Desarae Kirkpatrick

This document presents a proposal for a new Eastern Elementary School by Burke County Public Schools. It provides a historical timeline of grant acquisition and property purchase, details critical aspects of the grant submission such as needed updates, safety, operational costs, traffic, and ADA compliance, and highlights safety concerns identified in school needs assessments. The proposal includes an estimated timeline for community engagement, design, construction, with the new school anticipated to open in August 2028.

The Burke County Schools AIG plan for 2025-2028 aims to inspire AIG students to reach their academic and intellectual potential, preparing them for future challenges and productive citizenship in the global community. The plan focuses on student identification, comprehensive programming, differentiated curriculum and instruction, personnel and professional development, partnerships, and program accountability to ensure effective services for AIG students.

The meeting agenda includes the oath of office for a newly appointed board member, public comments, student and employee recognitions, discussion of policy first readings (covering student health services, personnel recruitment, extracurricular duties, reduction in force, fiscal goals, budget planning, school finance officer, and facility needs), consent items (including open and closed session minutes, budget revisions, personnel reports, board self-evaluations, third-party administrator for benefits, field trip requests, and final readings of policies on student records, schools and the community, public records, electronically stored information retention, pre-audit certification, and facility security), a closed session (if necessary), and adjournment. The policies cover a wide range of topics including student health, personnel, finances, and facilities.

The Burke County Board of Education conducted a special called meeting to tour Rutherford College and Valdese Elementary Schools. The purpose was to allow board members to assess both schools firsthand, focusing on capacity, per-student spending, classroom square footage, safety, ADA compliance, structural, mechanical, electrical, and technological capabilities, and transfer and traffic patterns. Following the tour, school administrators presented a facility evaluation of Rutherford College Elementary School to the Valdese Elementary School staff. The Valdese staff expressed a welcoming attitude towards a potential merger with Rutherford College, outlining plans for a smooth transition and collaborative efforts.

The meeting agenda includes student and employee recognitions, a special presentation from Mountain View Elementary, discussion and action items on a food service management contract amendment, and several consent items including open and closed session minutes, budget revisions, personnel reports, school improvement plans, board self-evaluations, field trip requests, and final readings of several policies related to student health services, personnel recruitment and selection, extracurricular duties, reduction in force, fiscal goals, budget planning, school finance officers, and facility needs. A closed session is also included if necessary.