Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education
Meeting
October 26, 2009
Minutes
The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education met on October 26, 2009 at the Long Street
Administrative Office with the following members present: Dr. Jim Emerson, Mrs. W. Jean
Kennedy, Mrs. Patty Williams, Ms. Karen Carpenter, Mr. Bryce Beard and Mrs. Kay Norman. Mrs.
Linda Freeze was absent due to a death in her family. Also present were Dr. Judy Grissom, Mrs.
Delores Morris, Dr. Rebecca Smith, 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. Norman officiated the Pledge of
Allegiance. Mr. Beard shared an opening meditation.
Adopt Agenda
**Mrs. Norman moved approval of agenda as submitted. Mrs. Kennedy seconded. Unanimously
approved. (6:0)
Celebrations
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 October are:
o Alesia Burnette:
Director of School Improvement and Title I
o Jesse Byrd:
Athletic Director / EC Dept Chair at
North Rowan Middle
o Debra Owens-Warren
Transportation at Shive Elem
o Lauren Robertson
Accounts Payable in Finance
o Sandra Carrigan
Teacher Assistant at Landis Elem
South Rowan High School senior Madeline Lawyer received the “Legion of Valor
Bronze Cross” for her achievements in military and academic subjects. This honor is the
highest award to be presented to a cadet and one of only twenty awarded each year in the
nation.
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• Scholar Athlete Team Awards - Three of RSS athletic teams were recognized by the NC
High School Athletic Association and received the "Scholar Athlete Team Award”. The
teams are as follows:
1. South Rowan High School Girls Softball - This team maintained an un-weighted team
grade point average of 3.9 during the season.
2. East Rowan Girls Track - This team maintained an un-weighted team grade-point
average of 3.7 during the season.
3. East Rowan Boys Track – This team maintained an un-weighted team grade point
average of 3.4 during the season.
Salisbury High School was recognized by two national publications for being one of the
top schools in America: 1) Newsweek for the 5th consecutive year, and 2) the U.S. News &
World Report – only school in NC to receive the Silver Medal for two consecutive years.
Congratulations to the following schools for achieving ABC Recognition:
Salisbury High
HIGH Growth
School of Progress
Corriher-Lipe Middle
Erwin Middle
West Rowan Middle
Expected Growth
HIGH Growth
HIGH Growth
School of Progress
School of Progress
School of Progress
Bostian Elementary
Isenberg Elementary
Overton Elementary
Enochville Elementary
Millbridge Elementary
Cleveland Elementary
Hurley Elementary
Mt. Ulla Elementary
Woodleaf Elementary
Expected Growth
Expected Growth
Expected Growth
HIGH Growth
HIGH Growth
Expected Growth
HIGH Growth
Expected Growth
Expected Growth
School of Distinction
School
School
School
School
School
School
School
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
Progress
Progress
Progress
Progress
Progress
Progress
Progress
Communication to the Board
None
Superintendent and Board Comments
Dr. Emerson reminded the Board members of the Public Hearings being heldd with the first one
On Monday, November 2, at Knox Middle at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Beard stated that the BOE was receiving a lot of phone calls regarding redistricting, and he
wanted to clarify that the Board is not intending to move any students that are currently in high
school.
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Consideration of the Consent Agenda
Financial Summary for September 2009
September 28, 2009 BOE Minutes and October 12, 2009 Work Session Minutes.
October 2009 Budget Amendments
Quarterly Purchasing Report
**Ms. Carpenter moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Mrs. Kennedy seconded. Unanimously
approved. (6:0)
Discussion Items
Proposed Revisions to Board Policy 6-17 - K-12 Promotion and Accountability Standards
Mr. Cochran along with Ms. Kathy McDuffie, Dr. Sarah Hensley and Ms. Tina Mashburn reviewed the
revisions to the policy. He noted that the proposed amendments were indicated in red. Mr. Cochran
said this is the first year that the senior class will be responsible for meeting the exit standards, which
is actually the fourth gateway, and the accountability policy had to be updated because of this.
Mr. Cochran said the main discussion was to update the policy so that it would be all inclusive of the
elementary, middle and high schools. He said another reason for updating the policy was because of
the state changes in testing. He said the new version will be a more condensed, but comprehensive
policy that should carry the system into the next couple years.
Mr. Cochran requested the Board’s approval of the revisions.
**Mrs. Norman moved to approve on the amendments to Policy 6-17, Promotion and Accountability
Standards on first reading. Mrs. Kennedy seconded. Unanimously approved. (6:0)
North Rowan iPod Touch Project Update
Mr. McDowell spoke to the Board about his excitement to update them on the technology at NRHS.
He reviewed the iPod Touch Project by presenting a Power Point and discussion. Mr. McDowell said
that the project continues to grow, and the process has been planned very carefully.
Mr. McDowell noted that NRHS is holding an Open House on November 20, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00
p.m. to showcase the iPod project.
Dr. Emerson asked Mr. McDowell if the student body is enthusiastic over the project. Mr. McDowell
said they do care and have continued to ask him when they are going to get their equipment. He
also said that teachers are working hard to educate themselves, so that they can utilize the
equipment to the fullest.
Early Release Days
Dr. Smith shared with the Board a document that explained all of the various activities and programs
that would be happening at the schools during the release days.
Closing the Gap Update
Dr. Smith addressed the Board and noted that several members of the Closing the Gap Committee
were in the audience. She introduced Antoine Brisbone, assistant principal at North High and Nathan
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Currie, principal at Isenberg Elementary and asked them to join her as she updated the Board on
what the Committee has been doing.
Dr. Smith had provided to the Board a narrative on some of the things that have been happening in
the various school,s and with some of the agencies that support our schools.
Mr. Currie said that many members of his staff have been studying and doing research to learn ways
to support and close the gap of our African American males. He said it is very well documented that
the black male student has many struggles that need to be addressed.
Mr. Brisbone stated that NRHS has partnered with Livingstone College and the Upward Bound
program to work with students on Tuesdays and Thursdays to ensure their academic success in their
school. He said that some students had the opportunity to visit Howard University to speak with
college students and learn what tools they would need to be successful.
Dr. Smith said that there were many things going on to address this issue, and many groups were
working together with the schools to bring opportunities to our students.
1st Reading of Policy 8-10B., Corporal Punishment
Dr. Hart reviewed the revisions to the policy.
**Ms. Carpenter moved approval to revisions to 8-10B., Student Punishment, on first reading. Mrs.
Norman seconded. Unanimously approved. (6:0)
Closed Session
Ms. Carpenter made a motion to recess into Closed Session at 5:52 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. (6:0)
BOE Closed Session Minutes of September 28 and October 12, 2009
September Personnel Report
The Board recessed at 5:53 p.m.
Report of Closed Session
**Ms. Carpenter moved to approve the Personnel Report at submitted. Mrs. Kennedy seconded.
Unanimously approved. (6:0)
Announcements
10/29 - Early Release Day
10/30 - Teacher Workday
11/2 - PUBLIC HEARING/Knox Middle School/6:00 p.m.
11/5 - BOE Finance Sub-committee Mtg./Long St./3:00 p.m.
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11/9
11/10
11/11
11/12
11/12
11/12
11/23
11/24
11/25
11/26
- PUBLIC HEARING/Southeast Middle School/6:00 p.m.
- First Report Card
- Veteran's Day Holiday/ Schools and Offices Closed
- BOE Curriculum Sub-committee Mtg./Long St./2:00 p.m.
- BOE Buildings & Grounds Sub-committee Mtg./Ellis St./3:00 p.m.
- BOE Personnel Sub-committee Mtg./Ellis St./4:00 p.m.
- BOE Meeting/Long St./5:00 p.m.
- Early Release Day
- Annual Leave Day
& 27 Fall Break
Adjournment
** Mrs. Carpenter moved to adjourn at 6:22 p.m. Mrs. Norman seconded. Unanimously approved.
(6:0)
Dr. Jim Emerson, Chairman
Dr. Judy S. Grissom, Ed. D., Secretary
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