The Board of Education met Monday night for their monthly session. Dr. Robert Taylor, Superintendent, led a moment of silence for and spoke in honor of Robert Raftery, an East Bladen teacher, that recently passed away.
The following Career and Technical Education Teachers achieved 100% student proficiency in their respective Career and Technical Education Courses: Cedric Mathis for Carpentry 1 at East Bladen, Mitchell Newkirk for Masonry 1 at East Bladen, Elizabeth Gail Marsh for Foods 1 at West Bladen, and Charlotte Davis for Nursing Fundamentals at West Bladen. Student Attendance Banners were also presented to three school for student attendance during the month of February. Booker T. Washington Primary won in the Elementary School Division; East Arcadia School won the banner in the Middle School Division, and West Bladen High School won in the High School Division.
Willa Dean Williams, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director, addressed the board with concerns regarding the county only having one CTE Special Populations Coordinator for the High Schools. Due to the one positions opening, there is only one position filled. Williams explained that the position is needed at both schools as there is too much work for only one coordinator to do (if the board chose to split one position between both high schools instead of filling the opening). Following Williams’ comments, the board proceeded to go into closed session to discuss legal matters and personnel.
Upon reconvening, Jason Atkinson, Chief Technology Officer, spoke concerning a Cyberbullying Monitoring Program that has been put in place to help identify cyberbullying. Later in the meeting, the board also approved consent to enter into E-rate and Race to the Top Contracts which were also recommended by Atkinson. The contracts will help allow wireless connectivity hardware to be upgraded. All of the county’s principals along with Dr. Robert Taylor, Superintendent, discussed concerns regarding recent School Report Cards and Test Scores and steps being taken at each of the schools to improve them via addressing attendance issues, attracting more highly qualified staff and teachers, poverty concerns, and related topics.
Certified and Classified Personnel were approved as recommended by Dr. Taylor. Four regular field trip requests and two overnight field trip requests were approved as recommended by Robert Heavenridge, Support Services Coordinator. A Procurement Plan for the School Nutrition Program was approved as well as a draft of the 2015-16 High School Registration Handbook. A revised 2014-15 School Calendar was approved as well as an application to submit board training to obtain credit. The board approved extending Dr. Taylor’s contract as Superintendent for another year, and budget retreats and other upcoming board training were discussed before adjourning.
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