Dr. Denita Dowell-Reavis
Director of Communications
Alexander County Schools
The Alexander County Board of Education met Tuesday evening and approved plans to begin a process to reduce staff in the system.
Reduction in Force
The board decided to go ahead with the recommendation from the finance committee to reduce 22 positions for a savings of nearly $1.5 million dollars. Member Brigette Rhyne questioned why the board would consider the personnel cuts when they’ve not met with the Alexander County Commission to ask for more money. Several of the board members weighed in on the potential. Chair Robert Arguelles said, “I don’t think there’s people here who don’t want to collaborate.” He continued that the board’s decision to avoid considering cuts was “failing as a board.” Vice Chair Reese suggested planning for the 22 positions while talking with the board of commissioners saying, “We didn’t get where we are overnight.” Rhyne suggested that retirements and the sale of the Old Wittenburg property would get the district back where it needed to be financially for the 2024-25 school year. She said there was “no need to disrupt lives and families.” Rhyne insisted on meeting with the commissioners before they planned for the 22 cuts saying, “We need to step back” and to “put the brakes on laying off employees.” Board members Scott Bowman said they should not talk about “slashing our employees” before the district has a new superintendent. Dr. Jennifer Hefner is retiring July 1st. Eventually, the members approved asking Hefner to make plans for the reduction in force.
School Facilities Report
Chair of the school facilities committee, Scott Bowman, reported the district has a buyer for the Old Wittenburg property. The facilities committee recommended back in October to put the property up for sale. The building’s assessed value is $1.37 million and was originally built in 1948. There is an additional lot on 1.5 acres worth nearly $34,000 at the property. An engineering consultant estimated getting rid of the building and cleaning up lead and asbestos would be more expensive than selling the property untouched. The board members agreed to have the district sell the property as is instead of tearing down the existing building. The buyer is the Parallax Development group for a price tag of $600,000.
Superintendent Search
The board approved The Masonboro Group, a law firm based in Wilmington, to conduct the superintendent search. The company had presented information to board chair Robert Arguelles that they could have a superintendent hired and contracted by April 2th for $18,500. The quote from the company was $18,500. The board voted four to three to use the Masonboro. Vice Chair Matt Reese will work on a committee to be a liaison between the firm and the board. Board members Ramie Robinson and Brigette Rhyne will help Reese communicate between the board and the firm.
Board Chair Robert Arguelles had presented four options to conduct the search for a superintendent with a cost ranging up to $30,000. The board considered proposals from four agencies. Each of the proposals would have board members interview 3-5 candidates. Dr. Jennifer Hefner announced she is retiring July 1st after 10 years in the position.
In other action:
Honors and Recognition
Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Hefner recognized two teachers who’ve earned their National Board Certification and 11 more who renewed theirs. The Alexander County teachers add their names to the list of other teachers in North Carolina, which ranks first in the country for the number of Nationally Board Certified Teachers. According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NCPTA), twenty-four percent of North Carolina teachers have earned the certification. The teachers learned late last fall whether they’d earned the credentials.
Those who newly earned the certification:
Dixie Caskaddon, East Alexander Middle School
Donald Robinette, West Alexander Middle School
Below are the teachers who renewed their National Boards this fall:
Joshua Bowles, Alexander Central High School
Scottie Cook, Alexander Central High School
Kimberly Burgess Curry, Sugar Loaf Elementary School
Natasha Haas, Alexander Central High School
Heidi Hefner, West Alexander Middle School
Tyler Mitchell, Alexander Central High School
Sonya Teague, Bethlehem Elementary School
Adam Walker, Alexander Central High School
Jennifer Weddington, Alexander Central High School
Christina Williams, Bethlehem Elementary School
Michael Mays, West Alexander Middle School
Dr. Hefner also honored Danielle Ortiz from Bethlehem Elementary. Ortiz recently received a $42,000 grant to redo her classroom from a classroom furniture company. Ortiz was competing against two other teachers on the Eastern side of the US for the award. Principal intern Kat Seno and Bethlehem principal Charles Draper aided in her efforts. Ortiz was able to win through a public vote, which was published statewide since she was the only contestant in NC. The new furniture will replace some more than 20 years old and she hopes it will make the room more functional for the students.
Lastly, Dr. Hefner recognized Mara Hollar from Ellendale Elementary School. Ms. Hollar is currently going to Gardner Webb University, in addition to working with ACS full-time, as she works to earn a teaching degree. Hollar has earned tuition reimbursements from local funding called ACAT. The Alexander County Aspiring Teachers program hopes to support teaching assistants while they work towards earning a state license. The goal is then for those staff members to work in Alexander County as teachers.
Ellendale Elementary
Principal Katie Nash presented about the goals and mission of Ellendale Elementary. The school has 201 students with 12 teachers and four specialists (counselors, social workers, nurses, etc). The school is working to improve academics, attendance and family and community engagement. Nash also told the board that she is highlighting students for the habit of the month as part of the school’s Leader in Me training. Leader in Me is based on Stephen Covey’s program to train students to advocate for themselves. The school also celebrated Veteran’s Day with an assembly and “Fall into Reading” night to promote literacy. Lastly, Nash thanked the school’s partners including Antioch Baptist Church, Horace Mann, and Victory Car Wash.
Student Success Center
Student Success Center Coordinator Amy Johnson reported on progress at her location. The center houses five teachers, one teaching assistant and part-time help for social workers and counselors. The number of students fluctuate at SSC since the space is designed for students who have difficulty in the traditional setting. Often, the students need more help managing their emotions and behavior than other students. The site’s goals include trying to reduce the number of out-of-school suspension days. Johnson was also able to talk about the center’s success of transitioning students with behavioral problems back to their traditional school, the end goal for students, teachers, and administrators. So far this year, six students have moved back to their home school. Students and staff at SSC are also working on the goals of teamwork and community service.
Mid-Year Assessments
Dr. Betsy Curry, Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction presented the information from mid-year testing. According to IReady, the assessment company ACS uses for informal checks of learning, shows Alexander County Schools students in kindergarten through second grade on par with their peers nationally and in North Carolina for reading. The brighter news for Alexander County Schools came in third through eighth grade where fewer local students are receiving “below” or “well below” marks on the tests. The local numbers are compared to state and national testing. For growth in reading, the numbers range from 40% to 88% of students are making the expected growth in iReady.
In math, IReady shows students on pace with their peers. In particular, third grade and sixth grade math looks positive in Alexander County Schools compared to those across the state and nation. For expected growth in math, anywhere from 44% to 72% of students are growing as expected depending on the school they attend.
Overall, both math and reading through IReady have improved district wide since the beginning of the year. More students are considered at or above grade level in both compared to their scores in August. Teachers use Iready data and other tests to update their lesson plans and tailor instruction for small groups. The window for this round of latest testing opened up January 8th.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Jennifer Hefner reported that the Child Nutrition department has received more than a $33,000 in grant to expand breakfast offerings. The department is also observing Breakfast Week March 4-8. Lastly, ACS was chosen to host the NC K-12 Culinary Institute this summer,
Also, Hefner told the board that the district is getting a tobacco trust fund grant to expand the Career and Technical Education Program with a prize of more than $18,000. The CTE program was also just highlighted in the NC Association of Superintendents Newsletter for the Mobile Career Lab. The lab goes to schools to teach elementary construction, healthcare, pet care, and more. Hefner also promoted the CTE auction being held online that started February 13th. The proceeds from the auction will help fund projects in the department.
Dr. Hefner also gave an update on the construction project at Sugar Loaf Elementary. The building of the new gymnasium is making progress but had some minor delays due to weather in January. The company still projects to finish on time and be ready for the students in the fall. In January of last year, the state awarded $5.3 million dollars for the project. Upgrading the gym is part of a five-year facility improvement plan for the district.
Finally, Dr. Hefner presented that the Family Academy had great response from parents, community members and staff. The steering committee meets later this week to look at the input from the groups and to plan the content that will be included in the Family Academy.
School Board Policies
The board unanimously approved the following policy revision presented by Chief Financial Officer Ms. Sharon Mehaffey for second reading.
Policy No. 4040/7310 – Staff-Student Relations
Policy No. 4110 – Immunization and Health Requirements for School Admission
Policy No. 4240/7312 – Child Abuse and Related Threats to Child Safety
The board also heard first reading for five policies and will hear these again with feedback next month.
Policy No. 1310/4002 – Parental Involvement
Policy No. 4342 – Student Searches
Policy No. 4720 – Surveys of Students
Policy No. 5210 – Distribution and Display of Non-School Material
Policy No. 8325 – Daily Deposits
Alexander County Board Policies are available for review by the public at www.alexander.k12.nc.us or by appointment at the Alexander County Board of Education Office on Liledoun Road, Taylorsville, North Carolina.