Guilford County Board of Education
Board Meeting
March 4, 2008

GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

The Guilford County Board of Education met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 19, 2008, at 712 North Eugene Street, Greensboro, North Carolina. The following board members were present: Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke (arrived at 6:44 p.m.), Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes, Garth Hébert, Dot Kearns, Amos Quick (participated via telephone conference), Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe. Also present were Superintendent Terry Grier and Attorney Jill Wilson.

Call to Order
Chairman Duncan called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance                                                                                                                       
Board member Darlene Garrett led the Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence.

Public Comments
Chairman Duncan called on members of the public who requested an opportunity to address the board.

Laura Farrell, 5002 Angler Lane, Greensboro, NC 27455
Joe Stafford, 4604 Forest Village Drive, Greensboro, NC 27406

Approval of Agenda

Chairman Duncan asked board members to review the meeting agenda and called for a motion to approve or amend it. Chairman Duncan stated that there has been a request that a brief report be given to the board with respect to the items that have been discussed in the media about disparities between law enforcement reports and reports to DPI. The report will be presented after the Consent Agenda is completed and before Staff Reports begins.

Motion was made by Nancy Routh, seconded by Darlene Garrett, to approve the agenda as amended. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote.

Consent Agenda
Superintendent Grier presented the following consent agenda items:

A.  Personnel Action Reports

The consent agenda included personnel actions as noted in the monthly Personnel Action Report and addendum requiring board approval.

B.  Budget Amendments and Transfers

The Consent Agenda includes State, Local, Federal, Capital Outlay, Child Nutrition Fund and After School Care Enrichment Services (ACES) budget amendments/transfers for the 2007-08 school year as follows:

State Public School Fund Amendment #3 reflects:

• the receipt of reimbursement for new teacher orientation [all newly certified teachers (local and state) who have never taught before, or taught less than six months, are eligible for up to three extra days of employment for orientation and classroom preparation]. ($205,060)
• Substitute reimbursement for December 2007 ($12,820)
• Disadvantaged Students Supplemental Fund [funds to assist local school administrative units in meeting the needs of disadvantaged students that are not achieving grade-level proficiency]. Copy of DSSF expenditure plan attached for information/reference purposes ($1,922,556)
• Additional classroom materials, instructional supplies and equipment funds ($8,726)
• the transfers due to site-based requests and year-to-date expenditures

Local Current Expense Fund Amendment #3 reflects:

• the receipt of:
• More at Four reimbursement for December 2007 ($324,850)
• More at Four start-up funds ($152,873)
• High Schools That Work reimbursement for site visits at Northeast High School ($2,250)
• School Impact Grant reimbursement for November 2007 ($8,770)
• Donation for recruiting personnel ($1,000)
• Funds from the City of Greensboro, pursuant to the Video Services Competition Act, for Educational Access Channel ($8,733)
• Donation from the High Point Community Foundation to fund the placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in elementary schools in High Point ($4,800)
• the transfers due to site-based requests and year-to-date expenditures

Federal Grant Fund Amendment #3 reflects:

• the transfers due to site-based requests and year-to-date expenditures

Capital Outlay Fund Amendment #3 reflects:

• the transfer of available funds within the Eastern Guilford High School ($306,150) and Union Hill Elementary School ($200,000) projects from construction to furniture and equipment
• the transfers due to site-based requests and year-to-date expenditures

After School Care Enrichment Services (ACES) #3 reflects:

• the transfers due to site-based requests and year-to-date expenditures

Chairman Duncan asked board members if they had any questions or comments regarding the Consent Agenda.

There was discussion about the procedure followed when hiring a new principal in regard to whether the contract should be interim to the end of the school year and then become a standard two-year contract subject to a positive review done at the end of the interim period. Chairman Duncan asked Chief Human Resources Officer Peggy Thompson to report back to the board, without it being attached to any specific candidacy, on what procedure would be the best long-term approach.

Board members’ questions regarding the Budget Amendments and Transfers report were answered by Chief Financial Officer Sharon Ozment.

Motion was made by Walter Childs, seconded by Deena Hayes, to approve the consent agenda as presented. The motion passed upon unanimous roll call vote.

Department of Public Instruction Incident Reports

Anthony Scales, director of school safety, presented an overview to the board of the state’s requirements for reporting school-based incidents and processes used for reporting and accountability. Mr. Scales gave a brief summary of the North Carolina State Statute 115C-288, which spells out the procedures for reporting specific offenses to school administrators and, if necessary, law enforcement authorities. Definitions and categories of crime which are used by law enforcement agencies may be different from those specified by the above-mentioned law. Most minor incidents of criminal activity fall in the non-reportable category. Also, incidents that occur off campus that result in an on-campus arrest are not reported to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

To Report Certain Acts to Law Enforcement. – When the principal has personal knowledge or actual notice from school personnel that an act has occurred on school property involving assault resulting in serious personal injury, sexual assault, sexual offense, rape, kidnapping, indecent liberties with a minor, assault involving the use of a weapon, possession of a firearm in violation of the law, possession of a weapon in violation of the law, or possession of a controlled substance in violation of the law, the principal shall immediately report the act to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. Failure to report under this subsection is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Offenses which must be reported include the following:

• Assault Resulting in Serious Injury
• Assault Involving Use of a Weapon
• Assault on School Personnel
• Bomb Threat (see G.S. 14-69.1 and 14-69.2)
• Burning of a School Building (see G.S. 14-60)
• Death By Other Than Natural Causes
• Kidnapping
• Possession of Alcoholic Beverages (see G.S. 18B-300 to 302)
• Possession of Controlled Substance in Violation of Law
• Possession of a Firearm or Powerful Explosive
• Possession of a Weapon
• Rape (rape may be statutory or forcible)
• Robbery With a Dangerous Weapon (armed robbery)
• Robbery Without a Dangerous Weapon
• Sexual Assault (not involving rape or sexual offense)
• Sexual Offense
• Taking Indecent Liberties With A Minor

Also supplied were two memorandums that support the processes GCS follows. By NC state law, principals in the state are responsible for reporting suspension and crime data. GCS uses a proprietary software program that enables staff to enter discipline data when an incident occurs. Through this data, an annual report is extracted on suspensions and expulsions and also an annual report on crime and violence. Prior to June 30 of each year, when staff is required to submit this data to DPI, every principal in this county is sent a verification page, and they are asked to verify that all the data they submitted throughout the year is accurate. Following this verification, the two annual reports are generated.

Mr. Scales explained that outside of the 17 reportable offenses, there are quite a few offenses that constitute crimes that DPI does not ask us to report on. We do not report to DPI on fights, disorderly conduct, minor assaults, burglaries or thefts. The report to DPI is strictly limited to the 17 listed offenses.

He also discussed the reporting of the November 1, 2006 fire at Eastern Guilford High School. When staff submitted the initial report, this incident was omitted. The normal process has been that principals do not submit the data until the violator of the crime has been identified. The Guilford County Sheriff’s Department and the State Bureau of Investigation had an ongoing active investigation, and GCS was anticipating that a violator would be named. During this period of time the administration at the school changed. When the new administrator came in to finish out the year, there was an assumption that the previous administrator had taken care of the reporting. It was at the beginning of this school year when Mr. Scales’ office caught the omission while reviewing the data. On the same day the omission was discovered, Amy Powell-Moman of DPI was contacted and advised that the district needed to add the incident to the data report. She informed Dr. Kenneth Gattis, senior research and evaluation coordinator at DPI. The November 1, 2007 reply from Dr. Gattis stated, “Your data has been verified for 2006-07 and can’t be changed. Regarding the reportable act that has now come to your attention, report this in your 2007-08 data.” As a result of this directive, Mr. Scales stated that this incident will be included with the 2007-08 data. He stated that it was not the intention of any administrators at Eastern High to hide a fire which was shown on television nationwide. The omission was simply the result of human error.

In regard to the report being presented on this topic by a local news station, Mr. Scales stated that he contacted the station directly to make certain they had accurate information and an understanding of the reporting process since police and school data will never be exactly the same as DPI data. Board members expressed concern that the station would mislead the public by leaving out important facts.

Staff Reports

2006-07 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)
Randall S. Brodd, auditor for Dixon Hughes, PLLC, presented information regarding the audit report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007. A complete copy of the report is included in the minutes file.

Construction Update
Andy LaRowe, executive director of facilities, presented to the board an update on the district’s construction projects for the following schools: Eastern High, Northern Elementary, Northern High, Parkview Elementary, Pleasant Garden Elementary, SCALE High Point - Dean B. Pruette Building, Union Hill Elementary, Special Education Center West, Southeast High, Southwest High and Washington Elementary Montessori Magnet.

Contractual Agreement with Samet Corporation for Phase I of the Union Hill Elementary School Project
Leo Bobadilla, chief operations officer, presented to the board a recommendation to award a contract to Samet Corporation in the amount of $199,460 for Phase I of the Union Hill Elementary School project. At the December 4, 2007 board meeting, a contract was approved by the board for pre-construction services at Union Hill with Samet Corporation. On January 15, 2008, Samet Corporation received bids for Phase I of the Union Hill project. Phase I is for demolition and site-related services. The Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) is $199,460.

As required by General Statute 143-128.1 regarding construction management at risk, the board is required to approve the GMP. Facilities and purchasing staff attended the bid opening conducted by Samet Corporation and also reviewed the bids. Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) participation for this phase of the work is being proposed at approximately 17 percent with the breakdown being 13.7 percent Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE) and 3.3 percent Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE).

Motion was made by Kris Cooke, seconded by Dot Kearns, to award a contract to Samet Corporation in the amount of $199,460 for Phase I of the Union Hill Elementary project. The motion passed upon unanimous electronic vote.
                                       
Contractual Agreement with New Atlantic Contracting Co. for Pre-Construction Services at SCALE High Point in the Dean B. Pruette Building
Leo Bobadilla, chief operations officer, presented to the board a recommendation to award a contract to New Atlantic Company for pre-construction services of SCALE High Point school located in the Dean B. Pruette Building in the amount of $17,500. New Atlantic Company was one of three firms approved by the Architect Selection Committee and previously presented to the board to provide construction management at risk services for the SCALE High Point project.

Motion was made by Dot Kearns, seconded by Kris Cooke, to award a contract to New Atlantic Company for pre-construction services of SCALE High Point in the amount of $17,500. The motion passed upon unanimous electronic vote.

Approval of Contracts for Mowing of Various School Grounds

John Mann, purchasing officer, presented to the board a recommendation to award a contract in the estimated amount of $422,900 to M&M Lawn Care, LLC for the mowing of 62 school grounds comprised of groups one and two in accordance with the specifications of Bid Number 4818. On February 14, 2008, six bids were received, with M&M Lawn Care, LLC (WBE) of Greensboro, NC, submitting the lowest responsive, responsible bid of $16,000 for each mowing of groups one and two. The total annual contract is estimated to be $422,900. This amount includes $384,000 ($16,000 (column H) x 3 x 8) for mowing each site three times per month for eight months: $24,800 ($12,400 (column I) x 2 for trimming each site twice annually and $14,100 (column J) for mulching each site once annually.

Motion was made by Kris Cooke, seconded by Dot Kearns, to award a contract in the estimated amount of $422,900 to M&M Lawn Care, LLC for the mowing of the 62 school grounds comprised of groups one and two in accordance with the specifications of Bid Number 4818. The motion passed upon unanimous electronic vote.

2008-09 Proposed Year-Round Calendar

District Relations presented to the board a recommendation to approve the proposed 2008-09 year-round calendar for the GCS Newcomers School, Kirkman Park Elementary, Oak Hill Elementary and Hampton Leadership Academy. The proposed 2008-09 year-round Calendar is in compliance with board guidelines and House Bill 1464 that outlines the criteria for public school calendars. The calendar was developed with input from each school’s leadership team and/or staff and has met with approval from the GCS Transportation Department.

This will represent the first year of a year-round calendar for the GCS Newcomers School and Kirkman Park Elementary. Research and articles on the benefits of year-round/extended-year calendars were shared with both school communities. The GCS Newcomers School community enthusiastically embraced a year-round model. However, when surveyed, the Kirkman Park School community responded to the possible change with the following results:

A survey conducted during a parent meeting yielded the following results:

• 37 said YES
• 19 said they would adapt to whatever decision
• 48 said NO

A telephone survey yielded the following results:

• 17 said YES
• 18 said NO
• 60 didn't respond at all

Kirkman Park Principal Karla Loria and Instructional Improvement Officer Gay Citty were available to answer questions from board members. There was concern expressed by board members that many parents will be opposed to the change at Kirkman Park to the year-round calendar. There was general agreement that this change may not be advisable at this point in time.

Motion was made by Nancy Routh, seconded by Darlene Garrett, to adopt the 2008-09 Proposed Year-Round Calendar for the GCS Newcomers School. The motion passed upon majority electronic vote of 10-to-1 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes, Garth Hébert, Dot Kearns, Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe; Nay – Amos Quick.

Motion was made by Nancy Routh, seconded by Darlene Garrett, to delay implementation of the year-round calendar at Kirkman Park Elementary for another year to allow time for additional planning and educating the community. The motion passed upon unanimous electronic vote.

Motion was made by Nancy Routh, seconded by Darlene Garrett, to adopt the 2008-09 Proposed Year-Round Calendar for Oak Hill Elementary School. The motion passed upon majority electronic vote of 10-to-1 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes, Dot Kearns, Amos Quick, Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe; Nay – Garth Hébert.

Motion was made by Nancy Routh, seconded by Darlene Garrett, to adopt the 2008-09 Proposed Year-Round Calendar for Hampton Leadership Academy subject to additional study based on the magnet report to the board which will be presented in June. The motion passed upon unanimous electronic vote.

Academic Improvement Update

Dr. Mack McCary, chief academic officer, and Dr. Beth Folger, chief curriculum and organizational development officer, presented to the board an update on academic improvement strategies.

Membership of HUB Advisory Committee

Sharon Ozment, chief financial officer, presented to the board a recommendation from the ad hoc committee of the board seeking approval of proposed members and approval to convene the first meeting of the GCS Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) Advisory Committee in late February to early March. Descriptions of the membership slots/categories and names of individuals proposed by the ad hoc committee of the board (Walter Childs, Deena Hayes and Amos Quick) were presented in the following categories:

• Two (2) members representing historically underutilized businesses - each such member shall be certified as a minority or women-owned business by a public entity based in the state of NC
• Two (2) members representing non-minority businesses (preferably one licensed general contractor and one designated as a small business, subcontractor or licensed electrical, plumbing or heating/ventilation contractor/construction firm)
• One (1) member representing an architectural design firm with demonstrated experience in the design of schools or educational facilities
• One (1) member with demonstrated experience working for private, nonprofit, small and underutilized construction businesses
• One (1) member with experience in underwriting surety bonds for construction firms
• One (1) member with experience in underwriting loans for small businesses and minority/women-owned businesses
• One (1) member representing the Guilford County Board of County Commissioners
• Two (2) members representing Guilford County Schools (GCS):
• one of whom is a member of the Guilford County Board of Education
• one member currently employed by GCS as coordinator for the historically underutilized business program in the area of construction

Chairman Duncan said that the board must be certain when assigning members to the committee that there will be no appearance of conflict. There was some concern that this could be the case with a couple of names on the recommended list of members because they have in the past or may presently be involved in a project or providing services within the district. Ms. Ozment provided information on the framework for the conditions of removal. One of the categories was Limitations which reads, “No member of the HUB Advisory Committee shall use his or her position on the committee in a manner that may constitute personal benefit or pledging the faith or contract awards for the Guilford County school system directly or indirectly. No member of the HUB Advisory Committee may use his or her position to influence contract awards to any firms or persons, and any such member found to violate this provision shall be removed from the committee.”

Attorney Wilson stated that she is not clear on the exact scope of this committee. Ms. Wilson suggested that a specific mission for this committee be defined that clarifies exactly what it will and will not do. If it is to simply provide suggestions for strategies to increase MWBE participation in a general form and not on any individual project or potential job, then the recommended membership is fine. Ms. Hayes stated that the purpose is, “to assist in efforts to foster economic development and to promote the creation of jobs among businesses determined as historically underutilized businesses.”

Board member Deena Hayes asked the board to table this item until the March 4 board meeting in order to clarify the scope of the committee and to ensure there will be no appearance of conflict of interest on any member’s part.

Board Discussion

Legislative Discussion

Chairman Duncan called on board member Dot Kearns, convener of the Legislative Committee, to lead the board in a discussion regarding legislative action items discussed at the Legislative Lunch meeting held on February 19, 2008.

Sales Tax Refund/Exemption
The first issue on the agenda was the sales tax exemption and the hope that there will be a bill to encompass that. In 2005-06 we would have saved $2,263,000 had there been an exemption of reimbursement on the North Carolina sales tax. The School Boards Association recommends that as the bills come forward that the board should simply ask for an exemption. An exemption is much easier for staff to work with than getting all the facts together for reimbursement. Ms. Kearns asked the board if they agree that the recommendation from the committee should be to favor an exemption of the North Carolina sales tax.

Motion was made by Dot Kearns, seconded by Jeff Belton, to support an exemption on the North Carolina sales tax. The motion passed upon majority electronic vote of 10-0-1 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes, Garth Hébert, Dot Kearns, Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe; Abstain – Amos Quick.

School Calendar Legislation
The second issue on the agenda was in regard to the school calendar. Several bills were presented last year, but the bill discussed at the February 19 lunch meeting is the only one that came forward and met with any success. It passed the House 77-35 and is now in the Senate Education Committee eligible for adoption by the Senate in the short session. In the GCS brochure last year, there were two items that spoke to the calendar. One was, “Ensure continued professional development for teachers by reinstating teacher workdays removed by NC calendar requirements or provide funding for stipends for training outside the contracted period.” The other bullet read, “Give boards of education the authority to establish school start and end dates within an expanded range of dates.” This bill (House Bill 359) allows more local control than is presently allowed. The issue seems to be whether it is better to leave things like they are and operate within the tight timeframe currently set, or is it better to get the relief offered in this bill.

Section 1 of HB 359 allows the State Board of Education to grant system-wide waivers of the opening and closing dates for public schools for any of the following educational purposes:

• To align the calendar with that of a community college or university in the geographic area
• To adjust the examination schedule to benefit students or to accommodate advanced placement and international baccalaureate examinations
• Accommodate the implementation of block scheduling

Ms. Kearns asked board members for their thoughts on whether they wish to support HB 359 because it gives more flexibility to the school calendar.

Motion was made by Walter Childs, seconded by Anita Sharpe, to support House Bill 359, which would restore flexibility to the school calendar. The motion passed upon majority electronic vote of 7-to-4 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Alan Duncan, Deena Hayes, Amos Quick, Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe; Nays - Kris Cooke, Darlene Garrett, Garth Hébert and Dot Kearns.

School Board Autonomy Through Fiscal Accountability
The third issue on the agenda was the bill (HB 1740) related to taxing authority for local boards. Ms. Kearns’ assessment of the bill is that it is a state-wide bill which gives each school district the opportunity to levy taxes for their district if their county commissioners agree that they are to have that authority. Both boards have to pass a resolution agreeing that the school system would levy their own taxes. The board would use the county’s assessment for the valuation of property, and the school board could hire its own tax collector or it could work with the county to have the county tax collector do this. It works very much like the cities, which would also get a portion of the sales tax as would the school district as well as the county commissioners.

For the boards that now have taxing authority, even in the states where some boards have it and some do not, the tax rate has not been increased as a result of the school board having its own levy. In the first year, which would be 2009-10, the local board shall levy a rate that is no more than the highest per-student appropriation of the previous three fiscal years plus an amount to cover the cost of living increase. Chief Financial Officer Sharon Ozment calculated that the 2007-08 year was the highest year for current expense per pupil. That would be the starting point plus cost of living increase for the first year, with that stipulation no longer in effect after the first year.

Chairman Duncan said the process on this issue is twofold. The first is whether the board supports this bill. The second is whether the board should not support this bill but support the concept with a different set of terms to be worked on than set forth in HB 1740.

Motion was made by Dot Kearns, seconded by Kris Cooke, to support HB 1740. The motion failed upon majority electronic vote of 7-to-4 as follows: Nays – Walter Childs, Alan Duncan, Deena Hayes, Garth Hébert, Amos Quick, Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe; Ayes – Jeff Belton, Kris Cooke, Darlene Garrett and Dot Kearns.

Motion was made by Anita Sharpe, seconded by Walter Childs, that the board support the concept of school boards having taxing authority. The motion passed upon majority electronic vote of 9-to-2 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Garth Hébert, Dot Kearns, Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe; Nays – Deena Hayes and Amos Quick.

Search Process for New Superintendent

Chairman Duncan led the board in a discussion regarding the search process for a new superintendent. Board members reviewed and finalized the list of desired characteristics presented at the February 7 board meeting. This list will be posted on the GCS Web site for public comment and feedback.

There was discussion regarding the scheduling of public meetings in the community to begin sometime in March. The schedule should include meetings at several different times of day, different venues and different locations throughout the county. Chairman Duncan said that all board members are not required to attend every meeting. District Relations will coordinate the meeting schedule. The desire is have nine meetings during the March timeframe (possibly three in the City of Greensboro, three in the City of High Point and three in the county).

Two additional topics Chairman Duncan brought up for discussion include whether some form of a search firm be employed to assist in the superintendent search and if there should be an application process in place which will include an application form.

Attorney Jill Wilson explained that boards have performed searches totally on their own before. The primary benefit is financial. However, the primary risk is that it is difficult to preserve confidentiality. An outside place is needed for people to be able to make inquiries without making it obvious to other employees. It is important for applicants to feel like it is a confidential process. It is also difficult for lay people to do criminal background checks and some of the other administrative services that are required by a search.

The next tier of potential help in order of cost and involvement would be an organization like the School Boards Association, which charges approximately $7,500 plus expenses to perform background checks, act as the depository for information and perform confidential administrative tasks.

Another track is to use a headhunter-type firm (a human relations firm). There are several in town that have made their services known for potential consideration. The disadvantage to a firm that does not specialize in school boards is that they do not have immediate information on who is available, what positions are open, what is the history and background of potential candidates, etc. as does the School Boards Association.

The last tier is a professional search firm that focuses on superintendent searches. They are attuned to a more national scope of applicants who might be interested in moving from different jobs. They have a more comprehensive pool of information and sources than any of the other services described. Costs would be in the range of $40,000 plus expenses.

Ms. Wilson recommended that the board hire an outside entity of some sort to perform background checks and to have a secure place to make inquiries so that applicants can be assured confidentiality. If confidentiality of the applicants is not protected early in the process, the board will not get many applicants.

Board discussion followed with the decision made to hold a special board meeting whereby firms can present their information to the board so that the board can go forward with a decision on what type of assistance is preferred. Board members provided suggested names of national and local search firms to be included in this meeting.

Motion was made by Kris Cooke, seconded by Jeff Belton, for the board to hear presentations from the School Boards Association and two to three other national firms which specialize in education searches.

A substitute motion was made by Deena Hayes, seconded by Walter Childs, which incorporates the initial motion made by Kris Cooke and added search groups qualified for educational searches in Guilford County including Signature Placements and the HR Group. The motion passed upon majority electronic vote of 8-to-3 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes, Dot Kearns, Amos Quick and Nancy Routh; Nays – Kris Cooke, Garth Hébert and Anita Sharpe.

The board further discussed the scheduling of meetings for community feedback. The consensus was to delay scheduling the community meetings until the decision is made on whether or not to utilize a search firm.

Closed Session

At 11:09 p.m., motion was made by Deena Hayes, seconded by Anita Sharpe, to go into closed session to preserve the attorney/client privilege, to discuss personnel matters protected by state law and to give instruction to our attorney and staff regarding the price or other material term to be contained in a proposed contract for the purchase of real property. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote.

Board member Amos Quick departed the meeting at 11:10 p.m.

The board returned to open session at 11:45 p.m.

Attorney Jill Wilson reported that board members have received an offer in the amount of $1,300,000 from the YMCA of Greensboro to purchase the parking lot located at 505 West Sycamore Street in Greensboro, which is next to the Kathleen Price Bryan Branch facility. In the event the board chooses to accept that offer, the board must move to accept the offer contingent on declaring the property surplus and offering it first to the Guilford County Board of Commissioners, as required by statute. The county commissioners can choose to accept the fair market value of that offer and keep the property or reject it, in which case the board will advertise that offer and pursue the upset bid process pursuant to statute.

Motion was made by Dot Kearns, seconded by Walter Childs, to approve the action as stated in the above paragraph by Attorney Jill Wilson. The motion passed upon majority electronic vote of 7-to-3 as follows: Ayes – Jeff Belton, Walter Childs, Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes and Dot Kearns; Nays – Garth Hébert, Nancy Routh and Anita Sharpe.

Board Comments

Board members were each allowed two minutes to make remarks, as they deemed appropriate.

Adjournment

With no further business, at 11:49 p.m., motion was made by Kris Cooke, seconded by Jeff Belton, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote.