Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:24:14 -0500
From: Mia Munn
Subject: my notes from the Feb 17, 2014 school board meeting
Items of Note:
Dr. Jordan appointed superintendent, with Ms. Frazier as Asst Supt. Mr. Messer continues as Finance Officer. Mr. Blice and Dr. Carlin remain on leadership team.
Revised schedule for students and staff approved
Regulations for student absences and tardies presented (no vote required)
John Hunter from newspaper, 2 school board candidates (Angela Millsaps, Mia
Munn), lots of staff in attendance (most left after first agenda item). .
Mr. Leonard left the meeting after the first agenda item.
Agenda – move appt of supt to before public comment, Move schedule change
to end, Add additional closed session at the end – same basis as first.
Appointment of Superintendant
Howard – Dr. Jordan has been interim supt – exemplary job. Great candidate
– no need for time or expense of candidate search. Seamless transition
-evidence of leadership. 141k. Today through June 30, 2017. Unanimously
approved
Jordan – appreciative of oppty. Will not take lightly your trust. Chatham
is a phenomenal place. Pledge an unwavering commitment to do what is
necessary to move district forward – proud to represent Chatham. Will not
let you down. Additional appointments – Ms. Frazier named asst supt. Mr.
Messer extended contract. Dr. Carlin and Mr. Blice remain as part of team.
Since Sept 1 have weathered some storms collectively – looking forward to
working together. Supt only as strong as people surrounding him. number of
principals and admin in audience – glad to have your support.
Mr. Stensland welcomed Dr. Jordan on behalf of the principals. CCAE
President Sabrina Beasley said she was excited and proud of Mr. Jordan. Ms.
Howard acknowledged Mr. Logan in the audience. He said he came to wish Dr.
Jordan well. Dr. Jordan – thank Logan for mentorship and leadership.
Audio during the meeting was very poor, with static and hum from audio
system. The public comment mike was not functional. Ms. Howard and Ms.
Turner made several comments during the schedule discussion turning to each
other that were not audible to the audience. The attorney was seated with
her back to the audience and spoke too quietly for the audience to hear.
Good News
Recognize George Gregor-holt retiring at end of the month. Worked with a
lot of professionals – none rise to level of G-H’s advocacy for students.
Difficult to replace – fill position not replace. Ms. Howard commented we
will miss George’s ties. GH – thanks for board’s support on his crazy
ideas. First with non-punitive drug policy. Second wave of tobacco free
schools. Etc. And we’ve helped some youngsters.
Mr. Bob Dainton from JM- WRAL teacher of week aired 2/12
Cte month – highlights on district website. District’s CTE program is
stellar – at state, and intl level.
Last week Bus driver appreciation (Hamm – gave them 3 days off). Will
recognize this week in the schools.
PES – named model PBIS school.
JS Waters student won 1st place at state Beta convention – will compete at
National in Richmond this summer.
Silk Hope Beta club 1st place team (living literature). Will also compete
in Nationals
JM – students accepted to UNC health professions program (7 Saturdays,
interact with med students and profs, labs, lectures, discussions)
JM Beta – national school of distinction
North Chatham received Grant for school backpack (food) program
9 NHS students recognized in regional Arts competition
Regional wrestling – CCHS qualified as team and 9? In individual. NHS
placed 7th.
Our students are making their mark!
Hamm – amend agenda to delete 11A – employee flexibility – to move to later
meeting.
Attendance policy 4400 regulation For information (regulations do not
require board approval)
http://board-of-education.
George Gregor-Holt -Several years ago – group to look at attendance policy
at that time. Makeup time at high school level. Some unfortunate byproduct
– some students lost credit even if passing, so rewrote policy (labor of
love). Later realized things missing – so developed regulation to support
policy so all schools need to do the same thing. Several steps as
attendance decline. 5 days – attendance team meet with student. Day 10 – HS
– student meets with committee and attendance contract to get credit for
class. If comply and passes class, gets credit. If not comply – FDA
(failure due to absence). K-8 – meet with team and notifies parent.
Tardies – now later arrivals/early departures. HS feel they deal with
adequately. At k-8 – stair-step consequences.
Turner – conflicts with truancy court?
G-H at the same time as policy, Chatham court started truancy court.
Without sequential approach, when social workers went to court, DA asked
what school had done. With nothing written, couldn’t document what had been
done – stronger case with procedure (regulation).
Howard- are we putting elem students in detention/in-school suspension for
tardies?
Yes – on 3rd unexcused – student services contact parent. 4th principal
contacts. 5th student gets 1 hour detention.
Not students fault. Already problem at home, but seems like this punishes
child
GH – always room for discretion. Car problems are excused.
Jordan – whatever you do, could be seen as punitive for student. Even
suspension – inconvenience parent but also hurts student.
Hamm – can be added to bus schedule.
Howard – still relies on parent (not door to door bus)
Turner – hear your point – parents responsibility – even HS are minors –
parents’ responsibilities. Can we employ truant officer to visit the home?
GH – DA said truancy court doesn’t accept tardies. (had tried 2 tardies = 1
absence) not allowed – tardy is not against the law.
Turner – find something to deal with tardies
Jordan – tardies could cause academic difficulties for student. (after
certain point, counted absent). In some instances, parent responds to
student’s school level consequence. (doesn’t always work)
Howard – bigger consequence to kid for tardy than for absence. Not sure I
can get to this tonight.
Jordan – this fall, one school was struggling. Same group of students.
Implemented these regs – did lead to a decrease
Hamm – I’ve had those conversations (it’s my fault not my child’s)- it
does wake parents up
Policy on Advertising 5420 in schools for information – changes to be
proposeded in the future
– very little compared to other districts – primarily gyms and ball fields
– limit advertising of unhealthy foods. Part of wellness program. Revenue
source. Many districts – no food advertising. Companies often have healthy
(healthier) alternatives. Bojangles going up across street – just think
about what is associated with school.
Jordan – GH and Blice Will talk with principals and Athletic Directors.
Plan ahead for loss of revenue.
GH – next time I speak I’ll have to watch time – public comment.
2014-15 school calendar – no changes from Jan draft.
Howard – given this year’s weather, and potential for it to be more common.
Why are there 3 days at end of January – 2 weeks after Christmas break?
Jordan – change of semester at high school – 1st holiday (MLK). 2nd day
targeted professional development. 3rd day time to prepare for new semester
classes. Approved
Budget Amendment – Mr. Messer – thanks for board’s trust and confidence.
Child Nutrition – 132K – only enterprise fund – keep separate from govt
funds.
Participation for FRL to cover food costs – food costs up and FRL slightly
low. Participation numbers are stable over year. Approved
Info only – CN wanted to present info to board. Food costs and change in
regulations – whole grains, more requirements. Needed equipment purchases –
broke and not fixable.
Report through Jan 31 – fewer days than last year. Lunch price increase
since
199K in red last year, 22K more this year.
Will be bringing price increase for next year at a later meeting.
Jordan – commend Child Nutrition for job well done – improvements over past
several years.
Minimal charges (~4K) at the end of the year for unpaid meals – school
takes care of up to $300 – district covers the rest. Send notes home –
can’t spend on snack items if bring $ to school. Better than many districts
Jordan – is link to prepay lunch on website?
On CN page – will check.
Budget calendar change – move budget presentation from March 3 to March 17–
more time to gather info. Better prepared, but budget has to be out for 30
days before vote. Only one scheduled April meeting – would need an
additional meeting April 22.
Discussion policy 2220 – organization of board
Howard – brought this up. No intention to serve more than 1 year. But chair
grows – just getting there at 2 years. Keep term 1 year, but get rid of 2
year limit. Vote out if don’t like.
Hamm – historical understanding – why. Supt and board chair had been
together for 27 years. As retirements occurred – feeling that shouldn’t
happen again. This was the solution. Most other boards don’t have this. Do
need continuity – if we can keep supt longer. Having longer chair might
lead to Supt stability – supt change over recent years hasn’t been good.
Supt and chair stability, lead to principal stability. Put on next agenda.
Howard – everyone grows. Even if someone things they are entrenched –
annual election.
Turner – good if chair is there for a long time. Non-partisan board but
look political when change leadership. Make staff uncomfortable to change,
teachers and children uncomfortable.
Counsel – extend or strike 2 year limit? (strike)
Changes to schedule due to weather- student and staff requirements are
separate.
Deployed survey to staff and community – about 3k from community and
significant from staff
Explored issues and alternatives – talked to state. Governor looking at
options for flexibility.
Chatham schedule is based on 1,025 instructional hours (not 185 days).
Students – missed 3 days last week.
April 21 change from workday to school day
June 11 from early release to full day
Add 15 minutes to school day for elementary and middle – number one option
from survey (slightly ahead of Saturday). 8-3. HS schedule is already 25
minutes longer than elem/middle.
This will maintain a cushion – so can cope with some additional snow days
without affecting end of year.
Heard clearly – stay away from spring break
Turner – will this affect the bus schedule?
Howard – 1 EC bus serves both elementary and HS
Jordan – will adjust buses as necessary – Effective date Monday March 3 –
identify bus issues and communicate to parents. High schools already 25 min
longer than elem/middle – don’t need to add time (still have time
cushion). Saturdays – took out of consideration because Gov talking about
flexibility. Waiver -affect beginning and end of school year – 4 of 10 days
miss more than 8 days – so Chatham not eligible. Appreciate Gov
responsiveness to Supts concerns
More discussion that was difficult to hear. Turner suggested that adding
time to school wasn’t good for students – decision based on what adults
want not what was best for kids. Howard said that kids would miss spring
break trips and Saturday activities much more than they would mind a
slightly longer day.
Survey results – parents 3191:
40.6% added time
39.2% Saturday
Rest spring break
Staff
59% time
36% Saturday
5% spring break
Staff schedule – Ms. Frazier emphasized – no additional days of employment.
Days shifted from classification to another.
April 21 to student day (make up for Feb 12 that was made optional workday)
Feb 13 – closed for staff – make up June 16 – optional workday
Feb 14 – closed for staff – make up June 17 – optional workday
Haven’t proposed moving annual leave days from spring break. Trying to
preserve spring break for all staff – some don’t have an optional leave
days.
Hamm – potential Sat May 31 (5 day week Tuesday – Sat)
EOGs – last 5 days.
Approved
Adjourn to second closed session 7:46
Agenda with links
http://board-of-education.
—
Mia Munn
Candidate for Chatham County (NC) School Board District 3
Email me your school or campaign concerns at MiaMunnforChathamSchoolBoard
at gmail.com or check my Facebook campaign page
https://www.facebook.com/