On Sunday, I hosted a D9 Connection Meeting. On Thursday, I had a meeting with Karen Wade, Policy Advisor at NC DHHS, and Walker Wilson, Assistant Secretary for Policy at NC DHHS, to share feedback and concerns I have received regarding masks and to ask NC DHHS about the planning for the upcoming school year. Later on Thursday, I attended the Salem Middle School 8th Grade Celebration Parade. It was exciting to cheer on the students with such a marvelous group of staff. Music, pom-poms, smiles, waves, and cars with a bubble machine, balloons, and artwork made for a great evening. Congrats 8th graders!
This week as a Board, we had three meetings: Finance Committee, Work Session, and Board Meeting.
At the Tuesday, June 15th Finance Committee:
- David Neter, Chief Business Officer, presented information about our current recruitment of bus drivers, vacancies, and a proposed sign-on bonus for bus drivers. The bonus would be payable in two parts: $400 after the first three months of employment with satisfactory performance and $800 after twelve months of employment with satisfactory performance. To access the presentation, click here.
- Debra Wallace, Senior Director, Purchasing; provided an update on Purchasing Department HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) initiatives. To view the presentation, use this link.
To watch the recording of the June 15th Finance Committee, click here.
At the Tuesday, June 15th Work Session:
- Karen Hamilton, Assistant Superintendent, Special Education Services; and Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent, Student Support Services; presented background information and an overview of the proposed 2021-22 WCPSS School Mental Health Improvement Plan. Session Law 2020-7 was approved by the North Carolina General Assembly, which requires the state board of education to adopt a school-based mental health policy and K-12 school units to adopt and implement a school-based mental health plan. The NC State Board of Education then adopted policy SHLT-003: School-Based Mental Health Policy that aligns with legislation and details compliance requirements. To access the presentation and recommended plan (link found on slide 11), use this link. This plan will be brought back to the Board for approval on July 20th.
- Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent, Academics; and Alicia Miller, Director, Curriculum and Instruction; provided an update on the 2021-22 WCPSS Virtual Academy. To view the presentation, click here.
- Brian Pittman, Senior Director, High School Programs; presented an update on 2021 Summer Extended Learning Program planning. To access the slideshow, use this link.
To access the recording of the June 15th Work Session, click here.
At the Tuesday, June 15th Board Meeting:
- The agenda was amended to change the JUUL lawsuit from an action item to an information item. It will be brought back to the Board as an action item on July 20th.
- Superintendent Moore provided a review of the items discussed in our Work Session.
- Dr. Scott Ralls, President of Wake Technical Community College; and Linda Coleman, Trustee at Wake Technical Community College; provided an overview of developments and status of Wake Technical Community College. To view the presentation, use this link.
- Janet Black, Attorney, answered questions regarding the potential JUUL lawsuit.
- David Neter, Chief Business Officer, sought the Board's approval for an interim budget resolution in accordance with General Statue § 115C 434 for the purpose of paying salaries and the usual ordinary expenses of the school system for the interval between the beginning of the fiscal year and the adoption of the budget resolution. The Board approved the interim budget resolution 9-0.
- David Neter presented the sign-on bonus for bus drivers for Board approval. The Board approved the bonus 9-0. Due to feedback from the Board, staff will be reviewing vacancy rates for other categories of noncertified staff and bring back any additional recommendations in July.
- David Neter presented negotiated new amendment proposals for seven contracted transportation vendors for the 2020-2021 school year. These vendors transport students with special transportation requirements. The sum of these amendments is $567,712.20. I voiced my understanding of the legal implications of these vendors and the COVID funding and my concerns about there not being a link to performance due to the feedback I have received from families and school staff about issues with late/no pick up/drop off, etc. Staff assured the Board that work will resume with the multiple parties involved with special transportation (School staff, transportation staff, families, SPED, and more). There will be a presentation at a future Work Session providing an update on the work done. Board approved the amended contracts 9-0. The following are the amended contracts: VGI, Lucas, CMC, Burrell, STA, D&D, and Circle.
- Tamani Anderson Powell presented the 2022-23 Instructional Calendars for Traditional, Modified, and Year-Round Schools for Board approval. The Board approved the calendars 9-0.
- Betty Parker, Senior Director, Real Estate Services; presented the Town of Cary's Offer to Purchase 2.06 acres of surplus property identified as a portion of PIN # 0763994193. The estimated gross income of the Board is $360,500. The Board approved the Town of Cary's Offer to Purchase 9-0. To view the purchase offer, click here.
- Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent, Student Support Services; presented Board Policy 4400: Attendance for Second Reading for Board Approval. The Board approved the policy 8-1. I, personally, voted against the policy due to my previously-voiced concerns regarding the transparency of remote learning days remaining unchanged. To view the approved policy, use this link.
- Russ Smith, Senior Director, Office of Security; presented the SRO MOU for Board approval. The Board approved the MOU 9-0. To access the SRO MOU, click here.
- Keith Sutton, Board Chair, presented Linda Coleman for re-appointment by the Board to the Wake Technical Community College Board of Trustees. The Board approved Linda Coleman's re-appointment 9-0. To read Linda Coleman's resume/experience, use this link.
- Betty Parker requested Board approval to purchase a parcel of land totaling ± 22.303 acres located in the Garner area. The property is further identified as being all that certain parcel adjacent to East Garner Middle School and having Wake County PIN 1721-30-6048. The cost of the land is $2,384,622.17. The Board approved the purchase 9-0. To view the land, click here. To access the purchase order, use this link.
Next week as a Board, we have no meetings.
My next D9 Connection Meeting will be on Monday, June 28th at 12 pm. If you live in District 9, have a student in a D9 school, or work in a D9 school, please join us using this Google Meet Link.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at kcarter3@wcpss.net.
