DCS board discusses variety of topics
On Monday, October 5, the Davidson County Schools (DCS) Board of Education held their regularly scheduled meeting for the month. The meeting was held at Davis-Townsend Elementary School.
Per the agenda, the topics of discussion would address COVID-19 data and funding. Also included were human resource updates, requests for curriculum, instructional and operational funding, superintendent’s updates, a bonus recommendation for all school system employees the mask mandate decision.
Chairman Alan Beck opened the meeting which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Following the moment of silence Beck announced the first portion of the meeting would be closed to the public and everyone was asked to leave the meeting room.
The reasons listed for the closed meeting according to the DCS website stated the following:
To prevent disclosure of information that is confidential or privileged [NCGS § 143-318.1l(a)(l)]
To consult with the board attorney and protect the attorney-client privilege [NCGS § 143-318.11(a)(3)]
To consider the qualifications, competence, performance, condition of appointment of a public
officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee [NCGS § 143-318.11(a)(6)]
Attendees congregated in the hall outside of the meeting room and immediately began discussing their grievances and concerns with one another. At one point everyone joined hands as Tripp Kester, who recently announced his candidacy for commissioner, led everyone in prayer. Emotionally charged conversations in the hall continued as the DCS board conducted their closed meeting for approximately 45 minutes. Everyone was then allowed to return for the remainder of the meeting.
Lillian Koontz, director of the Davidson County Health Department spoke about the booster clinic they will be providing for DCS staff members and gave an updated report on COVID-19 numbers for Davidson County.
Before allowing public comments, Beck, reminded those in attendance what would and wouldn’t be tolerated from those wishing to address the board.
A total of 9 attendees addressed the board with their concerns for their allotted three minutes. Concerns expressed centered around the mask policy, laws, constitutional rights, COVID-19 facts, athletic eligibility requirements and the teaching of CRT in Davidson County schools
Elementary School Media Coordinator, Rhonda Florence expressed her gratitude to the board for their current mandated masks decision, saying “There are very few staff members willing to come here around all of these unmasked people, risking bringing COVID back into their classrooms, because the most important thing to our faculty is having every child in their classroom everyday.”
Scott Ford addressed the board with his concerns of CRT being taught in DCS, “It’s the job of parents to teach sociology to their children. Not the employees of this county. You can't enforce or legislate peace and harmony, so I believe we should stop trying. Equality among peers will accomplish that.”
Sheila Blower, an associate professor at Guilford Tech Community College, stated, “COVID-19 is ridiculous. Mask Mandates are ridiculous. They are not law. Tthey are not required to survive. When you look at me and say, you're not wearing a mask, I am wearing a mask, it's inside me. I call it my immune system. Something God gave me to protect me.”
Superintendent Dr. Emily Lipe discussed the COVID-19 data and the decline in the district among both students and staff. With unanimous vote, no change or amendment to the DCS mask mandate was made. It will be revisited at next month’s meeting.
Chief Finance Officer Tyler Beck presented the school board with an update on current COVID-19 funding.
Executive Director of Operations Chris Johnston and Director of Transportation Gary Buie, received approvals from the board for the following operations: Synovia Lease Agreement, Purchase of 42 passenger activity bus, Driver Education car purchase, and Northwest Elementary mechanical room addition.
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Deana Coley, received approvals for the following curriculum and instruction requests: Infinium Health Services Agreement and Certiport Credential CTE purchase for 2021-2022
Lipe made a recommendation to the school board for a bonus to be issued for all school system employees. She explained the goal of this bonus is to reward, retain, and recruit employees. The school board voted unanimously to approve a bonus of $4500 for all full-time employees and a $2250 bonus to all part time employees. The bonus is scheduled to be paid out in two increments-in October and June.
The superintendent also took this time to extend condolences, and sympathy to the family, friends, staff and community of Central Davidson Middle School teacher Billie Jo Coleman, who passed away on September 18 after battling COVID-19.
The next DCS board meeting is scheduled for November 1 at 6:30p.m.
