May 21, 2021

On Monday, I started the week with a D9 Connection Virtual Meeting. On Friday, I visited West Cary Middle. At the beginning of my visit, Mr. Slechta, an Orchestra Teacher, Math Teacher, Instructional Facilitator, and more, was presented with the WCPSS Employee Excellence Award. It was terrific to hear about all he does for the West Cary Middle School Community. Friday evening, I attended Cary High School's Spring Musical (streamed), "Bright Star." Wow! The students were simply incredible!

This week as a Board, we had four meetings: Finance Committee, Work Session, Board Meeting, and Policy Committee.

At the Tuesday, May 18th Finance Committee:

• Dr. AJ Muttillo, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, presented the compensation incentives for non-certified and certified staff in support of the Summer Learning Program. To view the presentation, click here.
  

To watch the recording of the May 18th Finance Committee, use this link.

At the Tuesday, May 18th Work Session:

• Dr. Anthony Graham, Chair, Developing A Representative and Inclusive Vision for Education (DRIVE) Task Force; provided an overview of the work of DRIVE as well as their final report and recommendations. To view the presentation, click here.
  
  
• Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent for Academics, and Syreeta Smith, Director for Elementary Programs; presented additional details about the 2021 Summer Extended Learning Program. Over 23,000 students have been invited to attend. So far, 9,425 elementary families have accepted; 3,544 middle school families have accepted; and 3,743 high school families have accepted. Additionally, there is a partnership with WCPSS and the YMCA through Camp High Hopes. To access the presentation, use this link.
  
  
• Glenn Carrozza, Senior Director for Student Assignment; presented the proposed timeline for the 2022-23 Student Assignment Plan. The following are some of the proposed key dates: On September 21st, the first draft will be discussed during a Work Session. September 22-October 18th, there will be public feedback sessions. On November 16th, the second draft will be discussed during a Work Session. On December 7th, the final plan will be discussed in a Work Session, public comments will be made during the Board Meeting, and the Board will vote. To view the proposed timeline, click here.
  
  
• David Neter, Chief Business Officer, presented an overview of several potential options to shift high schools, and possibly middle schools, to a later start time. Board members met in small groups to discuss the options and possible implications of any shifts in the bell schedules. Staff also provided next steps. Engaging the community is essential as we move forward. To access the presentation, use this link.

To watch the recording of the May 18th Work Session, click here.

At the Tuesday, May 18th Board Meeting:

• Superintendent Moore provided an overview of what was discussed during our Work Session.
  
  
• Russ Smith, Senior Director, Office of Security; and Patricia Robinson, Attorney, Tharrington Smith; presented an overview of the public engagement process related to the SRO MOU. There was also a presentation of the revisions made to the SRO MOU. To view the draft SRO MOU, use this link. To access the presentation, click here.
  
  
• Dr. AJ Muttillo, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, presented the compensation incentives for non-certified and certified staff in support of the Summer Learning Program: Non-certified staff will earn $20/hr (or their regular hourly rate if higher); Certified Staff will earn $45/hr (of their regular hourly rate if higher); Legislated signing bonus of $1200- for National Board teachers or recipients of state reading bonus in grades 3-5 or a math bonus in grades 4-8; Legislated performance bonus for 3rd grade teachers- $150 per student - based on a student reaching proficiency; Both non-certified and certified staff are eligible for a WCPSS attendance bonus of up to $1200: $400 for 3 weeks (or one 2-week year-round session) and an additional $800 for full 6 weeks. The Board approved the compensation incentives 9-0. To view the presentation, use this link.
  
  
• Board Policy 4720: Survey of Students, was presented as a new policy for the first reading. This policy was created by the NC School Boards Association as part of their Policies to Lead the Schools Manual. It was approved by the Board 9-0. To read this policy, click here.
  
  
• Board Policy 8305: Federal Grant Administration, was presented as a new policy for the first reading. This is also created by the NC School Boards Association as part of their Policies to Lead the Schools Manual. It was approved by the Board 9-0. To access this policy, use this link.
  

To watch the recording of the May 18th Board Meeting, click here.

At the Wednesday, May 19th Policy Committee:

• Dr. Julie Cran, Director, Strategy and Policy, presented a revised Board Policy 5015: School Volunteers. There were multiple revisions primarily related to virtual volunteers (volunteers in a virtual environment). To read the revised policy, use this link. To view the Virtual Volunteer Agreement, click here. To access the Virtual Volunteer Parent/Guardian Permission Form, use this link.
  
  
• Dr. Julie Cran presented a revised Board Policy 5020: Visitors to the Schools. The revision were mainly related to virtual volunteers. To read the revised policy, click here.
  
  
• Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, presented a revised Board Policy 4400: Attendance. There were a significant amount of revisions related to on-site instruction days, Virtual Academy instruction days, remote learning instruction days, excused absences, and excessive absences. Staff will be making some additional revisions prior to the Board voting on the first reading. To read the revised version as of Wednesday, use this link.
  
  
• Paul Koh provided an overview of the Board Policy 4400 R&P: Attendance. The Board provided additional feedback. The Board does not vote on R&P. To access the Attendance R&P, click here.
  
  
• Dr. Lloyd Gardner, Chief of Staff and Strategic Planning; presented a revised Board Policy 2121: Board Member Conflict of Interest. The revisions reflect updates made by the North Carolina School Boards Association. To view the revised policy, use this link.
  
  
• Dr. Rodney Trice, Assistant Superintendent for Equity Affairs, provided a brief presentation about the background of the new Board Policy 1150: Equity. Due to time constraints, there was not a line by line reading or much feedback given. This will be coming back for additional discussion and time for questions. To access the presentation, click here. To read the new policy, use this link.

To watch the recording of the May 19th Policy Committee, click here.

Next week as a Board, we have the following meetings (Please remember these meetings will be live on the WCPSS YouTube Channel.):

• Monday, May 24th at 3 pm: Student Achievement Committee. To access the agenda, use this link. There will be a curriculum and learning update and an AIG update.
  
  
• Wednesday, May 25th at 3 pm: Safety and Security Committee. The agenda has not been posted at the time of this entry. When it is posted, it will be available here.
  

If you are interested in attending the Student Achievement Committee or the Safety and Security Committee Meeting in person, please use this link and scroll to the specific meeting to complete the Google Form.

Please remember this Sunday, May 23rd at 4 pm is a D9 Connection Virtual Meeting. 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.

There will be another D9 Connection Virtual Meeting on Wednesday, June 2nd at 7:30 pm. Please plan to join us.

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