July 23, 2021

On Monday, I hosted a D9 Connection Meeting. On Thursday, I attended the Raleigh Chamber's State of the City, County, and Schools. To read more about the event and to access the agenda, click here. Thursday evening, I attended the virtual HighSchoolOT Honors event. Congratulations to all the high school athletes, coaches, athletic directors, and mascots that were finalists, and congrats to the winners! In District 9, Cary High School's Wrestling Coach, Jerry Winterton, won the Lifetime Achievement Award. Click here to watch the recording of the event.

This week as a Board, we had two meetings: Work Session and Board Meeting.

At the Tuesday, July 20th Work Session:

• Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent for Academics, and AJ Muttillo, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources; provided an update on the 2021-22 WCPSS Virtual Academy Program Planning including teacher recruitment. To view the update, click here.
  
  
• AJ Muttillo provided an overview of the vacancy rates of IAs (Instructional Assistants) and other school staff. There are approximately 208 special education and 88 regular education IA vacancies. Staff is recommending a sign-on bonus for IAs hired July 1st-November 21, 2021. They would be paid $600 after three months in the same position. Then they would be paid $600 in November 2022 if they are still employed as an IA through October 2022. New IAs hired at 50% or greater would be eligible. To access the presentation, use this link.
  

To watch the recording of the July 20th Work Session, click here.

At the Tuesday, July 20th Board Meeting:

• AJ Muttillo presented the sign-on bonus for IAs for Board approval. It was approved by the Board 9-0. I voiced my concern about the hourly pay rate for IAs. I emphasized that it takes an IA 20 years to reach $15/hr. I mentioned the other noncertified staff, grades 16-22, that start below 15/hr. I look forward to staff presenting a specific plan to raise these vital staff members' pay rate. I did vote in support of the sign-on bonus due to having well over 200 IA vacancies since at least December. To access the financial precis for the IA sign-on bonus, use this link. Please note that WCPSS is also holding an IA Virtual Information Session on July 26th at 5 pm. If you are interested, please register by completing this Google Form. 
  
  
• Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, presented the School Mental Health Improvement Plan for Board approval. The Board approved the plan 9-0. Session Law 2020-7 requires the North Carolina State Board of Education to adopt a school-based mental health policy and requires K-12 school units to adopt and implement a school-based mental health plan that includes a mental health training program and a suicide risk referral protocol. To read the WCPSS School Mental Health Improvement Plan, click here.
  
  
• Paul Koh presented Board Policy 1610/7800: Professional Learning for Board approval of first reading. The Board approved the revised policy 9-0. To access Policy 1610/7800, use this link.
  
  
• Paul Koh presented Board Policy 6120: Student Health Services for Board approval of first reading. The Board approved the revised policy 9-0. Click here to read Policy 6120.
  
  
• Paul Koh presented Board Policy 4400: Attendance for Board approval of first reading. The Board approved the revised policy 8-1. I voted against this revised policy as I have the previous two times it's been presented for approval. I continue to have concerns regarding remote learning and transparency related to when those days will be used versus in-person makeup days. To access Policy 4400, use this link.
  
  
• The Board considered whether to file a lawsuit against Juul Labs, Inc. for the harmful effects its products have had on Wake County students.  As cigarette smoking among students has declined, the use of e-cigarettes to “vape” has substantially increased.  Juul Labs, Inc. is the largest manufacturer of e-cigarettes, controlling the U.S. market.  E-cigarette manufacturers have marketed their products as a safer alternative to traditional tobacco products, using fruit and dessert flavors to attract young consumers. The Board approved the Contingency Retainer Fee Agreement and filing a lawsuit against Juul Labs, Inc. 9-0. Click here to review the Contingency Retainer Fee Agreement. Use this link to access the Juul presentation.
  

To watch the recording of the July 20th Board Meeting, click here.

Next week as a Board, we have no meetings.

On July 21st, Governor Cooper and Dr. Cohen announced multiple changes to the StrongSchools NC Toolkit. It now provides recommendations for school districts to consider when developing their own local COVID-19 related health and safety measures. Previously, the Toolkit contained requirements.

Regarding changes to WCPSS guidance, there will be no decisions made prior to the August 3rd Board Meeting. An implementation date for any decisions made at the August 3rd Board Meeting will be announced on or before August 3rd.

Please remember on Sunday, August 1st at 4 pm, I will be hosting a D9 Connection Meeting. This is an informal meeting for me to listen to you. If you live in D9, have a student in a D9 school, or work in a D9 school, please join us using this Google Meet Link.

I will host another D9 Connection Meeting on Monday, August 16th at 7:30 pm.

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