Superintendent Search Update (3 attachments)
Sam Thorp from the North Carolina School Boards Association shared survey results and the timeline for the superintendent search process. (Click here for the presentation)
He thanked the community and staff for providing a record number of survey responses with nearly a third of survey respondents providing additional written comments (2313 community responses received; 1318 staff responses).
He announced that the district has received 34 applications for the superintendent position from 14 different states including North Carolina.
Administrative Matters
Board Chair Sandy Ellington-Graves announced that the Board of Commissioners will host a budget work session on Thursday, May 30 at 10:00 am.
During this session, Dr. Harrison will present the proposed ABSS budget request for the upcoming fiscal year.
Recognitions
Students
ABSS April STAR Student: Karla Islas from A-O Elementary was recognized.
ABSS May STAR Student: Everett Heineman from E M Holt Elementary was recognized.
Staff
ABSS April STAR Staff Member: Ms. Jennifer Fisher from ABEC was recognized.
ABSS May STAR Staff Member: Ms. Tania Rivera from Broadview Middle was recognized.
Other Recognitions
The Woodlawn Middle Band and Chorus, under directors Mr. Rob McConnell and Mr. Andy Carter, received Superior Ratings at the Winthrop University Music in the Parks Festival.
Several students were recognized for being selected to attend the North Carolina Governor's School in various subjects:
ABEC: Schuy Lalone for Mathematics
EAHS: Dulce Velasquez Arreaga for Spanish; Keegan McArdle for Instrumental Music Tuba; Marissa Elam for Dance
SAHS: Wesley Marks for Natural Science
WAHS: Juliette Onder for Natural Science; Catherine Gwynn for Choral Music Alto 2
WWHS: Olivia Sharpe for Natural Science; Jaden Wilson for Natural Science; Sofia Anaya Becerra for Mathematics; Aaden Wright for Choral Music Bass 1; Inaaya Siddiqui for Visual Art; Kalyn Faille for Instrumental Music Trumpet; Nevaeh White for Instrumental Music Trombone; Om Shah for Instrumental Music Percussion
Discussions & Approvals
The board approved a contract for audit services with Anderson, Smith & Wike PLLC to complete and submit the final district audit by October 31, 2024.
Dr. Harrison shared information about an opportunity for ABSS to join the UNC Fellows for Excellence program designed to assist in developing the future workforce of teachers. ABSS would join Chatham and Person County school districts and the Carolina Community Academy in this program. The board will vote on June 11 on Dr. Harrison's recommendation for ABSS to join the cohort for the 2025-2026 school year.
The board approved upcoming field trips for E.M. Yoder Elementary (for spring 2025) and Alexander Wilson Elementary (for November 2024) to Washington, DC.
Dr. Kristy Davis shared the final relocation sites for 26 staff members currently housed at the Main Street office location. These include Ray Street Academy, South Mebane Elementary, South Graham Elementary, Newlin Elementary, and available office space at Sellars Gunn. The move will provide $80,000 in lease savings for the district. Dr. Davis outlined the next steps to have the relocation sites ready for occupancy in July.
The district received $16,400 in donations from community partners for the Evening of Excellence event. Additionally, 6 schools received more than $16,000 in donations from various sources to support school projects. The board approved acceptance of all these donations.
The board approved a contract with Pace Analytical for well and wastewater monitoring services. This $190,000 annual contract provides daily testing and treatment services at 5 ABSS sites that have their own sewage treatment plants: Sylvan, BEJ, AO, WAMS and WAHS.
Greg Hook recommended, and the board approved, using a design-build process for upcoming HVAC projects at Graham High, Southern High, Haw River Elementary, BEJ Elementary, Western High, Eastern High, Alexander Wilson Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary and Smith Elementary. A design-build contract utilizes a single contract that provides both design services and general contracting services. This process has worked well for ABSS on previous ESSER projects, providing speed and cost certainty.
