GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA Tuesday, February 8, 2011 The Guilford County Board of Education met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 712 North Eugene Street, Greensboro, North Carolina. The following board members were present: Sandra Alexander, Jeff Belton, Kris Cooke, Paul Daniels, Alan Duncan, Carlvena Foster, Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes, Ed Price, Amos Quick (arrived 9:14 p.m.) and Nancy Routh. Also present were Superintendent Maurice Green and Attorney Jill Wilson. Call to Order Chairman Duncan called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence Chairman Duncan called on board member Jeff Belton to lead the Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence. Recognitions A. GCS Employee of the Month for February 2011 The board recognized Jill Hall, principal of Montlieu Elementary Academy of Technology, as the February 2011 Employee of the Month. Board member Carlvena Foster presented Ms. Hall with a certificate of recognition. Ms. Hall also received a $50 gift card from Sam s Club, which has generously partnered with GCS to support the employee recognition program. B. GCS Volunteer of the Month for February 2011 The board recognized Stephen Hale, a volunteer at Jefferson Elementary, as the February 2011 Volunteer of the Month. Board member Darlene Garrett presented Mr. Hale with a certificate of recognition. Mr. Hale also received a gift bag and $25 gift card from American Express. American Express recognizes the important role that volunteers play in our schools and has generously partnered with GCS to sponsor the volunteer recognition program. C. Guilford County Schools Recognized for Effective Communications The District Relations department was recognized as being among school districts across the state for effective communications by the North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA). District Relations received six Blue Ribbon Awards, which are given out annual to school districts for producing outstanding publications. The district was presented with the awards during a brunch in Durham on January 28. Board member Kris Cooke presented members of the District Relations team Lillian Govus and Laurie Hogan with a certificate of recognition. Public Comments Chairman Duncan called on members of the public who requested an opportunity to address the board. Dr. Cynthia Hunter, 2022 Hassall Street, Greensboro, NC 27401 Brandy Jones, 224 B. Northpoint Avenue, High Point, NC 27262 Approval of Agenda Chairman Duncan asked board members to review the meeting agenda. He requested that Item C (Contract for Transportation Services for Students with Special Needs and Students Enrolled in Special Programs) of the Consent Agenda be moved to Item B of the Staff Reports. He then called for a motion to approve the agenda. Final Minutes, February 8, 2011 Page 1 of 5
Motion was made by Darlene Garrett, seconded by Carlvena Foster, to approve the agenda as amended. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote. Consent Agenda Superintendent Maurice Green presented the following consent agenda items: A. Personnel Reports The consent agenda included personnel actions as noted in the monthly personnel action report requiring board approval. B. National School Counseling Week Proclamation The consent agenda included a recommendation that the board approve a proclamation recognizing National School Counseling Week, which takes place February 7-11, 2011. Motion was made by Darlene Garrett, seconded by Sandra Alexander, to approve the consent agenda as presented. Alan Duncan leaves All items on the consent agenda passed by unanimous voice vote. Staff Reports A. School Safety Update Gwen Willis, chief student services officer, Brenda Elliott-Johnson, executive director of student services and Sherry Rogowski, PBIS coordinator/coach, presented an update on school safety. A review of the 2009-10 annual student discipline data report indicates progress is being made toward meeting the safe schools and character development goals outlined in the Guilford County Schools (GCS) Strategic Plan. The number of out-of-school suspensions related to noncompliance and discourteous acts has decreased by 13.5 percent since the 2007-08 school year. The number of state reportable incidents of inappropriate behavior per 1,000 students has decreased by 4.7 percent. Break 7:55 pm Resume 8:24 pm GCS has several intervention and prevention programs in place to promote school safety. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is currently used in 50 schools. It is a school-wide program that sets common expectations for behavior. PBIS focuses on creating and sustaining school environments that encourage appropriate conduct from all students and positive staff-to-student interactions. Data is used continuously to evaluate the behavior support systems. GCS is also taking steps in harassment, bullying and discrimination prevention. Recent procedure changes provide a specific process for students and staff to anonymously report incidents of harassment, bullying and discrimination. Additionally, principals, assistant principals, counselors, psychologists, social workers and other staff have been trained in bullying prevention and intervention. Trainings for parents will be offered through Guilford Parent Academy. Many schools also have Student Human Relations Commissions that provide programs for students. The Student Assistance Program, Lifestyles program and S.M.A.R.T. (Student Mentoring Awareness and Resource) teams in schools support substance abuse prevention. Final Minutes, February 8, 2011 Page 2 of 5
B. Contract for Transportation Services for Students with Special Needs and Students Enrolled in Special Programs Andy LaRowe, chief operations officer, and Jeff Harris, director of transportation, presented to the board information regarding a contract with First Student, Inc., for transportation services for students with special needs and students enrolled in special programs for the 2011-12 school year. On December 9, 2010, eight vendors attended a pre-proposal meeting. On January 13, 2011, six of those vendors submitted proposals with First Student, Inc. providing the lowest cost, responsible, responsive proposal for the required services. First Student, Inc. has provided service to Guilford County Schools since the 2001-02 school year. For the current school year First Student, Inc. is providing 67 school buses to transport 760 students. The estimated average cost per bus per day is $327.82, which includes a safety assistant. The bid specifications include a provision for a one-year contract, with an option to renew for up to four additional 12-month periods, if agreeable to both parties. Estimated expenditures for contract transportation services for the 2011-12 school year are $3,953,407. The contract amount for contract transportation services for the 2010-11 school year is $4,282,816. Motion was made by Darlene Garrett, seconded by Ed Price to approve entering a contract with First Student, Inc. for transportation services for the 2011-12 school year. The motion passed by majority electronic vote of 7-2 as follows: Ayes Sandra Alexander, Jeff Belton, Ed Price, Nancy Routh, Kris Cooke, Carlvena Foster and Darlene Garrett; Nays - Deena Hayes and Paul Daniels. C. Calendar Make-up Options Nora Carr, chief of staff, presented to the board feedback received for calendar make-up days due to inclement weather. At the January 27, 2011 meeting, the board approved posting the calendar make-up options for a limited public comment period as presented for the 2010-11 Calendars: Traditional Academic, GCS Middle Colleges and Academies, GCS Year-round (Hampton Elementary University Partnership Magnet), Greensboro College Middle College, and The Early College at Guilford. The following changes were posted on the district Website for the public comment period: 2011-11 Traditional Academic Calendar o Using Tuesday, March 29 as a student make-up day and moving the protected teacher workday currently on that date to Saturday, April 2. o Adding two inclement weather days to the end of the school year on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 14 and 15. o 2010-11 GCS Middle Colleges and Academies Adding three days at the end of the school year, on May 31, June 1 and June 2 2010-11 GCS Year-round (Hampton) Adding three days at the end of the school year, on Thurs., June 9; Fri., 10; Mon., 13 2010-11 Greensboro College Middle College Adding three days at the end of the school year, on Fri., May 27, Tues., May 31, Wed., June 1 2010-11 The Early College at Guilford Adding three days at the end of the school year, on Tues., May 31; Wed., June 1; Thurs., June 2 Motion was made by Ed Price, seconded by Darlene Garrett, to approve staff s recommendation for additional inclement weather make-up days to be added to the 2010-11 calendars, if needed. The motion passed by majority electronic vote of 7-2 as follows: Ayes Sandra Alexander, Jeff Belton, Ed Price, Nancy Routh, Kris Cooke, Paul Daniels and Deena Hayes; Nays - Darlene Garrett and Carlvena Foster. Final Minutes, February 8, 2011 Page 3 of 5
D. 2008 Bond Potential Projects to Delay Andy LaRowe, chief operations officer, led the board in a discussion regarding the potential 2008 bond projects to delay. Sharon Ozment reported that the cash flow for the 2008 bond projects was revised in January 2009 in order to reflect an approximate cash requirement of initial issuance of $85M in bond funds and again in January 2010 prior to the approval of an additional issuance of $60M in bond funds. The revisions were made at the request of the County Manager and leadership of the County Commission. A revised forecast was completed in December 2010. Amos Quick arrived at 9:14 p.m. 1. Contractual Agreement with Keary Builders, Inc. for the Addition to McLeansville Elementary School The 2008 School Construction Bond Program includes new classrooms and media center expansion to increase capacity by 126 students at McLeansville Elementary School. Bids were received on January 13, 2011, for the addition to this project. A total of 13 bids were received. Central Builders, Inc. submitted the lowest bid; however, their bid has been deemed non-responsive as they failed to submit a bid on unit pricing for additional electrical work. Because of this failure, it was determined that Keary Builders, Inc. submitted the lowest responsible, responsive bid of $2,723,691. Motion was made by Kris Cooke, seconded by Jeff Belton, to award a contract to Keary Builders, Inc. for the addition to the McLeansville Elementary School project in the amount of $2,723,691. The motion passed by majority electronic vote of 6-4 as follows: Ayes Sandra Alexander, Jeff Belton, Nancy Routh, Kris Cooke, Paul Daniels and Darlene Garrett; Nays Ed Price, Amos Quick, Deena Hayes and Carlvena Foster. 2. 2008 Bond Potential Projects to Delay GCS staff provided a detailed report to the Guilford County Board of Commissioners at its scheduled retreat on January 31, 2011 regarding potential delays to projects included in the 2008 School Construction Bond Program. Board discussion followed regarding ranking the projects. Motion was made by Ed Price, seconded by Paul Daniels, to create a Tier I for the 2011-12 school year and Tiers II and III to be done as soon as possible for the 2008 bond projects. A substitute motion by was made by Darlene Garrett, seconded by Kris Cooke, to delay Airport Area High School, Southeast Area Elementary School, Allen Jay Middle School with the exception of the purchase of land and cost for design. The motion passed by majority electronic vote of 9-1 as follows: Ayes Sandra Alexander, Jeff Belton, Ed Price, Nancy Routh, Kris Cooke, Paul Daniels, Deena Hayes, Carlvena Foster and Darlene Garrett; Nays Amos Quick. Reports from the Superintendent None Reports from the Chairman None Board Comments Board members were each allowed two minutes to make remarks, as they deemed appropriate. Final Minutes, February 8, 2011 Page 4 of 5
Adjournment With no further business, at 10:12 p.m., motion was made by Kris Cooke, seconded by Deena Hayes, adjourn the meeting. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote. Final Minutes, February 8, 2011 Page 5 of 5