Board approves multiple committee recommendations, raises classified supplement to 4%

The Cleveland County Board of Education on Jan. 13 approved a series of committee recommendations covering finance, personnel, operations and educational policy, including a one-point increase to the classified employee supplement.

The board voted to raise the classified employee supplement from 3% to 4% (motion from the finance committee). The motion carried by unanimous voice vote, recorded as 8 to 0. Superintendent Steven Fisher explained the change and said classified employees will receive a larger supplement in the spring because prior payments had been split between fall and spring.

Other committee recommendations approved without extended discussion included the beginning teacher support plan (approved 8 to 0), the personnel report (8 to 0), and a set of policy updates that were grouped and approved together. Policies approved in the bundled vote included 1310/4002 (parental involvement), 3410 (testing and assessment), 3420 and 3420-R2 (promotion and local promotion standards), 8305 (federal grant administration) and 6140 (student wellness), among others. The board recorded the votes as unanimous where shown on the record (8 to 0).

Operational items from the January operations committee were also approved by the full board. The board approved a Duke Energy access easement for Union Elementary School (committee recommendation) and declared CTE items and four mobile units at Township 3 as surplus for disposal; those votes were recorded as unanimous. The board also approved a Microsoft licensing renewal quote of $84,610.61 from technology (vote recorded as 8 to 0).

Head Start reports and financials for October and November 2024 were accepted; the board also approved Head Start’s request to fund a playground at Washington Elementary with Head Start funds. Superintendent Fisher clarified the playground is funded through Head Start grant money, not the district’s capital funds; the playground vote was recorded as 8 to 0.

The board approved payment under its memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Cleveland Community College for College and Career Promise (CCP) classes. Three members recused from that vote due to relationships with the college; the remaining members approved the fall payment under the MOU. Superintendent Fisher said the district’s CCP reimbursement has a $150,000 annual cap and the payment recorded for the fall represents the year-to-date amount toward that cap.

Board members also heard an informational audit report from the finance committee and received a capital projects update. The operations committee discussed a county request to share the cost of a power upgrade related to an American Legion World Series scoreboard; staff and the committee recommended not sharing the cost. The committee also reviewed a proposal to convert some yellow buses to white activity buses at a projected total cost of $40,000 and reported decreased yellow-bus service due to declining ridership.

The board ended public business and moved to a closed session under General Statute 143-318.11(A)(3) and (A)(6) to consult with the board’s attorney and to discuss a confidential personnel matter.

Votes at a glance: - Adopt agenda: motion by Mr. Bridges; carried 8–0. - Approval of minutes (Dec. 9, 2024): carried 8–0. - Classified employee supplement increase to 4%: carried 8–0. - Beginning teacher support plan (committee recommendation): carried 8–0. - Personnel report: carried 8–0. - Microsoft renewal (technology) $84,610.61: carried 8–0. - Duke Energy access easement for Union Elementary School: carried 8–0. - CTE surplus declaration and disposal of four mobile units at Township 3: carried 8–0. - Policies bundle (1310/4002, 3410, 3420, 3420-R2, 8305, 6140): carried 8–0. - Head Start financials and Washington Elementary playground (Head Start funds): carried 8–0. - Cleveland Community College invoice/payment under CCP MOU: approved by the board members not recused; three members recused due to association with the college.

The board’s public record of motions and committee recommendations was posted with the meeting materials.