April 30, 2021

On Wednesday morning, I attended the student-led Tobacco-Free Community Forum. The students did a great job with presentations, voicing their concerns, and advocating. To view information about the event, click here. Later on Wednesday, I attended two additional events: the East Cary Middle School Student Showcase and a press conference. From World Languages to Art to Culinary Club, the Student Showcase was fabulous! It was nice to see the creative student assignments and activities. The joint press conference with the County Commissioners was to announce a new initiative- ThreeSchool. Please note, the details shared during the press conference were the first details to be shared with the majority of the Board. This link provides information about ThreeSchool. On Thursday, I visited Northwoods Elementary and Kingswood Elementary. Seeing the students engaged, playing, and learning made for an outstanding morning. The energy, focus, and enthusiasm of each school staff member spoke volumes about their continued dedication to our students.

This week as a Board, we had three meetings: Student Achievement Committee, Policy Committee, and Safety and Security Committee.

At the Monday, April 26th Student Achievement Committee:   

• Dr. Edward McFarland, Chief Academic Advancement Officer; Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent for Academics; Brain Pittman, Senior Director for High School Programs; and Syreeta Smith, Senior Director for Elementary Programs; presented details about the Summer Learning Program. Families will be notified next week (first week of May) if their student has been identified as at risk. Families will have until May 14th to inform the school of their intention to attend the Summer Learning Program. To view the presentation, click here.
  
  
• Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, and Dr. Paul Walker, Senior Director for Student Due Process & Alternative Education, provided an update on the Comprehensive Plan for Equitable Disciplinary Practices. To access the presentation, use this link.

To watch the recording of the April 26th Student Achievement Committee Meeting, click here.

At the Tuesday, April 27th Policy Committee:    

• Dr. Brad McMillian, Assistant Superintendent, Data, Research, and Accountability; presented Policy 4720: Surveys of Students. It was originally presented at the March 23rd Policy Committee meeting. To view the policy with revisions, use this link. 
  
  
• David Neter, Chief Operating Officer; and Mark Winters, Finance Officer; presented Policy 8305: Federal Grant Administration. This policy was created by the NC School Boards Association as part of their Policies to Lead the Schools Manual. To access the policy, click here.
  
  
• Brian Pittman, Senior Director for High School Programs; and Crystal Reardon, Director for School Counseling; presented a revised version of Policy 3102 R&P Online Instruction. This replaces the current version. To read the revised Policy 3102 R&P, use this link. Please note this does not require Board approval.
  
  
• Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, presented a revised version of Policy 4400: Attendance. The Board suggested additional changes. To view the version that was presented on Tuesday, click here. 
  
  
• Jonathan Blumberg, Attorney, Tharrington Smith; provided legal clarification regarding domicile. The Board and staff discussed Virtual Academy residency and domicile.

To watch the recording of the April 27th Policy Committee, use this link.

At the Wednesday, April 28th Safety and Security Committee:

• Russ Smith, Senior Director For Office of Security; and Kendrick Scott, Senior Administrator, Office of Security; provided an overview of funding for SROs and the AlliedUniversal Security Program. To access the presentation, click here.
  
  
• Patricia Robinson, Attorney, Tharrington Smith; presented information regarding use of force. To view the slideshow, use this link.
  
  
• Patricia Robinson presented an overview of the revisions proposed by the Board to the SRO Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

To watch the recording of the April 28th Safety and Security Committee, click here.

Next week, as a Board, we have the following meetings (Please note these meetings will be live on the WCPSS YouTube Channel. Additionally, you can sign up to attend the meetings in person.):

• Tuesday, May 4th at 2:30-Work Session. To view the agenda, use this link. The topics will be the Superintendent's Proposed Budget, compensation for certified staff to support school extension learning recovery and enrichment programs, spring End-of-Grade and End-of-Course testing, district intervention programming and school supports, and approval of a seven-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and resolution requesting funds for (CIP)
  
  
• Tuesday, May 4th at 5:30-Board Meeting. To access the agenda, click here. Some of the topics to be discussed and voted on are the following: the Superintendent's Proposed Budget, a unified 2021-22 Year-Round Calendar, multiple policies, a Board resolution requesting legislation to return to odd-year elections for school Board members with staggered four-year terms, and more.
  

If you are interesting in attending the Work Session or Board Meeting in person or providing in-person public comments, visit this link and scroll down to select the meeting you wish to attend. If you would like to provide written public comments, click here. To provide video public comments, use this link.

*For families interested in registering for the 2021-22 Virtual Academy, please click here. Registration closes on Sunday, May 2nd at 5 pm.

Please remember if you live in District 9, have a student in a District 9 school, or work in a District 9 school, I will be hosting a D9 Connection Meeting on Sunday, May 2nd at 4 pm. Please join us by using this Google Meet link.

I will host another D9 Connection Meeting on Monday, May 17th at 12 pm.

If you have any questions or comments, please email me at kcarter3@wcpss.net.