Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education
Meeting
September 26, 2011
Minutes
The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education met on September 26, 2011 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, Mrs. Kay Wright Norman, Mr. Mike Caskey, Mr. Bryce Beard, and Dr.
Richard Miller. Also present were Dr. Judy Grissom, Dr. Rebecca Smith, Dr. Walter Hart, Mrs.
Delores Morris, 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. Dr. Miller shared the opening meditation.
Adopt Agenda
Dr. Emerson requested the WRMS field trip request be added to the agenda. Mrs. Norman moved
to adopt the agenda as amended. Dr. Miller seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Celebrations
 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 August
are:
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Barbara Peach
Amanda Howard
Libby Johnson
Marc Clark
Phil Hardin
Delora Murphy
Anthony Johnson
Joe Nixon
Secretary at Salisbury High
Classified Employee Specialist in Human Resources
High School Licensure Specialist in Human Resources
Custodian at Horizons
Executive Director of Technology
Assistant Principal at East Rowan High
Technology Facilitator at Overton Elementary
Teacher at West Rowan High School
 NC ASSOCIATION OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION-BUSINESS DIVISION:
Corriher-Lipe Middle School’s Business Education Teacher, Pam Orbison has been selected as the
NCACTE-BE President for 2011-2012.
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 SHS “RANKS” IN WASHINGTON POST’S “2011 CHALLENGE INDEX”
Salisbury High School ranked in the top 8% of high schools across the nation for effectively
preparing students for college readiness and for how well the school is serving all populations.
SHS received a bronze medal.
 NRHS BOYS OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD TEAM –
STATE CHAMPIONS!!
Congratulations to the North Rowan High School Boys Track Team for winning the State 1A
Championship. The team’s head coach is Robert Steele. Assistant Coaches are: Phillip Bush,
James House, and Felicia Brannon. Team members are:
Witt Alexander
Jahad Davis
Daylon Gray
Darius Jackson
Justin Kimber
Johnny Oglesby
William Robertson
Tevin Shaffer
Javon Hargrave
Darrius Wallace
Garland Archie
Malik Ford
Demiah Hawkins
Brandon Johnson
Titus King
Cecil McCauley
Regnal Parker
Michael Robinson
Samuel Starks
Johathan Tomblin
Eugene Coney
Joseph Wiggins
Terrese Barber
Eric Gadson
Patrick Imes
Jamone Kelly
Cameron Mallett
Neegbeah Reeves
Xavier Robinson
Deqaun Tillman
Cameron Sifford
 STATE ABC RECOGNITIONS:
The following schools in the Southeast, West, and Salisbury areas are being recognized for
achieving ABC Recognition.
Bostian Elementary
Cleveland Elementary
Isenberg Elementary
Koontz Elementary
Landis Elementary
Mt. Ulla Elementary
China Grove Middle
Southeast Middle
West Rowan Middle
Jesse Carson High
Salisbury High
HIGH Growth
Expected Growth
Expected Growth
Expected Growth
Expected Growth
Expected Growth
Expected Growth
Expected Growth
HIGH Growth
HIGH Growth
HIGH Growth
School of Distinction
School of Distinction
School of Progress
School of Progress
School of Progress
School of Progress
School of Progress
School of Distinction
School of Distinction
School of Progress
Communication to the Board
Mr. William Peoples spoke to the Board concerning the news about building a central office in
downtown Salisbury. He questions how the Board would pay for the property. Mr. Peoples said he
also thought the Board was reluctant to tell the community about the principal that is no longer at
Henderson Independent High School. He asked if she was released for just cause.
Mr. Peoples said he questioned the lack of diversity on the superintendent’s staff.
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Superintendent and Board Comments
Dr. Grissom stated that she had placed a few items at each Board member’s seat. She explained
the first item was the results of the assignment that the principals and directors had to do with
regard to the book, The Energy Bus. Dr. Grissom said that the book was about being positive in a
negative climate and ways we can all focus on setting goals and creating a vision to stay positive
and make the people around us have positive energy.
Dr. Grissom said that the second document she distributed listed what each school would be doing
on the early release day and on Friday, the first teacher training day.
Consideration of the Consent Agenda
 August 2011 Financial Summary
 BOE Minutes of August 22, and Special Meeting Minutes of September 6, 2011
 August 2011 Budget Amendments
 Field Trip Requests
**Mrs. Freeze moved approval of the Consent Agenda as submitted. Mrs. Norman seconded.
Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Discussion Items
Horizons SCUBA Trip Opportunity
Ms. Wear introduced Tonya Brinegar German, who Ms. Wear said had done a lot of research for the
trip. Ms. Brineger German said that Horizons would like to offer a summer camp, a week long
overnight out-of-state trip focused on marine biology and conservation ecology, to current middle
school students. She said there will be some pre-trip classes offered at Horizons and at the YMCA to
prepare the students for the activities they would be doing in Florida. Mrs. Brinegar German explained
that after the trip, the students will have an opportunity to present the data to the community.
Dr. Emerson asked how many students would be interested in going. Mrs. Brinegar German said that
the trip is for any middle school student wanting to go, but the trip would be capped at 30.
Mrs. Freeze said that it sounded like a wonderful trip. Dr. Miller asked for the cost per student. Mrs.
Brinegar German said $925. However, monthly installment plans are in place, and they are currently
working with some of the faith-based partners and with Rowan Regional Medical Center to help with
students who may not be financially able.
Dr. Miller asked what liabilities would the system assume. Mrs. Brinegar German said the students
would not be scuba diving. A certified scuba diver will be a chaperone, and the charter boat staff have
certifications.
**Mrs. Freeze moved for approval of the Horizons SCUBA trip. Mr. Beard seconded. (6:1) Mrs.
Kennedy opposed.
Field Trip Request of West Rowan Middle School
Mrs. Nancy Barkermeyer and Mrs. Holly Brumley addressed the Board. Dr. Emerson asked why the trip
could not be scheduled during spring break.
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Mrs. Brumley said that question comes up each year. She said they have a great scholarship program
for those who can’t pay. Mrs. Brumley further explained that the reason they picked this date is
because the students whose parents are able plan vacations, and the children of families that can’t
take a vacation have to stay home and take care of siblings during spring break.
Mr. Beard asked Mrs. Brumley how many years have they have taken the trip. Mrs. Brumley answered,
“Over the last nine years.”
**Mrs. Kennedy moved approval of the WRMS trip. Mrs. Norman seconded. (6:1) Dr. Emerson
opposed.
Beginning Teacher Support Plan
Mrs. Susan Heaggans reviewed the Beginning Teacher Support Plan that is required to be submitted to
the state. She noted that there are new standards in teacher support, mentors, and teacher
evaluation.
Mrs. Heaggans requested approval of the plan.
**Mrs. Freeze moved to accept the Beginning Teacher Support Plan. Dr. Miller seconded.
Unanimously approved. (7:0)
BOE 7-14.3, Reduction in Force
Mrs. Morris said this was the same policy that was approved on first reading, but additional wording
under 7-14.3, Criteria, to read, “All employment rights as defined by G.S. 115C-325 shall be followed.”
Mrs. Morris advised that this wording was approved by the personnel committee.
**Mrs. Norman moved to accept policy 7-14, Section 7-14.3, Criteria, on first reading. Dr. Miller
seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Second Reading of BOE Policy 8-33, Concussion and Head Injury
Dr. Hart noted that all the policies he is presenting tonight is in response to the state statutes that
were approved.
** Dr. Miller moved the adoption of Policy 8-33, Concussion and Head, on second reading. Mrs.
Kennedy seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
First Reading of Due Process and Discipline Appeals
Dr. Hart said approval on first reading would be requested. He reviewed the amended Code of
Conduct Section on Due Process and Discipline Appeals. Dr. Hart explained that a step has been added
that before the superintendent makes her decision, an administrative hearing would be held by a
committee, including the principal. The response from that committee would be given to Dr. Grissom.
He also noted that the legislation now says that alternative placement must be offered unless the
superintendent finds a just reason not to offer it.
**Mrs. Norman moved to accept the revised wording in the Code of Conduct on Due Process and
Discipline Appeals. Mrs. Freeze seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Dr. Hart said that the changes are going to be put on the website and sent home with the students.
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First Reading of BOE Policy 8-29, Pregnant and Parenting Students
Dr. Hart said the policy manual already had language referring to this subject. However, more
procedure caused for an additional policy with more details.
**Mrs. Freeze moved for approval of BOE Policy 8-29. Mrs. Norman seconded. Unanimously
approved. (7:0)
Revisions to the Code of Conduct
Dr. Hart reviewed the new changes to the Code of Conduct.
Mrs. Freeze left the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
**Dr. Miller moved approval of the changes to the Code of Conduct. Mrs. Kennedy seconded.
Unanimously approved. (7:0)
2011 United Way Day of Caring
Ms. Foil reviewed an outline of the many projects that were completed at 34 of our schools by the
United Way Day of Caring volunteers. She shared a Power Point of the projects that were
accomplished by over 500 volunteers. Ms. Foil said that over $250,000 worth of man hours were
volunteered on this day.
Report of Maintenance Projects from Summer 2011 through September 2011
Dr. Grissom said that she has found out much more information over the last couple months from
maintenance, and wanted to share a report of major projects that had been done in the school system
during the summer and through September.
Dr. Grissom said that she will be submitting a quarterly report of the major maintenance work that is
being done by the maintenance department.
Update on the Proposed Central Office
Dr. Grissom said she wanted to let the Board know that all signatures are on the pre-development
agreement and the developer is working toward getting information that was requested by the LGC.
Communications to the Board – Dr. Emerson
Mr. John Bare – a citizen, spoke in regard to the central office. He questioned why one was being
built. He asked why an open bid process has not been considered. Mr. Bare thought that the citizens
of the community did not know much about the plan of the central office, and there needed to be more
transparency.
Superintendent/Board Comments – Dr. Grissom
None
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Closed Session
Mrs. Kennedy made a motion to recess into Closed Session at 6:23 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); Dr. Miller seconded.
Unanimously approved. (7:0)
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BOE Minutes of August 22 and September 6, 2011
Student Appeals
September Personnel Report
Jankowski v. RSSS Update
The Board took a short recess.
Report of Closed Session
Dr. Emerson moved approval of the superintendent’s proposal. Dr. Miller seconded. Unanimously
approved. (7:0)
**Mrs. Kennedy moved to approve the September Personnel Report. Dr. Miller seconded.
Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Announcements
10/10 - BOE Work Session Meeting/5:00 p.m./Long St.
10/19 - BOE Curriculum Sub-committee Meeting/Long St.
10/24 - BOE Meeting/5:00 p.m./Long St.
10/28 - Early Release Day
11/08 - Annual Report to the Community Breakfast/7:00 a.m./YMCA
11/08 - Report Cards Issued
11/11 - HOLIDAY - Veterans' Day/ Schools & Offices Closed
11/15-16 - NCSBA Annual Conference/Greensboro, NC
Dr. Emerson said he will plan to cancel the Oct. 10 work session unless something comes up that
needs attention.
Adjournment
**Mrs. Kennedy moved to adjourn at 7:38 p.m. Mrs. Freeze seconded. Unanimously approved.
(7:0)
Dr. Jim Emerson, Chairman
Dr. Judy S. Grissom, Ed. D., Secretary
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