This week as a Board, we had three meetings on Tuesday, April 20th: Finance Committee, Work Session, and Board Meeting.
At the Tuesday, April 20th Finance Committee:
- David Neter, Chief Operating Officer; and Terri Kimzey, Senior Director, Budget; presented the budget questions submitted by Board Members and provided answers. In my blog entry last week (April 16th), I listed the questions I had submitted. I encourage you to read through the document with the questions and answers as it provides extra details about the proposed budget and spending. To view the Budget Q and A document, click here.
The recording of the April 20th Finance Committee can be accessed at this link.
At the Tuesday, April 20th Work Session:
- Wade Martin, Assistant Superintendent, School Choice, Planning and Assignment; presented an overview of NC General Statue 115C-84.2(f)(5)-current year-round definition. The previously approved 2021-22 single-track year-round calendar (Track 4) does not meet this definition. Staff provided a draft 2021-22 single-track year-round calendar which would meet this definition. Staff is proposing to bring this back to the Board on May 4th for approval. To view the presentation, click here. The proposed 2021-22 single-track year-round calendar can be accessed at this link.
- Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent for Academics; and Alicia Miller, Director for Curriculum and Instruction; provided an overview of the 2021-22 Virtual Academy including current operational assumptions, key factors and considerations impacting decisions, and a general timeline of planned actions steps. To view the presentation, click here. Please note if you have a student at one of the schools not offering VA or have a student in an Extended Content Regional Program or Occupational Course of Study Program, you can reach out directly to the school's principal if you have medical/health concerns about your child attending school in person.
- Glenn Carrozza, Senior Director, Office of Student Assignment, presented initial details of the 2022-23 School Enrollment Plan. There are three new schools opening: Apex Friendship Elementary, Barton Pond Elementary, and Herbert Atkins Road Middle. The presentation can be accessed at this link.
To view the recording of the April 20th Work Session, click here.
At the Tuesday, April 20th Board Meeting:
- Bonner Gaylord, Chief Operating Officer, Kane Realty Corporation; presented an overview of the Downtown South Project. The presentation can be viewed at this link.
- Dr. Edward McFarland, Chief Academic Advancement Officer, presented the 2021-22 Virtual Academy option for Pre-K through 12th grade for Board approval. It was approved by the Board 9-0. Staff will continue to make operational decisions and will notify the Board of any updates and if any policy changes are required.
- Board Policy 2120: Code of Ethics and Responsibilities for School Board Members was presented as a revised policy for approval of first reading. Board approved the policy 9-0. To view the policy, click here.
- Board Policy 4270/6145: Concussion and Head Injury was presented as a revised policy for approval of first reading. Board approved the policy 9-0. The policy can be accessed at this link.
- Board Policy 6100: Student Health Services was presented as a new policy for approval of first reading. This policy is a combination of two policies created by the NC School Boards Association as part of their Policies to Lead the Schools Manual (6100: Goals of Student Health Services and 6110: Organization of Student Health Services). Board approved the policy 9-0. The policy can be viewed here.
- Board Policy 6220: Operation of Child Nutrition Services was presented as a new policy for approval of first reading. This policy was also created by the NC School Boards Association as part of their Policies to Lead the Schools Manual. It will replace current policy 7040: Child Nutrition Program and current policy 6221: Meal Charges. Board approved the policy 9-0. To access the policy, visit this link.
- Board Policy 6225: Free and Reduced Price Meal Services was presented as a new policy for approval of first reading. This policy was created by the NC School Boards Association as part of their Policies to Lead the Schools Manual. It will replace current policy 6710: Free and Reduced Price Meals and current policy 7020: Free and Reduced Price Benefits. Board approved the policy 9-0. To read the policy, click here.
- Wade Martin, Assistant Superintendent, School Choice, Planning and Assignment; requested approval to move the Remote Learning Day from May 5 to May 13th. Originally, May 13th was a Teacher Workday. It was moved to April 7th in order to support the transition to Plan A. The Board approved the request 9-0. I, personally, expressed my concerns about yet another change being made. Based on recent public feedback and the history of work done with the Board and Calendar Committee (prior to me coming to the Board), I voted in favor of the change. I do believe this should have been addressed when staff presented the Teacher Workday change previously.
To provide some additional background, staff and the Board received feedback requesting May 13th to be a Remote Learning Day. It is a holiday for some of our students and staff. Additionally, this would allow schools to keep their original May 13th plans. The feedback was reviewed by the Calendar Committee. The committee recommended moving the Remote Learning Day from May 5 to May 13. Staff then brought the recommendation to the Board.
On Thursday, April 22nd, I attended the Virtual Celebration of Teaching Excellence. An event held to celebrate our 256 teachers who were newly certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in 2019 and 2020 and the 271 teachers who renewed their certification during that time. To view the celebration recording, click here.
The 2021-22 Virtual Academy registration opened on Thursday, April 22nd and will close at 5 pm on May 2nd. To view more information about the Virtual Academy and registration, visit this link.
Next week as a Board, we have the following meetings (Please note all meetings will be streamed live on the WCPSS YouTube Channel. Additionally, you can sign up to attend these meetings in person. Click here to learn more.):
- Monday, April 26th at 3 pm-Student Achievement Committee. Please note the Summer Learning Plan and Comprehensive Plan for Equitable Disciplinary Practices will be presented. To view the agenda, visit this link.
- Tuesday, April 27th at 3 pm-Policy Committee. Various policies and issues will be discussed such as attendance, survey of students, online instruction, and Virtual Academy residency. To access the agenda, click here.
- Wednesday, April 28th at 3 pm- Safety and Security Committee. At the time of this blog entry, the agenda was not posted. When the agenda is posted, you will be able to access it at this link.
On Monday, April 26th at 7:30 pm, I will be hosting a D9 Connection Meeting. This is an informal meeting for me to listen to your concerns and feedback. If you live in District 9, have a student in a District 9 school, or work in a District 9 school, please join us via this Google Meet link.
Please mark you calendar for Sunday, May 2nd at 4 pm for another D9 Connection Meeting.
If you are interesting in providing feedback regarding Superintendent Moore's 2021-22 Budget, please consider completing this Google Form.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at kcarter3@wcpss.net.
