Cherokee County Schools
Ms. Jeana Conley, Superintendent
911 Andrews Road, Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2722 ~ Fax (828) 837-5799
www.cherokee.k12.nc.us
Cherokee County Board of Education Meeting of November 12, 2015 beginning at 6 pm held at Murphy
Middle School
Minutes
Board Members Present
Ms. Wanda Arrowood , Chair, Mr. Paul Brown, Vice Chair, Ms. Debbie Hogan, Scribe, Dr. David
Ackerman, Mr. Randy Barnett, Mr. Winfield Clonts, and Mr. Tim Coffey
Board Attorney: Mr. John Henning
1.
Call to Order. Ms. Wanda Arrowood called the Cherokee County Board of Education meeting to
order then Mr. Barry McClure made welcoming comments.
2.
Principal’s Welcome. Mr. Barry McClure, Principal of Murphy Middle School made welcoming
comments.
3.
Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Tim Coffey led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4.
Mission Statement. Ms. Debbie Hogan read the mission statement.
5.
Approval of Agenda. The agenda was approved.
6.
Approval of Minutes. The minutes from the October 8, 2015 regular board meeting were
approved.
7.
Public Input. Ms. Arrowood called for public comment and Ms. Debbie Lindsay and Ms. Laurie
Barlow requested to address the Board. The Board heard each during executive session.
8.
TCEC Trebuchet Team Recognition. Ms. Jeana Conley recognized students from TCEC who
made up the TCEC Trebuchet Team that competed in the District wide “Punkin Chunkin” competition.
9.
Teacher of the Year Recognition. Ms. Kim Gibson identified the Teachers of the Year as:
AES
Ann Williams
MYS
Sonya Crouch
AHS
Dane Rickett
MES
Genia Carter
AMS
Kendra Gibson
MHS
Leia Hays
HDEMS
Nancy Vento
MMS
Julie Hughes
HDHS
Wendy Britt
PES
Holly McKellar
Marble
Kristen Higdon
REMS
Sherry Brookins
MCEMS
Chad Brooks
TCEC
Ben Pendarvis
Each teacher was presented with a check for $100. Following this, Ms. Gibson identified Ms. Julie
Hughes of Murphy Middle School as the District Teacher of the Year and she was awarded with a check
for $1,000.
Board of Education
Ms. Wanda Arrowood, Chair, Mr. Paul Brown, Vice Chair, Ms. Debbie Hogan, Scribe,
Dr. David Ackerman, Mr. Randy Barnett, Mr. Winfield Clonts, Mr. Tim Coffey
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer
10.
Principal of the Year Recognition: Ms. Gibson next announced Mr. Paul Wilson as the Cherokee
County Schools’ Principal of the Year. Mr. Wilson was presented with a check for $1,000.
11.
Recognition of Google Certified Educators: The Board recognized Mr. John Parker who
announced teachers who’ve obtained their Google Certification. Teachers announced are: Pam Myers
and Julie Hughes. Mr. Parker informed the Board that others were in the process of earning their
certification at present and that this certification aligns with the rollout of the ChromeBook initiative.
12.
Facilities Update. Mr. John Higdon delivered a Facilities update to the Board. During his
update, Mr. Higdon advised the Board of HVAC needs at Murphy Middle, Martins Creek, and Marble.
He next addressed bleacher repairs, inspections, and services for Hiwassee Dam, Andrews Middle and
Murphy Middle and identified Seating Safety Solutions as the company that would perform the services
for an expense of $2,600. Lastly, Mr. Higdon addressed the progress on the Martins Creek ballfield
project. The Board discussed the authority of Ms. Conley approving cost expenditures up to $30,000 and
next discussed voting on a cost ceiling for the MCEMS Ballfield project. No further action was taken.
13.
Budget Request. Ms. Stephanie Anderson was recognized and presented budget amendments for:
I. State Public School Fund
II. Federal Programs Fund, and
III. Capital Projects Fund for approval. Ms. Anderson informed the Board that a request for use
of ½ cent sales tax for the projects identified by Mr. Higdon was for a total amount of
$36,899.
Motion made (Dr. David Ackerman) and seconded (Mr. Tim Coffey) to approve the Budget
Amendments as presented by Ms. Anderson. Voting is unanimous.
Following this, Ms. Anderson presented an application for use of Public School Building Capital Fund
from the North Carolina Education Lottery in the amount of $42,762.85 for debt services payment on the
Andrews High School Building B renovations.
Motion made (Dr. David Ackerman) and seconded (Ms. Debbie Hogan) to approve the Application for
use of Public School Building Capital Funds from the North Carolina Education Lottery in the
amount of $42,762.85 as presented by Ms. Anderson. Voting is unanimous.
14.
Mountain Youth School Update. The Board next recognized Mr. Justin Clapsaddle, Principal of
Mountain Youth School. Mr. Clapsaddle delivered an in-depth overview of operations of, and facilities
upgrades made to, MYS. Mr. Clapsaddle then informed the Board that he had implemented a school
uniform policy. He then addressed his vision of where he wants to go with alternative education and
informed the Board of a Partnership with Tri-County Community College to begin C&C class. Lastly,
Mr. Clapsaddle formally requested approval to change the name of Mountain Youth School to The Oaks
Academy.
Motion made (Mr. Tim Coffey) and seconded (Mr. Randy Barnett) to change the name of Mountain
Youth School to The Oaks Academy as requested by Mr. Justin Clapsaddle. Voting is unanimous.
15.
Andrews Middle School’s School Improvement Plan. The Board recognized Mr. Andy Pyle,
Principal of Andrews Middle School who delivered a very detailed report on his school’s School
Improvement Plan. The Board accepted the School Improvement Plan as reported by Mr. Pyle.
16.
Marble Elementary School’s School Improvement Plan. The Board recognized Ms. Chanda Bias,
Principal of Marble Elementary School who delivered a report on her school’s School Improvement Plan.
The Board accepted the School Improvement Plan as reported by Ms. Bias.
17
Policy Review. Ms. Debbie Hogan presented several policies for first and second reading. The
following policies were heard for second reading and were approved: 1100 Governing Principles, 3315
Elementary Interscholastic Competitive Sports, 7305 Reading the Policy Manual, and 7932 Basic
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Standards of Conduct and Performance for Non-Teachers.
Motion made (Ms. Debbie Hogan) and seconded (Dr. David Ackerman) to approve the policies
presented for second reading. Voting is unanimous.
After presenting the policies for second reading, Ms. Hogan reported policies for first reading. Those
policies presented were1320/3560 Title I Parent Involvement, 3405 Students at Risk of Academic Failure,
3420 Student Promotion and Accountability, 3450 Academic Policy for Honor Students/Class Rankings,
5022 Registered Sex Offenders, and 5027/7275 Weapons and Explosives Prohibited.
18.
Superintendent’s Report. Ms. Jeana Conley delivered the Superintendent’s report to the Board.
Ms. Conley began by announcing the approval of an Overnight Fieldtrip for Andrews High School to
Berea College, KY, the SADD Coalition to Stonewall Resort in WV, TCEC to Washington, DC, and
MCEMS to Space Camp in Huntsville, AL. After this, Ms. Conley informed the Board that teachers at
MCEMS had secured $12,000 in grant money to pay for classroom learning projects and supplies.
Following this, Ms. Conley addressed AHS’ request to name the Gym in honor of Mr. Kenneth Solesbee.
She explained that she had received a letter from Mr. Lance Bristol which made the request to name the
Gym and basketball court in honor of Mr. Solesbee.
Motion made (Dr. David Ackerman) and seconded (Mr. Tim Coffey) to approve naming the Gym and
basketball court in honor of Mr. Kenneth Solesbee as presented by the Superintendent. Voting is
unanimous.
Ms. Conley next delivered the District Strategic Plan for consideration by the Board during which she
identified the District mission, vision, goals, motto and values.
Motion made (Ms. Debbie Hogan) and seconded (Dr. David Ackerman) to approve the District
Strategic Plan as presented by the Superintendent. Voting is unanimous.
19.
Adjourn for Break and Closed Session. Ms. Debbie Hogan read the motion to adjourn to closed
session.
Motion made (Ms. Debbie Hogan) and seconded (Dr. David Ackerman) for the Board of Education to
adjourn to break and closed session pursuant to the provisions of North Carolina General Statute 143318.11(a)(3) and 143-318.11(c), for the following purposes: pursuant to G.S. 115C-319-321 under
subsection (a)(1) to prevent the disclosure of privileged or confidential personnel information, and
under subsection (a)(3) to discuss matters protected by the attorney-client privilege, and under
subsection (a)(3) to receive advise from the School Board Attorney regarding the following lawsuit:
S.R. v CCS and K.M. v CCS and to enter a potential lawsuit. Voting is unanimous.
20.
Return to open session & Closed Session Decisions. Ms. Wanda Arrowood called the meeting to
order and returned to open session.
Motion made (Ms. Debbie Hogan) and seconded (Dr. David Ackerman) to return to open session.
Voting is unanimous.
After returning to open session, the Board took the following actions based on closed session discussion:
(a) The Board approved the following retirements and resignation:
Name
Position/School
Action
Effective
Edith Davis
Teacher, Marble
Retirement
03/01/2016
Wendy Ledford
Teacher, MES
Retirement
12/31/2015
Cindy Martin
21st CCLC Director, District Retirement
12/31/2015
Andrew Stewart
Teacher, AMS
Retirement
02/01/2016
Revonda Simonds
Teacher, AES
Resignation
11/13/2015
Motion made (Dr. David Ackerman) and seconded (Ms. Debbie Hogan) to approve the retirements and
resignation as presented by the Superintendent. Voting is unanimous.
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(b) The Board approved the following Leaves of absence:
Name
Position/School
Leave Type
Inclusive Dates
Sherie Barnett
EC TA, MCEMS
Medical
11/19/2015—02/15/2016
Rebecca Johnson
Cafeteria, HDHS
Medical
11/01/2015—01/01/2016
Jacqueline Mathis
Cafeteria, MES
Medical
11/18/2015—01/06/2016
Megan Swanson
Teacher, MMS
Extension of Maternity through 01/06/2016
Motion made (Ms. Debbie Hogan) and seconded (Dr. David Ackerman) to approve the leaves of
absence as presented by the Superintendent. Voting is unanimous.
The Board approved the following hiring recommendations on this date for the positions, schools, type of
employment, and effective dates listed below with the understanding that their hiring is based on a clear
criminal records check, proper credentials, and adequate position funding:
(c) The Board approved the following hiring recommendations:
Name
Position
Effective
Katie Bailey
EC TA, MCEMS (Long-term Substitute)
11/19/2015—02/15/2016
Viola Rogers
EC Teacher, AES (Long-term Substitute)
11/16/2015—12/22/2015
Daniel Duchaine
Computer Technician I, District
11/13/2015
Alyssa Montagie
Computer Technician II, District (Part-time)
11/13/2015
Motion made (Ms. Debbie Hogan) and seconded (Dr. David Ackerman) to approve the hiring
recommendation as presented by the Superintendent. Voting is unanimous.
(d) The Board approved the following Substitute teachers:
Kaitlyn Bailey
Ashley Myers
Sarah Buckley
Jeffrey Owens
Avery Carpenter
Haley Rose
Shanetta Davis
Victoria Stiles
Amanda Dockery
John Worden
Motion made (Mr. Tim Coffey) and seconded (Dr. David Ackerman & Ms. Debbie Hogan) to approve
the substitute teachers as presented by the Superintendent. Voting is unanimous.
(e) The Board approved the following School Nutrition Substitutes:
Lorraine Kozlowski
Trina Seabolt
Kaitlin Taylor
Cindy Toucher
Motion made (Mr. Randy Barnett) and seconded (Ms. Debbie Hogan) to approve the School Nutrition
substitutes as presented by the Superintendent. Voting is unanimous.
(f) The Superintendent announced the following transfers:
Name
From
To
Elyse Watras
MHS
MCEMS
Wendy Leatherwood MES
MHS
(g) The Board approved the following helping hands volunteers:
Reason for
Name
School
Volunteering
Pat Steinbrown
AHS
Helping Hands
Lester Guthrie
HDHS
Wrestling
Holly Gutierrez
HDHS
Basketball
Leon Green
HDHS
Basketball
Jenna Laney
MCEMS
Basketball
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Date
11/02/2015
11/02/2015
Application
Renewal Date
11/12/2016
11/12/2016
11/12/2016
11/12/2016
11/12/2016
Doug Thrasher
MCEMS
Helping Hands
11/12/2016
Andrew Rowland
MCEMS
Helping Hands
11/12/2016
Ryan Plemmons
MCEMS
Helping Hands
11/12/2016
Nicole Plemmons
MCEMS
Helping Hands
11/12/2016
Motion made (Ms. Debbie Hogan) and seconded (Dr. David Ackerman) to approve the helping hands
volunteers as presented by the Superintendent. Voting is unanimous.
Motion made (Dr. David Ackerman) and seconded (Ms. Debbie Hogan) to enter into an Improper
Equipment lawsuit to retrieve fines and forfeitures. Voting is unanimous.
21.
Announcement of the next Board of Education Meeting. Ms. Arrowood announced the next
regular meeting of the Cherokee County Board of Education will be held at Central Office on Thursday,
December 10, 2015 beginning at 6 pm.
22.
Adjournment. There being no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 10 pm.
Motion made (Ms. Debbie Hogan) and seconded (Mr. Randy Barnett) to adjourn the meeting. Voting
is unanimous.
____________________________
Jeana Conley, Secretary
___________________________
Wanda Arrowood, Board Chair
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