By: Bethany Stephens
The Board of Education met this Monday for their monthly session where they began by recognizing three Career and Technical Education teachers for their classes earning 100% student achievement on their state testing scores. The classes and teachers recognized were Cedric Mathis’ Carpentry 1 class, Mitchell Newkirk’s Masonry 1 class, and Mary Todd’s Nursing Fundamentals class.
Joseph DeMers, Selene Flores, Jorccahel Gonzalez Monroy, Toni McKoy, Brianna Nance, and Isabel Ramos George were all recognized for earning ServSafe Certifications under the leadership of their teacher, Gail Marsh, at West Bladen High School.
East Bladen High School and West Bladen High School both had students in their respective HOSA clubs win awards at the State HOSA Competion. Lily Nyugen oand Willow Edge of East Bladen won 9th place in the Audiology Health Career Display Event. From West Bladen, Hannah Malcom won 9th place in the Sports Medicine Event, and Sophia Singletary won 4th place in the Prepared Speaking Event.
Monthly attendance banners were awarded for attendance during the month of March next. East Arcadia School won in both the Primary and Middle School Divisions, and West Bladen won in the High School Division.
Following the above recognitions, the board heard from Alvin Shepherd, a concerned parent of a senior at West Bladen and a 7th grader at Clarkton School of Discovery. After Shepherd’s 7th grade daughter (who normally had good grades) came home with poor test scores, Shepherd spoke with her teachers to figure out how best to help her. After investigation, Shepherd realized that, there were no textbooks available for students in Social Studies, Math, nor Language Arts. Though they did have textbooks in science, even they were 17 years old. Shepherd did not hold the teachers to blame as they were doing well with what resources they had, but he encouraged the board to seek out funding to purchase Chrome books that would extend the 1:1 initiative down into the middle schools like they are in the high schools and discussed some possible revenue sources to fund getting them. The board wholeheartedly agreed with him and said that they were wanting this as well and encouraged Shepherd to speak the same concerns to the County Commissioners as they would be who would need to approve the funds.
Willa Dean Williams, Career and Technical Education Director, presented an update on the CTE Program. Bridgette White presented the CTE program’s test scores and outlined several positive programs and accomplishments of students in their programs over the last year.
Sharon Penny, Finance Director, presented a financial summary for information purposes only, and Valerie Newton, Public Information Officer, gave the board an overview of times Bladen County Schools were mentioned in the news last month.
Three overnight field trip requests to various state and national club conventions and a Mini Cheer Camp Fundraiser at West Bladen were approved as recommended by Robert Heavenridge.
Heavenridge also recommended that the board approve implementing a GNC (Good News Club) at Elizabethtown Primary for grades 1 through 3. The voluntary after school club will be sponsored by Elizabethtown AME Zion Church and aims to teach the children biblical and Christian morals in children’s terms without pushing the students towards any religious decision either way. Glenn McKoy, Board Member, wholeheartedly approved of the program which the board approved after discussing logistical issues and background checks of the program’s volunteers.
A very estimated Budget Proposal for the 2017-2018 school year was approved though it could change a lot depending on legislation and information DPI has not released yet.
A resolution was approved to give over the use of the former Extended Hope’s gym to Bladen Youth Focus contingent on the County not wanting to purchase it as well as other stipulations. Following all of the above, the board proceeded to go into closed session to discuss personnel, legal issues, and student transfers.
Upon reconvening into open session, the board approved four personnel Addendum Action Items as recommended by Antonia Beatty, Personnel Director.
Robert Taylor, Superintendent, gave his report next. He discussed uniform policy concerns that will allow for a set number of dress down days for fundraisers and such, and the board discussed further clarifying the shoe requirements outlined in the policy as well. Taylor spoke of meeting the schools’ maintenance director about providing phones for two foremen as they work across the county. Special Olympics will be held at 9:30 a.m. on April 13th, and Taylor invited the board members to attend both it and a the Battle of the Books Competion that is taking place April 11 at Bladen Community College. Taylor discussed possible compromiseA very estimated Budget Proposal for the 2017-2018 school year was approved though it could change a lot depending on legislation and information DPI has not released yet.
A resolution was approved to give over the use of the former Extended Hope’s gym to Bladen Youth Focus contingent on the County not wanting to purchase it as well as other stilulations. Following all of the above, the board proceeded to go into closed session to discuss personnel, legal issues, and student transfers.
Upon reconvening into open session, the board approved four personnel Addendum Action Items as recommended by Antonia Beatty, Personnel Director.
Robert Taylor, Superintendent, gave his report next. He discussed uniform policy concerns that will allow for a set number of dress down days for fundraisers and such, and the board discussed further clarifying the shoe requirements outlined in the policy as well. Taylor spoke of meeting the schools’ maintenance director about providing phones for two foremen as they work across the county. Special Olympics will be held at 9:30 a.m. on April 13th, and Taylor invited the board members to attend both it and a the Battle of the Books Competion that is taking place April 11 at Bladen Community College. Taylor discussed possible compromises that may happen if the House doesn’t approve Bill 13 which would affect state teacher funding.
Vinston Rozier, Board Chair, reminded the board of town forums that will take place in Tarheel, Clarkton, East Arcadia, and Elizabethtown to guage the communities feelings and thoughts concerning possible school consolidations.
Dennis Edwards, Board Member, told the board that West Bladen’s FFA (under their teacher, Dana Mills) is currently selling plants they grew if anyone would like to purchase them. Following this discussion, the board proceeded to adjourn for the evening.
About Author
