Background material for each agenda item is available online under the Board Meeting Materials link

Consent Agenda
The board approved the following items on the consent agenda:

• Personnel Action Reports
• Budget Amendments and Transfers

Staff Reports

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.

2006-07 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)
A representative from Dixon Hughes presented to the board the audit report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.

Construction Update
Andy LaRowe, executive director of facilities, presented to the board an update on the district’s construction projects.

• Contractual Agreement with Samet Corporation for Phase I of the Union Hill Elementary School Project
  The board approved to award a contract to Samet Corporation in the amount of $199,460 for Phase I of the Union Hill Elementary School project, as presented by Leo Bobadilla, chief operations officer.      

• Contractual Agreement with New Atlantic Contracting Co. for Pre-Construction Services of SCALE Project in the Dean B. Pruette Educational Facility
  The board approved to award a contract to New Atlantic Company for pre-construction services of the SCALE - High Point school located in the Dean B. Pruette Educational Facility in the amount of $17,500, as presented by Leo Bobadilla, chief operations officer.

Approval of Contracts for Mowing of Various School Grounds
The board approved 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, as presented by John Mann, purchasing officer.

2008-09 Proposed Year-Round Calendar
The board approved the proposed 2008-09 year-round calendar for the GCS Newcomers School, Oak Hill Elementary and Hampton Leadership Academy, as presented by Sonya Conway, chief district relations officer. Kirkman Park Elementary was not approved to adopt the year-round calendar for the 2008-09 school year.

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
The board engaged in discussion regarding the GCS HUB Advisory Committee, as presented by Sharon Ozment, chief financial officer. The board agreed to table continued discussion of the committee following development of a statement of scope that outlines specific responsibilities of the committee.

Board Discussion

Legislative Discussion
Chairman Duncan called on board member Dot Kearns, convenor of the Legislative Committee, to lead the board in a discussion regarding legislative action items. The board approved support of a sales tax refund exemption for local school districts as is currently afforded to other government entities and support of House Bill359, which would restore flexibility to the school calendar. The board also voted to support the concept of fiscal accountability of local boards of education in having taxing authority.

Search Process for New Superintendent
Chairman Duncan led the board in a continued discussion regarding the search process for a new superintendent. Desired criteria for a new superintendent were approved and will be posted online for public comment. The board also decided to accept proposals from national and local search firms with specialization in education recruitment. Once a firm is identified, nine community meetings will be scheduled to solicit community feedback regarding the proposed criteria for a new superintendent.

Guilford County Board of Education meetings are broadcast live on GCSTV 2 (cable channel 2) and re-air the day after the meeting at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and the Saturday following the meeting at 1 p.m.