Minutes of the Vance County Board of Education Meeting August 9, 2021 Revised Minutes

Minutes of the Vance County Board of Education Meeting August 9, 2021

Revised Minutes

The Vance County Board of Education met in regular session on June 14, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Board members present were Mrs. Linda S. Cobb, Chair; Mrs. Margaret A. Ellis, Vice-Chair; Mrs. Ruth M. Hartness, Edward B. Wilson, Mrs.

Dorothy W. Gooche, and Mrs. Gloria White. Senior staff members present were Dr. Cindy W. Bennett, Superintendent;

Dr. Gail Powers, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Ms. Michelle Burton, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services/ Strategic Planning, Mrs. Jennifer Bennett, Chief Finance Officer, Mrs. Aarika Sandlin, Director of Communication, and Mr. Jerry Stainback, School Board Attorney. Mrs. Darlynn P. Oxendine was absent.

Mrs. Cobb called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone. A moment of silence was observed.

Approval of Minutes

Upon motion by Mrs. Hartness, second by Mr. Wilson, the Board unanimously (6-0) approved the June 14, June 30, and July 29, 2021 Board minutes.

Approval of Meeting Agenda

Approval of the meeting agenda and the following additions were motioned by Mrs. White, seconded by Mrs. Gooche, the Board unanimously (6-0) approved the agenda.

VIII. A. Personnel Addendum IX. A. Transfer Revised

Recognitions/Announcements

Dr. Bennett shared that the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) recognized the Finance Department for receiving the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2020. The district report meets the criteria established for ASBO

International’s Certificate of Excellence.

Public Comments – None

Superintendent’s Report

Fiscal Oversight Monthly Report

Dr. Bennett provided the Fiscal Oversight Monthly Report to the Board as information only.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) & School Mental Health (SMH) Improvement Plan

Dr. Bennett shared the SEL & SMH Improvement Plan as information only to the Board and this plan is required by the State department. Each K-12 public school unit (PSU) shall adopt and implement a plan for promoting student mental health and well-being and for assessing and improving upon the effectiveness of supports for the mental and social- emotional health and substance use needs of its students and staff by July 1, 2021.

Convocation

Convocation will be held on Tuesday, August 17 at 8:30 am in the VCMS Gym. Out of caution, we will have a smaller portion of our staff to attend face-to-face. Employees from the administrative service center, transportation, child nutrition, facility and school teams will have the opportunity to attend face-to-face or virtually. There will be less than 150 people in the gym and social distance will be practiced. All Board members are invited. During convocation the LEAP grants will be awarded and are funded by the Vance County Public School Foundation along with the school spirit and excellence awards.

Summer Discovery

Dr. Bennett shared that the district has provided K-12 students additional learning opportunities through the Summer

Discovery Program. The district offered three sessions and students had the choice to attend all three sessions or a

portion of the two week sessions of in-person instruction and one week off. Summer Discovery was offered to students

2 that needed a little extra help with academics. The program had over 767 elementary, 500 middle and 900 high school students in the program that also was involved with credit recovery.

Beginning of the School Year Professional Development (PD)

Dr. Bennett shared the August PD for the district and Board members were invited to participate. Below are some of the training that will be provided:

● District PD Day for Early Start Schools (VCHS & VCEC)

● District PD Day for Year-Round School (EMR)

● Emerging Leaders for Select Aps

● New Employee Orientation

● School-Based Welcome Sessions

● Convocation & School Based Sessions

● District PD Day for Traditional Schools

Sheriff’s Department Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs)

The purpose of this MOU is to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the School Resource Officers (SROs) while establishing guidelines for handling violations of the law that are committed on school campuses. SROs are primarily assigned to middle and high schools, but this MOU will apply to any incidents that may occur on a VCS school campus.

This MOU does not apply to any incidents involving non-students on school property and does not apply to any incidents involving students committed off of school property. SROs are employees of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office. The goals are:

● To promote a safe, inclusive and positive learning environment

● To provide security to the school from outside threats

● To promote adherence to school policy and respect for the law

● To treat all students with respect, dignity and fairness

● To aid and support all student to be successful Arts Are Education Resolution

The School Board Resolution asks that decision-making bodies commit to maintaining their arts education programs in the 2021-22 school year and beyond, by passing the Resolution as it reads, or a customized version that aligns with their schools’ existing programs. As a follow-up to last year’s “Arts Education Is Essential” statement by 113 national music and arts organizations and authored by the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards (NCCAS), in January 2021 the “Arts ARE Education” campaign launched with a public announcement during NAMM’s “Believe in Music” Week. This collaborative campaign by multiple disciplines in music and other arts education will emphasize funding, maintaining, and growing PreK–12 arts education programs in the 2021–22 school year and beyond.

A Proclamation

● Whereas all students have the right to an arts education that includes music, theatre, and visual arts taught by certified arts educators, in partnership with community providers with prospects for growth in orchestra, dance, and media arts.

● Whereas arts education has the power to change students’ lives.

● Whereas arts education is a key to re-igniting students’ learning in a post-COVID-19 world.

● Whereas arts education helps nurture healthy, inclusive communities where all points of view are respected.

● Whereas arts education experiences help students understand their own cultural roots and appreciate others’

cultural roots and traditions.

● Whereas arts education supports the social and emotional well-being of students and fosters a more positive, safer school environment.

● Whereas arts education is part of the well-rounded education for every student as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act and in state law.

Now, therefore, the Vance County Schools pledge to maintain and grow arts education programs during the 2021-22

school year and beyond. Acknowledged and resolved this ninth day of August, 2021.

3 COVID Safety Protocols

Dr. Bennett recommended to the Board for approval that VCS continue to require face coverings indoors for all staff and students to maintain a high level of safety in all facilities where students are present, as well as on buses. The Board will revisit the requirements at each board meeting after reviewing local COVID-19 data.

Upon motion by Mrs. White and seconded by Mrs. Hartness, the Board unanimously (6-0) approved the COVID Safety Protocols of wearing a mask indoors and on buses when students are present for all staff and students and the Board will revisit each month.

Board of Education Standing Committees Personnel

I. EMPLOYMENT RECOMMENDATION(S)

LOCATION EMPLOYEE NAME RACE/SEX POSITION EFFECTIVE DATE

ASC Natashalyn Snipes B/F EC Director 7/01/21

EM Rollins Anita Peace B/F Custodian 6/08/21

ASC Teresa Cunningham-Brown B/F Executive Director HR TBD

Aycock Donald Johnson, III W/M Assistant Principal 8/02/21

Zeb Vance Ayanna Lewis B/F Teacher 8/16/21

VCMS Crystal Jeffcoat B/F Counselor TBD

ASC Detrius Jones B/F HR Generalist TBD

VCHS Wilbur Pender W/M Teacher/Football Coach 8/02/21

Maintenance Petronia Hicks B/F Administrative Assistant 7/26/21

Maintenance Marshall Burwell B/M Custodial Supervisor 8/09/21

VCHS Brent Hammer W/M Media Specialist 8/05/21

STEM Quentilla Crutchfield B/F Teacher 8/16/21

VCECHS Benjamin Ament W/M Teacher 8/02/21

VCHS James McMillen W/M JROTC Instructor 8/02/21

EM Rollins Shawanda Johnson B/F Teacher Assistant 8/03/21

VCMS Nedralee Bartley B/F Teacher 8/16/21

VCHS Deissy Cordoba H/F Teacher 8/09/21

VCMS Terence Nichols B/M Teacher 8/16/21

STEM/AA Othneil Fyffe B/M Teacher 8/16/21

II. RESIGNATION(S)

LOCATION EMPLOYEE NAME RACE/SEX POSITION REASON EFFECTIVE

DATE

Maintenance Alisa Salmon W/F Admin Assistant Retiree PT 6/30/21

VCHS Audrey Brown B/F CTE Teacher Teach in another PSU in NC 6/30/21 VCMS Jensen McLeod W/F EC Teacher Teach in another PSU in NC 6/22/21 EM Rollins Tiffany Manning B/F Teacher Franklin County Schools 7/07/21 Pinkston Street Jeffrey Tate W/M PE Teacher Outside of Education 7/12/21

Clarke Jodaine Grant B/F EC Teacher Wake County Schools 8/13/21

VCHS Lucmar Crespo Gomez H/F ESL-Teacher Duplin County Schools 7/01/21

ASC Sheri Bailey W/F Licensure

Specialist

Outside of Education 7/15/21

New Hope Linda Bratcher B/F Bookkeeper Other 7/30/21

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VCMS Latonya Bunch B/F Counselor Teach in a PSU in another

state

7/30/21

VCMS Glenda Delipe A/F Math Teacher End of VIF Term 6/30/21

Pinkston St Tia Dixon B/F Bookkeeper Employment in another PSU 6/30/21 Pinkston St Kaitlyn Jones Moore W/F Music-Teacher Wake Co. Public Schools 6/08/21 EM Rollins Verica-Ionlea Natea B/F EC Teacher Durham Public Schools 7/01/21 STEM Aaryn Shawley W/F Music-Teacher Teach in another PSU in NC 6/28/21

Carver Mary Taylor W/F Teacher Franklin County Schools 6/08/21

Pinkston St Tamela Winbush B/F Counselor Relocation 7/12/21

VCEC Novlyn Sweeney B/F Teacher Ending VIF 7/01/21

Dabney Isaiah Green B/M Teacher Unknown 7/12/21

Carver Ashley Bennerson B/F Teacher Franklin Co. Schools 8/13/21

VCMS Adrine Pettaway B/F Teacher Continue Education 8/17/21

Transportation Joshua Lewis B/M Bus Driver Unknown 7/19/21

VCHS Constance Pettaway B/F Bookkeeper Durham Public Schools 8/03/21

Clarke Mary M. Williams W/F Teacher Retiree PT 6/30/21

VCHS Hunter Jenks W/M Teacher/Football

Coach

Wake County Schools 8/26/21

VCHS Teresa Taylor B/F Counselor Warren County Schools 8/27/21

VCHS Alphonso Collins B/M EC TA Unknown 7/31/21

Transportation Jason Lowman W/M Fuel Truck Driver Unknown 8/20/21

III. RETIREMENT(S)

LOCATION EMPLOYEE NAME RACE/SEX POSITION EFFECTIVE DATE

New Hope Mary Oswald W/F Teacher 7/19/21

VCMS James Haywood, Jr B/M Child Nutrition Asst. 6/28/21

New Hope Teresa Baldwin W/F Media Specialist 9/01/21

ASC Helen Evans B/F Federal Programs

Budget Manager

9/01/21

IV. LEAVE(S)

LOCATION EMPLOYEE NAME RACE/SEX LEAVE TYPE POSITION EFFECTIVE DATE

Maintenance Bryant Nelson FMLA Food Service 7/12/21

ASC Helen Evans B/F FMLA Budget Manager 6/15/21

III. TRANSFER/PROMOTION(S) – For Information Only

LOCATION EMPLOYEE NAME NEW POSITION OLD POSITION/LOCATION EFFECTIVE DATE

STEM Davia Johnson ELA-MCL Teacher - VCMS 8/16/21

Maintenanc e

Joseph Norwood Maintenance Supervisor

Maintenance Technician 8/02/21

AA Sylvia Raye CTE Teacher CTE Teacher - VCHS 8/03/21

VCMS Stephanie Ayscue Principal Principal - AA 8/02/21

AA Mark Lawhorne Interim Principal Assistant Principal - AA 8/02/21 AA Shannon Bullock Middle School AP Assistant Principal - VCMS 8/02/21

VCMS Jamie McClain Counselor Counselor - VCEC 8/02/21

VCHS Shaunte Clarke Teacher Teacher – V3 8/02/21

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VCHS Peta-Gay McKenzie Teacher Teacher – V3 8/02/21

VCHS Worrel Thomas Teacher Teacher- V3 8/02/21

V-3 Sabrina Vereen Teacher Instructional Support - ASC 8/16/21

V-3 Mattie Waters Teacher Teacher – E.O. Young 8/16/21

Pinkston St Laurie Hernandez Bookkeeper Office Assistant – Pinkston St.

8/02/21

New Hope Clara Thorpe Bookkeeper Bookkeeper - VCMS 8/02/21

VCMS Kedecia Stewart-

Faines

IPG Coach Assistant Principal - VCMS 8/09/21

V-3 Winnie Perez Teacher Teacher - VCHS 8/16/21

Mrs. Ellis shared information from the August 3, 2021 meeting. Nine international teachers have been hired for the 2021-2022 school year. Four of the teachers arrived August 5 and three more will arrive the week of August 16 and the last two will arrive the week of August 21. The teachers will be teaching art, ESL, Math, Science and Spanish.

Upon motion by Mrs. Ellis and seconded by Mrs. Hartness, the Board unanimously (6-0) approved the following personnel items.

Finance

Mrs. Jennifer Bennett shared information from the July 28, 2021 meeting. Two contract/service renewals and a major purchase was recommended for approval. The New Leaders, Inc. contract provides on-going services related to professional development for the district, networking and engagement state-wide and nationally, and helps the district continue to grow its leadership team internally. $136,500 of State, Federal and Local funds will be used. The School Resource Officer (SRO) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a partnership with the Vance County Sheriff

Department that supports schools with a maximum of five SROs. Two SROs will be at VCHS and one at VCMS. As other officers become available, the district will add more support in the schools.

Mrs. White asked if there were any further discussions on how soon the additional officers will be added and Dr. Bennett shared that as of today no date has been provided as to when extra SROs will be available. AdVance Academy and VCMS will start on August 23 and Mr. Desmond Thompson has been assigned to the VCMS as an Assistant Principal who will support the school onsite. Both schools will not be unprotected. Mrs. White shared that if the SROs get sick or take leave, the Sheriff’s department provides a substitute officer.

$200,000 of At-Risk funds will be used. Edgenuity is an instructional content/software that will replace Edmentum.

Edgenuity provides direct instruction, more video engagement, fewer clicks to retrieve data, more user-friendly and offers 1 to 1 assistance. The district will purchase touch devices, refresh devices for grades 4, 6 and 9 graders, new devices to ensure they are compatible with the instructional content, systems, etc. Also purchasing new panel

replacement smart boards that will allow for new devices to cast and allow more interactions using current technology.

An estimated $600,000 will be used for devices and $500,000 for panels.

Upon motion by Mrs. White and seconded by Mr. Wilson, the Board unanimously (6-0) approved the contract/service renewals with New Leaders, Inc., the SRO MOU and the Edgenuity software purchase.

Bids are open for the HVAC work under the CIP for Aycock and Dabney Elementary schools. Items on the technology

inventory list are being recommended for surplus that are no longer of use to the district. The Board needs to declare

the items as surplus before the district can sell, dispose or alter the items. Other unsuitable items will be sent to the

recycler operations for disposal. $15,000 has been set aside annually for disposal costs. The County provided the

funding for the Maintenance salary schedule and all salary adjustments are retro-active as of July 1, 2021. The Child

Nutrition department will be reviewed next. Bus schedules are being reviewed also since surrounding counties may be

offering a minimum of $15 per hour. The CPA Audit is scheduled for the week of August 16 for the Fiscal Year 2021-

6 2022 audit and the auditors will be on site August 18-19. The formal State budget is expected the middle of September and some items to be aware of are:

● Senate’s budget has a minimal salary increase of 1.5%

● Increase the employer hospitalization rate by 11.4% ($7,046)

● Increase the retirement rate to 22.4%

Building and Grounds

Mrs. Hartness shared information from the July 22, 2021 meeting. Phase one of the work has been completed other than the video recording studio and the Center for Innovation’s ribbon cutting ceremony was held on July 26. The HVAC replacement at Zeb Vance is in the final phase of work and will be completed before the start of school in August. Bids are being sought for the HVAC replacements at Aycock and Dabney. Summer cleaning and sanitizing buildings is complete and ready for the start of school. The touchless restroom upgrades have been installed also. The carpet replacement is almost complete at ASC. 2,164 work orders were received and 2,000 of them have been completed.

Policy

Dr. Bennett shared information from the July 28, 2021 meeting. The NCSBA legislative technical policy updates for Spring 2021 were reviewed.

1310/4002 – Parental Involvement 5210 – Distribution & Display of Non-School Materials

3102 – Online Instruction 6140 – Student Wellness

3230/7330 – Copyright Compliance 6210 – Organization of School Nutrition Services 3470/4305 – Alternative Learning Programs/Schools 6220 – Operation of School Nutrition Services 3640/5130 – Student Voter Registration & Preregistration 6230 – School Meal & Competitive Food Standards 4050 – Children of Military Families 6305 – Safety & Student Transportation Services 4270/6145 - Concussion & Head Injury 6315 – Drivers

4700 – Student Records 6321 – Bus Routes

5020 – Visitors to Schools 6450 – Purchase of Services

5030 – Community Use of Facilities 7100- Recruitment & Selection of Personnel 5070/7350 – Public Records, Retention, Release & Disposition 7130 – Licensure

5071/7351 – Electronically Stored Information Retention 7430 – Substitute Teachers 9020 – Facility Design Mrs. Hartness asked for a flash drive with all the new policies.

Upon motion by Mrs. White and seconded by Mr. Wilson, the Board unanimously (6-0) approved the Spring 2021 legislative technical policy updates from the NCSBA.

Curriculum

Mr. Wilson shared information from the July 22, 2021 meeting. No professional developments were provided in the month of July because of the Summer Discovery program. The Summer Discovery program for session one was shared with the committee. The Clarke Elementary site had 181 students, the E.M. Rollins elementary site had 105 students, the Pinkston Street elementary site had 141 students and the Zeb Vance elementary site had 155 students to attend.

The middle school site had 228 students, and the high school site had 242 students to attend. The total is 1,052 students attending the first session. Session two of the Summer Discovery program will end on August 13 for

elementary and July 30 for high school. Mr. Wilson officially welcomed Dr. Gail Powers to her new position as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Powers gave an update on Edgenuity, teacher support and beginning teachers.

Community and Business Relations

7 Mrs. Gooche shared information from the August 3, 2021 meeting. The Leadership Retreat titled “Laser-Focused

Leadership” for the district leaders was held on July 26-28 at the Center for Innovation. Convocation will be held on August 17 at VCMS and during this time the Shining Moment in Education and LEAP grant recipients will be recognized.

Spectrum News “Voices of Change” will feature a VCMS 7

grader. VCS sponsored two vaccination clinics in

collaboration with NC Pediatrics in June for children ages 12 and up. Leadership Vance toured the Center for Innovation and the Superintendent Meet & Greet were both held on July 20, and the Center for Innovation’ Ribbon Cutting was held on July 26. The Chamber of Commerce donated new teacher bags with the help of local businesses. The process and application for facility rentals is being revamped but the anticipated date for the Center for Innovation is January 2022.

New Business - None Field Trip Request – None

Out of County Transfer Requests

Dr. Bennett presented 25 student requests to transfer into Vance County Schools and 15 to be released from Vance County Schools.

Upon motion by Mrs. White and seconded by Mr. Wilson, the Board unanimously (6-0) approved the 40 transfer requests.

Ceremonial Swearing In

John Dunlow, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for the 9

Judicial District, publicly administered the oath of office to Dr. Cindy W. Bennett, Superintendent of Vance County Schools. Grandsons, Benjamin and Luke, assisted by holding the bible as Dr. Bennett stated the oath. Also present were Dr. Bennett’s husband, two daughters and son. Dr. Bennett was sworn in officially at 8:30 a.m. on July 1, 2021, by the Honorable Henry Gupton, Clerk of the Superior Court of Vance County, at the Vance County Courthouse.

Executive Session

Upon motion by Mrs. Cobb and seconded by Mrs. Hartness, the Board voted unanimously (6-0) to go into closed session pursuant to the provisions of North Carolina General Statutes 143-318.11 for the purpose of approving executive session minutes and discussing legal, personnel, and property issues pursuant to subsection (a) of the said statute at 6:45 pm.

The Board returned to the open session at 7:10 p.m.

Upon motion by Mrs. White and seconded by Mrs. Cobb, the Board unanimously (6-0) approved that Vance County Schools will hold middle school athletics harmless for academic standards for the 2021-2022 school year only due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

Being no further business, upon motion by Mrs. White and seconded Mrs. Gooche, the Board voted unanimously (6-0) to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 p.m.

____________________________________________________

BOARD CHAIR, LINDA S. COBB

_____________________________________________________

SECRETARY, CINDY W. BENNETT

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