The CMS Board met on November 9th, 2011 in the chamber of the government center. The reception before the meeting was for outgoing and incoming at-large members. Those who are outgoing are: ‘Coach’ Joe White, Trent Merchant and Kaye McGarry. Incoming are: Tim Morgan, District 6 Representative (incumbent), Ericka Ellis-Stewart and Mary McCray. This meeting was held on a Wednesday due to the Tuesday, November 8th election schedule. This is the only regular November board meeting. The board decided unanimously(9-0) to postpone the First Ward Creative Arts Academy initiative. The board also decided by a vote of 8-1 to postpone the report on the school closings. The board decided that this report on the closings will be better served by all of the new board. Two new at-large and one incumbent, Tim Morgan, will be sworn in as at-large members at the next meeting on December 13th.
Dixon-Hughes Goodman, an accounting agency based in Winston-Salem, prepared a report on the annual comprehensive financial report for the year ending June 2011. April Bell, from Dixon-Hughes Goodman, was at the meeting to give this presentation. State, and General Special Revenue Funds are all down from 2010 and from 2009. Federal revenues are up slightly at $8,123 from 2010. Total governmental expenditures are down from 2009 and 2010. The general fund balance has also decreased from 2010.
One student spoke for the new policy to allow guide dogs and horses with some challenged students. Three parents spoke out against the new elementary bell schedules. Another student spoke out on the need for more physical education classes to be required for all four years of high school. Another parent asked when parents will feel more welcome to help in Title I schools. All together, there were six public speakers.
Sheila Shirley, CMS Chief Financial Officer, gave the financial report for September 30th, 2011. The board also heard a report from a city staff member and Mike Raible on the Midtown/Morehead/Cherry Area Plan. The CMS Board’s views will be presented to the city council on December 1st. The board gave mostly favorable reviews of this Area Plan to increase the safety and the beauty of this part of Charlotte.
For the first time in many years, there are no boundary recommendations from staff for CMS. This would be for the school year of 2012-2013. December 2nd is the lottery deadline. Tim Morgan, District 6 Representative, reminded all that students who will be entering kindergarten next fall will need to make sure they are in the first lottery.
The board also had the first reading of four new policies that should see a final vote on January 10th.
Several board members congratulated some of the newly elected at-large members. Some board members also wished everyone a blessed Thanksgiving.
The new at-large members will be sworn in at the next regular board meeting on December 13th, 2011. This meeting will be held at the government center in the chamber at 6 pm.