April 23rd Board of Education meeting summary

Posted Wednesday, April 25, 2007

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Pittsboro, NC - The Chatham County Board of Education met on Monday, April 23, in the central office board room. Chairman Norman Clark called the meeting to order, and the Board adopted the meeting agenda. Board members approved the amended minutes for the March 26 meeting.

In the Board Sharing Time, Colonel Totten and Chairman Clark reported back on Commissioners' planning sessions they had recently attended. Holly Duncan noted several schools she had visited and complimented the recent Young Author's night. Deb McManus talked about attending the National School Boards Association conference and a new teachers' lunch with mentors at Siler City Elementary School. Chairman Clark also mentioned a recent meeting with two commissioners who had questions related to upcoming agenda items at a joint meeting on April 30.

During her Superintendent's Report, Dr. Hart introduced representatives of a Progress Energy team in attendance to express interest in partnering with Chatham County Schools. (See Energy Manager on Loan paragraph below) Hart highlighted recent press releases and noted recent successes of Career and Technical Education students and advisors at state competitions. She mentioned last week's Library Media Celebration and expressed appreciation to office personnel across the district. She also announced that Paul Braxton Child Development Center has received its Five Star rating.

Board members signed an "Energy Manager on Loan" Agreement that will allow Chatham County Schools to participate in a Progress Energy pilot program called Energy Education for Public Schools. The goal of the program is to provide administrators with information that would allow them to make better energy-related decisions and reduce the energy usage of the school system as a whole. A representative of Progress Energy will work in Chatham County Schools with the Maintenance Department one day a week for three months as part of the pilot. The partnership is cost-free to Chatham County Schools.

The Board discussed its corporal punishment policy. The Board received a new policy for first reading. The Board will have the second reading at its May 29th meeting.

The Board discussed organizing a parent advocate committee. Kathie Russell expressed an interest to include the community; possibly have multiple groups under one umbrella group; and announce the formation at final PT(S)A meetings of the school year and civic groups; and begin the process with a large meeting this summer, possibly in August. Dr. Hart suggested the group might be called the Citizen(s) Interest Committee.

Holly Duncan talked about Chatham County Schools forming a program that would provide food on weekends, holidays, etc., and service learning for needy students. She learned about a similar program, called "Food for Thought", in Dare County, NC. Partnerships with other food organizations, donors, and volunteers would be integral to the program success. Duncan and others interested in being part of the program will schedule an initial meeting.

Dr. Hart noted specific recommendations found in a Northwood traffic study. The Board discussed some of the aspects of traffic patterns at Northwood.

The Board reviewed its Long Range Facility Plan and talked about a new middle school in 2009, a possible addition to Northwood High School, and a new high school in the northeastern part of the county. Dr. Hart suggested the Board use approximately $100,000 of its fund balance to pay for the next phase of the process of preparing to build a new middle school in the Briar Chapel development. The county will refund the money at a later date with Certificate of Participation (COP) funding. The Board expressed interest in meeting with the architect before doing this. The Board voted to include a Northwood expansion in its Long Range Facility Plan. The Board voted to use cost savings on the Harrison roof and lottery funding to improve high school tracks.
Members also discussed gym needs at several middle schools, particularly the Bonlee gym.

The Board approved the following fundraiser requests submitted by the schools:
Chatham Central High School wrestling team: summer wrestling camp registration
Northwood High School Archonettes: step show/talent show
Northwood High School women's basketball team: summer camp registration
Northwood High School volleyball team: cookie dough fundraiser
Northwood High School prom tickets
Siler City Elementary: Chatham County Computer Camp registration