Richmond County Schools

118 Vance Street Hamlet, NC 28345

For more information: Contact Michelle Thublin, Public Information Officer at (478)390-1614 or michellethublin@richmond.k12.nc.us

HAMLET-The Richmond County Board of Education met at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 for its third meeting of the year. Board members present were: Bobbie Sue Ormsby, Joe Richardson, Dr. Irene Aiken, Wiley Mabe, Jerry Ethridge and Don Greene.

After an invocation by Joe Richardson, Karim Pruden from Cordova School led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Joe Richardson made a motion to approve the minutes from the February board meeting. Jerry Ethridge seconded the motion, and the motion was carried.

IN OTHER BUSINESS:

• Public Information Officer Michelle Thublin recognized the Everyday Heros for the month of February. Sponsors included Maness Tire, First Health Center for Health and Fitness, Papa Johns Pizza, Biscuitville and Family Video. Heroes from Leak Street High School were Jacqueline Newell and Monica Robinson.

• Thublin also introduced Joshua Foster, Richmond County School’s District-Wide Spelling Bee Winner.

• Additionally, Thublin recognized Richmond County Schools’ Beta Club Members who placed at the Regional Conference and will advance to the National Competition this June. Representatives were present from Richmond Senior High School, Richmond Early College, Rockingham Middle School and Ellerbe Middle School

• Sharon Johnson proposed four CTE Course Additions. Johnson said all four would be pilot programs beginning in the 2015-2016 school year. These courses would be: Advanced Manufacturing I, Advanced Manufacturing I, Law and Justice I as well as Law and Justice II. Jerry Ethridge made a motion that the courses be adopted. Joe Richardson seconded, and the motion carried

• RCS Principals Susan Brigman and Ellen Mabe gave the Board a presentation explaining the Leak Street/Cordova Partnership, saying the program began as a way to increase student attendance. They explained Leak Street's Outreach club made Valentines for every student and staff member at Cordova. Additionally, Leak Street will assist Cordova in several future projects, including: the March 19th Bowling Special Olympics, the March 24th Cordova Fairy Tale Day and May's Special Olympics.

• Mr. Julian Carter present the Board with a Qualified Observer List. It includes a list of employees who can perform observations of staff members at other schools. Bobbie Sue Ormsby made a motion that the list be adopted. Dr. Irene Aiken seconded, and the motion carried.• Board members reported on: RSHS Basketball Games, the Raider Football Banquet, Baseball/Softball/Soccer/Softball Tryouts, Richmond County Schools being ahead of the game when it comes to Teacher Recruiting, CTE Teacher Specialties, the Early College Science Olympiad Team, the RCS Middle School Flamenco Program in addition to thanking RCS staff in their handling of the winter weather.

• RCS Superintendent, Dr. Cindy Goodman, recognized the Raider Varsity Basketball Team, the Football Program for its recent banquet as well as RCS staff on their flexibility when it came to weather announcements. Additionally, Dr. Goodman reminded Board Members that Arts Alive will be this Thursday and Friday at the Cole Auditorium. On Thursday, March 5th, the all-county band and Richmond Senior High School Band will perform at 7:00 PM, while Friday Night’s 7:00 PM performance features both the all-county elementary and all-county middle school chorus in addition to a showcase from the Richmond Senior High School Choir. Student art work will be on display each day beginning at 3:00 PM in the lobby. Additionally, Dr. Goodman reminded Board Members there will be a Strategic Planning Dinner on Monday, March 16th beginning at 6:00 PM. She also asked Board Members to reconsider the April Board Meeting Date because RCS will be on Spring Break on Tuesday, April 7th. The new April Board Meeting Date will be April 13th. A Budget Work Session for the Board Members will be held prior to the April Meeting, beginning at 4:00 PM.

• Mr. Dennis Quick presented the 2015-2016 Richmond County Schools and Richmond Early College calendars. For fine tuning, the calendar will lay for 30 days. Joe Richardson made a motion that they be adopted. Dr. Irene Aiken seconded, and the motion carried.

• Mr. Quick reviewed 13 separate policies. The policies will remain on the table for 30 days until the April Board Meeting.

• Mr. Quick then presented the 13 policies that had been tabled during February’s Board Meeting. Joe Richardson made a motion that they be adopted. Jerry Ethridge seconded, and the motion carried.

• Mr. Quick also presented three field trips for the Board’s approval. Jerry Ethridge made a motion that they be adopted. Dr. Irene Aiken seconded, and the motion carried.

• Jerry Ethridge made a motion to enter closed session. Dr. Irene Aiken seconded, and the motion passed.

• Following executive session, Julian Carter presented the personnel report and addendum for approval. Joe Richardson moved to approve the report and addendum. Jerry Ethridge seconded and the motion was carried.

• Needing additional time to consider candidates for the Board seat vacated by Tom McInnis, Board Members made the decision to table its vacant position until April’s meeting. Joe Richardson made the motion to table the vacancy. Jerry Ethridge seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

• Joe Richardson moved to adjourn the meeting. Jerry Ethridge seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned.