June 18th Board of Education meeting summary

Posted Wednesday, June 20, 2007

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Pittsboro, NC - The Chatham County Board of Education held a meeting on Monday, June 18, at 7:30 p.m. in the central office board room.

Chairman Norman Clark called the meeting to order, and the Board adopted the amended meeting agenda. The Board approved minutes from its May 14 meeting and the amended minutes from its May 29 meeting.

During the Board of Education Sharing, Colonel Totten reported information from a county government meeting he attended this afternoon. He complimented several central office departments on work products and brought up two concerns that Board members had received emails about. Kathie Russell had an update on the community advisory groups. After visiting several PTA groups, she will work to get more community members involved and attend PTA meetings of schools she was unable to attend at the end of the 2006-2007 school years. Holly Duncan updated the early June Chatham County Planning Board meeting and reported a moratorium on subdivisions of more than twenty-five homes. Deb McManus commented on how she enjoyed the Jordan-Matthews graduation ceremony she was able to attend. Norman Clark thanked the employees honored at the end of the school year on behalf of the Board.

In her Superintendent's Comments, Dr. Hart commented on the three high school graduation ceremonies and thanked George Greger-Holt for his coordination of the annual Project Graduation event. The Chatham County Teacher of the Year is Chris Volkmar of Northwood, and the Chatham County Teacher Assistant of the Year is Joy Jones of Moncure. She noted a ribbon cutting at the new Jordan-Matthews High School cafeteria, which students and staff were able to use the last week of school.

The Board approved the renewal of the Horton High School Alumni Association (HHSAA) lease of room 470 at Horton Middle School.

Board members signed a resolution to support the continuation of the State Energy Office.

The Board approved the 2007-2008 Chatham County Schools English as a Second Language (ESL) plan.

The Board approved the 2007-2010 Chatham County Schools Gifted Education plan.

The Board approved the 2007-2008 Chatham County Schools Career-Technical Education (CTE) plan.

The Board approved the 2007-2008 Chatham County Schools Charter Bus Service contract to hire a contractor to check qualifications related to chartered bus use. Chatham County Schools is part of the Piedmont Coalition that partners area school districts for this contractor for a lower cost to each district.

The Board discussed a 2007-2008 Chatham County Schools maintenance services contract for custodial supplies, materials, and training, but will bring the issue back to its agenda on July 9 after other potential contractors are considered.

Susan Little, Chief Finance Officer, shared a proposed fixed asset capitalization policy and the revised chart of accounts that the Public Schools of North Carolina has designated. The Board approved budget amendments also presented by Little. The Board will have a second reading of the proposed fixed asset capitalization policy at its July 23 meeting. The Board approved an amended 2007-2008 budget resolution.

The following fundraiser requests submitted by schools were approved:
o Bennett-three-day summer baseball camp
o Chatham Central - flag sale
o Chatham Central - cheerleading camp
o Northwood - Coke products sale
o Northwood - Gold Card discount card sale
o Northwood - cheerleading camp

The Board held a discussion about relocated students from Virginia Cross and how this affects students and facilities at Chatham Middle, Siler City Elementary, North Chatham, Perry Harrison and Silk Hope. A temporary plan has been necessary to accommodate the students and staff of Virginia Cross Elementary School until the new campus is completed.

The Board discussed exploring other expansion and/or renovation plans for Northwood High School. Members prefer school and community input as well as suggestions from central office staff. This item will be on the July 9 Board meeting agenda.

Board members discussed the newly developed comprehensive K-8 and high school handbooks. The Board made changes and then approved the handbooks.