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Guilford County Board of Education
Board Meeting
February 10, 2004

GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

The Guilford County Board of Education met in a regular meeting on Thursday, January 29, 2004, in the Guilford County Board of Commissioners' Meeting Room, at 301 West Market Street, Greensboro, North Carolina. The following Board members were present: Kris Cooke, Garry Burnett, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett (arrived at 6:50 p.m.), Deena Hayes (arrived at 7:41 p.m.), Johnny Hodge, Dot Kearns, Susan Mendenhall, Nancy Routh, Anita Sharpe, and Marti Sykes. Also present were Superintendent Terry Grier and Attorney Jill Wilson.

Call to Order

Chairman Duncan called the meeting to order at 6:48 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence

Board member Kris Cooke led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a Moment of Silence

Public Comments

Chairman Duncan recognized the following citizens who addressed comments to the Board:

Sandy Allen, 4024 Baytree Court, High Point, NC 27265
Melvin Fair, 3209 Forestview Drive, High Point, NC 27260
Amanda Sheek, 2722 Darden Road, Greensboro, NC 27407
Dale Osborne, 6507 Coltrane Mill Road, Greensboro, NC 27406
Nora Dial-Stanley, 1049 Megan Cross Lane, Kernersville, NC 27284
Erin Locker, 4065 Queens Grant Road, Jamestown, NC 27282
Stephanie Antkowiak, 4816 Weston Place, Jamestown, NC 27282
Terry Rooks, 913 Fairridge Drive, Jamestown, NC 27282
Barbara Ann McAbee, 6414 Ivy Stone Drive, Jamestown, NC 27282
Monica Adams, 4727 Weston Place, Jamestown, NC 27282
Laura Hawkins, 4349 Southern Oak Drive, High Point, NC 27265
Terry Fuchs, 4728 Weston Place, Jamestown, NC 27282
Jennifer Metcalf, 2 W. Burkwood Court, Jamestown, NC 27282
Polly Snelgrove, 4013 Cole Avenue, Jamestown, NC 27282
Kirk LeJeune, 3249 Timberwolf Avenue, High Point, NC 27265
Ruth Revels, 2721 Gwaltney Road, Greensboro, NC 27407
Joe Oots, 602 Colonial Drive, High Point, NC 27262
Emma Mieden, 2103 Bay Court, High Point, NC 27265
Rick Oxindine, 3001 Montery Street Greensboro, NC 27406
Karrie Jenkins, 5862 Old Randleman Road, Greensboro, NC 27406
Rev. Mattheue Locklear, 5129 Old Randleman Road, Greensboro, NC 27406
Janet Parris-Gray, 3506 Garrell Street, High Point, NC 27263
Billy Yow, 1429 Country Lake Drive, Greensboro, NC 27406
Diane Osborne, 6507 Coltrane Mill Road, Greensboro, NC 27406
James Nicholson, Southern High School student, 3604 Brevard Street, Greensboro, NC 27407
Louis Hazzard, 1710 B Walker Ave., Greensboro, NC 27403
Amanda O'Connor, Southern High School student, 5803 Tysinger Drive, Greensboro, NC 27406
Ashley Fredere, Southern High School student, 701 Maryland Place, High Point, NC 27263
Pat Simmons, 4015 Baytree Court, High Point, NC 27265
Lisa Whittaker, 3611 West Field Street, High Point, NC 27260
Debbie Morand 1106 Elmwood Avenue, High Point, NC 27265

Approval of Agenda

Chairman Duncan asked Board members to review the meeting agenda and called for a motion to approve or revise it. Motion was made by Kris Cooke, seconded by Dot Kearns, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote.

Staff Reports

2003-2004 Early Release Date

Julie Zwahr, Executive Director for Communications, presented a recommendation to designate February 25, 2004 as an early release date for students. The Board recently discussed the designation of an early release day for the purposes of staff development for school staff. February 25 would serve as an early release day and students would be released from school two hours prior to the regular release time.

Following discussion, motion was made by Deena Hayes, seconded by Johnny Hodge, to approve February 25 as an early release day as proposed by the administration. The motion passed upon unanimous electronic vote.

The Board asked the administration to further review the remainder of the 2003-2004 calendar in search for a second early release day and bring its recommendation to the Board.

Recommendations for Changes to 1999 Student Assignment Plan

Eric Hoekstra, District Planner/Demographer, presented recommendations for changes to the 1999 Student Assignment Plan. Superintendent Grier reminded the Board that these changes were first presented during the Board's December 9, 2003 meeting. The Board held a Public Forum on the proposed changes on January 15, 2004.

Superintendent Grier informed the Board that the administration was withdrawing its recommendation to shift students residing in an area south of Lake Higgins and Lake Brandt from Summerfield/Laughlin to Claxton Elementary. The administration recommended that the Board delay such discussion and decision until attendance lines are established and enrollment is projected for the new northern area elementary school.

Mr. Hoekstra presented recommended changes to the student assignment which included reassigning students in the Alderman Elementary zone from Ragsdale High to Western High. This change would be completed by shifting approximately 33 students from Southwest High School to Western High; shifting approximately 32 students from Southwest Middle to Guilford Middle; and shifting approximately 79 students from Allen Middle to Guilford Middle.

Motion was made by Dot Kearns, seconded by Marti Sykes, to approve changes to the 1999 Redistricting Plan by reassigning 33 students from Southwest High to Western High, 32 students from Southwest Middle to Guilford Middle, and 79 students from Allen Middle to Guilford Middle as presented by the administration. The motion passed upon 10 to 1 electronic vote with Darlene Garrett opposing.

Board Discussion

High Point High Schools Choice Plan

The Board continued its discussion of the proposed High Point High Schools Choice Plan as first discussed at its January 24 retreat. Superintendent Grier reviewed the proposed plan and provided answers to questions raised by Board members.

The High Point High Schools Choice Plan calls for the elimination of the three High Point area high schools' attendance lines. Each of the high schools would adopt a major magnet theme with several additional academy or cluster programs. Each school would provide the comprehensive core and extracurricular activities offered at other high schools in the Guilford County School district, including a minimum of 15 different Advanced Placement courses in each school. In addition, each school will offer a variety of choice options. Andrews High School will be the Andrews Center for Advanced Research and Technology. High Point Central High School will be the High Point Central Institute of International Studies and Languages. Southwest High School will be the Southwest Institute for the Visual and Performing Arts.

Superintendent Grier reported that the plan would be phased in beginning in the fall of 2004 with each entering ninth-grade class. Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students currently attending High Point area high schools would be grandfathered into their current schools. Students and parents would select their choice of high schools by ranking them first, second, and third choice. The goal would be to assign students to schools so that each school is within plus or minus two percentage points of the three schools free and reduced meal average of the incoming ninth grade students.

It was the consensus of the Board to hold meetings in the High Point community on Thursday, February 5 and Sunday, February 8 to receive input on the proposed plan. The Board will again discuss the proposed plan at is February 10 meeting.

Development of Native American Mascot Policy

The Board continued its discussion of Native American Mascots and the development of such a policy as discussed at its January 13 meeting and January 24 retreat. Board members provided feedback on draft policies prepared by Attorney Wilson and presented during the January 24 retreat.

Following discussion, motion was made by Dot Kearns, seconded by Darlene Garrett, to instruct the Superintendent to develop a policy for the Board's consideration which will incorporate the Board's intent that the use of American Indian or any other existing race or ethnic group as a mascot or similar identifier be discontinued in the Guilford County School System. The proposed policy should be brought to the Board after a process of dialogue has occurred between representatives of the Guilford County American Indians and members of Southern Guilford and Andrews High School communities with facilitation as the Superintendent deems appropriate. The policy should be brought back to board within 90 days.

A substitute motion was made by Darlene Garrett, seconded by Anita Sharpe, to direct the Southern High School Leadership Team to meet with the Guilford County American Indians in an effort to facilitate the dialogue and understanding of the issues surrounding the American Indian mascot and after such discussion, come back to the Board with a joint resolution. The motion failed upon majority electronic vote of 4 to 7 as follows: Noes - Deena Hayes, Susan Mendenhall, Johnny Hodge, Dot Kearns, Garry Burnett, Nancy Routh, and Marti Sykes; Ayes - Darlene Garrett, Alan Duncan, Kris Cooke, and Anita Sharpe.

The Board then voted on the original motion made by Dot Kearns. The motion passed upon majority vote of 7 to 4 as follows: Ayes - Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes, Susan Mendenhall, Johnny Hodge, Dot Kearns, Alan Duncan, and Garry Burnett; Noes - Kris Cooke, Nancy Routh, Marti Sykes, Anita Sharpe.

Reports from the Chairman

Chairman Duncan asked Board members for feedback regarding agenda items from the Sunday, January 25 retreat agenda that were missed due to inclement weather. Board members indicated their desire for a separate meeting to complete the agenda. Chairman Duncan asked staff to poll the Board for possible dates.

Board Comments

Board members were each allowed two minutes to make remarks, as they deemed appropriate.

Adjournment

With no further business, at 12:20 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2004, motion was made by Kris Cooke, seconded by Anita Sharpe, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote.