David Broyles/The News
New Surry County Board of Education member Brian Moser is sworn in by County Commissioner Buck Golding. Also pictured are Kristy, Addison and Charlotte Moser.
David Broyles/The News
Surry County Board of Education member Clark Goings is sworn in by County Register of Deeds Carolyn Comer. Also pictured are Janie and Alicia Draughn and Neil, Elizabeth and Cade Atkins.
DOBSON — The Surry County Board of Education room was filled with family, friends and colleagues of Clark Goings and Brian Moser, who were sworn in at the board’s meeting on Monday.
Goings’ successful re-election bid for a second term is his first full four-year tour on the group. Moser’s win begins his first term on the board. Earlie Coe was re-elected as the board’s chairperson and Brian Gates was re-elected to fill the vice chairperson slot.
“It makes me feel good to know you have confidence in me,” commented Coe. “Brian (Moser) no doubt, will be a fine addition to the board to help us out. I want the board to know I could not have done it without you all.”
Gates was also positive as he addressed the group.
“I have enjoyed my years on the board,” began Gates. “Mr. Coe and I served virtually side by side since day one and I am pleased to serve with him again. It bears repeating that what we’ve accomplished as a board we have accomplished as a team. I thank you for your confidence.”
A document outlining the board’s goals and objectives for 2012-2013 was adopted by the board. Important components of this plan include the continued training of all personnel in the use of Common Core/Essential Standards and 21st Century Skills with an emphasis on cross-disciplinary literacy, continuing to focus on Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) and the school within a school capstone projects.
Other components of the goals statement include continuing to explore virtual options for delivery of content in high schools and require all teachers (K-12) to maintain a “content-rich” Haiku site for student access by January 2013 and exploring the possibility of creating a Surry County virtual school.
Spokespersons Joe Kroner and Sam McCormick briefed the board about a “Lego League” project. The effort is through Tri-STEM, an organization funded by the Piedmont Triad Partnership which seeks to foster excitement about science, technology, engineering and math among North Carolina students.
The program hopes to raise competitions in these areas to the excitement of other team sports. The thinking is that students will benefit from skills needed to excel in the competition such as teamwork, innovation and persistence after failure.
McCormick explained that innovative thinking, for instance, is essential in many of the newest production workplace environments where the workers are constantly re-designing the assembly to improve efficiency.
The Lego League is called that because teams must design, build and successfully program Lego robots to run a specific course and do specific things. The league participants also are challenged to solve a problem, such as a food-safety issue and finally, participants will be judged on how well the robot works and looks.
Superintendent Dr. Ashley Hinson explained that a critical component of the Lego League program is partnerships with business. He lauded the efforts of SouthData’s John Springthorpe in moving the project along.
In other business, the board passed a measure to grant a vineyard lease extension to Surry Community College.
Coe stated that from the start there was an understanding the lease would be renewed every four years and that Surry Central High School would probably need the property where the vineyard is located. The extension of the lease will allow experiments on test tracts in the vineyard by N.C. State to be completed. The lease was extended until 2017.
“It has all worked out for everyone,” said Hinson as he noted there is a tract of land the college is currently seeking for starting a new vineyard.
After a closed session, the board announced persons named to assistant principal posts in three middle schools.
Heather Venable was named assistant principal at Meadowview Middle School. Sherry Cox will be the new assistant principal at Central Middle School, and Dustin Webb will be assistant principal at Pilot Mountain Middle School.
Previously, Denny Barr was transferred to the principal’s post at Meadowview Middle, Lorrie Sawyers was named principal at Pilot Mountain Middle and Neil Atkins was transferred in as principal at Central Middle.
Reach David Broyles at dbroyles@heartlandpublications or 719-1952.
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