The Asheboro City Board of Education met
for their regularly-scheduled meeting on Thursday, March 14. Madam Chair Gidget
Kidd called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Following the Pledge of
Allegiance, the board approved the meeting agenda.
Special
Recognitions
The Asheboro City Board of Education recognized Ms. Annette Pearson, children’s minister with Covenant Christian Church in Asheboro, as the spotlighted March Community Partner. Mrs. Pearson, along with the church’s congregation, serve as the faith-based partner to Asheboro City Schools’ five-star Early Childhood Center (ECDC). This past school year, the church has adopted the staff at ECDC, showering them with an out-pouring of love and support. The church has given small tokens of appreciation during American Education Week and provided breakfast and other refreshments on numerous occasions. Their support has helped uplift, motivate, and increase morale among the staff members at ECDC.
The board spotlight featured ECDC’s coordinator, Mrs. Holly White, along with teachers Joy Ivan and Staci Causey. The team
shared information about an initiative this year involving teaching science
through a number of hands-on projects that integrate math, literacy, and art.
ECDC students (four-year-olds) shared their projects and experiences with the
board. Dr. Terry Worrell, Superintendent, then recognized ECDC for earning
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation
for a new five-year term.
Information, Reports, and Recommendations
Following special recognitions, the Asheboro
City Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda and then moved to
Information, Reports, and Recommendations.
Mr. Anthony Woodyard, director of Technology and Innovation, presented on various digital learning opportunities available to students in ACS. Noted were the district’s STEAM Competition, Hour of Code, and the district’s continued one to one initiative – ensuring access to technology for each student.
Mr. D.R. Cash then updated the board about the district’s plan to continue the discussion around Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), a new movement to treat and prevent toxic stress as presented in the documentary, “Resilience.” “We were very fortunate to have been able to send two teachers from each school to a ‘Resiliency’ training to learn more about how we can use the information shared in the documentary to positively impact our students. Our teachers learned about various stress management techniques and how service learning opportunities may help students who have experienced ACEs. Part of our plan includes engaging our staff by making concerted efforts to weave this information into our everyday conversations and instruction,” said Mr. Cash.
Mr. Cash then presented a draft district calendar for the 2020-2021 school year. The calendar will be available on the ACS website for 30-days (located under Board Policies Under Review). The community is encouraged to review the calendar and share any feedback by clicking the “Contact Us,” button. The board will vote on the 2020-2021 calendar at the April meeting.
Action Items
In Action Items, the Asheboro City Board of Education passed a resolution in support of local control of school calendars. Calendar flexibility was one of the top priorities of the board’s legislative platform for the 2019 year. The board also approved an easement for Walker Avenue at Asheboro High School.
Superintendent’s Report/Calendar of Events
Reports were shared on the district’s upcoming events and Points of Pride. Upcoming special events include: the Elementary Battle of the Books competition on Thursday, March 21 at Lindley Park Elementary School; the Asheboro City Schools STEAM Competition on Tuesday, April 2 at Asheboro High School from 12 – 4 p.m.; and Spring Break scheduled for the week of April 15. The next Asheboro City Board of Education meeting will take place on Thursday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. at North Asheboro Middle School Theater.
Following the Superintendent’s Report, Chair Gidget Kidd conducted board operations starting with accepting the
resignation of Board Member Kyle Lamb. Lamb was recognized for 23 years of
dedicated service to the Board, administrators, staff and students of Asheboro
City Schools.
In accordance with Board policy 2115 (Unexpired Term Fulfillment), the Board will accept applications for appointment to the Asheboro City Board of Education. Applications are available here and are due by March 27 to the Central Office. The appointed board member will serve until the next election in November of this year. At such time they must be elected to complete the remaining four years of Lamb’s term.
A
Nomination Committee appointed by the Board Chair will review the applications
and select candidates to interview on April 4. The committee will make a
recommendation to the Board at their regular meeting scheduled for Thursday,
April 11 at 7:30 p.m.
There
being no further business, Madam Chair Kidd adjourned the meeting at 9 p.m.
About
Asheboro City Schools
Asheboro City Schools is a medium-sized school district in North Carolina, serving approximately 4,500 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/.