1990-03-21 Special Meeting
I
I
I
86-1
"
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 21, 1990
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners and New
Hanover County Board of Education met in a joint Work Session on
Wednesday, March 21, 1990, at 7:30 o'clock A.M. in the Board of
Education Conference Room, 1802 South 15th Street, Wilmington,
North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioners E. L. Mathews, Jr.;
Nolan O'Neal; Vice-Chairman W. Albert Corbett, Jr.; Chairman Fred
Retchin; Acting County Manager, Mary M. Gornto; County Attorney,
Robert W. Pope and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Sr. was absent.
Board of Education members present were: Chairman Ray
Funderburk; Lucille Shaffer; Rachel Freeman; Janice Cavenaugh;
Ann D. King and Buck Hardee.
Chairman Retchin called the meeting to order.
DISCUSSION OF VISION, MISSION AND GOALS OF THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY
SCHOOL SYSTEM
Dr. Tom McNeel, Superintendent of the New Hanover County
Schools, expressed appreciation to the Commissioners for past
support of the county schools and for the cooperative working
relationship between the Board of Education and Board of
Commissioners. He presented the following mission statement for
the New Hanover County School System:
VISION: By the year 2000, the New Hanover County School System
will be among the best in the southeastern United States.
MISSION: The mission of the New Hanover County School System is
to deliver educational programs and services which meet the needs
of a diverse student population. This will be achieved through
the efforts of a dedicated, competent, and caring staff, and a
supportive community.
GOALS:
Student Achievement: The New Hanover County schools will provide
educational opportunity for each student to reach his/her
potential with special emphasis on the following: (1) preparing
all graduates for post secondary education, work and life-long
learning; (2) improving scores on SAT, CAT, and other achievement
tests; (3) increasing success in academic competitions,
scholarships, and participation in higher level courses; (4)
addressing the needs of at-risk students; (5) ensuring good
citizenship and human relations skills; and (6) acquiring and
utilizing appropriate technology.
Dr. McNeel presented the following priorities stating these
issues must be addressed as soon as possible:
1. Technology: Upgrading of computers in school labs.
2. Vocational Education: Develop and upgrade vocational
education programs.
3. Improve Programs for Handicapped Children: Congress
has mandated that all school systems have educational
services in place for 3 and 4 year-old handicapped
children by the year 1991-92.
4. Improvement of Older School Facilities: Improvements
to New Hanover High School, Snipes Elementary School,
and Winter Park Elementary School.
Discussion was held on the Basic Education Program. Dr.
McNeel stated by FY 1992/93, schools will be required to
implement an elementary foreign language program. Ms. Janice
~
't
I,
I
I
I,
I,
,
1\
8@:@u'rES OF SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 21, 1990 (CONTINUED)
Cavenaugh stated a 3-year foreign language plan concentrating on
Spanish will begin this year.
Dr. McNeel commented on the urgent need to better prepare
and train students who plan to go directly into the work force
after graduating from high school stating upgrading vocational
education is crucial to this group of students.
Discussion was held on improving older school facilities.
Dr. McNeel stated the N. C. Department of Public Instruction will
perform a complete survey of the 30 county schools and develop a
report on facility improvements and long-range planning. A copy
of the report will be forwarded to the Commissioners.
n
\ '
". J
Discussion was held on the preparation of the School Budget
for FY 1990-91. Dr. McNeel stated the format for the budget will
be one that can be understood by the Board of Education, County
Commissioners and the general public. The budget will reflect
1989-90 expenditures and 1990-91 budget requests with
justification for the increase of any line items.
Chairman Retchin expressed appreciation to Dr. McNeel for
the progress report on county schools and complimented the
members of the Board of Education for establishing these
challenging goals to better meet the educational needs of our
children.
REQUEST FOR SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 2
Ms. Ann King requested the Commissioners to encourage the
local legislators to support Senate Bill 2 which provides for
site base management.
DISCUSSION OF ADDRESSING THE SCHOOL DROPOUT PROBLEM
Vice-Chairman Corbett challenged the school officials to
become the #1 school system in the country. He stressed the
importance of quality education stating when attracting industry, r
it is imperative to have a strong educational system. He also
commented on the school dropout problem and encouraged the -/
establishment of programs, such as Head Start, to ensure that
every child receives pre-school training before entering the
first grade.
DISCUSSION OF THE TALENT SHOW, "BEST FOOT FORWARD"
Ms. Ann King encouraged everyone present to
talent show, "Best Foot Forward", a fund-raiser for
Wilmington Chamber of Commerce's mini-grant program.
the show will be held at Brogden Hall on Thursday,
1990, at 7:30 P.M.
attend the
the Greater
She stated
March 23,
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Retchin, on behalf of the Board, expressed
appreciation to the Board of Education for the invitation to hold
the Work Session and adjourned the meeting at 8:50 o'clock A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
~~~
Clerk to the Board
!
"-