Board of Education Meeting: August 26, 2024
School Nutrition Recognition
The Board of Education recognized the School Nutrition team for their work running two successful federal summer feeding programs. Twenty school nutrition staff members served almost 32,000 breakfasts, over 51,000 lunches, and nearly 18,000 snacks to children aged 4-18 across Alamance County.
Title IX Discussion
Board Attorney Adam Mitchell provided information about Policy 1725/4035/7236 Title IX Sex Discrimination - Prohibited Conduct and Grievance Procedures, which the board adopted at the August work session. Mitchell emphasized that the new regulations do not conflict with any board policies or NC laws and do not change anything the district is currently doing regarding access to bathrooms, the Parents Bill of Rights, or athletics. However, moving forward, certain types of bullying and harassment already violating ABSS policy will now also fall under a Title IX violation.
Curriculum Updates
The Board unanimously approved a three-year contract for the Edmentum Learning Platform, formerly known as Apex. This platform is used for the ABSS Credit and Content Recovery program, helping high school students get back on track to graduate with their cohort. In 2023-2024, over 1,800 credits were recovered through the program. The platform also provides tutorials for struggling high school students and is utilized by all high schools in the district.
In other curriculum news, the Board unanimously approved a field trip request from Grove Park Elementary School. The school's fifth grade class will visit the North Carolina Outer Banks from March 26–27, 2025. Early approval allows families extended time to pay for the trip.
Student Services
Several policy revisions were discussed during the session. Policy 4150 School Assignment was revised to streamline the process for school assignment requests, automatically approving siblings if within school capacity, excluding specialized programs requiring applications. The policy also included duration changes for grade span, which are now: K-5 and 6-12. The Board approved these changes unanimously.
Policy 8210 Grants and Funding for Special Projects was also revised to require approval of school-based grant applications by the principal or site supervisor. The Board requested additional language allowing consideration for grant funds to move with staff members within the district. District leadership will propose a solution at the next work session.
Additional policy revisions were presented for first reading and will be reviewed again at the next work session.
The district received several generous donations:
AO Elementary School: $1,440.00 for unpaid lunch debt
Garrett Elementary School: $59,053.39 from PTO for playground equipment
Southeast Alamance High School: $2,000.00 for a chicken coop
ABSS: $1,000.00 for AED accessories and trainers
E.M. Yoder Elementary School: $1,350.00 for tree removal
Superintendent's office: Furniture donation from Labcorp (est. value $3,500.00)
ABSS: Furniture delivery and setup services from Three Point Strategic, LLC (est. value $1,280.00)
Eastlawn Elementary School: $1,800.00 from Front Street UMC
Operations
Mr. Hook presented applications for Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund Facility Grants for roof projects at three school sites. The Board unanimously approved all grant applications which will go to the Board of Commissioners for approval:
Western Alamance High School: $3,000,000.00
Southern Alamance Middle School: $480,000.00
South Mebane Elementary School: $802,250.00
Personnel Report
Ms. Anderson presented the personnel report, which was approved unanimously by the Board.