Educational Programs and Services
Board Committee Meeting
December 6, 2012
Minutes
Committee Members: Marc Whichard, Jill Camnitz, Benjie Forrest, Jennifer Little,
Barbara Owens, Christine Waters, Mary Williams
Present: Marc Whichard, Jill Camnitz, Benjie Forrest, Barbara Owens, Christine Waters,
Mary Williams
Staff Members Present: Cheryl Olmsted, David Jenkins, Beth Ann Trueblood
Guest Present: Hal Davis
Mr. Whichard called the meeting to order. He asked for a motion to approve the November
minutes. Motion to approve the November minutes was made by Mr. Forrest with a second by
Ms. Owens. Minutes were approved with a unanimous vote.
Ms. Olmsted asked the committee for an adjustment to the agenda. She asked that our guest
speaker, Mr. Hal Davis, be permitted to present first and afterwards we can move on to other
business items. The committee unanimously agreed.
North East Regional School of Biotechnology and Agriscience
Mr. Whichard introduced Mr. Hal Davis, principal of the North East Regional School of
Biotechnology and Agriscience (NERSBA). Mr. Davis is a former Agriculture Education
teacher at Bear Grass High School, and then served as principal until the school closed in 2010.
Mr. Davis shared that he has had the opportunity to work with both Mr. Forrest and Mr. Jenkins
over the course of his career in Martin County. Mr. Davis proceeded to give the committee a
little background on NERSBA. He was named principal of NERSBA in April of 2011 and given
the task to recruit 60 students from Martin, Pitt, Beaufort, Washington and Tyrell counties to
open the school. Currently, 15 of those students are from Pitt County. The ultimate goal is to
have a school of 420 students in grades 7-13. The school provides a 5 year program and operates
on a 200 day school year calendar. In the five year program, students are expected to complete
their high school requirements plus two years of college. NERSBA has an academically and
demographically diverse student body. Mr. Davis presented a most informative PowerPoint on
the school. One main goal of the school is to involve students in research that takes place at the
Vernon James Center. The Vernon James Center is a 1500 acre farm owned by the North
Carolina Department of Agriculture and NC State University. Research is continuously taking
place onsite and students are actively engaged with these projects. Students interact daily with
world renowned researchers.
From an academic standpoint, NERSBA is trying to customize their curriculum in a way that is
not always possible in a traditional school setting. Next week, they are rolling out one-to-one
technology for all students. Currently all 60 students are 9th graders. The plan is to enroll an
additional sixty 9th grade students for the 2013-14 school year. NERSBA is a state supported
school and they receive ADM monies. There is no charge to the students.
Another goal of NERSBA is to serve first generation college students. Parental involvement is a
huge piece of their overall success. Mr. Davis hopes NERSBA can serve as a regional hub for
teacher training. Mr. Forrest asked how STEM is interwoven in the school’s curriculum. Mr.
Davis explained that STEM is incorporated into every component of the curriculum.
The obstacle to growing the school is that the Vernon James Center cannot accommodate any
more students due to waste water limitations. Before the opening of the 2013-14 school year,
NERSBA needs to find another site as a temporary basis until a more permanent solution can be
found. They are looking at a couple of feasible options. Mr. Forrest advised that even though
the base site may be elsewhere, they will still hold classes at the Vernon James Center so
students will have hands-on experience and direct access to world class scientists and
researchers. Mr. Whichard asked if Mr. Davis felt students were seeking to attend NERSBA
because parents have become disenchanted with traditional public school settings or because of
the curriculum offered. Mr. Davis replied that, for the most part, it is for the unique opportunity
NERSBA offers.
Mr. Davis thanked the committee for the opportunity to speak with them and he extended an
invitation for the committee to visit the school.
Other Business
Mr. Whichard brought up a request from Tim DeCresie for a Board member to serve on the AIG
Task Force to write the AIG Plan, which is a three year plan. It was his recommendation that we
fold that into this committee since it falls under educational programs and services, rather than
create a separate AIG committee. Ms. Olmsted said that typically this is not a sub-committee; it
is a Board member agreeing to serve on the task force in writing the AIG Plan. Ms. Camnitz
mentioned that she has served on this task force in the past.
CTE Credentialing and VOCATS
Ms. Olmsted distributed some information Ms. Trueblood put together on credentialing. Ms.
Olmsted explained that not all of the VOCAT courses offer credentialing. To receive the
credential or certificate, students must take an assessment indicating they passed the curriculum.
Some credentialing is free while others are available at a cost to the student. The handout
indicated $67,157.75 as the estimated amount of what it would cost the district if we paid for all
students to take the credentialing tests. Mr. Whichard said that he was unaware there was a cost
to the students. He believes this cost can possibly prohibit some students from even taking these
particular courses. Mr. Forrest shared that his concern is we have a dual system of
accountability. The Department of Public Instruction has said that the program courses that have
credentialing components may come out from under the umbrella of EOC VOCAT tests. The
concern is that students are being pressured to prepare for the EOC VOCAT while at the same
time they are working to prepare for the credentialing assessment. Industry is looking for
credentialing which indicates these students are workforce ready. Mr. Forrest would like to see a
discussion of whether it is necessary to require the VOCAT in courses that require credentialing.
He also stated some provision should be made for the cost associated with credentialing so that
cost is not passed along to the student. Mr. Whichard asked if state law would allow us to
eliminate the VOCAT and administer only the credentialing assessment. Ms. Trueblood advised
the state director has said LEAs can choose to administer the credentialing assessment in lieu of
the VOCAT in fourteen courses. Mr. Forrest said that LEAs can request a waiver from
VOCATS on the other courses. Ms. Camnitz asked if the credentialing assessment tested on all
the material in the course curriculum. Mr. Forrest advised that is the case for the fourteen
approved courses. Under our current policy, students are still required to take the VOCAT in all
CTE courses, even those the state has waived. Ms. Camnitz asked if there is a valid reason we
still require our students to take these VOCATS. Ms. Olmsted responded that we were following
the state policy which indicates the final exam should count for 25% of the student’s grade. Ms.
Olmsted brought up that if we allow credentialing to take the place of the EOC VOCAT in the
approved fourteen courses, then we will need to cover the cost of credentialing. There is the
potential for students to take the test multiple times before they pass it which would mean this
cost could be passed on to the district. Mr. Forrest said he would like for this committee to
bring this issue to the Finance Committee for discussion. Mr. Whichard inquired if we have a
provision for indigent students. Ms. Trueblood assured the committee that the CTE teachers, as
well as the Career Development Counselors, make sure provisions are made for students who
truly put forth the effort. Ms. Camnitz asked what percentage of students who are taking the
courses are actually taking the credentialing assessment. Ms. Trueblood said that 100% of
students take the credentialing assessment in courses where no cost is involved. She went on to
say that approximately 2400 students were credentialed during the 2011-12 school year. Ms.
Trueblood will pull the information Ms. Camnitz requested and bring it to the committee in
January 2013. Mr. Whichard asked that we proceed by finding out how many students could
take the credentialing, but do not. Ask the CDCs; of those students, how many of them don’t
take the assessment because of the cost involved. Ms. Trueblood told the committee that the
CDCs look at the students’ grades and talk with them one-on-one to determine if money is an
impediment. Mr. Forrest made a motion to put this matter on the agenda for the January 2013
meeting, Ms. Camnitz seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
The committee discussed that if it is decided the district will cover the cost of credentialing, the
district should only pay for the student to take the test once. If they don’t pass, the cost for
subsequent testing should fall to the student.
Mr. Whichard asked if there was any further business. Ms. Olmsted asked the committee to take
a look at the Performance Pay Plan for the SIG high schools. Ms. Olmsted handed out the
original plan. Mr. Coleman plans to present a revised version to the full Board in January. The
reason a revision is necessary is because student achievement data will not be available this year.
Mr. Whichard pointed out that CTE teachers are not listed separately on the revised plan. Ms.
Olmsted will check with Mr. Coleman to ensure CTE teachers were just condensed into the 9-12
group. Ms. Williams noted that the revised plan does not list bus drivers. Ms. Olmsted will ask
Mr. Coleman to make sure bus drivers are included as well as CTE teachers, and that these
adjustments are made to the plan before presenting to the Board.
Mr. Whichard asked if there was any further business or discussion; there being none, Ms.
Camnitz motioned to adjourn with a second by Ms. Waters, and all were in favor. The meeting
was adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cheryl Olmsted