D9 Connection

On Sunday, February 21st, I hosted a virtual D9 Connection Meeting. I appreciate all the folks who attended and the feedback and concerns they shared. Later in the week, I recorded a bed time story for Turner Creek Elementary students and participated in the African-American Read-In at Apex Elementary School. Thank you to both schools for including me in these fun events. As a Board, we had three meetings this week: Student Achievement Committee, Policy Committee, and Safety and Security Committee. At the Monday, February 22nd, Student Achievement Committee Meeting: Wade Martin, Assistant Superintendent, School Choice, Planning and Assignment; and Kimberly Lane, Senior Director, Magnet and Curriculum Enhancement Programs; provided a detailed update on our Magnet Programs. To view their documents, please click here. Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent, Student Support Services; Dr. Marrius Pettiford, Senior Director, Counseling & Student Services; and Debbie Richardson, Director, All...

This week, as a Board, we had three meetings on Tuesday, February 16th: the Budget/Finance Committee, Work Session, and Board Meeting. At the Tuesday, February 16th, Budget/Finance Committee Meeting: David Neter, Chief Business Officer; Mark Winters, Finance Officer; and Terri Kimzey, Senior Director, Budget; presented information in preparation for 2021-22 proposed operating budget. Staff shared details about the current landscape and the multi-year funding initiatives previously establish by the Board: non-certified staff compensation, maintenance and operations to maintain school facilities, student social emotional support, and instructional support technicians. The Board provided input regarding the priorities. To view their presentation, click here . The recording of the February16th Budget/Finance Committee Meeting can be viewed at this link . At the Tuesday, February 16th, Work Session: Lloyd Gardner, Chief of Staff, and Tim Simmons, Chief Communications Officer, shared informa...

I kicked off my week with a virtual D9 Connection Meeting on Monday, February 8th. Thank you to all who attended. I'm grateful to receive the timely feedback. On Tuesday, February 9th, I attended the Duke Children's-UNC Children's Health Forum: COVID-19 and Schools.  At the Tuesday, February 9th, Duke Children's-UNC Children's Health Forum: COVID-19 and Schools: Dr. Marisa Ellen Marranccini, Assistant Professor of School Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies at UNC; Dr. Katie Jordan, Pediatric Specialist at UNC; Dr. Gary Maslow, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Duke, and Dr. Angelo Milazzo, Jr, Vice Chair for Practice and Clinical Affairs, Department of Pediatrics; Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology at Duke; addressed issues related to COVID, schools, children, and families. The recording will be posted in the near future. Once it is posted, it will be on the UNC Children's YouTube page. As a Board, we had one meeting on ...

This week, I started off with a D9 Connection Virtual Meeting on Sunday, February 1st. I appreciate the educators and parents who attended and provided feedback regarding a return to in-person instruction plan. As a Board, we had two meetings on Tuesday, February 2nd: the Work Session and Board Meeting.  At the Tuesday, February 2nd, Work Session : Brad McMillen, Assistant Superintendent for Data, Research, and Accountability; Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services; Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent for Academics; and Dr. Muttillo, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, provided a midyear update. The topics covered were: results from the WCPSS parent, staff, and principal surveys; attendance data, dropouts, grades, and sub recruitment. Even with the flexibility of how students can be counted as attending school (in person, two-way communication, turning in schoolwork, or attending a live meet), absences for Blacks and Hispanics have  increased...