Board of Education September 2026 Work Session Agenda
Board of Education September 2026 Work Session Recording
Consent Agenda
Four items were listed on the consent agenda for approval:
Policy 1726/4036/7237 Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Process
Policy 6320 Use of Student Transportation Services
Policy 3410 Testing and assessment Program
2025-2028 AIG Plan Proposed Changes
The consent agenda was approved unanimously.
Superintendent
Representatives from Atos, the service provider for the state-funded School Safety AI Pilot presented their product. This is a system which provides faster alerting during emergency situations. There are four approved use cases:
Weapon detection
Smoke/Fire detection
Slip/Fall detection
Perimeter detection
ABSS already has cameras in schools. Atos would enhance the camera operations to offer alerts. Each of the approved uses is a visible, physical event. Atos does not use facial recognition, profiling, or routine individual tracking. Analysis and data remains on school controlled infrastructure, owned by the district and not shared with Atos, or any other company. ABSS staff would be alerted of one of the four use cases, and would have to verify the emergency using the video feeds and storage that ABSS already has in place. This presentation was for information only, the next steps will be for staff to work through standard operating procedures and questions with Atos before any contract is presented to the Board of Education.
Dr. Fleming discussed the future of the Sellars-Gunn Educational Center. Currently, the facility is used for a small number of offices. The district believes that there could be a cost savings if we moved the employees out of the building and utilized a different space. The African American History and Cultural Center is interested in the use of the building. There was discussion around moving employees out and finding a way for the building to be utilized by the community. There are rules and procedures in place related to properties with historic and cultural value. No decision has been made, but the district will continue to work through planning for the future of the building.
Lastly, Dr. Fleming discussed student advisory engagement with the Board of Education after a student initiated the conversation with the Board of Education members. There was discussion around engagement with the Board and what that could look like for students. Dr. Fleming will talk with the Superintendent’s Student Advisory group about a monthly engagement opportunity at the evening Board of Education meetings.
Curriculum
Dr. McWherter presented 2025-2026 school improvement data. ABSS had a +6.8 change in year to year proficiency, compared to the +4.2 state average. Some additional points of pride include:
Hawfields Middle School has the highest growth out of all public schools in North Carolina.
13 ABSS schools were in the top 20% of growth in the state.
ABSS had 15 schools improve a letter grade, zero schools decreased a letter grade.
34 of 36 schools improved their school performance grade with an avg. improvement of +7.8.
35 of 36 schools improved their growth index with an avg. improvement of +5.3.
Dr. Dixon presented a federal programs update for 2026-2027. The total of federal program funding for this year is $10,196,953. These funds are used for:
Title I - improving basic programs operated by state and local educational agencies
Title II - preparing, training, and recruiting high quality teachers, principals, or other school leaders
Title III- language instruction for english learners and immigrant students
Title IV - student support and academic enrichment grants
The Board of Education unanimously approved the update so that Federal Programs could submit their annual application.
Dr. McWherter also shared field trips that will be included in a future consent agenda:
Southern Alamance High School is requesting approval to take the FFA students to Indianapolis, IN, for the National FFA Convention from October 19–24, 2026. The cost for this trip is $675 per student.
Southern Alamance High School is requesting approval for the FFA members to participate in the North Carolina FFA State Forestry Competition hosted by Brevard High School in Brevard, North Carolina from November 12–13, 2026. There is no cost per student.
B. Everett Jordan Middle School is requesting approval to send their 5th grade students to Salter Path, NC, to the Trinity Environmental Education Center to participate in Sound to Sea from April 25–27, 2027. The cost of this trip is $380 per student.
EM Holt Elementary School is requesting approval to send their 4th grade students to Salter Path, NC, to the Trinity Environmental Education Center to participate in Sound to Sea from March 15–17, 2027. The cost of this trip is $380 per student.
AO Elementary School is requesting approval to send their 4th grade students to Salter Path, NC, to the Trinity Environmental Education Center to participate in Sound to Sea from January 27-29, 2027. The cost of this trip is $380 per student.
South Mebane Elementary School is requesting approval to send their 5th grade students to Washington, DC, from November 23–24, 2026. The cost of this trip is $335 per student.
AO Elementary School is requesting approval to send their 5th grade students to visit Luray Caverns and Washington, DC, from March 23–25, 2027.
Alamance-Burlington Early College is requesting approval to take their students to tour Europe's Mediterranean Coast with brief stops in Italy, Spain, and France during Spring Break, 2028. The cost of this trip is $4659 per student.
Career & Technical Education Center is requesting approval to take its Teacher Scholars to the UNCW Future Educators Conference from November 12–13, 2026. There is no cost per student.
Southeast, Eastern, Williams and Western High Schools are requesting approval to take their Dance Teams to Orlando, FL, from February 11-16, 2027, to compete in the Dance Alliance Nationals. The cost of this trip is $1000.
Field trips were presented for information and will be included in the consent agenda at an upcoming meeting.
Student Services
Dr. Kristy Davis presented three grants to the district:
Eastern Alamance High School received a $5,000.00 grant from T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights program. Funds will support the school’s football program and ongoing initiatives.
The Beginning Teacher Support Program received a $20,000.00 grant from the Alamance Community Foundation. The funds will be used to support, enhance, and expand the existing program, strengthening resources and opportunities for beginning teachers.
Cummings High School received a $10,000.00 grant from Dick's Sporting Goods to support and enhance its athletic programs.
Dr. Davis also presented a list of gifts to the district:
The Alamance Community Foundation donated $9,681.00 to the Needy Children’s Fund. These funds will support students in need and help address essential needs that may impact their educational experience.
The Mebane Business Association donated $1,000.00 to Eastern Alamance High School. Funds will be used to purchase instructional materials
Haymore Family Dentistry conducted another successful supply drive in support of ABSS. In addition to the donated supplies, they donated $1,140.00 to the ABSS Student Shoe Fund to support students in need.
Gifts were presented for information and will be included in the consent agenda at an upcoming meeting.
Operations
Mr. Greg Hook presented 5 items for information which will be included in the consent agenda at an upcoming meeting.
The NCDPI Five Year Facility Needs Survey completed by BAISCA for final Board certification
a contract for Systems Contractors for the replacement of the two chillers at E.M. Yoder Elementary School. The value of this contract is: $270,200 using CIP funds
a contract for Systems Contractors for the replacement of the chiller at Western Alamance High School. The value of this contract is: $199,800 using CIP funds
a contract for Duggins Mechanical for the replacement of the chiller at Graham Middle School. The value of this contract is: $227,788 using CIP funds
an addendum to the current contract for MFM Industries to allow for up to four (4) additional one-year terms at the current contract price
Policy
Dr. Davis presented the proposed revisions to 12 policies from the School Board Association. These policies will be included in a consent agenda at an upcoming meeting.
Personnel Report
Ms. Anderson presented the personnel report for approval. The report was approved unanimously.