Government Center - Meeting Chamber

4:30 p.m. CLOSED SESSION, Room CH-14

6:00 p.m. REGULAR BOARD MEETING, Room 267

I. CALL TO ORDER

A. Pledge of Allegiance

Oscar Jerry Lee Reid, an eighth-grade student at Martin Luther King, Jr., Middle, led the Board members and attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance and discussed September’s character trait, which is respect. Oscar is an honors student and was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society this past school year. He also made history in 2007-2008 by becoming the first Martin Luther King, Jr., Middle student to score a four on the state’s seventh-grade writing test.

In addition to Oscar’s studies, he makes time for other interests. He is a member of the football team and was named “Athlete of the Year” in 2008. He is also an actor and earned the lead role of Daddy Warbucks in the play “Annie.” Oscar also loves to travel. He is planning a second visit to Cape Town, South Africa.

Oscar was accompanied by his assistant principal, Willie Howard.

B. Adoption of Agenda

The agenda was unanimously adopted.

II. REQUESTS FROM THE PUBLIC

Kelly Armstrong, a CMS parent, discussed a policy governing CMS’ athletic programs. She asked the Board to consider rewriting the policy.

Pamela Murray advocated for Talent Development magnet programs.

York Reed, a parent of a Villa Heights student, asked the Board to keep the school open.

Pam Grundy, who said she represented Shamrock Gardens Elementary, talked about recent successes at this school, including smaller class sizes, a partial magnet program, increased parent involvement and rising test scores.

Kelly Burgess, the parent of a third-grade student at Villa Heights, discussed the positive qualities of her child’s school. She also mentioned that the school recently raised $2,000 for a cafeteria worker whose home was flooded.

Theresa Watley, a PTA officer and parent at Lincoln Heights Elementary, said she was excited about the proposal to unite the LITD magnet programs at Villa Heights and Lincoln Heights elementary schools.

Tammy Hill, a Lincoln Heights Elementary parent, expressed support for the proposal to join the LITD magnet programs at Lincoln Heights and Villa Heights Elementary.

Vincent Frisina said he would like to see Windsor Park and other neighborhood associations to get involved with nearby schools.

Hiawatha Foster, who represented the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Association of Educators, discussed high-school dropout rates.

Kelly Loving, a Villa Heights parent, expressed concern about the proposal to close Villa Heights and move its students to Lincoln Heights.

Helena Cathcart, who has a student at West Mecklenburg High, discussed researched best practices and personal education plans.

Dennis Townsend, vice president of CMAE and a teacher at Providence High, said the faculty was disheartened that it would not receive full bonuses.

III. CONSENT ITEMS

The Board approved the consent agenda.

A. Recommend approval of minutes
B. Recommend approval of appointment of administrative personnel
C. Recommend approval of licensed/non-licensed hires and promotions for August 2008

IV. ACTION ITEMS

A. Recommend approval of 2008-09 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education budget

Chief Financial Officer Sheila Shirley discussed the district’s $1.19 billion operating budget for 2008-09. She said the budget reflects a 1.8 percent increase from the 2007-08 adopted operating budget. She cited several primary reasons why the budget increased. The area: employee salaries and benefits, student enrollment growth and opening of six new schools.

The Board voted 6-3 to adopt the budget.

B. Recommend approval of at-large representative Trent Merchant’s request to direct the superintendent to conduct an audit of self-verified free and reduced-price lunch applications using a random sample methodology

Mr. Merchant withdrew his motion to approve this item.

V. REPORTS/INFORMATION ITEMS

A. Report on Science and Math Programs

Click here to view the science and math report

B. Report/update on Athletic Programs

Click here to view Athletic presentation

C. Report/update on High School Challenge as requested by at-large representative Kaye McGarry -- A full report will be given at the first Board meeting in October.

VI. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT

Dr. Peter C. Gorman said staff will continue to keep the board update on student enrollment data, which mirrors other districts statewide.

VII. REPORTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS

Vilma Leake thanked South Learning Community Area Superintendent Robert Avossa and his staff for supporting students at Sterling Elementary. She also thanked Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., for volunteering at Druid Hills Elementary.

Tom Tate said he heard from principal at Piedmont Middle that they have received world-school status for their IB Program.

Kaye McGarry discussed a meeting she is having Monday, Sept. 22, from 7:30-9 a.m. at the Starbucks in Cotswold.

George Dunlap announced residents of District 3 can attend a meeting he is hosting Monday, Sept 15, from 6-8 p.m. in Board of Education Board Room to discuss proposed changes to graduation requirements and magnet programs.