MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION  MINUTES September 9, 2024  The Montgomery County Board of] Education convened in a regular monthly meeting on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 6:30 pm in the Montgomery County Schools Boardroom. Board members present were Steve W. DeBerry - Chair, Anne Evans - Vice Chair, Tommy Blake,  Angela Smith, Lynn Epps, Bryan Dozier, and Cindy Taylor.  Chairman Steve DeBerry called the meeting to order. Mr. DeBerry moved to adopt the agenda. 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 from Proverbs 22:6, "Direct your children onto the right path and when they are older, they will not leave it." Our problem seems to be the lack of people adding value into the lives of our younger children until we begin to lose them. We each need tol be aj part oft the solution. Get involved as at tutor at a local school or community program. Whatever it takes we need to help a child get an education. Determine today that you will make a difference in the life ofa child by being available and willing to help  that boy or girl succeed. the United States of America.  Mt. Gilead Elementary student Chloe Parsons led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of Chairman DeBerry then called upon an individual that signed up to speak during the public comments section. Mr. Harvest Little addressed the board regarding the DPI Year End Report for 2023-24 that shows Montgomery County Schools as al low performing school district. Five out oft nine schools in our district are low performing with four receiving a D grade and one receiving an F. Going forward, what is the plan for improving our school district and specifically the five low performing schools? When will this plan be made available for the public review? Further, Montgomery County Schools is on the list of continuously low performing, which only consists ofs schools that have been low performing for the last two out ofthree years. The community question is what do the school board members intend to do to improve this situation? Hes stated this is not acceptable, and we expect it to change. We cannot continue to move forward and expect them to do well when they move on to middle and high school.  Chairman DeBerry presented a Resolution of Esteem for Lou Ellen Hinson to her family for her eleven years ofs service with the Montgomery County Schools. Ms. Hinson passed away  July 15, 2024. The Resolution reads as follows:    MONTGOMERY COUNTYE BOARD OFE EDUCATION RESOLUTION OFE ESTEEM FOR Lou Ellen Hinson WHEREAS, our Hoavenly Father, inHisi infirile love andy wisdom, lo nome LouE BlenHinsonon) Julyl 15.: 2024. and her dodication to Montgomery County Schools for ofherir integtily andskiland herl losswilbes deeply fellnolo onlybyl Inose with but aisoll throughoutt here county. NOW. THEREFORE, beit resolved hatl the Monigomery County axpressing sense ofredtioss that oft this resolulionbe ouro deeps symputhy: and hatd copy the samebef ofine permanent the MONTGOMERY COUNTYB BOARDOFE EDUCATION auas aEli Staveny w. DoBery. Chaimen DaeElis.E Ed.D,5 Secrercry TommmyBiake- Angelasm" ArnaEvans- Lymntrps- Cindy Taylor SOMIERZ 2024  Chairman DeBerry presented a Resolution of Esteem for Marsha Russell to her family for her seventeen years of service with the Montgomery County Schools. Ms. Russell passed away  July 23, 2024. The Resolution reads as follows:  COUNTYE BOARD OFE EDUCATION OFE ESTEEM FOR Marsha Haywood Russell WHEREAS, ourH Heavenly Father, in Hisin infinite love ancy wisdom. sowfit collhome! Marshal HaywoodRuselle onJ July 23.2 2024. and WHEREAS, her dedication to Montgomery Counly Schoos for WHEREAS. herk lossy wit bec deeplyf feilnolonlyt bythosev with whons shes served. bule ako! thoughoul hers anlires NOW, THEREFORE, bail Tresaivedl lhatl thet Monigomery County Board ofbducationg gocs onracerd) hoxpressngos sensa ofroalloss andregreti inhers possing: thatacopys ofn thisresoutionbe conveyed loherf as anin ofour deeps sympathy: and pef filed apartofi thep pernanent MONIGOMERYC COUNTYB BOARDOFE EDUCATION awas Stevgnw. Delgrry. Chcimon Dalells.Ed.D., Secretary Tommy3 Boke- ByanDedur  Mholeomendenheptr  cndskil, and county. thatd  BanEls 2024  Chairman DeBerry then called upon Dr. Ellis and JaMese Black for the Certified and Classified Employees of the Month recognition for Mt. Gilead Elementary. Justice Parker, third grade teacher, was the certified winner. Tera Pollard, receptionist, was the classified winner.    Dr. Ellis then called upon Jessalyn Spell, Principal ofTroy Elementary, to recognize Logan Russ for being selected the Beginning Teacher of the Year for Montgomery County  Schools.  Dr. Ellis called upon the school principals to accept their schools Cognia Accreditation certificate. Candor Elementary-Adam Matthews, Green Ridge Elementary-Emily Dunn, Mt. Gilead Elementary-JaMese Black, Page Street Elementary-Jon LaChance, Troy Elementary- Jessalyn Spell, West Middle School-Enoc Robledo, Montgomery! Learning Academy-Dr. Amy Reynolds, and Montgomery County Early College-Dr. Heather Seawell. Star Elementary-Janet Deaton, East Middle School-Marvin Smith, and Montgomery Central High School-Rufus  Samkin were unable to be present tonight.  Chairman DeBerry then requested to approve the consent agenda as submitted. Anne Evans made the motion with Bryan Dozier seconding. The consent agenda was approved 6-0,  with Lynn Epps abstaining.  Chairman DeBerry then called upon Dr. Dale Ellis for thel End of Year Review dates. Dr. Ellis stated that due the postponement of our previously scheduled review date, we have proposed two additional dates: Thursday September 19, and Thursday September 261 but stated that ifanother date worked better for board members, we could accommodate that also. It was the consensus oft the board to select Tuesday September 17 for the End of Year Review  beginning at 5:30 pm at the Central Office.  Chairman DeBerry called upon. JaMese Black, Principal of Mt. Gilead Elementary for their presentation. Ms. Black called upon Daniel Jones, assistant principal, to discuss their presentation on the "Rebranding of the Mount". Mr. Jones stated that the purpose of this idea was too change the image of the school with the community and the staff by putting a more positive spin on everything and allowing everyone to get a fresh new start. Our new: motto for this year is "Building great futures one gator at a time" and "Every Minute Matters, Every Child Matters". We have experienced an increase inj parental support and involvement ins school events through activities such as Parent Day, Grandparents' Day and Celebration Tuesday. We have worked to increase community support and bring community members into our building with events such as community luncheons, having community members participate in our Celebration Tuesday event, and community donations ofs school supplies. Wel have also gone out into the community by trick or treating at local businesses and Christmas caroling in town. Our school also created aj plan to shift most of our teacher's location and curriculum. With this move we have created a fresh and exciting new feeling to our building. Our student council also ledas service project to establisha Gator Blessing Box. This box serves as a mini food pantry and provides various food supplies to many ofour community members. Our school has already seen several positive impacts from our efforts. There has been an increase in attendance, decrease in discipline, and just an overall shift in the image of our school. We feel like we. have a more positive and welcoming environment for both students and staff. Our next steps will include a more in-depth PBIS program, participation inc culturally relevant training, provide our students with more "career based introduction" opportunities, and we are working on creating aj parent newsletter. All these steps combined will help us continue to ensure increased student achievement and parental involvement.  Chairman DeBerry called upon Dr. Emily Shaw for policies for approval. Mr. DeBerry asked for ar motion for approval. Tommy Blake made the motion with Bryan Dozier seconding. The motion  carried unanimously with the board.    Dr. Shaw also noted that each board member had a' Title IX packet which included all the recent Chairman DeBerry then called upon Matthew Woodard for the Cell-Free Schools presentation. Mr. Woodard stated that the movement across the nation is to got to cell-free schools. He stated that we do currently have aj policy in place for cell phone usage, but enforcement is a constant battle between teachers, students and parents. Mr. Woodard provided two video clips to explain the move to cell-free schools and the benefits not only in improved grades/tests scores but also the improvement ini mental health ofboth students and teachers. One was a news clip from the CBS morning news on the more psychologicalsocial media aspect and the second was a YouTube: news clip focuses more on the educational benefits of being cell-free. Both videos were from school districts who have gone cell-free with the use ofa Yondr pouch. Mr. Woodard provided the board with two oft the pouches that would be used. You place your phone in the bag, press to lock the pouch and then it can only be unlocked by touching it to one of the provided magnets. These pouches cost approximately $30.00 each and would be given out to middle and high school students at the beginning of the school year along with school issued personal devices. The student would place the phone in the pouch and lock it at the beginning of the school day and it would remain locked in the pouch with the student during the day. As the student leaves the building for the day, he/she would unlock the pouch by touching it to the magnet. The company who distributes the pouch states that this is a culture change for the entire school and must be used by everyone at the school to be successful. The board members expressed concern about the acceptance ofa cell-free school and feel that the district will need toj provide information sessions to staff, students and parents as well as to the community. Ms. Evans suggested that it be a topic of discussion at the Classified, Certified and Student Advisory meetings. Ms. Taylor suggested it could be helpful tol have aj peer to peer session between MCS students and students that are attending cell-free schools. Ms. Epps also noted that it may be beneficial to implement this at the elementary level also sO that all MCS staff and students follow the same guidelines. Mr. Dozier stated that he would like to see this process begin as soon as possible. Dr. Ellis stated that we would move forward with the information gathering/sharing process with our staff, students, parents as well as the community sO that we can begin  updates. She stated that they can review the packets at their convenience.  toj put a clear policy in place by the end of the school year.  Chairman DeBerry called upon Dr. Dale Ellis for the Superintendent's Comments. I know this is ad difficult conversation when you talk about cell phones particularly when you look at the issue that just happened in Georgia. That is an issue that is always on everyone'si mind and how you prevent that from happening. Prevention usually happens well before the actual event because once it has started there is no stopping it. We have worked very hard on the safety and security of our schools. The first thing we have to do, to the best of our ability, is guarantee the safety of everyone to the extent possible. We are working on completing the security vestibules at all of our schools, we are working on In Force 911 to have easier access to alerts and one oft the best things we have been able to doi is have SRO's in each of our schools. The funding for the SRO's will be the first thing we: request in the Center for Safer Schools Safety grant sO that we can continue to provide an SRO to each of our schools. We are also currently working on scheduling Tabletop Exercises with all ofour local law enforcement. This is a time when we will sit down with our local law enforcement to discuss our safety plans from their perspective to decide where there may or may not be gaps, sO that we can improve on the safety plans at each of our schools. We are also working on scheduling an active shooter training exercise at Montgomery Central High School and with the help of Dr. Cagle and our mental health counselors, we are also continuing to work to improve mental health. There is never any guarantee, but we want our parents to know that we are doing everything possible to be prepared to handle the situation ifit were to ever arise in Montgomery    County and the importance ofknowing that we are trying, to the best ofc our ability, to prevent something  like this from happening here.  Chairman DeBerry then ask ift there were any other issues to discuss. Ms. Evans stated that she did have one other item. She stated that she had a grandparent reach out to her after the devastating news oft the death ofay young man from the Mt. Gilead area and the devastation it caused for the community members. This grandparent wanted to know what we could do tol help our students. Ms. Evans stated that she encouraged this grandparent to come to our meeting tonight to speak but they ask that she address their concerns with the board. They would like to see, as in the past, the Dream Builders program where motivational speakers would come and speak with our young people about a better path to take that did not involve choosing gangs and violence. Ms. Evans stated that the community, as we know, looks to us tol help them raise fine young people. Mr. Dozier stated he feels that the cell-free schools would go a long way in helping with this. Dr. Ellis stated that itl has been several years, but we  would check to see what we can offer our students.  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 Lynn Epps seconding. The board  approved entering closed session unanimously.  The following items were approved: 1) Board Minutes from August 5, 2024 2) Personnel and Auxiliary Reports:  MO Emilys Shaws, Assistant .2024  COLNI RKPOKE  ShestAsicmmat EetiveDate Sahrina Peh Exeept ation wide lang Mong Candor! Montg  8232024 8182024 9283024 8222 1033024 ofthe    Vpor  superintende dent. Shaol Anipusn Monig Centralligh Monts School Yes  Kpliny OliviaChappell  2024, andending  Yes Ves Ves Vas Yas Montg Ves river lementary Ves  COLN NTY NCIOOIN AEXILARN SHPTFNITER3-MA  Thef flowingaenightn fieldtripsa arerequested: Montgomery County Early College TaelT Trackeri s045tothed Greal Warlolgey WaterP Parki imConcord, NC Tipl Dates 101424-1 1015:24 Muntgumery Central Highs Schvol Travel Trackeri 5030105 S-lkUSA-lianamomeil il,NC TripDates.2 213:25-2/1425 Mantgomery Cennalllighs School Travel'l Tracker #5029105 SkillsUSA- Greensboro. NC TripDites: 4925-411:25    3) Budget Amendment:  441P Pages Street. .P.0. Br427 Troy, Northe Carollna 27371-0427 PIONE: 9105764511. JA: 1910:56231  71Overall. shesea adiustmentsresuitedin  Count ichopls,  Fiscaly /2024  Budget Amendment: #11 Montgomery County Administration' Unit  Budget/ Amendment#11 LOCALFUNDS  STATEFUNDS Revenues  Expenss:  NeCmangoinstale Expenses Net inState Budget dyet  Total  $31,41320372 $31433291.72    Budget Amendment: #11 increase FEDERALFUNDS  Budget Amendment#11 CAPTALOUTLAYFIND 501 Sro 164,97.09  ExpensoCode DeacriptonciCode  ExpenseCode 44852120  rChpRCN-IY Revanues WW,7.0 HENYHGPHIZE NetChangei Capital Outisy Budget s)  penseCode  ICICNHIPTEREER  $3471.430  Budget Amendment#11 LOCALFUND:  Budget Amendment#11  Zhr  DE  $1433325301 $14333.25061    OUTLAY  1015M33  4) NCSBA Endorsement:  nebn CHAMPION OF EDUCATION AWARD 20240 OfficialE Endorsement Form THsistocentiymatne MontzomeryCountys Schools Boardoffducation loardefticotion hastakenofficiala lactiontor Stevenw.D DeBerry arolinas SchoolB BoardsA Associatian'sc Aak Signoture Tony RLKke dChoir'sName Pleases submit their U One-pager narrative Support (optional) o BackupM Materials( (optional) Entriesmustbes submatedonorbefored October7,2024,  endorse form.    5) FirstHealth and Montgomery County Schools MOU for 2024-2025:  STATE OFN  COUNTY CARE ANDITALTI SERVICES PROVIDER AGRFEMENT nus KovmrR AGRLEMENT ffectivessefcel 19- dayurAnes 2024. OF THEC AROLINAS, "Poviler). "JMONTGOMERY COLNTY SCHOOIS (herinailern rfred haspegnelw withgiofesiende inprevifinghealn merl andmamgenxnie ademglayees, st MCSb believer wbo woslb pofeianale pmviledbyr Pruvidera andMSC eneri inlthial appeemest mpneilehals asthe Mertgmery Cousry hopam (MESnICP) uoder hefo ollowing SCUPE OFSERVICES andprorelur byPuridar  wile  hcales ervices, inchiding Apencies. Pruvider iliriag pofesisals witprovide choul basad pojected InsePRE which Mesi cule medical seviestas 3 ageed and Vest and rumhe  aws Provider  pplicable) Mes activlies asdpopgese afthe und decunysmul afsuch : and erdangered. andemplayees Acreris and pery ufldianse fbed  MCS  Puvide MCS  and  this Ayermenrs sbalibee confiéenial, ualy" thefo fallowing circumalen empleyce forihe pupuse nd Diuchamueis rquired pplacable suthonty. Thek cce ovided sludent aifically MCS 2924:2025 $140,000 MCS will perfarmanee  TERM Aryn  allhesjly), lV (yo)d dayw wrillet OFCONTACTS  pary, hallb  Suparinlenlent County WHEREOE eparis Aiest: bukmega Oak8y6 Daletris,  putiesd thatsenie aen needed.  afficeiser the  dperatiens  Ar    FirstHealth oft the Carolinas Moore Wellness Works  INVOICE Montlylnveicing August 2024 Yoar  REMITTANCEA ADDRESS: 46MemorialD Drive Aln: BethMorgan PinchurstNC 28374 BuTo: MonigemmryCounlys Schools POBOx427 441Pagestreet Troy, 27371 Based  AMOUNT 140,000.00 140,00000  2024-2  TOTAL ofthe Carolinas  Payable  6) Nursing Services Contract w/Claretta Little:  MONTGOMERY ROARDOF EDUCAITONCINTRACTIOK OCCUPATIONAL THERAPYS SERVICES lecand 4411 higest Wadesboro. NC. 28170. lartial. nler promises inthe Contract partici 745A AM- SPM, upto3 35lousp per eek. Providerwill ofihiscuntrct including: any doeumenssir incorporated Praviderv warrants that allu uytsa ar employees ufProvidery whowill hisc coniraclv willhe fullys yalifidlanll liased Regisiera Nurie (RN)or reuisitel lieenses, andahervisehe legally nds xercise hes arec customarilye esercisedlyd duly senvicer prvidel, ducumentationn meeling ther roqirementw applicable faleral. stalen und pection. ueit forinspestionp persannel compleser medkeallopsfort billing $85,000. which my dates ogreed motacting witha person prnidal. lthee weather, fire.  wthis Catracts shall. request School property. IfueC ilipuyl 'rwiders Deflt Almny tima. ihe may this amJ ilheu priur tic povider guls ai fdhe School Systemis ualiye ofserviotsprovidel. Pronider h: anidul. be chals, HI Street. Thy. executived dinctor ofD Children for neview Catract! isenersuuda anday agrealletwesn! Provider aedithes Schoals tharthes School piaddfunde fromw ment! Prorider maintin Cammercial (icneral anl each exhs vecummce inP &A Advenising with $2,000,000 General anj Prowider muinuin ther lor alle ervices unler. this Provideris Cenitiexes shallhe fumished by Provider ihe Schwal Sysemat insuring nsiar this thisComrad. Taves  Thiseminkt fr Syplemher 10. 2024. ctwen theN Montgonery County Iny. NC 27371, miClanilalinle. luriny fillys comply ovide licenseda andq providersohiles sameo 13. Recodls providers shallr locall 14. Hilling pprvuMaticail" OMigatinasa SchalSusten. 2.1. TheSchouls Sysicm! herchy upios Shs. porw weck. 2.2. the Meahor. fire.p power failure, cthers cmailaimafis.aliaye ofihes servicelsl.a wpon, ihes Schewsl: Systan willl be undar  olligationw we cmpensate Provider fors not 23. scheksistheonlyr party unlesss sooRer) Tam. Tles senvices Jeseribedinthec Contracty willhep providedi Sepimherl 2025. Dalesss terminatedas shereinp provided. Thes Sahuisatangpairsmw Milingmdahaipceapam menistoloviderw within thirty (30)d daysols power! prothers imilare cumycu. whichi may the compeasaten Temminatinfir unsenicne. weny  ONizatisaraflnnias" Prwidcrherchy, agreesteprvides snkestothes Schools Systemasfollows: 1. Nursing Services frs Mekay, 10. Wark willbec compleredd during instretionnl  widers shall hi nwwnls loction nsousN nin  culeni unis lisclusure ysten's policies. Alls Providers will  terminater his Contractat anyt timearise complete lays inwritingf fromd thes Sclols gstemw widerp priorto    fPenider Pnnickersl frwardroany person atherihanprertor idmifiaslei informatione fioma student thes written consent ofthe School ystema ahout sludents vbtained by Provider while providing rs. less the $621.2. Systent.  Applicable.s Sshoel. DoarlsfEdustion Miiss Proviler uekmukolgest tatil the Mantganery Comty Schools! has adopdpoliiesa govering condict ons Schoals Sysiem a rckvant policies wlile property, The Previders ucknowledyes lhull lknis paliciesa Assument Praider shallmtu ssign subconraet, otherwisetr trnsfers uny this pprovale ofthe Schools Syatem. wrinemamermamsalaly. executelhyand willgnemilei interrlatinna komasna-faeems Orkrs The yreel conflici betweent thek terms and cuterelir intob bereenthepaties Agrecment. het undcditionsaf shallpresail. Fntirs Agrerment. This Contract, including he purchase nkri ifmy. usedin herwiha and mnys expressly incorported by referenxen sur part Cuntrakt, and usprsst nderstandingb behseeni paniescomcemingi iusahjectm matter. Ihis supersesksally coatentporaneous pamives. ugreemsnts. matter theremay anye hetwemihef foure mmsrseflisCutasta documentsi lheirms Aill ontrl. AmaheE Exhilits The fellowing ducumnenes, ifuny. ure muchda s Exhibits toihis Commet and incorporatadbyn mfereneehencin: EslibitA: exulo OffenderR Registry CheckC CeniticitionFo mE Fxhibit ofallslaffe crontials Sewerabilitv.  ymena limildd thes Sysiem,  peramally  all  and  Providr Provie ntract. mpunicular. ystem employersy whoempley witht providing servicesi oviding care prviding Thed allord overage" ar: nce Irun Aet late his Contract. pursuant certilication maker het Pruvilers ilipence. whow will his theN County ny incipal or andi lw Coninuct Pravik challi Tamily Superintendento chouls. mally aivalhy h lSystem. coveredb ly gmunds fori financia lisbiliry  ominetslullbed invalidor unenforceable, ihien remaindrot andellict. heesecuteli inany mumbero ofcoumtergarts. and'urt faxeds ignatresar empisufhitaminst" sames alidity and EnkerCantrat. Thep prronts)esecumingl this Coniracta hcalfufPmilerla lavca autharity binligartofPovilkez.  ThePantiesn gree andahcrit forit ordinay ofperfoning  AttnchmentA  eisalchlkon o 95L2H Sap6  Chraalatek Maatlago dalel  SexmalOfenderk Regisiry Check PLEASE SUBMITT THIS FORMT TOYOUR OWNER SF Nuning ServicesperIEP Coatmct Montgonerys S-tiools/MCIIS thetypeufcsk: Clnslitle. CEOFCOMPARYM hereby certify thatl llavep perfommela allelih sevial oflender quiral undr this ement fora all Conraenal Personnel (employees. ommership accessingthe Unitels Sutes! hatmoneo!  XInitial Predator Apruement  Anmal including Northe Nule: afikeryindigitiy: chcks Jutiee Ofender Puhlic Wuhsite eliver goods ervices under this imei schools ysiem'ss salec diseactian. acknwlaige lhallam providet this form before any orki perlormed inderi ihe Costructual Persnaneln may perfomw work undert theA Agrement JubTille Keshn Nuise nda ceuraten  M1g  Conirctuall MersumelN Names 1.Clarelk Ute lamestthatiher fryoingi  INWITNESSV WHEREOE thepanticsh have hercuntos setiheirh handsa  Gcims    Upon return to open session, Chairman DeBerry asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Bryan Dozier made the motion with Tommy Blake seconding; the meeting was duly  adjourned.  The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, October 7, 2024, at 6:30 pm at the  Montgomery County Central Office.  ven W.  DaBe6 Dale Ellis, Ed. D., Secretary  A