Mia Munn’s notes from the May 6, 2013 Chatham County school board meeting

Date: Tue, 7 May 2013 09:46:41 -0400
From: Mia Munn
Subject: My notes from the May 6, 2013 school board meeting.

Shortest school board meeting I can remember – under 1 hour.

The discussion of extending the superintendent and senior staff contracts was pulled from the agenda.

Missed recognition of Kenan Fellows (got to meeting late)

Students who won CTE and science awards were recognized. After the students and their families left, there were 6 community members in attendance, including both of the school board candidates, Jane Allen Wilson and Angela Millsaps (got to meeting late).

JM and Northwood were recognized for their UCS News top high school rankings – top 20 NC high schools (out of 607). District working on way to recognize faculty and students before the end of the year. (Woods was also
in top 5, so 3 of top 20 in our county.) Based on academic opportunities and performance. Northwood also ranked by Washington Post. We need way to get message about good schools out to our community. Will mention to the realtors when met next month.

JM- Wells Fargo cup for NCHSAA (used to be Wachovia cup) – based on winningest school in conference, even though smallest in conference. 2 conference athletes of the year.

Chatham Central men’s tennis – state scholastic award for tennis – gpa 3.84

Teacher appreciation week – taking bagels to teachers tomorrow morning

All county band and chorus programs – also need to publicize quality of arts programs. Mr. Hamm – quality of students/what’s good about education – auditorium only half full

Restroom and break room repairs in central office in June, $ left over from other projects (maintenance fund balance)

Teacher of year/retirement banquet June 11, 6pm at Governors Club – teacher of year announced this Wednesday

Quarterly financial statements – Tony Messer

CCS spent 7% of state funds. Always spend state first (save local) Local – 68%, fed – 66% (mostly reimbursement, so spending is late in year), Child Nutrition loss has declined from 200K to 130k, spent 76%. Other local – non-charter, largest is NC Pre-k 71%.

Surplus items – renovation of Paul Braxton (leased to boys and girls club) and maintenance . June county auction, then dispose of if not sold (recycle metal).

Summer work schedule – go to 4 day/ 10 hour week – office and schools close on Friday each week. 7:30 am – 6pm. June 10 – Aug 16. Allow YMCA and Boys and Girls club on Friday, but not any others. 5th year of schedule – saves utilities. Public likes the hours – open outside of normal work hours. Haven’t heard about grant for summer program – could run 4 day program

Calendar revision – missed 1 work day (214 v 215) left off first workday – Aug 19, optional teacher workday.

Change to board calendar – had scheduled supt review June 10, but test scores won’t be available until Oct/Nov because of change in tests. Change review till that data is available. Can review district accomplishments at
a board meeting (facilities, finance, academics) . Renorming/recentering tests. Grading of schools. Teacher and administrator evaluations – all delayed. Current bill asking for 1 yr moratorium on using the test data. Hoping it will be approved – give time to properly scrub the data. Testing 1.5M children, lots of tests. Measures of Student learning in addition to EOG/EOC. Mid-May to first week in June – lots of testing (AP testing started today). We need the data, testing has its place, we just need to be smart about it.

Also change Wed Jun 26 to Thur June 20 noon – works better for schedules – If we need it at all – will bring budget resolution June 3. May have cleanup, so also add Thurs June 27 noon in case need last budget adjustments. (first suggested Fri, but Mr. Leonard pointed out that bldg. closed for Friday schedule).

Renaming part of Paul Braxton – leasing property to Boys and Girls Club. Only using a portion – lots of fundraising – they have made improvements to the property. Would like to honor the biggest donor with name, Wren Family Center – only as long as B&G Club have lease. Whole facility still called Paul Braxton School. Do have gyms and auditoriums with names different than the school (this only during the lease).

Motion to adjourn 6:55.