Gaston County Schools Board of Education Monday, February 19, 2024 Meeting 5:30 p.m. Regular Meeting MINUTES  The Gaston County Board of Education met in a regular session on Monday, February 19, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. int the Board Room, 943 Osceola Street, Gastonia, NC. Themeeting was live on Spectrum Cable Channel 21 and The Gaston County Board of Education YouTube page. Those Board Members in attendance were: Chairman JeffRamsey, Vice Chairman Dot Cherry, Josh Crisp, Lee Dedmon, Dot Guthrie, Tod Kinlaw (absent), Robbie Lovelace, Brent Moore, and. A.M. Stephens III. Additional attendees include: Superintendent Dr. Morgen Houchard,Attorney, Sonya McGraw, Interim Associate Superintendent Dr. Beth Folger and Associate Superintendent Gary Hoskins, Chief Communications Officer Todd Hagans, Chief Technology Officer Aaron Slutsky and Board Clerk  Dana Luoto.  Chairman Ramsey called the meeting to order at! 5:30 p.m. and welcomed everyone. Chairman Ramey welcomed Dr. Morgen A. Houchard as our new Superintendent. Dr. Benjamin Hinton, Pastor ofTabernacle Baptist Church, led thei invocation.  Invocation  Pledge of Allegiance Agenda Adoption - Action  Superintendent Houchard led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Board considered Agenda Adoption - Action  Motion to adopt the Agenda as presented was made by Mr. Brent Moore; seconded by Ms. Dot Cherry;  motion carried unanimously. (8-0) Good News - Information  Mr. Todd Hagans welomedandintroduced our new: swperintendmntofschos, Dr. Morgen A. Houchard. Mr. Todd Hagans recognized Giselle Barr and Joyce Zhu from Cramerton Middle School and Isabella Caicedo from Stuart W. Cramer High School. These students were winners in the prestigious Mid-Carolina Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition. This year, we have one Gold Key, one Our Gold Key winner is Giselle Barr of Cramerton Middle School, whoi is the recipient ofthe Gold Key for Our Silver Key winner is Isabella Caicedo of Stuart W. Cramer High School, whoi isar recipient ofa a Silver  Silver Key, and one Honorable Mention winner.  her piece titled Bartholomew." Key for her piece titled "Acceptance."    Our Honorable Mention winner is Joyce Zhu of Cramerton Middle School earned an honorable mention Giselle and Isabella will have theirartwork on display at the Mint Museum in uptown Charlotte from March 1 until April 14 as part ofthe 2024 Scholastic Gold and Silver Key Exhibition. Mr.A.M.Stephens III presented a Certificate of Recognition to each student.  award for her work titled Chamelieonized Chameleon."  Mr. Todd Hagans recognized Lawrence Martin --district spelling bee winner and Cassidy Allen - district spelling bee runner-up. Lawrence of Cramerton Middle School emerged from a field of 38 students to win the district competition. He correctly spelled the word - cataclysmic - to earn the opportunity to compete in March at the Carolina Panthers Regional Spelling Bee in Charlotte. The top four finishers in the regional competition will receive an invitation to advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Cassidy Allen of Bessemer City Middle School impressed us lastyear with a top-five finish in the spelling bee when she was a student at Bessemer City Central Elementary, and this year, she  finished the competition as the runner-up.  Ms. Dot Cherry presented a Certificate of Recognition to Lawrence and Cassidy.  Mr. Todd Hagans recognized Mahogany Spikes sand Camryn Massey Ashbrook High School students,who won individual 3A: state indoor track and field championships. Mahogany Spikes, who placed firstin the girls' 500-meter race, and: senior Camryn Massey, who broke the indoor shot put record with a throw of  45 feet and 6.25 inches to win the state title.  Mrs. Dot Guthrie presented a Certificate of Recognition to Mahogany and Camryn.  Mr. Todd Hagans recognized William Peyton, Andrew Taylor, Graham Kines, and Beckett Tabor Forestview High School students who worked as a team to win a 3A state championship in swimming. These student-athletes won the state championship in the 200-yard medley relay. They also came in third in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Overall, Forestview came in fourth at the championship swim  meet.  Mrs. Robbie Lovelace presented a Certificate of Recognition to each student.  Chairman Ramsey recognized Mr. Todd Hagans who expressed appreciation to School Board Members inr recognition ofs School Board Recognition Month. Each year, we take pride in recognizing andl honoring the citizens who serve on the Gaston County Board of Education. Thisy year tol help us recognize and pay tribute to our Board of Education Members and Superintendent Houchard, we chose an elementary school for each Board Memberand our Superintendent and had a classattheschoo! "adopt" each Board Member. Representatives from the schools are here to present a framed picture of the class to each To recognize Chairman Jeff Ramsey, who is an At-Large Member of the Board of Education, is Linley Richmond who is a student in Amanda Matz's third grade class at North Belmont Elementary  Board Member and our Superintendent along with a special thank-you'card.  School. With them is their principal Justin Beam.    To recognize Vice Chairman Dot Cherry, who is an At-Large Member of the Board of Education, is Khalif Abdus-Salaam who is a student in Kaylin Weathers' fourth grade class at Gardner Park Elementary To recognize Josh Crisp, who represents the Dallas Township, is Harper Haywood who is a student in Jamie Brackett's second grade class at Costner Elementary School. With them is their principal To recognize Lee Dedmon, who represents the Gastonia Township, is Mekhi Lowery who is a student in Crystal Hall's kindergarten class at Woodhill Elementary School. With them is their principal  School. With them is their principal Lynn Stamey.  Jada Owenby.  Erik Barton.  To recognize Dot Guthrie, who represents the Gastonia Township, is Kassie White and Evonna Smith who are students in Jessie Anderson's first grade class at Robinson Elementary School. With them is their Tor recognize Tod Kinlaw, who represents the South Point Township, is Evie Tolleson who is a student in Miranda Graham's fourth grade class at Belmont Central Elementary School. With them is their  principal Emily Poag.  principal Aimee Tolleson.  Chairman Ramseyaccepted for Mr. Kinlaw.  To recognize Robbie Lovelace, who represents the Cherryville Township, is Sarabeth Proctor, Ella Avery and Hailey Canipe who are students in Amanda Buchanan's fifth grade class at W. Blaine Torecognize Brent Moore, who represents Crowders Mountain Township, is principal Dr. April Conley To recognize A.M. Stephens III, who represents the Riverbend Township, is River Guyton and Ari Williams who are students in Ashley Smith's kindergarten class at Pinewood Elementary School. Torecognize: SuperintendentHouchard, is Ombree Rankin whoi isa studenti in Amy Giles'secondgrade Mr. Todd Hagans congratulated our Board of Education members for once again receiving the Gold Bell Award from the North Carolina School Boards. Association (NCSBA). To receive this award, each Board  Beam Intermediate School. With them is their principal Josh White.  from Bessemer City Central Elementary School.  With them is their principal Kimberly Reese.  class at H.H. Beam Elementary School. With them is their principal Beth Crosby.  Member must earn 12 hours oft training during the 2022-2023NCSBAacademic year.    Classroom Moment Information  Chairman Ramsey recognized Mrs. Kathleen D'Avria. In recognition of Black History Month, Mrs. D'Avria introduced students from York Chester Middle School and Lingerfeldt Elementary School who shared what they have learned and created through music, poetry and speeches in honoring the amazing contributions ofl black Americans and recognizing pivotal events in our history.  Public Expression - Information Janet Davis 1006 N. Morris Street Gastonia, NC 28052 Kevin Eudy 1021 Orchard Grove Court Belmont, NC 28012 Re: Policy  Approval/Correction of Minutes - Action  Motion to adopt minutes of] January 8, 2024 (Special Meeting), January 26, 2024 (Regular Meeting) and January 26, 2024 (Board Retreat) as presented was made by Mr. A.M. Stephens II; seconded by  Mrs. Dot Guthrie; motion carried unanimously. (8-0) EOG/EOC Remediation - Information  Chairman Ramsey recognized Mr. Michael Foust who presented a PowerPoint on EOG/EOC Summer  Testing Program. (View PowerPoint) Consent. Agenda - Action The Board considered the Consent Agenda: A. Recommended Personnel B. Budget Amendments & Budget' Transfers C. Construction/Repair Change Orders  D. Contracts --None  Motion to adopt the Consent Agenda as presented was made by Mr. Lee Dedmon; seconded by  Mr. Josh Crisp motion carried unanimously. (8-0)  Superintendents Comments  Superintendent Houchard thanked the Gaston County Education Foundation for sponsoring another successful "Are You Smarter Than a Gaston County Fifth Grader?" competition on February 8. Congratulations to Kiser Elementary and its business partner, Next Generation, for winning the competition, and al highlightwas' the presentation ofa $12,800 check to the Education Foundation from Tindol Subaru as part of the dealership's "Share the Love" campaign. Proceeds from the "Are You Smarter" competition are used by the Education Foundation to support the Ron L. Ensley grants for  teachers.    Superintendent Houchard reminded parents that the deadline to submit a school choice application is Friday, March 8: at 5:00 p.m. You can got toour School Choice webpage tol learn about our magnetschools and academies and submit an application online. Additionally,ifyou: have a child who is eligible for pre- kindergarten and kindergarten for next school year, you can go to our website now and register your Superintendent Houchard mentioned several events happening in our schools to celebrate National Wednesday, February 28 at 9:00 a.m., Lingerfeldt Elementary will have a Black History Wax Thursday, February 29 at! 5:30 p.m. York Chester Middle School will present' "Voice ofVictory, an evening of Black History in Beats and Verses". The event will feature poetry, rap and blues music, For the week of February 26, Hawks Nest STEAM Academy is promoting African-American authors as Superintendent Houchard announced that our annual RobOGASTON robotics competition will be held on Saturday, March 2 at Forestview High School beginning at 9:30: a.m. The eventwill feature more than 100 elementary and middle school students involved in robot programming. The competition runs SuperntendentHouchard announced that' Thursday, March 7 is Parent-Teacher Conference Day for our schools. Students will be dismissed early, and conferences will be held from 1:00 until 7:00 p.m. To schedule a conference, please contact your child's school or teacher. Friday, March 8 is an optional Superintendent: Houchard announced that last week was Bus Driver Appreciation Week, and he thanked all of ourbus drivers and transportation personnel for their hard workand commitment to keeping our fleet of school buses rolling - 12,000 miles each day across Gaston County transporting more than  child.  Black History Month:  Museum and Art Gallery Walk. and an African drum circle.  the school celebrates Read Across America Week and Black History Month.  throughout the morning with the presentation ofawards at lunchtime.  teacher workday, which means no school for students.  15,000: students to and from school.  Closed Session  Chairman Ramsey asked the Board to consider going into Closed Session under, N.C.G.S.$143- Motion to goi into Closed Session was made by Ms. Dot Cherry; seconded by Mr.A.M. Stephens III; motion The Board wentinto Closed Session at 6:48 p.m. and afteral briefbreak Closed Session began at 7:05 p.m.  318.11(a)(6) Personnel and N.C.G.S. S183181100Cmubatimn with Attorney.  carried unanimously. (8-0)  The Board returned to Open Session at 7:17 p.m.  Motion  The Motion was made by Ms. Dot Cherry; seconded by Mrs. Dot Guthrie that the Board  Award a contract for Associate Superintendent of Academic Services through  June 30, 2027 to the following:    Tonya Kales  A vote was taken and motion to approve the item as presented carried unanimously. (8-0) The Motion was made by Mr. Brent Moore; seconded by Mr. Lee Dedmon that the Board Award a one year contract extension through June 30,2027 to the following:  Motion  Gary Hoskins, Associate Superintendent Sonya McGraw, Attorney  Av vote was taken and motion to approve thei item as presented carried unanimously. (8-0)  Adjournment  All business having been conducted, Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Josh Crisp; seconded by  Mr. Lee Dedmon motion carried unanimously. (8-0) The Board Meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.  Approved: Jeff [Corporae'Seal) Date Approved:    msey, Chairman  Morgén A. Houchard, Secretary  3    2/22/2024  EOG/EOC  Summer Testing Program  Board of Education Meeting  February 19,2024  Elementary and Middle Schools  Reading (4-8) Math (3-8)  Science (5&8)  1    2/22/2024  High School  Biology Englishz 2 Math 1 Math 3  3  Thank you.  2