentum
they have been going whether the grant is received or not. She believes we will be doing a lot of
these initiatives whether we agree with them or not. Dr. Grissom noted that there were some good
things and forward thinking with this grant, and believes that Rowan-Salisbury Schools should be
involved.
Redistricting Map 4 Discussion
Dr. Emerson stated that the Board had asked Mr. Miller to get back with them on some numbers for
the map that was developed at the December 16 meeting (Map 4).
Mr. Miller distributed a document detailing the student enrollment and utilization of the building. He
said there would be a total of 241 students moved out of approximately 20,625 or 1.5%.
Dr. Emerson asked if there were no significant changes being made to this map, would the Board
ready for a public hearing. Mrs. Norman said she still had questions about the Westcliff sub-division
from Salisbury to North.
Ms. Carpenter questioned why the number of students from the Country Club area went from 105 to
61 students. Mr. Miller answered that the Board re-drew the lines.
Dr. Emerson asked the Board if they were comfortable enough without having another work session
before the public hearing. Mrs. Williams said she was not comfortable because she wanted to see
the demographics of the areas being moved. Ms. Carpenter said the public hearing could be
deferred.
Mr. Beard said another concern for him is that the maps are still showing SRHS and JCHS not being
touched. However when he sees the lines, maybe some changes could be made from JCHS to SRHS
because JCHS is showing 98% and SRHS is showing 72%.
Dr. Emerson asked if the Board would like to have a work session on Jan. 11 to bring up Mr. Beard’s
point and to receive the demographic information requested by Mrs. Williams, followed by a Public
hearing on January 19 at 6:00 p.m. at Knox Middle.
Closed Session
Mrs. Kennedy made a motion to recess into Closed Session at 6:53 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. Norman
seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
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BOE Closed Session Minutes of November 23 and December 16, 2009
December Personnel Report
The Board took a 5-minute break.
Report of Closed Session
** Ms. Carpenter moved to approve the December Personnel Report with the amendment as
discussed during Closed Session. Mrs. Freeze seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
**Mrs. Kennedy moved to approve the recommendation of the superintendent to hire
Mrs. Beverly A. Roberts as principal of Landis Elementary. Ms. Carpenter seconded. Unanimously
approved. (7:0)
Announcements
12/23 - 1/4 Winter Break/Christmas and New Year Holidays
1/11
BOE Work Session Mtg. & Public Hearing/Knox Middle./5:00 p.m.
1/18
HOLIDAY/ Schools and Offices Closed
1/21 & 22
Teacher Workdays
1/25
BOE Meeting/Long St./5:00 p.m.
Dr. Emerson noted that the work session would be at Long Street on Jan. 11 and the Public
Hearing has been tentatively scheduled for January 19 at Knox Middle at 6:00 p.m.
Mrs. Williams asked to have security present at the public hearing.
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. Williams moved to adjourn at 7:07 p.m. Mrs. Norman seconded.
Dr. Jim Emerson, Chairman
Dr. Judy S. Grissom, Ed. D., Secretary
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