BY DEBBIE PAGE
The Mooresville Graded School District School Board approved fee increases, the school nutrition procurement process, nutrition and technology bids, and heard a report on the district’s drug testing program during the past school year at its meeting on Tuesday night.
The board also honored two conference championship teams and presented an employee recognition for exceptional performance.
Random Suspicionless Drug Testing (RDST) Program
Director of Safety Mark Reddick presented information about the random suspicionless drug testing (RSDT) program and reported on the data from this past school year.
In August of 2018 MGSD implemented a random student drug testing due to substance abuse and alcohol use concerns nationwide among youth, including those in the district. MGSD committed to addressing the substance abuse problem head-on.
The intention of the program is to help students by identifying problems and offering assistance and resources to ensure students are safe, as well as providing information to parents so that they can take appropriate steps to assist their child.
District officials believe the program motivates students to resist negative peer pressure and have a good reason to “say no” to drugs and alcohol. The program also helps remove the stigma of drug use and abuse from those students who do not use drugs and produce students who can serve as role models who influence their peers to lead healthy and responsible lives.
The RSDT program aims to educate, deter, and support students involved in substance and alcohol abuse, identify those in need of assistance, provide counseling, ensure safety in extracurricular activities, and foster a drug-free environment that assists the district’s drug education efforts.
All students in grades 6-12 who desire to participate in athletics, extracurricular activities, or park on campus must agree to participate in the RSDT program.
Participation in the program is mandatory only for students who elect to participate in these voluntary activities, which are a privilege. Random drug testing program is not required to attend school or enroll in any class.
However, every middle or high school student is subject to district policy which prohibits the possession, use, transmission and being under the influence of drugs and alcohol while at school or at an off-campus school activity.
A contracted test administrator and a medical review officer administers the program. School personnel are not directly involved in the ten-panel urine or saliva testing or sample handling. To ensure fairness and transparency, eligible students are randomly selected.
After a positive substance use test, students are not suspended from school nor are legal authorities notified, and students are not be penalized academically for testing positive for illegal drugs or banned substances.
The positive test is reported to parents, Reddick as the superintendent’s testing coordinator, the school principal, and the coach or activity sponsor. The student must complete an evidence-based substance use education program and have a negative retest at parent’s expense to regain eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities and be reinstated.
Random drug testing is conducted as frequently as possible during the academic year; dates and times of testing are not announced in advance. Parents can also opt in for their children to be included in the opportunity for testing as well.
Board Chair Greg Whitfield asked about formal follow up with kids who tested positive but learned there was none.
Board member Debbie Marsh expressed concern about vaping dangerous substances, asking if a student caught vaping could be tested.
Superintendent Jason Gardner said the district cannot test students without parental approval, but the district can look for possible options to expand the RSDT program if the board desires.
2023-2024 DATA
During the 2023-2024 school year, 258 students underwent testing. Out of this group,137 students (53%) were female and 121 students (47%) were male. At Mooresville Hight,166 (64%) were tested, with 45 (17%) tested at Mooresville Middle, and 47 (18%) at Selma Burke Middle..
Of those tested, 173 students were white (67%), 48 black (19%), 11 multiple race (4%), 21 Hispanic (8%), and three American Indian (1%).
Among those tested, seven students (2.8%) were positive for an illegal drug. One was a middle school student and six were high school students.
Cost of implementation was $7,482 ($28 per student) for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Last year, nine students tested positive, with one student testing positive in 2021-2022, no testing conducted in 2020-2021 due to COVID-19 closures, three students positive in 2019-2020, and four students positive in 2018-2019.
SCHOOL NUTRITION PROCUREMENT PLAN
The board unanimously approved the extensive school nutrition procurement program presented by Chief Financial Officer Angie Davis.
“Our department does a great job of following this to the letter of the law,” Davis said.
North Carolina public school nutrition programs are legally required to have a procurement plan in place which outlines procedures for purchasing goods and services for the school nutrition and ensures proper management of federal funds.
The plan also maintains transparency, accountability, and compliance with federal and state regulations when purchasing foods, supplies, equipment, and services for the school nutrition programs.
All procurement processes and activities use free and open competition to solicit bids, proposals or quotes from as many qualified vendors as possible.
The purchase of all goods and services using school nutrition funds will be carefully documented and contracts awarded to responsible contractors who can successfully perform the services.
SCHOOL NUTRITION BIDS
The board unanimously approved rollover bids presented by Davis for the 2024-2025 school nutrition program, including $78,000 for produce by Foster Caviness (year 3 of rollover fixed pricing), $125,500 for milk by Marva Maid Dairy(year 2 of rollover fixed pricing) and $665,500 for food and supplies by US Foods Fort Mill (year 2 of rollover fixed pricing).
No new bids crossing the $90,000 threshold have been received that would require board approval.
PURCHASE OF INTERACTIVE BOARDS
Because the interactive boards in the K-2 classrooms in MGSD are nearing end of life, with many 15-plus years old, Davis said many have operating issues and need replacement. Projectors have been updated over the years,
The technology team developed a plan over the last few years to replace all K-2 interactive boards, with the final phase of this plan occurring in July. In April 2023 the board approved the purchase interactive boards for 1st grade, with installation in June.
In July of last year, the district purchased and installed interactive boards for second grade.
In July of this year, the replacement plan calls for the purchase and installation of interactive boards for Kindergarten classrooms.
The technology department consulted with teachers, instructional coaches and administrators to test different interactive boards before selecting the Promethean board, purchased through Bridgetek.
Davis asked the board to approve the total cost of the 30 boards for the kindergarten classrooms upgrade is $111,346.52 from capital outlay funds. The board unanimously approved the purchase.
STUDENT FEE INCREASES FOR 2024-25
Davis said that MGSD district and school level leaders reviewed current student fees and drafted a proposed fee structure for the 2024-2025 academic year. Proposed fee changes include out of district student tuition (based on Iredell County provided funding per average daily membership) rising to $2,251.00, adding driver’s education certification reprint fee of $5, breakfast price 10 cent increase to $1.10, K-5 lunch 10 cent increase to $2.25, K-12 10 cent lunch increase to $2.50, and a student ID badge reprint fee (after 2 badges have been provided) at $1.
Fees can be waived for students who demonstrate economic hardship.
The board approved these changes.
FACILITY USE FEES INCREASE
Scott Smith asked the board for proposed changes to the 2024-2025 facility use fee structure include the following:
Performing Arts Center rental fees will increase from $100 to $150 per hour for non-profit organizations and from $150 to $200 per hour for for-profit organizations;
Personnel fees will increase by $5 to cover increases in salaries and benefits as follows:
♦ Production Technician $50 per hour;
♦ Site Supervisor $35 per hour; and
♦ Student Technician $20 per hour
In addition, events that do not finish by the allocated reservation end time will incur a penalty that is equal to double the hourly rental rate for the first hour and triple the hourly rental rate for each additional hour.
The board approved these fee changes 4-0 (Kerry Pennell abstained because her daughter is employed by the MHS PAC).
Smith noted that there was a caveat if the district was at fault or a power outage or other unforeseen situation caused a delay for an event; these penalties for running over the scheduled time would not apply.
CTE LOCAL PLAN 2024-26
In May, the board heard the presentation of the 2024-2026 CTE local plan for MGSD. This presentation included a review of key initiatives from the 2023-2024 academic year as well as a review of the plan for the upcoming two years and a copy of the plan and expected budgets for 2024-26.
The board unanimously approved the plan after its required review period.
ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY AWARD
Kelliann Miller, Behavior Support Assistant for Student Services, was nominated by Elizabeth Aston, Jennifer Estrada, and Lindsay Ferro for the June “Above and Beyond the Call of Duty” Award.
In their nomination, they stated that “Kelliann goes above and beyond the call of duty every day. She works hard to ensure that the students she works with through PRC interventions feel cared for, valued, and supported.”
“She advocates for what is best for the students she works with and empowers them to be the best that they can be. She is the ultimate team player for the Behavior team, constantly solving problems before they even arise. She’s a forward thinker who empowers her colleagues by challenging them to think outside the box.”
“Kelliann creates and maintains a positive environment in the workplace. She is always there with words of encouragement, a helping hand, and an infectious energy.”
MHS SOFTBALL CONFERENCE CHAMPS HONORED
Superintendent Jason Gardner honored the Mooresville High School softball team, which finished as conference champs with an outstanding record of 24 wins and only 2 losses, a fielding percentage of .970, and a batting average of .380.
Gardner said the players brought their unique strengths to the field, seamlessly complementing one another to form a formidable force on the diamond. This team consistently rose to the occasion, leaving spectators appreciative of their talent and tenacity.
Players included Madison Altieri Avrelle, Kami Bodine, Katelyn Brandon, Cecelia, Castle, Madelyn Colby, Macy Crum, Kensley Ford, Lexi Griffin, Avrelle Harrell, Cadence Lane, Emily Murphy, Madison Petit, Olivia Polson, Lilly Rumrill, Campbell Schaen, and Lauren Spencer.
Head Coach Paul Kikta was assisted by Shane Morton, Ronald Crum, Josh Schaen Scott Young, and Bianca Gillmore. Kelly Murphy was scorekeeper, with Hannah Pierce as athletic trainer.
MHS SOCCER CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS RECOGNIZED
Gardner also recognized the Mooresville High School Soccer team, which earned the Greater Metro 4 conference championship and were the Western 4A regional runner ups. The ladies began training in October with the mindset to win the conference. The addition of strong players to the varsity paved the way for the historic season.
The Lady Devils finished 18-4-2, scoring 63 goals and only allowing 15 for the entire season.
Players included Briton Warham, Riley Alexander, Hadley Decker, Hannah Sharpley, Macie Cline, Siena Peruc, Ellie Cozzone, Jo Stevens, Claire Downing, Ava Osogwin, Miranda Guzman, Gwen Govern, Savannah Stone, Haleigh Straub, Savannah Anders, Melanie Inman, Cameron Cline, Brookelyn Amstutz, Sam Bodwell, Lexie Albaeck, Lily Griggs, and Maddy Riley.
Susie Hudson served as head coach, with Ella Tagg, Michelle Honsa, and Connor Willis assisting. Hannah Pierce and Heather Burelson were athletic trainers.
END OF YEAR MEETING
The board’s next board meeting will be on Thursday, June 27, at the EMIS at 9 a.m. to close out the 2023-2204 fiscal year. The board will also have a work session on June 17 at 9 a.m. at EMIS to discuss board goals and conduct Gardner’s performance evaluation.