Board approves summer remediation program and LED purchases, tables policy and appoints interim superintendent

At its April 1 meeting the Davie County Board of Education completed several business actions: it approved a summer remediation and re-administer testing plan, authorized purchase of LED lighting materials for two elementary schools, tabled revisions to Policy 23.10 for further consideration, approved the consent agenda (including a personnel addendum) and appointed Jenda Haines as interim superintendent effective May 2025.

Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda, which included an addendum to the personnel packet, by a 6–0 vote after a motion by Marie and a second by Con. The board chair noted one member, Stephanie Hurst, was absent and ill.

Summer remediation program: Valerie Freezer presented a plan titled “remediate and readminister” for a district summer program. Board members asked about timing and teacher workload; the meeting record indicates the remediation and testing are scheduled for June 16 and 17 and will be morning-only sessions with principals and instructional coaches coordinating staggered schedules. The board approved the plan by roll call, motion and second on the floor; the motion carried 6–0.

Policy 23.10: The board considered updates to Policy 23.10 (presented at the prior meeting) but did not vote to adopt revisions. A motion by Joe to table the item until the May meeting, seconded by Michael, carried 5–1 (five in favor, one opposed). The board’s attorney provided procedural guidance on how a motion to table is handled.

LED lighting materials purchase: Jeremy Whitaker asked the board to approve the purchase of LED lighting materials for Colmey Elementary and William R. Davie Elementary to support a planned summer installation. The materials vendor is City Electric Supply; the cost for materials is $99,694.65. The board approved the purchase (motion by Jeff, second by Khan) by a 6–0 vote. Whitaker said a labor contract for installation will be brought forward on the May agenda and that the district had previously budgeted $200,000 in capital outlay for one school.

Interim superintendent appointment: The board moved to employ Jenda Haines as interim superintendent beginning May 2025. The motion to approve came from Joe and was seconded by Khan; the board voted in favor (all present members) and confirmed Haines would be ready to assume duties in May. Haines asked questions about ensuring her current contract would not terminate when the interim appointment begins.

Other business and calendar notes: Superintendent Jeff Wallace reported the district will present a proposed budget draft at the May 1 meeting and deliver it to county commissioners by May 15. He told the board certified staff would receive a supplemental payment in May that will be at least $2,000 per person (exact amounts not specified in the meeting) and that two-thirds of the local supplement (8% of salary) will be paid in the June paycheck. Wallace also noted district attendance for the month was 94.22%. An exchange-student policy was introduced for board review and possible vote in May; no action was taken on that policy this evening.

Votes at a glance: - Approve minutes of March regular meeting — Motion: Marie; Second: Con; Vote: 6–0; Outcome: approved. - Approve consent agenda (includes HR addendum) — Motion: Marie; Second: Con; Vote: 6–0; Outcome: approved. - Approve summer “remediate and readminister” program — Motion/Second: on floor (second by Joe recorded); Vote: 6–0; Outcome: approved. Scheduled testing/remediation: June 16–17 (mornings). - Table Policy 23.10 to May meeting — Motion: Joe; Second: Michael; Vote: 5–1; Outcome: tabled to May. - Purchase LED materials (Colmey Elementary and William R. Davie Elementary) — Motion: Jeff; Second: Khan; Vote: 6–0; Outcome: approved; Materials cost: $99,694.65; labor contract to follow in May. - Appoint Jenda Haines as interim superintendent (beginning May 2025) — Motion: Joe; Second: Khan; Vote: unanimous among present members; Outcome: approved.

Items for follow-up: labor contract for LED installation (May), final draft budget presentation (May 1), formal vote on Policy 23.10 (May), exchange-student policy consideration (May), and confirmation of exact supplemental payment amounts for certified staff (not specified in meeting).