I just wanted everyone to know how the 2/21 Board of Governor's Meeting went. Most things went well, but there are many issues still facing the Board that need to be addressed. I will try to faithfully represent what was said in my notes below.
John Watts, Chairman, called meeting to order.
First was a note on Jim Bray's health. Jim was diagnosed with a potentially malignant tumor on his vocal cords on Thursday, 2/20. He is in good spirits and looks forward to a recovery. He returns to the hospital on Monday 2/24 for further tests. (NOTE: Randy Foy and Mary-Louise Bellamy visited Jim after the meeting, and he looked well and content. A favorable prognosis is hoped for.)
Several members of the board will be coming to the end of their terms this year. Re-appopintments from DPI should be forthcoming, either for those in place to continue, or for others to take their places.
Minutes of the November meeting were reviewed and approved.
A discussion, led by David Mills (DPI) centered around how the GS Selection Committee will review and recommend students who are home-schooled. With the growth of home schooling in NC, this is becoming an issue. The same is true for Charter Schools. For the moment, they are being treated the same as private schools, but the rules may have to change in the future. A more complete report is forthcoming.
Audition Day Rating Sheets: These sheets are filled out by judges during auditions. Some judges send them in to DPI, others do not. The Board accepted DPI's request that the individual rating sheets not be sent in. DPI will only receive the final ranking sheets.
Regional Meetings: Each year, the GS directors hold four regional meeting to discuss GS with the parents of students who are considering attending. They are also designed to raise public awareness of the Schools. The meeting went well, with over 1000 people attending in all. However, public awareness of the GS remains low. One problem is that guidance counselors often decide who will be nominated, and no others in the school ever hear of it. Board is looking into other avenues of spreading information, including newspapers, presentations at Superintendents and Counselor's meetings, and direct to students and teachers.
Budget Letter: John Watts contacted Dr. Tom Houliham, Gov. Hunt's Education advisor, to ask for the necessary additional funding to be added to the budget. However, it was not, so no additional funding will be supplied this year short of extraordinary means. Dr. Thrift, President of Salem College, and Dr. Board of St. Andrews, both pointed out that current funding in totally inadequate, and that their respective colleges are in many ways subsidizing the GS. This situation cannot continue, and the students are suffering. If no other funds can be found, the schools may have to take drastic actions, such as reducing the number of students or shortening the sessions. The only way to possibly get additional funds for 1997 would be to have a legislator introduce a bill to that effect, and get it passed. Chances are slim, but the GSAA and the Board will work towards that end. The Board will invite Dr. Houlihan and Gov. Hunt to attend the next meeting, tenatively scheduled for April 18, 1997.
Curriculum Study: Lowell Harris took the floor and pronounced the following: The purpose behind the review is not the change the underlying pholosophy, but to be able to present it in a way that can be shared with others, students, educators, legislators, administrators, and the general public. DPI has no thought of turning away from what has worked so well in the past. The study is also to unite the curriculums of the two schools, and to do away with the differences between East and West, making sure they are teaching the same things. Other Board memebrs and faculty expressed opposition to a set curriculum, opting instead for a statement of the philosophy and mission of the schools, but leaving the details of the curriculum to the faculty. While this was accepted as a good idea, it puts emphasis on the faculty to hold more dialog between the two schools, to make sure they are not drifting away from one another. The committee meeting will be held on Feb 27-28.
Faculty Issues: The Board is contrained from discussing specific faculty issues, but the discussion, led by Dr. Thrift, resolved around the difference between policy and practice. In specific, if a faculty member gets consistently good marks in terms of educating the students, then why are they dismissed. Mr. Harris listed a number of reasons, which hypothetically could occur but which did not in this case. Dr. Thrift asked that if these reasons did not apply in this case, why were faculty dismissed. Mr. Harris pointed out that the faculty is not a permanent thing. They are temporary employees for the summer only, and have no guarantee of being invited back. This is true for the faculty, the staff, and the directors. Jason Love (faculty) raised the question of how we can maintain an excellent faculty without some stability. Dr. Thrift expressed concern that GS was throwing away excellent educators with a long history of good work for what amounts to very little reason. The faculty submitted a list of points concerning fair and reasonable review and employment practices, which the Board advised DPI to look into and give a report at the next meeting.
Best Practices: Dan Gallimore thanked Mary-Louise for her paper in support of OW. He talked about the veracity of the congitive model, associative thinking, the four levels of thought, Faulkner and the formation of thought processes.
Changes in Gifted Education: Dr. Wesley Guthrie went over some changes that are being made in gifted education in the public schools, so that the board could see how GS is affecting public education and vice versa. He pointed out places where some of the GS theory is filtering down into the public schools. However, there are some expanding gray areas. Up until now, DPI had a system for determining giftedness, called the 98 point system. New rules in DPI allow local systems to determine what qualifies as giftedness, subject to DPI review. However, the GS has also used the 98 point ssytem to determine eligibility for GS. If local school systems are going to abandon the 98-point system, GS must set its own, new standards for acceptance. DPI will look into this issue.
Auditions: Music auditions will be held at Salem College on Sat, March 15, 1997. Nancy Doherty (DPI) asked for volunteers to help with the auditions, keeping students and parents comfortable, keeping the process moving, etc. If you would be able to help with these auditions, please contact Nancy via E-mail at ndoherty@dpiogate.dpi.state.nc.us
Next Meeting: April 18th? in Raleigh. Date may change if necessary to accomodate Gov. Hunt and/or Dr. Houlihan.
Summer Meeting: July 25th at Laurinburg.
Contact the GSAA.