Budget concerns voiced

Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Dale Ellis is seeking “5 Reasonable People” in the N.C. General Assembly who are willing to place the future of children’s education above the politics of political parties.  In his closing comments Ellis informed the Board of Education that, “The General Assembly is getting ready to take the riskiest gamble ever perpetrated on the citizens of North Carolina with this budget.”  He said that the premise behind the budget is that it is a business model.  Admitting that when a business is operating at a loss, Ellis said that it is reasonable to do one of two things:  cut cost or raise revenue.  In education cutting cost can lead to cutting people.  This budget will cut 36 positions from our staff.  Ellis thinks that “raising taxes is not the best way to get through this current deficit.”  The problem with the budget being developed by the General Assembly is that it cuts costs and revenue.  “They are cutting revenue through the elimination of one cent on the sales tax.  In the face of the worst deficit in state history, they want to cut revenue and make the cuts worst.”  Ellis said that this is a business model that leads to bankruptcy.  “The unfortunate recipient of this bankruptcy is the education system and our most vulnerable population…our children.”  Five votes are necessary to prevent an override of the Governor’s possible veto of this budget which will produce a financial burden on our school system.  Ellis asked if there are 5 members of the General Assembly who will read the budget bill and say this is wrong for NC, wrong for our children.  “Is it unreasonable to allow one cent in sales tax to remain in place until after this recession, say when the state might have a surplus, and cut it then.  Would that not make more sense?”  Ellis closed his comments by projecting, one at a time, the pictures of local students and asking, “Is that child not worth a penny? I guess we are fixin’ to find out.”  (To view a video of the entire text of the superintendent’s comments, go to www.montgomery.k12.nc.us and click on NC State Budget Video—5 Reasonable People: A Superintendent’s Response to the State Budget Crisis.) Dr. Kevin Lancaster, executive director of personnel and auxiliary services, presented several policy and regulations changes for first reading.  These were based on recommendations from the School Board Association.  Bryan Dozier asked for more information concerning Policy Code 4318:  Use of Wireless Communication Devices.  The policy gives a principal the authority to search electronic devices if there is reason to believe the search will provide evidence that the student has violated or is violating a law or a school rule. Dozier questioned why students were allowed to have phones in the building during school hours. Lancaster sited safety concerns following events at Columbine High School. Dozier requested that the board revisit having phones in the building during school hours. Dr. Ellis said that he would have the school advisory committees look at the policy and report back to the board.  No action was taken on these policies since it was a first reading. The Board of Education adopted a Resolution of Esteem for George Edward Barton who passed away on April 20.  “His services as a teacher to the Educational System of Montgomery County were a living testimonial of his integrity and skill, and his loss will be deeply felt, not only by those with whom he served, but also throughout his entire community and county.”  Leah Barton and her son Bruce received the resolution from Chairman Steve DeBerry. The superintendent reported that the members of the Montgomery County Bible Association pledged their full support  of Bible Study Classes that will be taught at East Montgomery High School and West Montgomery High School during 2011-12 school year.  The association pledges up to $50,000 in support of funding a teacher position.  Ellis said that teacher interviews would begin in 2-3 weeks.  The selection of the teacher would be a joint decision between the school system and the Bible Association. The Montgomery County Schools Finance Department received two recognitions:  Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (Government Finance Officers Association) and the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting (Association of School Business Officials International).  The members of this team are  Kathy Johnson, Lisa Ritter, Donna Morris, Pam Cameron and Lourdes Yarborough.  The superintendent reported the acceptance of the following resignations:  Edward Caldwell, Central Office Dropout Prevention,  Andrea Rivers, 4 grade teacher at Page Street Elementary, Janice Harless, Central Office Director of Technology, Suzanne Dzezinski, West Middle School math/science teacher, Barbara Cook, East Montgomery High School Office support/NC Wise, Joel Childrey, West Middle School 7 grade teacher, Allen Maupin, West Middle School 8 grade teacher,  Meghan Harter, East Middle School EC teacher, Joseph Gaddy, West Montgomery High School AG teacher, Connie Haynes, Troy Elementary School teacher assistant, Jean Harrison, Troy Elementary School speech pathologist, Caleb Rushing, East Middle School social studies teacher. The superintendent recommended the re-employment of the following teachers who will receive career teacher status during 2011-2012:  Green Ridge Elementary: Brittany Caldwell, Cindy Niece, Teresa O’Connor:  Mt. Gilead Elementary: Chris Blake, Nancy Biggs McLendon, Melissa Shields, Jerry Stevens, Gina Blake;  Candor Elementary: Royal Little, Autumn McNeill;  Star Elementary: Emily McIntyre;  Troy Elementary: Chareta Green, Lucy Loyd;  Page Street Elementary: Suzette Miller;  East Middle School: Jennifer Hare, Mary Beth Ingram;  West Middle School: Daniel Bruton, Debra Knowles, April Daywalt;  East Montgomery High: Kate Dunklegod, Michelle Larking, Scott Blue, Amy L. Reynolds;  West Montgomery High: Holly Berriman, Rick Peters;  Montgomery Learning Academy: Teresa Curinga. The superintendent recommended the re-employment of the following teachers who will receive probationary contracts during 2011-2012:  Green Ridge Elementary: Angela Dawkins Greene, Laura Smith, Catherine Tucker, Brandy Whitley, Laura Wolf; Candor Elementary School: Kerma Taylor, Ashley Morris; Page Street Elementary: Betty Harvel, Alexandria Springer-Post, Susan Starnes, Kathryn Tortorella; Troy Elementary School: Pebble Byrd; Mt. Gilead Elementary: Chris Jonassen, Emily Harrison, Amanda Haithcock, Melissa Nassetta, Amanda Hall; Star Elementary School: Liz Honeycutt, Danielle Hurley, Jaclyn Kennedy, Melanie Lamonds; East Middle School: Heather Beane, Tom Berriman, Felicia Chambers, Carrie Cleaveland, Lora Coble, Sam Davis, Quint Dunlap, Teresa Furr, Kymberlie Hare, Madeline Hunt, Meredith Johnson, Cynthia Martinez, Edana McDonald, Kevin Park, Wilbur Pender, Anthony Timmons, Joseph Whetstine, Sean Hassell; West Montgomery High School: Rikki Baldwin, Sean Day, Beth DeBerry, Gary Graham, Jessica Hargest, Katie Kimrey, Leigh Anne Lamonds, James McCall, Time Morris, Stefanie Panzer, Leah Brown, Leah Brown, Rhonda Hall; Montgomery Learning Academy: Ruby Jenkins, David Whitsell III, Ericka Shaw, Jennah King. The following administrative contracts were approved:  Barbara Slingerland, EC Director.  Donnie Lynthacum, Principal, Candor Elementary School, annual twelve-month term commencing July 1, 2011 and ending June 30, 2015.  Alisha Ellis, Director of Technology and Curriculum Support. The board approved the reappointment of Lowell Russell to the Montgomery Community College Board of Trustees.

Suzanne Middle School Blue and White Tea | The Tea Shop

WATCH IN HIGH QUALITY Haha. The highlight of the year. Even if it was boring, it sure was different ^^ Everybody’s smiling (: So yeah. One day’s work. Hope you like it ;3 SUZANNE IS THE ONLY SCHOOL (in the district? ) to have this event. Cause we’re unique. ;3 Programs used: Sony Vegas Paint Microsoft Picture Manager Songs Used (in order): Like a Rose-DJ Cammy Hey Juliet-LMNT Rate and comment please! (: None of the songs in this video belong to me or my company. The songs included in the video are for entertainment purposed only.

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