MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION  MINUTES February 6, 2023  The Montgomery County Board of Education convened in a regular monthly meeting on Monday, February 6, 2023, at 6:30 pm in the Montgomery County Schools Boardroom. Board members present were Steve W. DeBerry - Chair, Tommy Blake Vice Chair, Angela Smith,  Lynn Epps, Anne Evans, Bryan Dozier and Cindy Taylor.  Chairman Steve DeBerry called the meeting to order. Mr. DeBerry moved to adopt the agenda as submitted. Bryan Dozier made the motion with Lynn Epps seconding. The agenda was  accepted with unanimous approval from the board.  Chairman Steve DeBerry shared an opening devotional with words centered around love. He shared 1St Corinthians 13:13, "and now these three remain, faith, hope and love but the greatest oft these is love." God commands us to love, to forbear one another and to protect those you love with your love rather than expose them and their faults. We can never know the whole story about another person, and we can only know sO much about their motives or what's in their hearts. However, we can choose not to focus on the things we don't understand but to focus  instead on what we can, love.  Chairman DeBerry led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag ofthe United States of  America.  No one signed up to speak during the public comments section.  Chairman DeBerry called upon Dr. Ellis for Employee oft the Month recognitions. Dr. Ellis called upon Dr. Amy Reynolds to recognize Kenston Scott, Behavior Specialist, MLA's classified employee oft the month. Dr. Ellis then called upon Dr. Heather Seawell to recognize Mandy Georgepul, Distance Education, MCEC classified employee oft the month.  Dr. Ellis at this time recognized the National Board Certified and Recertified Employees. Certified: Morgan Blake, Star Elementary and April Daywalt, MCEC. Recertified: Sarah Talbert,  Montgomery Central High School and Heather Seawell, MCEC.  Chairman DeBerry called upon Emily Shaw for recognition ofCTE: Month. This isa public awareness campaign that takes place each February to celebrate the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments ofCTE programs across the country. At this time Ms. Shaw requested all the CTE teachers to please stand and come to the front to be recognized. Jodi Cole, Health Sciences; Kirk Watts, Middle School Career Development Coordinator; Wayne Kocher, Business; Casey Galloway, Firefighting; and Matthew Swain, Director of Career and College  Readiness.  Chairman DeBerry requested to hold the consent agenda until after the closed session. Chairman DeBerry called upon Dr. Amy Reynolds, principal for MLA. Dr. Reynolds called upon Ms. Mandy Georgepul and Ms. Elizabeth Divine for the "Middle School Behavior  The board approved unanimously.    Program" presentation. Dr. Reynolds explained that Ms. Divine is responsible for developing our Middle School Behavior Program. Most middle school students come to MLA due to behavioral issues which can make a classroom ofi middle schoolers with varying behavior issues very challenging. This is the first full year of using the inclusion classroom for middle school. This program has been shown toi improve academic success while also helping EC students develop stronger relationships with traditional students. The program also allows teachers to create unique lesson plans that support all students, even general education students that may not have an IEP but that are struggling are provided with extra support. The program uses Happy Face and Sad Face charts to follow each student's progress. Ini the classroom, each student earns eithera happy face (followed all classroom expectations), straight face (followed some classroom expectations) or a sad face (did not follow classroom expectations). This information is put into graph form and is used to follow the student's improvement from week to week or if a student is having difficulty. This graph allows the teachers to see ift they need to make any changes. The documentation can also indicate ifas student is ready to return to their home middle school or to move from an abbreviated day back to a full day and can also be used as a review ofa a student's IEP behavior progress and goals. An added incentive of the program is that students can earn points depending on the amount ofl happy or straight faces they receive each week. These points can be redeemed for items in the Middle School store. The students enjoy being able to purchase items for themselves, but they also take pride in being able to purchase items for their family members. All items in the store have been donated and all donations are greatly appreciated.  Chairman DeBerry called upon Dr. Heather Seawell, principal atl MCEC. Dr. Seawell called upon April Daywalt and Edwin Nunez for the "Phoenix Symposium" presentation. The symposium was offered in. January to provide enrichment activities and an opportunity for students to re-connect after winter break. Planning for the symposium was a team effort with input from the community, students and teachers. The symposium was scheduled for the first nine days at the start ofthe semester and was created to allow time toi focus on ACT prep, community field trips, and career exploration as well as teachers providing additional classes such as interview skills, resume writing, etc. Students, such as Edwin Nunez, were encouraged to volunteer to teach a session on an activity they were. knowledgeable in and one that they would like to share that knowledge with other students. Using google forms, students were allowed to choose what sessions they would like to attend. They were asked to sign up the day before the event SO that teachers could have their supplies and also to have a way to take attendance. Some ofthe classes offered were on healthy eating, introduction to chess, beginning crochet, circuit boards, coloring stress away, etc. Some oft the outcomes from the symposium were exposure to a variety of topics and career opportunities, students and teachers were able to share their passions, ity was a safe and open learning environment, and time for ACT test review. Edwin Nunez, a senior atl MCEC shared some of the highlights of the symposium which were student-led and teacher-led sessions, alumni returning to share their experiences, local community exploration, partnership with MCC, the reality store which taught students how to create a budget and ending with a fun game of family feud. He stated that overall, it was a great experience, but he really enjoyed being able to have aj passion and have other people listen because it made him feel likea teacher for that day. There were many positive comments and reflections from parents, teachers and students. The: symposium also allowed the students to show their creative side and was very  instrumental inj promoting good teacher-student relationships.  Chairman DeBerry called upon Dr. Tracy Grit for the MCS/MCC Homegrown" presentation. Dr. Grit stated that this program was introduced to the board two years ago and the idea was to entice our staffinto obtaining a master's degree or ift they already have a master's    degree, allowing them to teach dually for MCS and MCC. The program will reimburse $1000 per semester with half oft the reimbursement coming from MCC: and half from MCS for up to five semesters. The recipients also agree to work with us and teach for MCC for three years. We have, SO far, had eight staffr members take advantage oft the program. Ms. Hollie Ritter is our first graduate oft the program. She has signed a contract with MCC/MCS and is currently in her first semester of teaching the additional class. Dr. Grit ask Ms. Ritter to please speak about her experience with the program. She stated that she originally spoke with Dr. Grit and Mr. Proctor about her interest in the program, but she was currently a Pre-K teacher and did not have blocks. Dr. Grit and Mr. Proctor were able to make a few tweaks and in August 2021 she started in the Master's program at Liberty University and in December 2022 she graduated with her Master's in Education, Early Childhood Education and Instruction & Curriculum. In. January she started teaching an online class at MCC titled Foundations of Education" that prepares students to understand the laws and rules around education. Thanks to this program she was able to finish her master's degree sooner than she expected and she is very thankful for that opportunity. Dr. Grit then went on to explain the teacher program. These individuals need to have worked for or are currently working for MCS/MCC who already have their associate degree and would like help transitioning into teaching. We would sign early contracts to agree to teach with MCS for up to three years and offer $500 per semester oft tuition reimbursement up to five semesters. We currently have two Teacher Assistants in the final stages ofthe program, Kelly Lamonds and Mandy Georgepul. Dr. Grit ask Ms. Kelly Lamonds to please speak about her experience with the program. She earned her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and an Associate Degree in Arts. In 2007 she took a full-time job working with AIG and in 2014 she decided to go back to school to be a teacher. When she heard about the Homegrown program, she immediately emailed Dr. Grit. She currently works at Candor as a Pre-K assistant and will graduate with her teaching degree ini three months. She is just thankful for the program and what she has been able to accomplish. Dr. Grit then called upon Ms. Mandy Georgepul to speak about her experience with the program. She started with many college credit hours and an Associate Degree in General Education but with no direction. She began substitute teaching and realized her purpose was working with students and with the encouragement ofI Dr. Seawell she completed the college application but with four children of her own she could not afford to continue her education. Dr. Seawell put her in contact with Dr. Grit regarding the Homegrown program and in doing sO she was able to continue and ini three months she will have her teaching degree. She will be the first one in her family to graduate from college and it is all thanks to this program. Dr. Grit then went on to state that for 2023-2024 (up to 5) and 2024-2025 (up to 5) we are partnering with MCC to start the new. Apprentice Teacher Assistants through the Homegrown program. This will be for ages 18-24 with al high school diploma or working toward an Associate Degree in Education from Montgomery County. They will receive up to 25 hours per week of paid internship and free tuition at MCC as long as their grades remain in good standing at MCC. We plan to market this program in the community and hopefully some of our teacher cadets will take advantage oft this  opportunity.  Chairman DeBerry called upon Dr. Dale Ellis for the Calendar Resolution. Dr. Ellis stated that nothing hampers us more at the secondary level when it comes to student achievement than the calendar. There have been numerous efforts made to ask the General Assembly to make that change to the current calendar law stating that we cannot start school until the end of August. Several bills have been passed in the house but die in the Senate. This is a resolution from the School Superintendents Association that they are pushing school boards to pass. We have passed a similar one in the past as have the County Commissioners. Iwill be forwarding a copy ofthis resolution to them as well. Iwill also be presenting the board members with an innovative calendar option for next year to review. We will start in late August but still end by    Christmas for that first semester. We are currently working on some logistics ofl how to push all oft the tested sections into the second semester sO that they will have more time. The battle we are fighting is time. Still our best option is for the state to change the law. definitely make the recommendation toj pass this resolution and make our voice heard. Mr. DeBerry moved to approve the resolution as submitted. Bryan Dozier made the motion, with Tommy Blake  seconding. The board approved the resolution unanimously.  Chairman DeBerry called upon Dr. Dale Ellis for the Superintendent's Comments. February is African American History Month. Jack Cagle along with Diversity & Inclusion have done a good job to share out the appropriate resources for all our students at all grade levels. We are very excited about all oft the activities our teachers are planning and we will be sharing that through our School Connections int the Montgomery Herald throughout this month. There are lots ofg great things going on in our schools and we look forward to highlighting that work as well. These are some exciting times, and you can see some oft the great things going oni in the Montgomery County Schools and we want to continue building on that. It is African American History Month, and we will do a great job making sure to highlight the importance of that history for all ofour students. It is also Student Counselor week, SO thank your Student Counselor. They do a great job every day. Just a lot going on this time of year as we move into Spring.  Chairman DeBerry then asked for a motion to go into closed session to discuss personnel and consult the board attorney. Bryan Dozier made the motion, with Cindy Taylor seconding.  The board approved entering into closed session unanimously.  Upon returning to open session, Chairman DeBerry asked fora a motion to add an addendum to the personnel report. Bryan Dozier made a motion, with Tommy Blake seconding. The motion was approved unanimously. Mr. DeBerry then called fora motion to approve the consent agenda. Upon a motion by Bryan Dozier and a second by Tommy Blake, the consent  agenda was approved 6-0, with Lynn Epps abstaining.  After closed session the following items were approved: 1) Board Minutes from January 9, 2023 2) Personnel and Auxiliary Report    punrscummemdatin.: approvalo ofthe mingprohatiumarys EntiDr Massey Cull adBachall Tvis luley-  MONICOMERYC COLNTNYS SCHOOLS PFRSONNEIR RFPORT TragGril,. Fehruary6, lewell  paratisoyR Fdhe 122.2023 Assistant 2012023  Chnk Replaias Mntgomery Certral High Ves DighScntt  Christy Mhityre- Socer Coly Willians DanidSuriker  Panny! Spnoer Sluw  023 123:2023  tgonery  SCHOOLS AUKILARYI REPORT FEBRIARY6 2023 approvalafrelesen from) Mantgamery-Cammys dhmalkrguedrne Schouh  2023-2 2024schealyear. Montgmery Cumntys MantgumeryCaunty! Schuakte-Stanlye County! Schook  3) Budget Resolution    441Pages Streel. .P.0. Box 427 Troy, Northe Carolina2 27371-0427 PDANE:G 95704511-HE 910132 70-2011  Bbudgetlor  oclFunés fsderalfsad  Budget Amendment#s Montgomery County Administrationu Unit SATANDS    Budget Amendment#5 FEDERALE FUNDS  BudgetA Amendment#5 LOCALFUNDS  arChanglnlesalkne  Budget Amendment #5  Budget Amendment #5 LOCALFUNDE  EapimiCode  31425.10 147313 3574 Budget JA2A1EL  spseses.  51,896:  CHIONUIRTOHFUND  sool  4) Audit Contract    441 Pages Street. .P.0.E Bor4 427 Troy, North Carolina2 27371-0427 PIONE: 9105766511-F:E 1910,576-2011  216/2023 oard, airman Dellerry Aut Mitchl Taylor Finunee Ollicer Mantgumerye Caunty Schuels  ThisistheA AudiContraetfor? 2023fromoure aulitn firm, Amdersens Smicha WIkePLIC.T Thefeehas ineroselthisy yearb bys $750.00. Thibthen fintinerases sincel Ibecame finance elfirerin2015. lfapproedlythe  place thatarer marked. Ifyuubaven ay yucstions. plense        ASW ANDERSONS SMITH& WIKEMs    mus-j  DEANDORTON  D- Buna C-AMdRUE  5) Personnel Report Addendum    Troy, 4Pages Norha streel.P..Hor427 Carolina2 27371-9427 POCSSSIL. ntSnsa PrsannelRepartA Addendum theapprevalofthefe AdrinneClaret:- Inecim-Pincipal- EmilyDum- InteriAP- Mandy! HI-  School Sctral School  Following approval ofthe consent agenda, Chairman DeBerry asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Bryan Dozier made the motion with Angela Smith seconding; the meeting was duly  adjourned.  The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, March 6, 2023, at 6:30 pm at the Montgomery  County Central Office.  Oulk Dale Ellis, Ed. D., Secretary  Steven W.I DeBerry, Chaimat Ars