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

Recognitions

GCS Employee of the Month for July 2008
The board recognized Steven Snider, Pearce Elementary teacher, as the Guilford County Schools’ July Employee of the Month.

2008 NEA-Saturn/UAW Partnership Award
The board recognized Susan Phillips, induction support coach, Jane Higgins, induction support coach, Martha Snavely, executive director of induction and success/professional development and Guilford County Association of Educators President Mark Jewell, who received the 2008 NEA-Saturn/UAW Partnership Award.  

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

• Meeting Minutes
• Personnel Action Reports

Staff Reports

Title I Parent Participation in Conferences
Dr. Don Hare, executive director of federal and special programs, and Kelly Hales, director of Title I, presented to the board information regarding Title I parent participation in conferences.  

Intervention for Non-Proficient Readers in Middle School (Read 180)
The board approved Read 180 as a reading intervention program for the district’s middle school students, as presented by Dr. Beth Folger, chief curriculum and organizational development officer.

Innovative Programs Update – High School Ahead and Twilight School
Dr. John Morris, chief student services officer, presented to the board an update on the High School Ahead and Twilight School.  

Magnet and High School Options School-by-School Review and Needs Assessment
Tony Burks, director of magnet and choice schools, presented to the board a school-by-school review and needs assessment report of the existing magnet schools and programs. 

Construction Items
Contractual Agreement with Samet Corporation for Phase III of the Union Hill Elementary School
The board approved a contract with Samet Corporation for construction management at risk services in the amount of $8,999,692 for Union Hill Elementary School, Phase III.

Contracts for Smith High Gymnasium HVAC
The board approved a contract with Trane of Greensboro, NC for the purchase of equipment in the amount of $149,073 and a contract with Kay Heating and Air Conditioning of Greensboro, NC for the installation of the equipment in the amount of $440,000 for the Smith High Gymnasium air conditioning project at a total cost of $589,073.

Board Discussion

First Reading – Policy JHB, Gang Education and Prevention
The board approved the first reading of Policy JHB, Gang Education and Prevention.

Search Process for New Superintendent
Chairman Duncan led the board in a continued discussion regarding the search process 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.