Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education
March 25, 2013
Minutes
The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education met on March 25, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. at the Long Street
Administrative Office with the following members present: Dr. Richard Miller, Mrs. Kay Wright Norman,
Mrs. Susan Cox, Mr. L. A. Overcash, Mr. Charles Hughes, and Mr. Joshua Wagner. Mrs. Kennedy was
absent. Also present were Dr. Judy Grissom, Dr. Julie Morrow, Mr. Gene Miller, Mr. Nathan Currie,
and Mrs. Bonnie Holder, Clerk to the Board.
Call to Order / Roll Call
Dr. Miller called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Mr. Wagner officiated the Pledge of Allegiance.
Dr. Miller requested that everyone share a moment of silence.
Adopt Agenda
**Mrs. Norman moved to adopt the agenda as submitted. Mr. Hughes seconded. Unanimously
approved. (6:0)
Celebrations
Congratulations to the following staff members of the Rowan-Salisbury School System for the
following accomplishments:
 HEART BALL SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Shari Graham and Henrietta Henderlite, representing the Heart Ball, will make a special
presentation to Child Nutrition. Libby Post is the Child Nutrition Director.
 RSS SCHOOLS RECEIVE “FUEL UP TO PLAY” GRANTS
Henderson Independent High and Shive Elementary schools both were awarded a “Fuel Up to
Play” grant designed to emphasis healthy nutrition and physical activity improvements. Henderson
will receive $3,600 and Shive will receive $4,000.
Henderson
Linda Bryant, CN Supervisor
Darius Robinson, PE teacher
Candi Profit, CN Manager
Dr. Chris Vecchione, Principal
Shive
Lisa Altmann, CN Supervisor
Greg Simpson, PE Teacher
John Brady, PE teacher-grant writer
Janice Peacock, CN Manager
Zebbie Bondurant, Principal
 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 March are:
1. Lisa Zerger
2. Ashley Poole
Erwin Middle School Teacher
North Rowan Middle Health and PE Teacher
 FELECIA YOUNG IS THE NCTIES 2013 OUTSTANDING TEACHER
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Salisbury High School teacher Felecia Young received the 2013 NCTIES Outstanding Teacher
Award for demonstrating outstanding achievements and leadership in implementing technology to
improve education.
 RSS RECEIVES FIVE STATE BLUE RIBBONS FOR EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNICATIONS
The Rowan-Salisbury Schools was awarded five (5) Blue Ribbon Awards for excellence in
communications as presented by NCSPRA for the following:
o
Marketing Campaign:
 STEM Matters: What’s Right With Public Education
 Reading Matters: iRead
o
Excellence in Writing:
 STEM Matters – A Reason To Play The Glad Game
o
Special Purpose Category:
 2012-2014 District Improvement Plan
 Elementary Curriculum Guides for Parents
Mrs. Kennedy entered the meeting at 4:13 p.m.
Communications to the Board
None
Board/Superintendent Comments
Dr. Miller advised other Board members that the RCCC Trustee application had been posted on the
school system website with the deadline as April 15. He stated that the applications will be reviewed,
and an appointment considered at the April 22 meeting.
Dr. Miller also advised the Board that the dirt has been filled in at the proposed central office site, but
the City continues to wait on NCDNER with results.
On other matters, Dr. Miller distributed an email that he had sent to Commission Chairman, Mr. Jim
Sides. Mr. Sides’ response was included.
Dr. Grissom noted that she received information that the school system has been offered $150,000
toward the purchase of solar panels to be installed on the roof, if the proposed central office building
is build at downtown site. Dr. Grissom said the donor and school system realize the donation will not
cover all of the cost, but would certainly help.
Dr. Grissom said that Rep. Harry Warren did file a Bill (HB324) last week for calendar , and it will now
go to the Education and Commerce Committee.
Consent Agenda
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February 25, 2013 Minutes
February 2013 Financial Summary
February 2013 Budget Amendments
**Mrs. Norman made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Mr. Overcash seconded.
Unanimously approved. (7:0)
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Discussion Items
Field Trip Request
Mrs. Norman asked Mr. Ronnie Miller of South Rowan about the cost of the field trip the VICA Clubs were
taking to Greensboro. Mr. Miller said there was no cost to the students because they raise money
**Mrs. Norman moved approval of the field trip for WRHS and SRHS field trip to Greensboro. Mr.
Overcash seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
East Rowan Business and Marketing Academy Proposal
Principal Mr. Sparger of East Rowan High School introduced Mrs. Cindy Atkins who is the chair of the
Business Education Department at East Rowan.
Mr. Sparger explained that the curriculum plan to implement a Business and Marketing Academy had
been distributed, and he felt it sufficiently detailed the program. He said the staff at East has wanted to
begin this type of program for a while.
Following a moment for the Board to review the plan, Mr. Sparger said the staff feels there are many
positives in the program, noting that the students will be doing electronic portfolios. He said the school
has always had a large FBLA that allowed the students to hone in on their communication and
demonstration skills, and these benefits speak for themselves.
Mr. Sparger added that in their IT Academy, students have achieved Microsoft and Power Point
Certifications. Mr. Sparger emphasized that these certifications will help these students as they further
their education, and an added bonus is that students, who score 93 or higher on the exam and have an
A or B in their coursework, will receive credit for any community college in NC.
Mrs. Norman asked how many students would be eligible to participate. Mrs. Sparger said rising 8th
graders from Erwin Middle this year because he has not actively introduced the program yet. However,
with Board approval, they hope to offer it to students throughout the county beginning in 2014-2015.
Ms. Kathy McDuffie explained the program would also be an option for ERHS students for the coming
school year, if they have already been enrolled in the business courses.
Mrs. Norman said the program needed to be shared with the freshman classes this year, and that those
students need to take the business classes next year.
**Mr. Wagner moved to approve the Business and Marketing Academy as a pilot program for 2013-2014.
Mrs. Norman seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Dr. Miller acknowledged Ms. Kathy McDuffie and expressed the Board’s appreciation for the contribution
she has given to Rowan-Salisbury Schools. He wished her well in her retirement.
2012-2013 State Transportation Report
Ms. Judy Burris reviewed the State Bus Maintenance Report. She said that 10% of her fleet is audited,
as well as the office operation, accounting, BSIF, files, and miscellaneous reports that are submitted to
the state throughout the year.
Ms. Burris highlighted that the department was given a 36.94%, which is down from 2012-2013 that was
38.79%. She explained that fewer points is a better report.
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Ms. Burris informed the Board that there are 421 items that are listed in the bus maintenance manual
that can take a bus out of service, and four buses were taken out of service following the inspection.
She said that may seem to be a dangerous finding, but the items would not compromise student safety
and the issues were repaired on site. Ms. Burris emphasized that all buses continued their routes
without interruption.
Ms. Burris noted that the parts inventory was satisfactory except for Mechanics Labor. She explained
that the mechanics needed to charge 8 hours labor daily. However, they may begin a repair on a bus
and have to stop to wait on a part to come in. The mechanic will begin a repair on another bus, but not
turn in the TD-18 for the first bus until the job is completed. Ms. Burris said she aired her concerns with
DPI because her department was complying with the recommendations given.
Ms. Burris said the transportation office and inventory departments met expectations. She concluded by
stating that there is no question the staff is working their eight hours. Ms. Burris said the report in no
means an issue that the mechanics are doing the work, it is in the process of how they have to log their
in their hours.
2012-2013 Financial Audit Contract
Mrs. Tara Trexler explained the scope of work included in the annual audit, and that it is time to offer a
contract for 2012-2013. She said that the auditors will come in and perform some preliminary work once
the Board approves the contract.
Mrs. Trexler’s recommendation to the Board was to offer the contract to Dixon Hughes Goodman again
this year at a rate of $38,400, which is an increase over last year. However, the rate is not above where
the proposal of 2009.
Mr. Wagner asked in timeframe do the auditors work. Mrs. Trexler stated four to five days for
preliminary work in April, and they return in the fall for another week.
Mr. Wagner asked when was the last time we looked at other vendors. Mrs. Trexler said it had not been
since she had been in the system, so she felt since 1999. She noted that there is probably three major
auditors in North Carolina that focus on school systems.
Mrs. Trexler explained that the cost quoted in this contract is still in line with surrounding counties of our
size with last years comparisons. She said it is a very competitive cost.
**Mrs. Norman moved the approval of the audit contract to Dixon Hughes Goodman for $38,400 and
presented by Mrs. Trexler. Mr. Overcash seconded.
Mr. Wagner said he would like to have the staff put the audit contract out for bid, since it hasn’t been bid
in several years. Mrs. Trexler said she would recommend that the Board initiate that process for the
following year.
Dr. Miller asked, “When does the report have to be made public. Mrs. Trexler said, “October.”
Mrs. Kennedy called for the question. Approved (6:1) Mr. Wagner opposed.
Dr. Miller asked Mrs. Trexler to bring back information at the April 22 BOE meeting of what would need
to be considered in the bid process in subsequent years.
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Mrs. Norman said there are reasons why you don’t won’t to continue changing auditors, one being
because of they offer continuity. Mrs. Kennedy suggested that the Board has a CFO that can and does
make the comparisons for the Board’s information before submitting her recommendation.
2013-2014 Budget Update
Mrs. Trexler began with an update of the operating budget. She said the good news is that the deficit
has decreased some. Therefore, a few adjustments have been made according to the Governor’s
proposal. Mrs. Trexler stated there is a 1% increase for teachers and state employees.
Mrs. Trexler said we are at a $5,613,000 deficit. She reviewed some of the budget offsets. Dr. Miller
stated that we have to maximize wherever possible.
Mr. Overcash asked if the restructuring of the Human Resources Department that was noted in the
budget was the changing of the classification of assistant superintendent for Human Resources to an
Executive Director. Dr. Miller said that step had been taken, but the audit of that department may show
some consolidations of jobs as well.
Mrs. Trexler shared some options for additional cut considerations. She explained that reducing teacher
assistants was in line with the Governor’s proposal. Dr. Grissom noted that cut doesn’t go toward our
discretionary amount. She stated that in previous years, the Governor’s budget that was proposed was
not what happened, but this year it could because of the legislature.
Mrs. Cox asked if administration would be reducing one teacher. Dr. Grissom said, “Yes.” Mrs. Cox said
she feels SCALE is an increasing necessity. Dr. Grissom reminded the Board that the reduction of
programs that are listed are just suggestions, and she doesn’t want to cut any of the programs.
However, after cutting for the last four years, there are very few other areas to go.
Mrs. Norman said she would like to also see the high schools have more than one resource officer.
Mrs. Kennedy said she was bothered by staff reduction in AIG, and will the schools still be able to
continue with the same instruction. Dr. Grissom said, “Yes.” Dr. Miller said some programs could be
eliminated, but we should really try to retain the programs that continue to benefit the students.
Mr. Hughes asked if we could take more from fund balance to absorb the cost of staff we may loose.
Mrs. Trexler said that the Board could because 8% is a recommendation for a figure in fund balance, not
a requirement.
Mr. Wagner said he would like to see the Board stipend increase out of the budget. Mr. Hughes agreed.
Mrs. Norman said viewing the budget draft as Mrs. Trexler’s best information, she would like to have
some time to look at some other places to eliminate and review it on April 8. Mrs. Trexler said the
budget needed ready for submission to the commissioners by April 12.
**Mr. Hughes said his proposal would be that the Board request the $5.613M before the Board does any
hard cutting. Mrs. Overcash seconded.
Dr. Grissom said her only concern is the timing because she said she would not hear back until May, and
if we have to cut people, it is hard to inform them in June. Mrs. Cox said requesting the full amount of
the deficit may have the perception that the Board is not willing to make any concessions
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**Mr. Wagner moved to table the motion until April 8 meeting. Mr. Overcash seconded. Approved.
(6:1) Mr. Hughes opposed.
Mrs. Trexler reviewed the capital outlay budget.
Dr. Miller asked the Board members to review the budget considerations presented, and plan to discuss
options and/or suggestions at the April 8 meeting.
Board/Superintendent Comments
None
Closed Session
**Mrs. Norman moved to recess into Closed Session at 5:53 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. state 143-318-11(a)(1), and 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. [NC Gen. Stat. 143-318.11(a)(3)]. Mr. Wagner seconded. (7:0)
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March Personnel Report
Closed Session Minutes of February 25, 2013
Student Transfers
Hughs vs. Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education
Report of Closed Session
Mr. Overcash moved to approve the March Personnel Report. Mrs. Cox seconded. Unanimously
approved. (7:0)
Announcements
3/28
Early Release Day for Students
3/29
Holiday
4/1 - 4/5
Spring Break
4/8
BOE Work Session/5:00 p.m./Long Street
4/17
PTA Council Luncheon/11:45 a.m./Civic Center
4/22
BOE Meeting/5:00 p.m./Long Street
4/26
Early Release Day for Students
Adjournment
**Mr. Overcash moved to adjourn at 7:10 p.m. Mr. Wagner seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Dr. Richard W. Miller, Chairman
Dr. Judy S. Grissom, Ed. D., Secretary
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