To start off the Dec. 12 Carroll County School District Board of Education meeting, the Board entered an executive session shortly after convening. In the executive session, the Board discussed student affairs and heard from parents in attendance. In addition, the Board discussed Fair Labor Standards Act increases and approved for these increases to become effective Jan. 1, 2025 for all exempt employees. No votes were cast and no action was taken on the student affairs matter during this executive session.
The next major matter of business was regarding the Approval of a Request for a Veteran Teacher License. Superintendent Joey Carpenter explained that someone had stepped up and offered to fill a SPED role for the district and this accreditation would be needed. On a motion made by Board Member Stella Washington Bell and seconded by Board member Teresa Vanlandingham with all in favor, the Board approved the request for a Veteran Teacher License.
Following this, later on in the meeting, the Board heard from Board Member Vanlandingham regarding an update on a mural project which was proposed by North Carrollton Mayor Ken Strachan. She explained that earlier during the day she had received a text message from Mayor Strachan which he requested to be read during the Board meeting.
“He said that this project will go forward for the students of Carroll County and he is now working on a time for the artist to come. A new pavement has already been placed at the location today which will be excellent for the Jaguar mural,” Board Member Vanlandingham read the text aloud to the Board and attendees. “And the Town of [North] Carrollton is going to fully fund it. And he looks forward to working with our school system for the betterment of the students and the community in the future,” she finished reading.
“They found some money where they could fully fund it and he is so excited to do this as a stake holder and for our students and for the people past present and future of the Jaguar community,” Member Vanlandingham explained.
The Board and Superintendent Carpenter expressed their gratitude to Mayor Strachan and the Town of North Carrollton for their contributions to this project and to the school. This project is expected to be completed during the students’ Christmas break to prevent any conflict with traffic.
The next matter of business came at the end of the meeting at which point the Board honored Board President John Phillips as this was his final meeting before stepping down from his position. According to the Carroll County School District website, Phillips has served as President of the Board of Education since 2019. President Phillips did not run for reelection in the fall 2024 School District election. At the end of the meeting, Board Members and Superintendent Carpenter took turns showing their appreciation for Phillips’ service to the school district and community.
“I would also like to thank our president, coach Phillips, for his awesome service to our district. And I and everybody else are going to miss you. And we wish you the best,” Board Member Vanlandingham expressed her gratitude.
After a brief speech given by Superintendent Carpenter, Phillips was presented with a plaque for his dedication to the district.
In other news the Board:
• Approved the meeting agenda with changes.
• Accepted the Consent Agenda including the following items: minutes for the Called October 21 meeting and the Regular Scheduled meeting for Nov. 7, 2024. Approval of Overtime and Extra Pay for November 2024. MES Stage Curtain Proposals.
• Approved Changes to Student Handbook.
• Accepted the Corrective Action Plan.
• Agreed to the DEX Imaging Proposal.
• Accepted the financial statements and claims.
• Approved one Certified Employee.
• Accepted two Employee Resignations.
• Agreed to the release of one student for transfer due to excessive distance, which is within the school district policy.
• Approved the Cancelation of a (one acre) Sixteenth Section Land Contract and the Reassignment of a (five acre) Lease.
• Agreed to move the January 2025 Board Meeting to Jan. 16.
