ASHEBORO - Prior to their regularly-scheduled board meeting, the Asheboro City Board of Education approved the proposed 2022-2023 budget which includes a 4.75 percent increase ($300,000) to the school district’s Local Current Expense Budget to cover continuation costs, and a $100,000 increase to the Capital Outlay Budget to support the district’s 10-Year Facilities Plan. Superintendent Dr. Aaron Woody will now take this approved budget to the Randolph County Commissioners on May 31. The Board anticipates hearing from the Randolph County Commissioners in June.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., Chairman Michael B. Smith welcomed all in attendance for the board’s monthly meeting. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Charles W. McCrary Elementary School students, Trase McIntryre and Carson Shutt. After approving the agenda as presented, the meeting then moved into the Special Recognition and Presentations portion of the meeting.
Special Recognition and Presentations
Principal of Charles W. McCrary Elementary School, Chris Burian, presented the School Spotlight which featured information about the school’s newest extracurricular club, the Boys Lacrosse Club, led by Physical Education teacher, Steve Watson. Students from the Boys Lacrosse Club were in attendance and they shared with the Board how this club has inspired and enriched their lives.
The next recognition was the Community Partner Spotlight which was awarded to Zeko’s Pizza for their support of Charles W. McCrary Elementary school community. Mr. Ahmed Bahjat and Ms. Shaymaa Shokry, owners of Zeko’s Pizza have shown appreciation for teachers by providing staff lunches and discounts, plus they support the school’s PTO by hosting PTO fundraiser nights where a portion of their proceeds goes to support the PTO’s initiatives.
The Points of Pride report followed and highlighted:
The Asheboro High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band which earned “Superior” ratings at the North Carolina High School Music Performance Adjudication.
The Asheboro High School Concert Choir and Park Street Ensemble which earned “Excellent” ratings at the North Carolina High School Music Performance Adjudication.
The North Asheboro Middle School Band which earned an overall rating of “Excellent” at the North Carolina Middle School Music Performance Adjudication.
The South Asheboro Middle School Eighth-Grade Chorus which earned an overall rating of “Excellent” for their performance in the North Carolina Middle School Music Performance Adjudication.
The Charles W. McCrary Elementary School Battle of the Books team won the district competition and advanced to the regional competition on May 7.
Asheboro High School senior, Cadet Col. Luke Hurley, who has received and accepted an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy.
South Asheboro Middle School student, Helen Britt, who has been selected for the Step Up to STEM summer program through the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM).
Charles W. McCrary Elementary School fifth-grade student, Evelyn Lopez Cuevas, for winning the ACS Future Chef Culinary Competition.
Lindley Park Elementary School principal, Mrs. Nikki Domally, for receiving the Elbert K. Fretwell Outstanding Educator Award from the Old North State Council, the local council of the Boy Scouts of America.
ACS Director of Student Services, Dr. Drew Maerz, for receiving the Silver Beaver Award, which is the highest recognition given from a local council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Following Points of Pride, the district recognized each school-level Teacher of the Year. This year’s candidates for district Teacher of the Year include:
Misty Hildreth, Asheboro High School
Valencia Williams, Balfour Elementary School
Kathleen Gee, Charles W. McCrary Elementary School
Heather Carr, Donna Lee Loflin Elementary School
Erica Rosencrans, Early Childhood Development Center
Angie Scott, Guy B. Teachey Elementary School
Karen Moss, Lindley Park Elementary School
Catherine Davis, North Asheboro Middle School
Kristen Toscano, South Asheboro Middle School
Dr. Maerz concluded Special Recognition and Presentations by recognizing a number of student athletes from Asheboro High School’s Wrestling Team. Coaches Wesley and Jacob Berrier shared how proud they were of their student-athletes for their sportsmanship, as well as their discipline on and off the wrestling mat. Student-athletes in attendance included: Luke Lambeth, Logan Lambeth, and Xavier Santos.
Superintendent’s Report
Following Special Recognitions and Presentations, Dr. Aaron Woody, Superintendent delivered the Superintendent’s Report in which he shared information about an event being hosted by the Russell E. Murphy Football Camp organization on Saturday, April 23 in the McCrary gym in downtown Asheboro at 3 p.m. The event is in collaboration with the camp, the City of Asheboro, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina Highway Patrol, and the Asheboro Fire and Police departments. At this event, free food will be provided and students will hear from US Attorney General, Sandra Hairston, about gangs and bullying.
Dr. Woody also expressed great appreciation for Bishop Michael Trogdon of Kingdom Life Church who has recently been hosting a voluntary prayer time with teachers at Asheboro High School. During these sessions, Bishop Trogdon has brought an encouraging word for staff and then prayed over the entire school community. Anyone is welcome to attend. The next prayer session will be on Tuesday, April 19 at 4 p.m. in the courtyard of Asheboro High School.
To conclude his Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Woody shared information about a Federal Programs audit the district was selected to participate in on Thursday, April 7. At the closing meeting, Department of Public Instruction auditors, Mr. James Popp and Dr. Masa Kinsey-Shipp were more than complimentary about what they witnessed in our schools. "As I walked through your schools, it was evident how everyone was using their time effectively and students were engaged in learning. The culture of your buildings was purposeful and intentional. It was endearing; a thing of beauty. I would be happy to put any one of my children in Asheboro City Schools,” said Dr. Masa Kinsey-Shipp.
Public Comments
There were no requests to address the Board.
Consent Agenda:
The Board then moved to unanimously approve the Consent Agenda which included minutes from the March Board of Education meeting as well as minutes from the Legislative Breakfast on March 25. The Consent Agenda also included personnel transactions and two budget amendments (S-03 and F-03).
Information, Reports, and Recommendations:
Dr. Maerz then presented nine policies for 30-day review and he shared information with the Board about our Student Wellness Policy. ACS Finance Officer, Sandra Spivey, followed by sharing an update on the district’s facilities plans and the Asheboro High School renovation project. The final information report was presented by Public Information Officer, Leigh Anna Marbert, which included a request made by Mrs. Domally to name the media center at Lindley Park Elementary School after retired teacher and Lindley Park legend, Mrs. Marie Boone. Per Board Policy 9300, the request will be up for 30-day public review. At the May meeting, the superintendent will ask the Board to take action on this request.
Action Items
Following Information, Reports, and Recommendations, board members unanimously approved the 2023-2024 school calendar, a design build HVAC contract, and to continue with masks optional for students and staff for another month. The Board also approved the 2022-2026 strategic plan with a vote of 7-2.
Board Operations:
In Board Operations, Chairman Smith discussed a number of calendar events including:
April 11-15: Spring Break
Monday, April 18: Optional Teacher Workday
Monday, April 25: Asheboro High School Cap and Gown Runway, 10 a.m. at each elementary school
Wednesday, May 11: Early Release for Students
Thursday, May 12: Asheboro City Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m. at NAMS Theater
In their final order of business, board members who attended the National School Board Association conference in San Diego, CA, shared about their experiences and takeaways.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:58 p.m.
The Asheboro City Board of Education will meet for their May meeting on Thursday, May 12, 2022 in the auditorium at North Asheboro Middle School. An agenda for the meeting will be posted by Monday, May 9, 2022. Should you have any questions, please contact Clerk to the Board, Angel Etheridge at 336-625-5104.
###