Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education
Meeting
May 21, 2012
Minutes
The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education met on May 21, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. at the Long Street
Administrative Office with the following members present: Dr. Jim Emerson, Mrs. W. Jean Kennedy,
Mrs. Linda Freeze, Mr. Mike Caskey, Mrs. Kay Wright Norman and Dr. Richard Miller. Mr. Bryce Beard
was absent due to a conflict. Also present were Dr. Judy Grissom, Mr. Gene Miller, Mr. Nathan
Currie, Attorney Mr. Ken Soo 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.
Mr. Caskey shared an opening meditation.
Dr. Emerson noted that Mr. Soo was present because our local board attorney, Mr. Don Sayers was
recuperating from surgery.
Dr. Emerson read a comment regarding the issue regarding NRHS teacher and the You Tube video.
Adopt Agenda
Dr. Emerson asked for any additions or changes to the agenda. Dr. Miller moved adoption of the
agenda as submitted. Mrs. Norman seconded. Mr. Caskey requested that discussion be added to
inform the public what process will be followed in the case of a North Rowan High School teacher’s
behavior in the classroom. Unanimously approved. (6:0)
Celebrations
Congratulations to the following students and staff members 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:
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2.
3.
4.
Angela Connolly
Kim Fink
Kimberly Harris
Suzan Lambert
Assistant Principal – N0rth Rowan Elementary
Media Assistant – North Rowan Middle
Technology Facilitator – North Rowan Middle
Curriculum Coach – Knox Middle
 NC FARM TO SCHOOL ART CONTEST WINNERS:
Two RSS students have received notification that their artwork was chosen to be featured in the
2012-13 NC Farm to School calendar. Those students are:
1. Marissa Blackwelder
Shive Elementary School
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2. Logan Wilbanks
Traci Holloman, Child Nutrition Manager
Millbridge Elementary School
Wanda Pender, Child Nutrition Manager
 HENDERSON TEACHER IS A 2012 NC CLIMATE FELLOW:
Congratulations to Cynthia Kaminski on being selected as a NC Climate Fellow.
Fellows are exposed to global, regional and NC specific data on climate change and will also study
climate change from economic and social perspectives and will be exposed to NASA resources in
their studies.
 NORTH ROWAN HIGH BOYS TRACK TEAM – STATE CHAMPIONS
Congratulations to the NRHS Boys Track Team for winning their second state championship title.
Robert Steele is the team’s coach. Team members are:
Corey Angle
Terrese Barber
Jahad Davis
Eric Gadson
Daylon Gray
Patrick Imes
K. Justin Kimber
Cecil McCauley
N. Milton Morris
Shane Parker
Will Robertson
Xavier Robinson
Shareef Walker
Tydler Watlington
*** Johnny Oglesby
Lamont Vevley-Kennedy
Jareke Chambers
Malik Ford
Pierre Givens
Demiah Hawkins
Brandon Johnson
Sakil Harrison
Dquan Miller
Regnal Parker
Neegbeh Reeves
Michael Robinson
Cameron Sifford
Darrius Wallace
Raekwon
3 Individual State Titles
 NORTH ROWAN HIGH INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMP:
Congratulations to Teaunna Cuthbertson for winning the individual state Track title by winning the
Long Jump.
 SALISBURY HIGH BOYS GOLF TEAM – STATE CHAMPIONS
Congratulations to the SHS Boys Golf Team for winning their second state championship title.
Dale Snyder is the team’s coach. Team members are:
Alex Nianouris
Troy Beaver
Alex Lee
Clark Alcorn
Eric Edwards
Gabe Steinman
Alex Austin
Joey Rusher
Chuck Parks
Garrett Yelton
 SALISBURY HIGH INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMP
SHS student Michael Ogden won the individual state title in tennis this year. Chris Stroupe is the
Tennis Coach.
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 CARSON HIGH INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMP
JCHS student Myquon Stout won the individual 3A State title in Shot Put. Josh Carter is the coach.
**This is the first state title for JCHS!!
Communication to the Board
Levonda Killion – Ms. Killion said she has an issue regarding the lack of school nurses that are based
in the schools. Ms. Killion suggested that it will costs more to be reactive than proactive when a
student has a trauma that could cause a serious condition.
Superintendent and Board Comments
Consideration of the Consent Agenda
 BOE Minutes of April 23, 2012
 April 2012 Budget Amendments
 April 2012 Financial Report
** Mrs. Norman moved approval of the Consent Agenda as submitted. Dr. Miller seconded.
Unanimously approved. (6:0)
Discussion Items
Superintendent’s Evaluation
Dr. Emerson recognized Mrs. Jean Kennedy who summarized the superintendent’s evaluation process.
Mrs. Kennedy explained that Dr. Grissom had prepared an outstanding portfolio that was replete with
artifacts on the standards of the evaluation instrument.
Mrs. Kennedy said that Dr. Grissom’s evaluation was rated as exceptional with no areas that indicated
she needed improvement. Mrs. Kennedy said that Dr. Grissom is a leader in our educational system and
is also very visible in the community.
Mrs. Kennedy said that as with the last several years. Dr. Grissom said she would not consider a raise
although she was very worthy of it. Dr. Emerson presented Dr. Grissom with a fresh fruit arrangement
and balloons as a small token of the Board’s great appreciation of all that she has done and continues to
do for the school system.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Board of Trustees Appointment
Dr. Miller advised that he represented the Board of Education at the Rowan-Cabarrus Board of Trustees
meeting. He discussed the process of the joint involvement in the appointment of the RCCC board
appointee. Dr. Miller said the college agreed to be open to the BOE being a part of the process, as well
as other parts of the college.
**Dr. Miller moved approval of the reappointment of Mrs. Susan Kluttz to the Rowan-Cabarrus
Community College Board of Trustees. Mrs. Kennedy seconded. Mr. Caskey if an application process
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would be put in place. Dr. Miller said that if it is not a reappointment, the BOE can put together a list of
names to submit, and he would be glad to help in doing that.
Mrs. Norman called for the question. Unanimously approved. (6:0)
Knox STEM Academy
Dr. Grissom prefaced Dr. Davis’s presentation by saying that the staff had advised the Board that they
would be moving toward a STEM initiative at Knox, and that many things have been accomplished at
Knox this year.
Dr. James Davis discussed the program and how the process will move forward. He explained the
expansion of the club. Dr. Davis explained the several school projects that had been initiated this year.
Dr. Davis said The Robertson Foundation gave a $20,000 grant for STEM Equipment, and the school had
sponsored a STEM award, two awards per grade level, for a total of 24 per year. He noted that the
school had partnered with RRMC
Dr. Davis said there had been new course offerings, staff development and partnerships, and that they
were moving strongly from year one to year two. Ms. Mashburn said the Robertson grant would give
them an opportunity to move toward biotechnology, forensics and other programs. Dr. Davis said there
was a Latin component for a certain group of 8th graders. Dr. Emerson mentioned that the Latin course
is causing some concern and asked what will be done with the student that will want to transfer for that
course.
Mrs. Norman said that it is a good problem to have because that has not always been the case in our
middle schools. She said it forces us to look at all of our middle schools to offer something engaging.
Ms. Mashburn explained that all middle schools will have an opportunity to participate in the partnership.
Activity Bus Fee Increase
Ms. Burris addressed the Board with regard to increased fees for out of state trips. She said she had met
with high school principals to look at several options and they came up with the recommendation, which
was approved by the superintendent’s team. That option was to increase the rate from $.95 per mile to
$1.25 per mile. Ms. Burris said the increase will take effect on July 1, 2012. A special condition has
been given to NRHS with regard to athletics.
Ms. Burris said the $.25 would be put in a Bus Replacement fund.
**Mrs. Freeze moved to accept the activity bus per mile rate increase. Mrs. Norman seconded.
Unanimously approved. (6:0)
BOE Policy 7-24, Professional Standards of Conduct and Performance for Teachers and
BOE Policy 7-25, Professional Standards of Conduct and Performance for Classified Staff
Mrs. Delores Morris reminded the Board that the policies came to the Board previously, but she had
sat down with the NCAE attorney and representatives, and have made the changes that are being
recommended by the personnel committee.
**Dr. Miller moved to approve the first reading of the policies. Mrs. Norman seconded. Unanimously
approved. (6:0)
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BOE Policy 8-30, Student Transfers, 2nd Reading
Mr. Nathan Currie reviewed the changes as requested and requested approval of the revisions on 2nd
reading. He said he would like to make the policy effective in the 2013-2014 school year.
**Dr. Miller moved to accept the revisions of the Policy 8-30, Student Transfers, as presented. Mrs.
Norman seconded.
Dr. Emerson said he was trying to avoid seeing the same families year after year. Dr. Miller said that the
appeals committee reviewed that concern, but that the decision was to make sure the students were
transferring for educational purposes and not athletics.
Mrs. Norman called for the question. Approved. (5:1) Dr. Emerson opposed.
1st Reading of Code of Conduct Revisions for 2012-2013
Mr. Currie stated that our attorney at Tharrington Smith did review the changes to the Code of Conduct
and approved the necessary revisions. Mr. Currie requested that the changes be approved on first
reading.
**Mrs. Norman moved approval of revisions to the 2012-13 Code of Conduct on first reading. Mrs.
Freeze seconded.
Mrs. Norman called for the question. (6:0)
Budget Update 2012-2013
Mrs. Trexler explained that meetings and webinars are being attended almost weekly to keep up-to-date
on next year’s budget proposals.
Mrs. Trexler explained that the state is predicting ending the year with a $250 million dollar surplus. She
said the Governor is wanting to reinstate the sales tax percentage to help in her budget proposal. Mrs.
Trexler noted that the purposed would be for a 1.8% pay raise and replace the step increase in the
teacher salary schedule and eliminate the discretionary reduction. She said that targets have increased
for education in the House budget. However, the Senate is less receptive to eliminating that budget
deficits.
Mrs. Trexler said the budget may be in place and settled by July 1. She noted that the school system
does not anticipate the state to giving any help for fuel this year.
Mrs. Trexler said on the local side, the county manager may be proposing their budget at the county
commission’s budget meeting today, and there is talk that there may be a half million decrease in local
dollars to the system.
Mrs. Kennedy left the meeting at 6:04 p.m.
Addition to Approved Financial Institutions
Mrs. Trexler said that Landis is wanting to change their banking institution because their current bank’s
branch is closing. Therefore, Landis looked for a local bank in order to make their daily deposits. Mrs.
Trexler said that the research was done and Bank of the Carolinas offered a nice package of services.
She said it was in line with all of the other financial institutions approved by the Board.
**Mrs. Freeze moved for approval of the Bank of the Carolinas for an additional financial institution.
Mrs. Norman seconded. Unanimously approved (5:0)
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RSS Technology Plan
Mr. Phil Hardin reviewed the revised plan. He said there were five priority goals sent to the system from
DPI, and what was submitted is acceptable to the department. Mr. Hardin requested that the Board
approve the new Technology Plan.
**Dr. Miller moved to accept the revised Technology Plan. Mrs. Norman seconded. Unanimously
approved. (5:0)
Process of Investigation at North Rowan High School
Mr. Ken Soo explained that the Board can’t talk about any particulars, but could talk in general about the
process.
Mr. Soo stated that when you have an investigative process, you must not muddy the waters so to speak
in case an appeal would come before the Board because the Board is a quasi-judicial body. He said it is
important that BOE members not express a particular position about a matter because there is due
process and the Board should not be biased.
Mr. Soo said that in employment matters, the administration may handle this in any number of ways. He
noted that dismissal and demotion must come to the Board, but other decisions can be made by the
administration. Also, the time frame will always depend on the complexity of the matter because the
truth has to come out.
Mr. Caskey asked who conducts the investigation. Mr. Soo said he would rather not speak about that
open session.
Mr. Ken Soo requested that Gen. Stat. 143-318.11(a)(3), to consult with an attorney employed or
retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and
the public body be added to the closed session.
Communications to the Board – Dr. Emerson
None
Superintendent/Board Comments – Dr. Grissom
Mr. Caskey read a statement he had prepared for public record, which outlined his concern and views on
the matter of Ms. Dixon-Neely, a teacher at North Rowan High School, that was at the center of
controversy.
Closed Session
**Mrs. Norman made a motion to recess into Closed Session at 6:42 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), and [NC Gen. Stat. 143318.11(a)(3)] Dr. Miller seconded. Unanimously approved. (5:0)
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BOE Closed Session Minutes of April 23, 2012
May Personnel Report
NRMS Classroom Issue
Mrs. Kennedy returned to the meeting at 6:42 p.m.
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The Board took a five minute recess.
Report of Closed Session
**Mrs. Norman moved to approve the May Personnel Report. Unanimously approved. (6:0)
**Mrs. Freeze moved to approve the recommendation of the superintendent to employ Dr. Avis Williams
as the principal of Salisbury High School. Mrs. Kennedy seconded. Unanimously approved. (6:0)
Announcements
5/25 - TOY Breakfast/Holiday Inn/7:00 a.m.
5/28 - Memorial Day Holiday/Schools & Offices Closed
6/4
- BOE Work Session Meeting/Long Street/5:00 p.m.
6/6
- BOE Personnel & Finance Sub-committee/Ellis St./3:00 p.m.
6/8
- Last Day for Students
6/9
- Graduations (Schedules listed below)
6/28 - BOE Meeting/Long Street/5:00 p.m.
GRADUATION SCHEDULE - Catawba College/Keppel Auditorium
East Rowan/8:00 a.m.
South Rowan/12:00 noon
North Rowan/4:00 p.m.
Henderson/6:00 p.m.
Salisbury/8:00 p.m.
SCHOOL SITE SCHEDULES
West Rowan/8:00 a.m.
Jesse Carson/10:00 a.m.
Dr. Grissom requested that the June 4 Board meeting be made a regular board meeting, because
there are several time sensitive items that would require Board action. It was the consensus of the
Board that June 4 should be noticed as a regular meeting.
Adjournment
** Mrs. Norman moved to adjourn at 7:12 p.m. Mrs. Kennedy seconded. Unanimously approved.
(7:0)
Dr. Jim Emerson, Chairman
Dr. Judy S. Grissom, Ed. D., Secretary
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