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Asheboro City Board of Education - November Meeting

The Asheboro City Board of Education met for their regularly-scheduled meeting on Thursday, November 8. Chairman Kyle Lamb called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by North Asheboro Middle School student’s Hannah Charles, Erin Eames, and Dolly Gladden, the board approved the meeting agenda.

Special Recognitions

The Asheboro City Board of Education recognized the Flying Pig Food and Spirits as the November Community Partner Spotlight. For the past five years, North Asheboro Middle School staff and families have convened at the local eatery located in downtown Asheboro for a private event in celebration of the beginning of the school year. Current teacher, Michelle Marsh, coined the phrase “NAMILY” in 2012. Since that time, students have joined staff members in expressing their pride in belonging to a school NAMILY. The annual gathering at the Flying Pig allows a time for the NAMILY to develop and deepen friendships in a non-structured and social setting.

The FFA program at North Asheboro Middle School was the recognized board spotlight. Ms. Candace Call, North Asheboro Middle School principal, and Mr. Matthew Kidd, FFA advisor shared information about the FFA program that was started at NAMS last school year. The National FFA Organization seeks to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadershippersonal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Through the FFA, students have the opportunity to participate in leadership development activities and competitions.

Following the FFA presentation, Superintendent Dr. Terry Worrell presented the Principal of the Year plaque to North Asheboro Middle School principal, Ms. Candace Call. Ms. Call was selected by her peers for this honor. During her time at NAMS, the school has met or exceeded expected growth year after year.

Next, Dr. Worrell shared with the board that Asheboro City Schools has been named a Top 10 school district by State Superintendent Mark Johnson for the district’s four-year cohort graduation rate. “During the 2017-2018 school year we saw our four-year cohort graduation rate reach an all-time high of 92.7 percent. Not only are we extremely proud of our high graduation rate, we are also pleased with all of our schools who met or exceeded growth for the second year in a row. We believe the continued rise in our graduation rate reflects a deep commitment on the part of the Asheboro City Board of Education, our quality educators, phenomenal students, and dedicated families,” said Dr. Worrell.

Dr. Sean McWherter then recognized all five elementary schools, both middle schools, and Asheboro High School for achieving outstanding status by the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiative. PBIS is funded by the United States Department of Education with a purpose of improving the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of schools and other agencies. PBIS improves social, emotional and academic outcomes for all students, including students with disabilities and students from underrepresented groups.

Following PBIS recognitions, Dr. Worrell shared celebrations regarding academic growth awards. “It gives me great pleasure to recognize all eight of our schools tonight for meeting or exceeding expected growth during the 2017-18 school. Our district is one of only three school districts across the state of North Carolina with this prestigious honor. To all of our principals, we are so very proud of your work; please give yourselves a hand!” said Dr. Worrell.

Dr. McWherter then recognized student-volunteers for the Superintendent’s Service Leadership Award. Asheboro High School junior, Fatima Perez, was the recipient of the Superintendent’s Service Leadership Award for volunteering the most hours over the summer at various Asheboro City Schools summer camps and programs.

Information, Reports, and Recommendations

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, director of Testing and Accountability, shared six board policies for 30-day review. Then Ms. Courtney McGowan and Ms. Sarah Beth Robbins presented Comets to Careers, in honor of Career Development Month. Ms. McGowan and Ms. Robbins work with Asheboro High School students and various businesses to secure job-shadowing, internship, and apprenticeship opportunities. Through this program, students have worked with healthcare providers, local media outlets, and graphic designers to name a few.

Dr. Julie Pack then presented a number of courses for board consideration to be added to the course catalog for the 2019-2020 school year. Courses for consideration include: Honors Math 1, Honors Discrete Math, Honors Advanced Functions and Modeling, Interior Design 2, and Python Programming 1. The board then approved these course additions.

Dr. McWherter and Mr. Chris Tuft, assistant principal at Balfour Elementary School, then shared a presentation about Asheboro City Schools’ after-school program which is now offered at each elementary school in the district. He shared students’ academic outcomes from last school year thanks to the extended learning time through the after-school program.

Concluding Information, Reports, and Recommendations, were brief updates by Mr. Mike Mize, director of Facilities and Maintenance on the construction project at Asheboro High School and Dr. Maerz updated the board on the plan for repurposing the trees that were removed for construction. “We are aware of our community’s connection to the trees at Asheboro High School,” said Dr. Maerz. “This is why we are planning to repurpose them to be used in the new addition. We want their legacy to live on at Asheboro High School,” he added.

Under Action Items, the Asheboro City Board of Education approved Continuous Improvement Plans for North and South Asheboro Middle Schools, Asheboro High School, and the district’s five-star Early Childhood Development Center. Common themes among all the Continuous Improvement Plans included identifying and creating focused instruction on student needs, strengthening family engagement and communication, and continued support of teachers as they collaborate around student achievement.

  1. Middle School Agriculture Day on November 15 at the NC Zoo, Thanksgiving Holiday on November 22, Hour of Code on December 3 in the AHS Media Center from 5- 7 p.m., District Science Fair on December 11 from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at South Asheboro Middle School, Senior Holiday Lunch on December 12 at Donna Lee Loflin Elementary School at 12 p.m.

Dr. Worrell concluded the meeting by providing information to the board about the 2018-2019         Strategic Plan goals and other updates as follows:   

  • All Asheboro City Schools staff completed Resiliency training on November 6 as part of our ongoing professional development trainings in mental, social, and emotional health.
  • On Wednesday, the district hosted a regional meeting of instructional leaders from the Piedmont-Triad at the Asheboro High School Zoo School.
  • Dr. Worrell gave special thanks to all individuals serving on the district’s advisory councils: Faith-based, Latino, Black, Teacher/Staff, Student, Business, and PTO/PTA.
  • Next week a team from Asheboro City Schools, along with board chair Kyle Lamb and board members Gidget Kidd and Gwendolyn Williams, will present at the North  Carolina School Board’s Association annual conference.
  • The chorus from Asheboro High School will perform at the Piedmont-Triad Education Consortium’s annual Signature School Breakfast on Friday, December 14 at the Koury Convention Center. Dr. Worrell has also been asked to provide words of encouragement at the breakfast.
  • In conclusion, Dr. Worrell thanked board members and staff who volunteered for Communities in Schools of Randolph County Reality Store.

Chairman Lamb adjourned the meeting at approximately 9:45 p.m.