Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education
Meeting
November 26, 2012
Minutes
The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education met on November 26, 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 Mr. Bryce Beard. Dr. Richard
Miller out of town. Also present were Dr. Rebecca Smith, Mrs. Delores Morris, Mr. Gene Miller, Mr.
Nathan Currie, 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. Mr. Caskey officiated the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mrs. Freeze shared an opening prayer.
Adopt Agenda
Dr. Emerson said he had been asked to move the SHS Cultural Arts discussion to the December 17
agenda, as well as the MLS Update by Mr. Colby Cochran. Dr. Emerson requested to add discussion
regarding a time to meet to discuss and consider Mr. Caskey’s replacement. Mrs. Freeze requested to
add a discussion regarding Board stipends.
**Mrs. Norman moved the adoption of the agenda as amended. Mrs. Kennedy seconded.
Unanimously approved. (6:0)
Celebrations
Congratulations to the following staff and students of the Rowan-Salisbury School System for their
accomplishments:
 ONE OF THE TOP 50 INNOVATORS IN EDUCATION
Phil Hardin, RSS Executive Director of Technology, has been selected to be featured in the
Center for Digital Education and Converge’s 2012 Yearbook issue for being one of the top 50
innovators in education.
 HOLIDAY CARD CONTEST WINNER
Grissel Medina, from Knollwood Elementary School, is the winner of the Rowan-Salisbury School
System’s 2012 “Holiday Card Contest.” Danielle Dagenhart is the art teacher.
 STATE POETRY WINNER:
Elizabeth Weaver, a 10th-grade student at East Rowan High School, won a 500-word essay
contest conducted by the N.C. Association of County Commissioners. Elizabeth Walters is the
English teacher.
 NC HONORS CHORUS:
The following Corriher-Lipe Middle School students were selected for the prestigious honor of
performing with the NC Honor’s Chorus. The group performed on November 11th at the Steven’s
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Center in Winston-Salem. Sharon Wooten is the CLMS Choral Director. The students are as
follows:
1. Preston Tadlock, Bass 1
2. Mason White, Tenor 2
 NCCTM OUTSTANDING MATH TEACHER
Congratulations to Daniel Herring, from Southeast Middle School, for being selected to the 20112012 North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics Outstanding Secondary Mathematics
Teacher
 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 November
are:
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Doug Pruitt
Anna Bradshaw
Connie Leslie
Teresa Bailey
Colby Cochran
Dawn Fox
Corriher-Lipe Middle Athletic Director
Corriher-Lipe Middle Teacher Assistant & Coach
Southeast Middle Custodian and Bus Driver
Woodleaf Elementary First Position Secretary
RSS Director of Assessment & Accountability
Technology Support Coordinator
 SALISBURY HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS TEAM WINS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
The SHS Girls Tennis Team won their 5th consecutive 2A state tennis championship. The Coach is
Chris Myers. Team members include:
Katelyn Storey
Alexandra Drye
Anna Flynn
Sallie Kate Meyerhoeffer
Madeline Hoskins
Kayla Honeycutt
Kathryn Rusher
Grace Steinman
Emily Capito
Kathleen Mowery
 SALISBURY HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS GOLF TEAM WINS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
The SHS Girls Golf Team won their 2nd consecutive state championship title.
The Coach is Dale Snyder. Team members include:
Shelby Holden
Madeline Hoskins
Caroline Parrot
Isabella Rusher
Brooke Smith
Grace Yatawara
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Communication to the Board
Ms. Cathy Wilkes – a parent, said she was concerned with the EC department and the new procedures
that have taking place this year. She mentioned that she will be meeting with Dr. Becky Smith and
Dr. Grissom on November 28.
Mrs. Wendy Burnette – a parent said she is concerned with the procedures that the EC department
has in place at this time because it is burning out the teachers. She said some teachers have to teach
up to four different groups of special needs students.
Superintendent and Board Comments
Mrs. Kennedy said she would like to thank the retiring Board members and wish them well for the
future.
Mrs. Norman said she felt the relationship that is with the current Board was good and stated that
they are not hooked at the brain, but they share a common interest in doing what is right for our
children. Mrs. Norman said she hopes the new Board members coming on the board will also work
with the student’s best interest at heart.
Mrs. Freeze read a story titled, “I Wish”.
Mr. Beard said the hardest part about leaving was having the feeling of knowing that you have done
the best for the children. He said that for the last four years, the Board has been the most
cooperative Board.
Dr. Emerson said that he has had the privilege of serving in the military, on the state level, and on the
local level, and he will miss the people he has worked with. He said he will also miss serving with Dr.
Grissom and the staff.
Mr. Caskey said thanks to everyone. He said he felt the Board has not always agreed on every item,
but has always wanted to get to the same place. He thanked Dr. Grissom and her staff for all of their
hard work.
Dr. Emerson recognized Mr. Hughes and Mrs. Cox, two new Board members.
Consideration of the Consent Agenda
 BOE Minutes of October 22 and Called Meeting of November 8, 2012
 October 2012 Financial Summary
 October 2012 Budget Amendments
**Mrs. Norman moved approval of the Consent Agenda as submitted. Mrs. Freeze seconded.
Unanimously approved. (6:0)
Discussion Items
2011-2012 Financial Audit Report
Ms. April Belle and Ms. Melissa Prevette shared the results of the financial audit for the 2011-2012 school
year.
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Mrs. Belle said there were no instances in our audit just as it has been in the last several years. She said
the system was in compliance with state guidelines, and the audit went really well.
Ms. Prevette reviewed the different fund balances over the last few years as well as funds showing in
other departments.
Ms. Belle discussed the federal budgets that are audited. She said this year about 25% of our federal
funding was audited - Education Jobs Fund, ARRA–Race to the Top, Improving Teacher Quality, ARRA –
State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, and Title I School Improvement Fund.
Ms. Belle noted that the only finding was that in the Race to the Top there were a few disbursements
that were not made in the appropriate manners. She said this was a very common finding and their
company had found that same situation in several LEA’s this year because there was some confusion in
the way funds were to be used.
Ms. Belle continued to share the findings. She said 99% of the State funding was audited and there
were no findings.
Mrs. Bell said the system had very good results and should be proud of the staff.
Presentation: Salisbury City Council’s new Youth Council
Councilwoman Mrs. Maggie Blackwell led the discussion regarding a new initiative by the Salisbury City
Council. She said in an effort to contribute to the success of the county’s young people, the Council is
chartering a youth council.
Mrs. Blackwell said they want to build the best in our young people, and there are 20 city’s in our state
that already have a youth council. She said they target was to find students with undiscovered potential.
Mrs. Blackwell said the City Council was not asking for any financial support and that this initiative will be
free for all students, and will be underwritten by the city.
Mrs. Blackwell introduced the youth counselors who are already working closely with students in some
capacity. She said that the Youth Council will initially be made up of 9 students - three ninth graders,
three 10th graders, and three 11th graders, and that next year it will be opened up to approximately 30
students from other high schools.
Mr. Doug Paris said their request is for support and endorsement from the Board of Education as they
move forward. Secondly, they are asking for permission, as they begin the youth council, to work with
the RSSS staff to work on this initiative.
Mrs. Blackwell said since it is a city initiative, they will be working with children within the city limits that
will have a diverse representation.
Mr. Beard said it was interesting, but it would be good to invite other cities in the county to put one
together.
Mrs. Freeze thanked Mrs. Blackwell and the city council’s initiative. Mrs. Norman said she would love to
see it throughout the county. However, she thinks it is a wonderful initiative.
Mrs. Kennedy asked about the selection of the core group. Mrs. Blackwell said the nine students will be
selected by the advisory panel and the students will complete an application. She said they have
obtained sample applications from other counties. She continued to say that the students have to have a
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sealed letter of recommendation and will have to go through an interview. Mrs. Blackwell said once they
have established the council, they will create the mission of the council and establish the policies.
After polling the Board, Dr. Emerson said the Board supports the initiative unanimously. Dr. Smith said
she felt Dr. Grissom would have high regard for this effort.
Field Trip Requests
Field trip requests for Mt. Ulla Elementary, Knox Middle, Carson High, and North Middle have been
submitted for consideration.
Mrs. Kennedy asked to remove the Mt. Ulla field trip for individual consideration.
Mrs. Freeze moved to approve Knox and North Middle, and Carson High. Mr. Beard seconded.
Unanimously approved. (6:0)
Mrs. Kennedy asked Mrs. Thomas how many students were offered the opportunity in the field trip. She
said she had questioned why 20 adults were going with 40 students.
Mrs. Thomas said the entire 4th grade enrollment is 60, and all students were given the opportunity. She
said only three staff members are going and the other adults are parents who will pay full price to
participate.
**Mrs. Kennedy moved approval of the Mt. Ulla field trip. Mr. Caskey seconded. Unanimously approved.
(6:0)
High School Registration and Review of the 2012-2013 High School Guidebook
Ms. McDuffie said registration would be moved up a little bit because of the new scheduling program that
will be used.
Ms. McDuffie highlighted some of the revisions that were made to the guidebook.
Page 3 – New graduation requirements. Eliminated the four pathways and now have two core areas.
Page 4 – Early graduation, modified to align with RSSS practices. Too many steps to follow before.
Page 6 – Testing requirements; now testing for HS EOC Math 1 and Eng. I and Biology II.
Page 12 – Fees. One fee that was added to the list that has been in place is the PSAT. The system pays
for the first time. If it is taking another time, it is $14.
Page 15 – Course name changes
Page 24 – Add a course – Turning Points in American History for those not taking Am. History I. Strong
writing component. Help when going to AP Am. History.
Page 29 – Added Mandarin Chinese III – follow the sequence being offered at Carson.
Page 30 – Biggest change. Arts education. State has renamed courses and looking at proficiency
standards. Students can now take beginning art multiple times…move when skill level is ready to move.
Teachers have created rubrics to help with that. All arts education programs.
Page 36 – Two new courses, Leadership development I and II. To help students develop their leadership
skills.
Page 45 – CTE name change
Page 49 – Travel, Tourism, - Hospitality Tourism.
Page 50 – Core and sustainable construction. Prerequisite by the state for masonry.
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Ms. McDuffie said the state has eliminated exam exemptions for seniors. All courses will have state
exams.
**Mrs. Freeze moved to approve the updated High School Guidebook for 2012-2013. Mrs. Norman
seconded. Unanimously approved. (6:0)
Update of Measurement of Student Learning
Moved to the December 17, 2012 BOE Meeting agenda.
Replacement of Vacant Board Seat
Dr. Emerson said that the Board cannot officially make the decision of a replacement because there is no
vacancy until Mr. Caskey resigns.
Dr. Emerson said there will have to be a called board meeting to deal with it. He stated that folks that
want to be considered or are interested should send a letter of interest addressed to the vice chairperson
postmarked by Saturday, December 1. The Board decided to meet on December 6 at 8:00 a.m. with a
location to TBA.
Dr. Emerson said the interested persons should send a statement as to why they want to serve on the
Board of Education and share a brief resume of their backgrounds. He said a board member could also
nominate someone. Dr. Emerson said the Board will review the candidates’ credentials.
Board Stipend
Mrs. Freeze said she would like to see an increase in the school board members’ stipend of $100 per
month. She said the chairman should receive $100 above increase and the vice-chairman should receive
$50 above the increase. Mrs. Freeze said she also believed the Appeals Committee should receive $50
per month above the $100 raise.
Mrs. Norman said when she began 17 years ago it was $100. She said there is such a disparity within
the two county-wide elected boards.
Mr. Beard said he felt it was important to recognize the commitment, and the board is important. Need
to keep up if it is nothing but inflation.
Mr. Caskey said he felt that with the amount of hours put in serving and attending events, the raise was
not unreasonable. He added that when the state gives the employees a raise, the board should receive
that raise as well.
Approved (5:1) Mrs. Kennedy abstained. Effective December 17, 2012.
Communications to the Board – Dr. Emerson
None
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
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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)
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BOE Closed Session Minutes of October 22 and November 8, 2012
Student Transfer Appeal Recommendations
November Personnel Report
The Board took a short recess.
Report of Closed Session
** Mrs. Freeze moved to approve the November Personnel Report. Mrs. Norman seconded. Unanimously
approved. (6:0)
Announcements
12/11
- Annual Report to the Community Breakfast/JF Hurley YMCA/7:00 a.m.
12/17
- BOE Organizational Meeting/LS/5:00 p.m.
12/24-31 - Winter Break
1/1
- Holiday
1/14
- BOE Work Session Meeting/LS/5:00 p.m.
1/16
- BOE Curriculum/Technology Sub-committee Mtg./ES/8:30 a.m.
Adjournment
**Mrs. Norman moved to adjourn at 7:02 p.m. Dr. Emerson seconded. Unanimously approved. (6:0)
Dr. Jim Emerson, Chairman
Dr. Judy S. Grissom, Ed. D., Secretary
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