ASHEBORO – On Thursday, the Asheboro City Board of Education met for their regularly-scheduled meeting. Chairman Kyle Lamb called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Balfour Elementary School student, Jared Garay, the board approved the meeting agenda.
During Special Recognitions, the Asheboro City Board of Education recognized the Dream Center as this month’s Community Partner Spotlight. The Dream Center serves several Balfour
Elementary School students. The unique after-school program is a free service
for qualifying families, where students receive help with their homework, are
given an afternoon snack and dinner, and are provided a number of learning
opportunities in which they may participate with their teachers and family
members. Dr. Terry Worrell, Superintendent for Asheboro City Schools, expressed appreciation for the program and the resources it provides for so many Asheboro City Schools’ families.
Also recognized during the Special
Recognitions, was the Balfour Elementary Watch D.O.G.S. program (Dad of Great
Students). Dr. Penny Crooks, Balfour Elementary School principal, shared
information about Watch D.O.G.S., noting it is one of the nation’s largest and most respected school-based family and community engagement organizations in the country. Each school year hundreds of thousands of fathers and father-figures make a positive impact on millions of children by volunteering time in their local schools through this amazing one-of-a-kind program.
The Board then celebrated Ms. Ariana Tatum, a sophomore at Asheboro High School, who has recently published her first book, “World of Secrets.” The novel tells the story of Kamber Lucan, a 17-year-old girl living in a young country with dominating government officials and laws who, following a number of events, begins to see her world in a whole new light, realizing that there are always more secrets to uncover. Tatum wrote the novel from June – October 2017, between her eighth-grade and ninth-grade years. The novel can be purchased on Amazon, Barnes and Noble.com, and Google Play.
Following special recognitions, the Asheboro
City Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda and then moved on to
Information, Reports, and Recommendations. Dr. Drew Maerz
presented two policies for 30-day review and the 2017-18 accountability data. “We are pleased to share that Asheboro City Schools is one of only three school districts across North Carolina where all schools met or exceeded expected growth for two consecutive years,” said Dr. Worrell. “We’re also extremely proud of the graduation rate of 92.7 percent which is the highest grad rate in the history of our district,” she added. Following the accountability report, Dr. Sean McWherter and the Asheboro City school nurses presented to the board their annual report. Following the nurses presentation, the District Writing Initiative was presented by Dr. Aaron Woody, Dr. Julie Pack, Mr. Jordi Roman, and Ms. Sarah Beth Robbins.
The Asheboro City Board of Education then approved the 2018-19 district and Asheboro High School renovation and addition budgets. “Thank you for all your hard work in putting these budgets together,” commented Chairman Lamb. “The Asheboro High School addition and renovation is the largest capital improvement project we’ve approved in the history of Asheboro City Schools. We are so excited to finally see this vision become a reality.” Dr. Worrell said the district looks to break ground on the project in late October or early November.
Reports were provided on the district’s upcoming events and Points of Pride. Upcoming special events include: The Asheboro High School Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, October 5; and International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 10. Other dates include Academic and Family Teacher Team meetings at all schools as well as the next Asheboro City Board of Education meeting on Thursday, October 11.
Dr. Worrell concluded the meeting by providing information to the board about the Asheboro High School students selected for the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce student leadership program, Student L.I.F.T. Participating Asheboro High School students include: Michael Britt, Jonah Hydzik, Jarrett Kidd, Diamond McDowell, Angel Perez, Leah Reid, Logan Richardson, Piper Shipley, Riley Smith, and Anuragh Sriram. Dr. Worrell then shared with the board information about the 2018-19 Catalyzing CTE Grant that has been awarded to Asheboro City Schools and partner educational institutions, Randolph County School System and Randolph County Schools. “With this grant, we will bring back retired CTE coordinator, Ms. Joanna Barnes, who will focus on providing CTE opportunities to select populations of students in our district,” said Dr. Worrell. Also lifted up were Asheboro City Schools new Employee Assistance Program provider, MYgroup, and the Asheboro City Schools district wellness fair.
Chairman Lamb adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:15 p.m. to go into closed session to discuss the superintendent’s annual evaluation. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Asheboro City Board of Education, extended Superintendent Worrell’s contract until June 2022.
About
Asheboro City Schools
Asheboro City Schools is a medium-sized school district in North Carolina, serving approximately 5,000 students at eight schools and one five-star Early Childhood Development Center. The district’s mission is to graduate responsible citizens who are prepared to succeed in higher education or the career of their choice. For more information, visit the district’s website at http://www.asheboro.k12.nc.us/.