Newly-installed Moore County Schools [MCS] Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence reported, during his first meeting with the School Board on Monday, February 13, that he has been busy during his first week attending meetings with various school and county organizations.
“I think this is a wonderful place to live,” said Dr. Spence, “and an even better place to work.”
Spence gave a rundown of current events taking place in the schools including:
• The celebration of Black History Month, which many schools are incorporating this theme into their curriculum.
• The week of February 13-17 is School Bus Driver Appreciation Week; Spence “encouraged” parents, teachers, and students to thank their bus drivers.
• Spence also reported that he will be assessing class sizes in MCS schools, to determine whether it will be necessary to hire additional teachers to avoid having to seek a class size waiver from the state.
Federal Impact Survey
“We expect more money for 2012” from the federal government, Finance Director Mike Griffin told the Board, based on data collected in a Federal Impact Survey of military families who have children enrolled in Moore County Schools.
Due to the large number of participants who completed the survey, Moore County received $95,000 in 2011.
MCS has been sending this survey to military families for the past six years and has, as a result, received over $500,000 in federal money, used to fund technology in the schools.
Board member Laura Lang said, “Continuing that education effort [with military families] will keep dollars coming in.”
Griffin said the survey does three things: shows appreciation to the military families and their service; rewards MCS for handling the information-gathering process; and provide an opportunity to share the results with the County.
Griffin provided the Board with a Quarterly Financial Update and requested an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 budget resolution, which the Board approved.
Other Business
In other business conducted during the Board’s Monday, February 13 meeting:
• School Board Vice-Chair Enola Lineberger reported on the results of a survey on extending the year round program in other schools throughout the County. Lineberger said the survey produced “excellent results,” and there seems to be an interest in implementing the program in other parts of the County.
• School Board member Bruce Cunningham gave the Board an update on the tree clearing taking place at Pinecrest High School. The selective cutting and thinning of trees will take place on 30 acres and will include an educational component. Students will plant various trees an keep track of their growth.
• School Board Chair Kathy Farren reported that three School Board members — Laura Lang, Kathy Farren, and Ed Dennison — received awards from the NC School Board Association.
• The Board approved Policy 6210, which deals with the transfer of student assignments for year round schools. More information on this policy can be found on the MCS website.
• Dr. Brian Phillips gave the Program Highlight, presenting information on the Sandhills Leadership Academy.
• Farren also presented five Growing to Greatness Awards.
