Senate, our first item of business is public comment. And as of 9.30 this morning, we have received no public comment. So we will move along with our agenda. And we're really pleased that you have taken time out to be here tonight.
We know that we have a group from Granite Falls Elementary School that's going to be singing, and we really look forward to that, and we know that a good many of you are here. to see that. Before we move along, I'd like to turn it over to Dr. Phipps. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I had the opportunity to spend some time yesterday and this morning at South Caldwell High School as we were standing to the death of a student over the weekend. And I'm going to say that the love and support that I see on display inside our schools and throughout our communities is very uplifting, even in very desperate times like that. And at this time, I just wanted to ask that we all remember the family of Michaela Rangel in the days and weeks ahead.
Keep them in our thoughts and prayers. We would like to ask this group to join me in a moment of silence in remembrance of her. So please join me at this time.
Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Phipps. I'm not going to do another moment of silence. The next item on our agenda is the invocation for the board, and I'd like to turn it over to Mrs. Teresa Branch. Early this morning, when it was really dark outside, I said an extra prayer for our bus drivers driving in the dark.
Many drive in the dark every day, but it was an even bigger deal this morning. And for the children's safety, who were... standing alongside the roads waiting for those drivers. Thank you.
Thank you, bus drivers, for doing such a great job. We appreciate you, and thank you. And to the staff of Colwell County Schools.
What an amazing team you are. You take care of teaching and learning going on in the classrooms, but you do way more than that. You make sure basic human needs are met for children and families, food, clothing, shelter, and times like today, emotional support. Thank you, Colwell County Schools. Thank you, Mrs. Branch.
Now we're going to have the Pledge of Allegiance, and the whole group from Granite Falls Elementary School is going to be doing that. Then they're going to sing the National Anthem, and then after that they're going to sing another song for us. So let's go ahead and stand, please. Attention, salute, pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
What a day can you see, when the guns are in the air. Let's so proudly be there, at the twilight's last gleaming. Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight.
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming. And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air. Please sit in, sit in please.
And let me just say that Andrea Evans is the choral director and we appreciate you bringing the group up here and the principal down at Granite Falls Elementary School in the back is Rick Cooper. So thanks for doing such a great job. Thank you, we appreciate this opportunity.
Next item on our agenda is approval of the minutes and we have three sets of minutes. They are from February the 4th, 2025. That would be a work session. We had a regular meeting.
on February 10th and we had a special called session on February 24th. So those are the three sets of minutes that we have. Do I hear a motion we approve? the February 2024 board meeting minutes, those being items 3B, 3C, and 3D.
Chairman Pendle, I move we approve the February 24th board meeting minutes, items 3B through D, as presented. Is there a second? Second.
All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?
Motion passes. Next item is announcements and I'm going to call on fellow board member Mark Gerson. You're probably all aware, at least most of you, that we have a four-day weekend coming up.
We've got an optional planning day for the teachers on Friday and then it's... Parent-teacher conferences on Monday, so students, you get a nice four-day weekend to enjoy. Also, March 28th is another day off with no students.
It is a professional development day for the staff, so enjoy these nice spring days off. In April, we've got the board work session on April 8th at 8 a.m. The public is welcome to attend. If you want to see what we do as a business model, it may not be the most thrilling, but it is a chance to really get a feel with what we do, and you're also welcome to speak at these. That's at 8 a.m.
right here at the center. And then the big board meeting like this will be April 14th at 6 p.m. That's it.
Thank you, Mr. Gerson. Dr. Phipps. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I wanted to introduce David Siegel.
David, if you'd step forward. David is our new maintenance director and has been on the job for a couple of weeks and we're thrilled to have him. you David and just wanted to publicly introduce you and welcome you to our team.
We're glad you're here. Also want to share that we had our middle school battle of the books competition today. Impressive work done by our students, by our coaches, just tremendous time that's spent. on that and I'm proud to announce that our first place winners William Lenore Middle School, second place Hudson Middle and third grade a third place Granite Falls Middle School so we're proud of for all of our schools and these teams in this competition and then finally as you've heard a tremendous amount of time is spent preparing for that event and we're we're very proud of that work and we are wrapping up our nine weeks for the third nine weeks this week. I want to encourage our students staff parents and guardians to finish strong and remind you that we still have spring break ahead of us To look forward to so we look forward to wrapping up.
We nine weeks three and going into our final nine weeks. Thank you Mr. Chairman, thank you. Thank you. Dr. Phipps Next is our honors and recognition.
I'd like to recognize Chief information officer Nathan Pope. He's going to be directing this through this the board will be down here to congratulate those receiving awards. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice Chairman, and Superintendent Phipps.
Not to brag, but I do have the most fun part of these meetings because I get to recognize all of your talented children and our wonderful staff who do great things. We'll start with the Education Center Art Gallery in just a second. All right, each month student artwork from across the district is selected to decorate the walls of the Education Center as you saw as you Were walking in this month's art gallery features artwork from students at Hudson Elementary School Granite Falls Elementary School and Hudson Middle School from Hudson Elementary Aries Villanueva a kindergartner first graders Silas Allen Third grader Charlie Anderson, fourth grader Aspen Duncan, and fifth grader Isabella Tomberlin.
And they're joined by their principal Monica Martin and their art teacher Emily Adelko. All right, next up we have Granite Falls Elementary School, and they'll be joined by their principal, Brooke Cooper, and their art teacher, Natalie Hayes. All right, yes. First grader, Jackson Collins. Second grader Brindley Jones, second grader Amelia Burgess, third grader Jovi Pritchard, and fourth grader Aubrey Jones.
And if everybody will just wait up here we'll take a picture with all of our talented artists in just a second. Thank you. All right, students from Hudson Middle School are joined by their principal Denise Allen and their art teacher Kelly Woody. Sixth grader Millie Land.
Seventh grader Josiah Chu. Eighth grader Aiden Tugman. 8th grader Maya Ramirez and 8th grader Natalie Robinette.
All right, now let's have everybody come around front and we'll take a picture with the board. And parents, if you'd like to snap a photo, now's a good time. Mayor, Mayor, thank you.
Cowell County Board of Education encourages students to develop an understanding of citizenship, including the practice of being a good citizen. The board emphasizes that all students participate in character education and are celebrated when they display exemplary civic character through one of 11 character traits. We're excited to recognize students who displayed exemplary kindness in the month of February.
Jakeem Moore, a first grade student at Whitnall Elementary School's teacher said, From the second that Jakeem enters the classroom, he is all smiles and with a funny story. He is not only kind to his classmates, but to every teacher he interacts with. He always has encouraging words to say to everyone and is automatically friends with everyone.
Jakeem is joined by his principal, Chad Smith. Abby Ferguson, a seventh grade student at William Lenore Middle School, is being recognized, and according to her principal, Abby is the first to greet a new student with a smile. She is kind when a classmate is having a challenging day and is a kind and supportive teammate for her volleyball team. He said, I've never heard Abby speak an ill word about anyone.
She enjoys giving wonderfully uplifting notes to those struggling, whether emotionally or academically. And she's joined by her principal, Dr. Jason Adick. Lastly, Jalen Parker, a 12th grade student at South Cowell High School, was joined by her principal, Braylee Spiegel, who said, I witness Jalen showing kindness every single day. Whether it's through small, thoughtful gestures or greater acts of kindness, Jalen consistently goes out of her way to make others feel loved and cared for. She is always ready to help her classmates, whether by lending a hand with schoolwork, offering encouragement to someone who's feeling down, or simply creating a positive environment in the classroom.
Her kindness is not just a one-time thing, it's a daily presence that uplifts everyone around her. Caldwell Early College High School student, Avania, received a prestigious honor from North Carolina State University. She was named a Goodnight Scholar. According to North Carolina State University, the Goodnight Scholar program prepares North Carolina's top science, technology, engineering, and mathematics talent to become transformational leaders at NC State University, in North Carolina, and in the world. She's joined by our principal Meredith Griffin.
Next, the board is excited to give recognition to one of Caldwell County Schools' talented administrators. North Carolina Department of Instruction selected Dr. Jessica Anthony as the Northwest Region's Principal of the Year. During her appointment as Northwest Region's Principal of the Year, Dr. Anthony will act as a leader in education in the Northwest Region and throughout the state.
She is also a finalist to become the Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year. Finally, on behalf of Superintendent Dr. Phipps, I'd like to recognize North Carolina School Board Association awards that were received by the Caldwell County Board of Education. Chairman Darrell Pennell was awarded the Scholar Circle Award.
Vice Chairman Chris Becker received the Certificate of Advanced Achievement. Board Member Ann Edwards received the Award of Excellence. Board Member Teresa Branch received the Award of Excellence.
Board Member Joe Sims received the Award of Distinction and BJ Ford received the Certificate of Merit. You guys know the drill. Thank you everyone. We know a good many have already left, but now would be an appropriate time if you decide to leave and eat dinner or do homework. We will have a business session.
We don't expect it to last long, but now would be a good time if you choose to go on home. Thank you. Next item on the agenda is the Assistant Superintendent for Educational Program Services, Dr. Katrina McKellar. Good evening, Chairman Pennell and Vice Chairman Becker, members of the Board of... Education and Dr. Phipps.
This evening I have two items to present to you. Item 6A is the 2024-2025 Colwell County Schools Summer Program. We have to submit to the State Board of North Carolina. what our plan is if we have a plan for summer remediation and readministration of end-of-grade and end-of-course assessments. And so this is for any student that does not score proficient, so any student scoring below a level three on the EOG or EOC.
And we want to offer that this year on the early calendar. It would be May 19th and May 20th. In the traditional calendar schools, it would be June 5th and June 6th. So up to four hours.
hours of remediation and then the following day would be that readministration in an online format. Schools will submit a test plan to us to explain to us exactly what their plan is. And we can only do the readministration if students attend remediation.
And a student attendance is voluntary. So it's up to the parent to decide. But we would like to propose offering that this summer.
So if you would please, I respectfully request a approval of our 2024-2025 Caldwell County Schools Summer Program. I hear a motion that we approve the 2024-2025 Caldwell County Schools Summer Program as we have discussed in work session and as has been presented by Dr. McKellen. I move that we approve the summer program as presented. Is there a second?
Second. Any questions or comments? All those in favor say aye. Aye.
Any opposed? Motion passes. Item 6B is a contract for speech language services and I respectfully request approval of the contract with this individual. to provide services for students. Okay, do I hear a motion that we approve the contract for speech-language services?
Chair and panel, I'll make that motion. Is there a second? Second.
All those in favor say aye. I got a question. Sure, go ahead.
Did we get the contract language straightened out for the work session? Yes, it is clarified for seven and a half hours a week of direct service and up to two hours of indirect service. Thank you very much. Anything else?
All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?
And motion passes. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. McKellar.
Next is our Finance Assistant Superintendent, CFO, Mr. David Johnson. Good afternoon, Chairman, panel, board members, Dr. Phipps. I have two items tonight. The first one is 7A. It's the audit contract for Anderson, Smith & Wack.
It's to provide our annual audit effective June 30th, 2020. for Caldwell County Schools, and it's in the proper order as prescribed by the local government commission. The audit contract is the same that we've done since 2019. It does have a slight increase of $750. That increase brings the total to $38,000. In 2019, our previous audit firm, the audit contract was $3,800, so we're still $800 less than 2019. Okay, did I hear a motion that we approve the 2025 audit contract with Anderson, Smith, and Watt PLLC?
I make a motion we approve the 2025 engagement contract with Anderson, Smith, and Watt PLLC as presented. Is there a second? Second. Any comments?
Any questions? All those in favor say aye. Aye.
Any opposed? Motion passes. Okay the next thing I have is I have two budget amendments. Budget amendment number six for the state public school fund falls under item 7b.
It's an increase in the state public school fund allocation of $848,676. The biggest part of that is for some bonuses we've paid for Read to Achieve, 4th and 5th grade reading bonuses, and 4th through 8th grade math bonuses. That totaled about $400,000 that we paid out in January. The total amount of that amendment is for $848,676.
Budget Amendment Number 7 is for the Federal Grants Fund. It's an increase in federal grants that we've received, a total of $741,681. I would like to have these two amendments approved tonight. If they're approved, it'll bring the total budget for Caldwell County Schools to $149,980,969.40. Okay, motion to approve budget amendment 6, which is the state public school fund, and budget amendment 7, which is the federal grant fund, as presented by Mr. Johnson.
I move that we approve the budget amendment 6, state public school fund, and budget amendment 7, federal grant funds, as presented. Okay, do we have a second? Second. Any questions? All those in favor say aye.
Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes. Great. Thank you guys.
Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Next we have the Auxiliary Services Assistant Superintendent, Andy Poole. Good evening, Chairman Pennell, Vice Chair Becker, Dr. Phipps, and members of the board.
I have one item for approval this evening. I'm seeking approval. of the procurement plan for the Child Nutrition Department that we shared at the work session last week. The plan follows the purchase requirements as set up by federal state and local policies.
The plan will be effective starting March 10th 2025 and remain in place until amended. I respectfully request your approval at this time. I hear a motion that we approve the Colwell County Schools procurement plan for school nutrition program as presented by Mr. Poole.
Chairman, I'll make that motion. Is there a second? I'll second. All those in favor? Any questions?
Anybody have any questions? Do we do this every year? It said as amended.
I didn't know if it just wrote. We do one every year. This is a new one, and so we're amending it. And I know we did talk about this in work session.
Yeah. Okay. Any other questions?
All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?
Motion passes. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Poole. Next, we have Dr. Thomas Howell, Human Resource Services Assistant Superintendent.
Good evening. I have four items to present to you tonight. The first one is 9A, Human Resources Service as Usual and Customary Informational Items.
Those items include leaves of absences, resignations. and one coaches for a volunteer. I respectfully request board approval of these informational. Actually, you don't get board approval. I'm sorry.
Providing information for that. Excuse me. Now we get to do some approvals, hopefully. All right, Section 9B, Human Resources Services, usual and customary actions for items for contracts.
Just to make you aware, the list that you've been presented, there are no contracts per se for certified employees. All of these recommendations for employment are for classified or part-time employees. So I respectfully request board action on these action items. I hear a motion that we approve the Human Resource Services, as usual. and customary action items as it relates to contracts.
I'll make that. Okay. Sorry.
I'll make that. Okay. All those in favor say aye. Aye.
Any opposed? Motion passes. Okay. Next up is 9C, which is our human resources usual and customary action items substitute list.
And if you'll notice, there are very few names on that. This happens at this time of year where we don't get a lot of people wanting to be substitutes, but I do ask for approval of our substitute recommendations. Motion to approve human resources useful and customary action item as it relates to the substitute list. I'll make the motion to approve the substitute list. Is there a second?
Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?
Motion passes. Okay. And Adam Nondis.
The deals with our March board transfers for 24-25 and if you will look on the sheet there are out of county requests for the board approval and also in county requests. I respectfully request board action on the student transfers. So we have a motion to approve the March board transfers for 2024-25.
I'll make the motion that we approve the board transfers. Is there a second? Second.
All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?
Motion passes. Thank you, Dr. Howell. Next on our agenda is our superintendent, Dr. Don Peterson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have one action item, and this is to request the board approve having our 2025-26 draft school calendars put up for public.
comment. Again, I want to stress that these are our draft calendars and the public comment period allows us to listen to and respond to the feedback that we get on the calendar. So it is draft at this point and we'll have this up for public comment as we continue to do the work ultimately leading to the adoption. But at this point again the action item is simply for the calendars to be put up for public comment.
This will be for the traditional school calendar and then also the early college and CASA calendars. Okay, I hear a motion that we post the 2025-26 school calendars, being the traditional schools, as well as for Kaisa and early college. out there for public comment. Is there a motion?
I'll make the motion that we put the calendar up for public opinions. Is there a second? Second. Any comments, any questions?
We've talked extensively about this in work session, but anybody? Are we going to leave it for a period of time, or do we? I know a lot of times it's been 30 days.
Are we going to set a time? It will be up until April 10th. Okay. I didn't get a chance to look up, but that's with the changes we talked about. Just a few little changes.
It's still not a great calendar. Thank you, legislature. I know.
It's not us. Definitely not us. Any other questions? All those in favor, say aye.
Aye. Any opposed? And motion passes.
Next, the board needs to go into a... Probably short closed session and we do not expect any action once we come back. Do I hear a motion we go into executive session? Chairman Pennell, I move we convene to close session to discuss confidential personnel matters pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11a1.
Is there a second? Second. All those in favor say aye.
Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes.
So we will be in closed session and thanks for being here. Second. All those in favor of second, any opposed?