BY KARISSA MILLER
Members of the community packed the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education meeting Monday night at the Career Academy and Technical School in Troutman.
The three-hour meeting, which included an audit summary, student recognitions, policy updates and purchases for approval, featured a number of presentations about what teachers are doing to ensure student success.
During the public comment period, Miranda Bell expressed her dissatisfaction with the way two board members conducted themselves at a past board meeting. Last month, board member Brian Sloan said during a break during a meeting that he could be principal at Statesville High School following a presentation by school administrators. Vice Chair Mike Kubiniec offended district staff and teachers by stating his view that poverty shouldn’t be used as an excuse for low-performing schools.
“How would you run Statesville High? What would you do different that’s not already being done?” Bell asked.
Bell closed by stating, “You do not only represent yourself, not only the district you serve, but you represent Iredell-Statesville Schools.”
She asked that they promote “healthy, open conversation” in the future.
Another speaker, Tom Snyder, told the board that he is volunteering at N.B. Mills Elementary by reading to students. He described it as a rewarding experience and thanked board member Abby Trent for getting him involved.
Speaker Paula Mimnaugh had a series of questions for the board. She wanted to know if school counselors were going to be in every school. If so, what are the specific problems they will address? Are they going to be working with all students? Will parents have to sign a release before that is done? What is I-SS’ stance on transgenders?
Following the public comment period, the board heard a presentation from accounting firm Strickland Hardee PLLC on the June 30, 2022 audited financial statements. According to accountant Travis Hearty, I-SS received an “unmodified opinion” on its finances, which means the district received the highest marks on its financial reporting.
The report showed that the Local Current Expense Fund increased fund balance by $1,425,638. The Capital Outlay Fund decreased fund balance by $708,473. Finally, the Other Special Revenue fund increased fund balance by $416,363. Child Nutrition had profit of $4,007,095, which was a direct result of the universal free lunch. Prime Time had a profit of $339,204 from operations.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other matters, the board:
♦ Heard a presentation on literacy instruction called LETRS or Language Essentials for Teacher of Reding & Spelling. I-SS Executive Director of Elementary Education Jonathan Ribbeck said that all elementary teachers in K-5 are getting trained in LETRS. Professional development consists of face-to-face and virtual training sessions, online modules and real classroom application activities. It’s based on the “Science of Reading” and is required as part of Senate Bill 387.
♦ Approved the purchase of two chiller replacements at East Iredell Middle, one at Lakeshore Elementary and two at Lake Norman High. The total cost is $1,001,798. According to I-SS Maintenance, Technology and Facilities Officer Tim Ivey, the projects were identified in the district’s Facilities Condition Assessment and funding will come from the 2022-2023 Capital Funds budget.
♦ Approved minor changes and updates to Policy #3226/4205: Internet Safety. The Internet Safety policy provides basic definitions for materials that shouldn’t be accessed on a student computer as well as procedures for students and employees to follow if they believe web content has been improperly blocked by the school systems’ filter.
♦ Approved minor changes and updates to Policy #3225/4312/7320: Technology Responsible Use. The policy outlines expectations and rules for students to follow while using school issued computers. In addition, the student’s parent must consent to the student accessing the Internet and to the school system monitoring the student’s Internet activity and electronic mailbox issued by the school system.