Board of Education News Monday Jan 22, 2024
Due to overcrowding, ABSS is exploring the possibility of rezoning some students from Woodlawn Middle back to Graham Middle and Graham High School next year. This comes as Woodlawn Middle is over capacity with 750 students despite being built for 650. The preliminary rezoning plan would impact around 100 students and reduce Woodlawn's population to approximately 624 students next school year. The Board of Education plans to explore the proposal in the coming weeks. Though still in early stages, if approved, the rezoning would go into effect for the 2024-2025 academic year.
School Calendar
A draft of the 2024-2025 academic calendar was presented Monday night for informational purposes. The proposed calendar for next year has the first day of school on August 26, 2024, and the last day on June 6, 2025. It includes a winter break from December 23, 2024, to January 6, 2025, and a spring break from April 14 to April 21, 2025. The Board will vote on approving the final calendar recommendation at next month’s meeting.
Water Intrusion
The ABSS Operations Department presented a $3.9 million plan Monday night to address water intrusion at Williams High School. The plan, which will have to be approved by the County’s oversight committee, aims to combat some of the issues that were discovered at the school this summer during the District's mold crisis. Part of the proposed work includes demolishing exterior stairs, excavating to add foundation waterproofing, repairing masonry and windows, sealing surfaces, clearing drain lines, excavating below-grade walls for waterproofing, and replacing landscaping. The Board of Education approved sending the $3.9 million remediation plan to the county oversight committee for vetting. This committee includes staff and liaisons from both boards to evaluate major ABSS project proposals. The committee will further examine the plan's costs and scope and decide whether it should go before the County Commissioners for approval.
Roof Replacement
ABSS is also working with the Alamance County Commissioners to get several school roofs replaced. The latest approval is for Haw River Elementary. Roof replacement projects are underway or designed for Graham Middle, Graham High, Southern High, Western High, Western Middle, B. Everett Jordan, and Eastern High. The county recently conducted a comprehensive roof and HVAC study to allow more proactive planning and budgeting for critical facility needs going forward. The Board of Education has applauded the Commissioners for its partnership in conducting the study and working to get critical projects funded and enable the district to be more proactive in maintaining facilities.
Final Mold Payment
Due to the District’s recent financial challenges and ongoing efforts to secure adequate funding from the Alamance County Commissioners, Builders Services has agreed to a reduction of $300,000 on their final invoice for dehumidifier rental from this summer’s mold crisis.
This adjustment will allow ABSS to fully renovate the Family and Consumer Science foods lab at Cummings High School. The classroom had to be completely gutted due to the discovery of toxigenic mold throughout. Additional funds will be used for Williams High School to replace white boards, and cork boards, Central Office repairs,counters and sink replacement at Eastern High, and the ceiling in Southern High School’s Media Center.
“This generous concession from Builders Services will allow us to restore important educational spaces and purchase necessary supplies across multiple schools and offices,” said Superintendent Dr. Dain Butler. “We appreciate Builders Services' willingness to collaborate and compromise to help us maintain safe and healthy buildings.”
With this final payment, the District has paid a total of nearly $25 million on mold remediation.
Bond Project Updates
The Operations Department presented an update on the 2018 Education Bond which was approved overwhelmingly by Alamance County voters. The bond has transformed learning at many of our campuses across the District. Despite pandemic delays, the District has made tremendous progress on renovating and upgrading schools and are nearing completion of the bond projects.
This video gives an overview of the various projects: ABSS Bond Update Jan 2024
Appointments
The Board and Dr. Butler announced new appointments to two key positions in the District. Longtime B. Everett Jordan Elementary School Principal Terri Drummond has been named the new Career and Technical Education Director for ABSS. Drummond replaces Robin Bowsers, who left to take a position with the Department of Public Instruction. Drummond brings extensive experience, having served as principal at BEJ Elementary since 2012 and worked in ABSS as both a teacher and assistant principal since 2004. She also served on the District's Strategic Planning Committee. Additionally, Joseph McKinney was appointed as the new Assistant Director of Transportation. McKinney is an ABSS graduate who returned to the District after college, working in transportation and food services since 2008. The District is excited to have these experienced and dedicated ABSS leaders take on these vital roles.
Terri Drummond
Recognitions
The Board of Education recognized several exceptional students and staff members during the meeting. Grove Park Elementary 5th grader Romeo Smothers was named ABSS Star Student of the Month. Schools choose a student each month and submit their name to District leaders for consideration. Romeo stood out among the nominees for his integrity, respect, and hard work, serving as a model student at Grove Park.
Graham High School history teacher Karen Carotta was recognized as Star Staff Member of the Month. Ms. Carotta has taught social studies for 17 years, the last eight at Graham. Ms. Carotta was honored for going above and beyond to support students inside and outside of the classroom.
Several students from the Southern Alamance High School FFA program were honored for their outstanding achievements at the national level. The Southern Alamance FFA chapter won national titles in Floriculture, Forestry, and Nursery Landscape - becoming just the third chapter ever to win two national events in one year.
Individual and team winners were recognized in each event:
Nursery Landscape
1st place individual, Brandon Pasour
4th place individual, Shea Kirkpatrick
5th place individual, Frankie Mahaney
9th place individual, Zack Tumey
Team members include: Brandon Pasour, Shea Kirkpatrickm Frankie Mahaney, and Zack Tumey
Floriculture
3rd place individual, Paicey Cameron
4th place individual, Meredith Newton
Team members include: Paicey Camerson, Meredith Newton, Addison Holliday, and Haleigh Cornelison
Forestry
3rd place individual, Rylee Senecal
Team members include: Lee Sharpe, Rylee Senecal, Delaney Hawkins, and Kaelyn Sawyer
ABSS is proud to recognize these exceptional students and staff for their accomplishments.