Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education
Meeting
February 27, 2012
Minutes
The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education met on February 27, 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, Mr. Bryce Beard, Mrs. Kay Wright Norman and Dr. Richard Miller. Also
present were Dr. Judy Grissom, Dr. Rebecca Smith, Mr. Gene Miller, Mr. Nathan Currie, Attorney 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 officiated the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Beard shared an opening meditation.
Adopt Agenda
** Dr. Grissom explained there was a special guest making a presentation, and she requested that the
presentation be moved up prior to Celebrations. Dr. Grissom also requested that the 2nd reading of Policies
7-24 and 7-25 be removed from the agenda because after input had been received from various persons,
the Personnel Sub-committee would need to review them again. Mrs. Freeze moved to adopt the agenda
as amended. Dr. Miller seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Presentation – Love the Bus
Ms. Burris and Ms. Janice Query presented Buster the Bus, a small robotic bus replica that that acted out a
skit. The skit included facts about bus safety and explained that Buster had visited 12 elementary schools
during the month of February to teach the students bus safety.
Ms. Burris explained that our school bus drivers make the yellow bus one of the safest modes of
transportation for our students and that February is “Love the Bus” month, and it is celebrated all over the
country.
Celebrations
Congratulations to the following staff members of the Rowan-Salisbury School System for the following
accomplishments:
 APPLE RECOGNITION:
Janice Adams and Tonia Aldridge from Apple will be presenting our district with the “Apple
Exemplary Program for 2011-2012” award.
 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 February are:
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Anthony Johnson
Adam Deland
Jim Johnson
Ken Rufty
Marlene Lookabill
Tech Facilitator at Overton Elementary
Assistant Principal at Knox Middle
Technology Department
Teacher at Erwin Middle
Data Manager at Hurley Elementary
 KNOX MIDDLE SCHOOL – EXCELLENCE IN ART
Bethanie Stauffer, a sixth-grade Knox Middle School student, is one of the 16 winners in NC selected to
have their artwork displayed in honor of National Youth Art Month in Washington, DC. Bethanie’s art
will be on view in the North Legislative Building in Washington from March 2012 until March 2013.
Melinda Hedrick is the art teacher.
 The Rowan-Salisbury School System received Two State Blue Ribbons for excellence in
communications by NCSPRA (North Carolina School Public Relations Association) for the
following:
o RSS 2009-2010 Annual Report
o Marketing Campaign – “Technology Matters: What’s Right With Public Education”
 ENERGY STAR AWARDS
25 Schools receive renewals for the federal “Energy Star” program. One school is a first-time recipient
– Shive Elementary. Mike Austin is the district’s Energy Coordinator.
SCHOOL / PRINCIPALS or AP
ELEMENTARY
Shive (1st time recipient) / Zebbie Bondurant
Bostian / AP - Mike Mobley
Overton / Betty Tunks
China Grove / AP -Rodney Burton
Cleveland / Becky Kepley-Lee
Enochville / Barry Haywood
Isenberg / Larry Brown
Hurley / Kim Walton
Knollwood / Shonda Hairston
Landis / Beverly Roberts
Mt. Ulla / Lee Anne Thomas
North Rowan / Scotty Adcock
Rockwell / Laura Kerr
Woodleaf / Sue Herrington
HEAD CUSTODIAN
Joyce Storm
Bonnie Livengood
Jeff Cameron
Randy Matlock
Kelly Cress
Troy Broadway
Terry Clodfelter
Velma Knox
Steve Goodman
Joel Threatt
Terry Wilhite
Billy Elder
Greg Pine
Mike Aistrop
MIDDLE
Erwin / Kristi Rhone
China Grove / Linda Johnson
Corriher-Lipe / Dr. Beverly Pugh
Knox / Dr. James Davis
North Rowan / Alex Cowan
Southeast / Skip Kraft
West Rowan / Nancy Barkemeyer
Bobby Eddleman / Jennifer
Fesperman
Jimmy Patterson
Tommy Knox
Brian Tutterow
Chris Gillion
Johnny Carpenter
Robert Lowe
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HIGH
East Rowan / AP-Rick Vanhoy
North Rowan / Darrell McDowell
Salisbury / Dr. Windsor Eagle
South Rowan / Dr. Don Knox
West Rowan / Dr. Jamie Durant
Vincent Price
Walter Corry
Franklin Ford
Tony Williams
Darrell Misenheimer
Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Delores Morris, entered the meeting at 5:19 p.m.
Communication to the Board
Mr. Daniel Trivette, a band teacher at WRHS said he opposed limiting activity buses to in-state travel. He
said he understood the increase in the per mileage rate and agreed with it because of fuel cost increasing.
However, there are competitions that the band members attend in-state that are farther than some out of
state travel.
Mr. Alex Silliman, a JCHS Agriculture teacher, said to charter a bus even to include other schools, the cost
was too high for the schools to take the trip. He said each school group has different itineraries and it is
not feasible. Mr. Sillimon also said it was not feasible to hire someone to drive when school personnel can
drive on the trips.
Ms. Brittany Chester, a Biology teacher, feels students will be limited because of the limitation on travel of
the activity buses. She noted that the trips she took as a student are part of the reason she took to
competition last year.
Ms. Kaye Sitterson, a single parent of a high school senior at Carson High, said her student would not have
been able to receive the CTE award and scholarship without the trip she took last year to competition.
Ms. Julie Hoffner, a parent of three children who were enrolled in FFA, said that she feels taking a trip out
of state should be on a case by case basis. She noted that the SRHS FFA Alumni raised $16,000 to
purchase a mini bus for the purpose of traveling to international convention.
Major Bill Lowe, the SRHS JROTC teache,r said the JROTC program is a national program that competes
with other teams, and the students have placed high in the competitions. He said they also take the
students to visit colleges.
Mr. “Wild Bill” Corriher, a community representative of the FFA and JROTC at SRHS, said he traveled with
the SRHS FFA to their national convention, and they were very good students. He said he visits the JROTC
at SRHS several times a week. He said he felt the Board should not cut the young people short.
Superintendent and Board Comments
None
Consideration of the Consent Agenda
 Field Trip Requests for WRHS and SRHS
 BOE Minutes of January 23, 2012, Emergency Minutes of January 30, 2012 and Called Meeting
Minutes of February 6, 2012
 January 2012 Budget Amendments
 January 2012 Financial Report
 Employee Appreciation Opportunity
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**Mrs. Norman moved approval of the Consent Agenda as submitted. Mr. Beard seconded. Unanimously
approved. (7:0)
Discussion Items
Bio-Moto Challenge – Dr. Smith and Mrs. Ann Ellis addressed the Board and shared with them the
opportunity of the Bio-Moto Challenge.
Dr. Smith said that the school system’s middle schools have partnered with many businesses and surrounding
school districts. She said the big idea of the grant, was to increase 8th graders awareness of STEM
preparedness; learning about nutrition,
Mrs. Ellis announced that on March 10, the students from four of our middle schools would travel to the
Rockingham Dragway to compete in the STEM Bio-Moto Challenge.
Activity Bus Fleet
Ms. Burris presented for information a fact sheet of the activity bus fleet for information. She explained that
out of a total of 45 buses, 28 buses meet the state criteria for replacement, which is based on year and
mileage.
Ms. Burris said when she sat down and looked at the criteria used in meeting replacement, she was shocked.
She noted that one of the buses is 27 years old.
Ms. Burris gave a recommendation to limit activity bus travel to in-state only, except for Carowinds. She also
recommended a price increase by .25 to $1.20 per mile in order to begin an activity bus replacement fund.
She explained that at this time there is no money to replace activity buses. However, since this information
was calculated, the cost of diesel has increased to $3.34 per gallon.
Ms. Burris said there has to be some type of replacement bus fund and lowering of the mileage on these
buses.
Dr. Emerson asked if replacing an activity buses comes under capital outlay. Mr. Miller said yes and that four
buses were bought in 2009 and in 2007 three buses were bought. He stated that the cost of one activity bus
is $81,000.
Dr. Miller said that 6000 miles of out-of-state mileage is not a whole lot of mileage and asked if there was any
other alternative. Ms. Burris said the increase in cost per mile has been recommended.
Dr. Grissom told the Board that she had suggested to Mr. Miller that he and Ms. Burris meet with the high
school principals and gather suggestions. Ms. Burris said she will be glad to meet with the principals and
come back to the Board.
Selection of Architect for New Administration Project
Mr. Miller reminded the Board that at the last meeting when it was discussed to hire an architect, the Board
voted to obtain an RFP to hire an architect. Mr. Miller said that NC General Statutes state how an architect
was to be hired. He explained that the Board can draft a resolution to hire an architect. Mr. Miller read a
Resolution he had drafted.
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Mr. Caskey asked what the financial impact would be. Mr. Miller said that if it is decided to advertise and
receive the architect proposals, they would asked about their financial stability, if they are bonded, and
various other questions. Mr. Miller said he believes Mr. Burgin is the best fit for this job.
Dr. Miller asked if Mr. Miller knew a range that the fee would be. Mr. Miller said Mr. Burgin stated that he
could do the project for 5.9%.
Mr. Beard explained that Mr. Burgin has done other buildings for us and for the county. Mr. Miller said that
Mr. Burgin’s firm has done many projects for Rowan-Salisbury Schools including renovations and add-ons.
Dr. Miller asked what window of time it would be to vet other architects. Mr. Miller said he would have to
advertise in the state magazine for a minimum of 30 days, sit down and evaluate the applications, and bring
the recommendations to the Board. Mr. Miller said a process of about two months.
**Mr. Beard moved to approve the Resolution with one amendment in line one to read “the administration
building in the 300 block of South Main Street.” Mrs. Freeze seconded. Approved (6:1) Mr. Caskey opposed.
Mr. Caskey said he would like to put it out for bids although he feels Burgin is a good group.
School Choice and Academies
Dr. Grissom said that the information Mr. Currie was going to share was requested at the last meeting. Mr.
Currie reviewed the report of the academies and school choice. He noted that North saw the largest gain
based on school choice, receiving 46 students. Mr. Curries said that Carson, North and Salisbury saw the
most impact with their academies.
Dr. Emerson said he was really glad to see that North had a positive impact.
Mrs. Norman asked if the report could be expanded under both categories to include students who are
playing athletics. Mr. Currie said he had that information. Dr. Grissom said that the names were in a data
base.
Dr. Miller said the point is that the academies are doing what they should do, and that students are not
circumventing the system.
Adoption of Board Policy for Rules of Order
Dr. Emerson explained that he is not ready to adopt a policy on rules to conduct a meeting. He said that
Mrs. Holder will be ordering a book, Suggested Rules of Procedures for Small Local Government Boards, for
each board member to review before making a decision. Dr. Emerson, who had reviewed the book, said that
the book is a good book, but the Board can also make some changes to some of those rules.
Mr. Sayers said that he recommended the book and would highly recommend that we adopt this as the Board
rules with any changes the Board wishes to make.
Mr. Beard said he has been on the Board seven years and we have gotten along fine. Dr. Emerson said that
the Board has never adopted rules of procedure to conduct a meeting.
Communications to the Board – Dr. Emerson
None
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Superintendent/Board Comments – Dr. Grissom
None
Closed Session
** Mrs. Kennedy made a motion to recess into Closed Session at 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)] and 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 January 23, 2012
February Personnel Report
Student Transfer Appeals
The Board took a short recess.
Report of Closed Session
** Mrs. Freeze moved to approve the February Personnel Report. Mrs. Norman seconded. Unanimously
approved. (7:0)
Mrs. Freeze moved to approve the Term Contracts. Mrs. Norman seconded. (7:0)
Dr. Emerson said that the March 12 W/S would need to be rescheduled because the budget would not be
ready. He said that the staff will bring the budget to the March 27 meeting. Dr. Emerson advised that the
budget will be discussed at the Finance meeting on March 6 at Long St.
Announcements
3/6
- Personnel and Finance Sub-committee/Ellis Street/3:00 p.m.
3/9 & 10 - Elementary Art Exhibit/Waterworks Gallery
3/12
- BOE Work Session/Long Street/5:00 p.m.
3/23
- Early Release Day
3/27
- BOE Curriculum & Technology Sub-committee Mtg./Long St./12:00 noon
3/26
- BOE Meeting/Long Street/5:00 p.m.
Adjournment
** Mrs. Freeze moved to adjourn at 7:15 p.m. Mrs. Kennedy seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Dr. Jim Emerson, Chairman
Dr. Judy S. Grissom, Ed. D., Secretary
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