Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education
Meeting
September 24, 2012
Minutes
The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education met on September 24, 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, Mr. Bryce Beard, and Dr. Richard Miller.
Also present were Dr. Judy Grissom, Dr. Rebecca Smith, Mrs. Delores Morris, Mr. Gene Miller, Mr.
Nathan Currie, Attorney Mr. 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. Norman officiated the Pledge of
Allegiance. Mr. Beard shared an opening meditation.
Adopt Agenda
**Dr. Miller requested to add system-wide athletics as discussion item #5. Mrs. Freeze moved the
adoption of the agenda as amended. Mrs. Norman seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Celebrations
Celebrations were postponed out of respect for the West Rowan High School students mentioned
above.
Communication to the Board
None
Board/Superintendent Comments
Dr. Grissom expressed that the STEM Matters festival held on Saturday, September 22, was a great
success with over 1100 attendees.
Mrs. Kennedy thanked Mrs. Withers, the Carson staff and central office staff for the work they did in
hosting the NCSBA District 6 meeting.
Consideration of the Consent Agenda
 BOE Minutes of August 8 and August 27, 2012
 August 2012 Financial Summary
 August 2012 Budget Amendments
** Mrs. Kennedy moved approval of the Consent Agenda as submitted. Dr. Miller seconded.
Unanimously approved. (7:0)
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Discussion Items
Presentation: PARENT Matters Event
Mrs. Kelly Feimster, Director of Media Services and AIG and Ms. Jerri Hunt, Director of Staff Development
and ESOL discussed what the PARENT Matters event was being held to empower parents to become a
better advocate for their children and the strengthen the relationship between parents and the school
district. Mrs. Feimster said that a nationally known speaker, Dr. LeAnn Nicholson, will be the guest
speaker. Mrs. Hunt explained that there will be three more events throughout the school year.
Field Trip Requests
**Mrs. Freeze moved to approve the FFA field trip to Indianapolis for SRHS, JCHS, ERHS, and WRHS.
Mrs. Norman seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Dr. Emerson noted that he was concerned with the NRHS DECA Club taking a trip with 10 students and
four staff members missing 3 school days. Mrs. Cline and Mr. McDowell addressed the Board to explain
the details of the trip. Mrs. Cline shared further information on how the students were raising money for
the trip.
**Dr. Miller moved to approve the NRHS DECA trip to NY. Mrs. Freeze seconded.
Dr. McDowell stated that one of the challenges they have in their school is to grow the experiences their
students are able to participate in. Mr. McDowell said that the NRHS DECA is a very strong club and
feels good about the students taking the trip.
Mrs. Kennedy said she had some problems with the four staff members going.
Mrs. Freeze called for the question. Approved. (6:1)
Dr. Miller said he would like to have a report of the trip and what the students are doing to follow up.
**Mrs. Norman approved the WRMS trip to Charleston. Mrs. Freeze seconded. Unanimously approved.
(7:0)
**Mrs. Norman moved to approve the RCEC trip to Spain. Mrs. Freeze seconded. Unanimously
approved. (7:0)
Consideration of the Updated School District Improvement Plan
Mrs. Alesia Burnette explained that schools in NC are under a two year District Improvement Plan cycle.
She advised that our district improvement team and schools are working on their plans respectively.
Mrs. Burnette noted that this is our fourth plan, and the district continues to take a look at the five goals.
She said that our district develops strategies to move forward. The Plan reflects new strategies or
expanded strategies.
Mrs. Burnette highlighted some of the items in the District Plan, and we continue with the same focus
areas, but the strategies are different.
**Mr. Beard moved to accept the 2012-2014 District Improvement Plan. Mr. Caskey seconded.
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Dr. Miller raised concern that all staff had not been given the opportunity to review the Plan and offer
any feedback.
Dr. Grissom said that the District Improvement Plan draft can be placed on the Oct. 3 W/S and still meet
the deadline for submission to DPI.
Dr. Miller said that he felt it was important for all employees have an opportunity to looks at the plan.
Mr. Caskey moved to table the discussion until October 3. Dr. Emerson seconded. Unanimously
approved. (7:0)
YMCA Contract Submitted for Approval.
Mr. Nathan Currie and Mrs. Amanda Hesse addressed the Board. Mr. Currie noted this was an annual
contract and the partnership where we offer serviced to the YMCA and in return the YMCA offers services
to the school district.
**Mrs. Freeze moved for approval of the YMCA contracts. Mrs. Kennedy seconded. Unanimously
approved. (7:0)
System-wide Athletics
Dr. Miller explained that he had several calls regarding athletes playing in sports. Wanted to know if
there was administrative policy where games are played within the district before scheduling any other
non-conference games with any other counties.
Mr. Currie said in county games were scheduled first and if there are open dates, the schools are would
then to go outside the conference to schedule games.
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 6:10 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). Mrs. Norman seconded.
Unanimously approved. (7:0)


BOE Closed Session Minutes of August 8 and August 24, 2012
September Personnel Report
The Board took a short recess.
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Report of Closed Session
**Mrs. Freeze moved to hire Mrs. Carol Ann Houpe as the Director of Student Services. Mrs. Kennedy
seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
**Dr. Miller moved to approve the September Personnel Report. Mrs. Norman seconded. Unanimously
approved. (7:0)
Announcements
10 - 3 - BOE Meeting Work Session/Ellis St./4:00 p.m.
10 - 3 - PARENT Matters/J. F. Hurley YMCA/5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
10 - 17 - BOE Curriculum/Technology Sub-committee Mtg./Long St./12:00 noon
10 - 22 - BOE Meeting/Long St./5:00 p.m.
10 - 26 - Early Release Day
Adjournment
**Mrs. Freeze moved to adjourn at 6:44 p.m. Mrs. Kennedy seconded. Unanimously approved. (7:0)
Dr. Jim Emerson, Chairman
Dr. Judy S. Grissom, Ed. D., Secretary
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