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August 20, 2021

On Monday, I started the week with a D9 Connection Meeting. On Thursday, I visited Salem Middle and Salem Elementary. It was wonderful to see the amazing staff and students. Later on Thursday, I attended an ASCD webinar: What Matters Most as a New School Year Begins with Carol Ann Tomlinson. To learn more about the webinar, click here. On Saturday, I will close out my week at Green Hope Elementary at a fun Beautification Day. 

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

At the Tuesday, August 17th Finance Committee:

  • Mark Winters, Finance Officer, presented a detailed overview of the WCPSS Employee Benefits. To view the presentation, use this link.

  • David Neter, Chief Business Officer, provided an overview of the currently proposed State Senate and House Budgets. Click here to access the presentation. 
Use this link to watch the recording of the August 17th Finance Committee.

At the Tuesday, August 17th Work Session:
  • Dr. Council, Northeastern Area Superintendent, provided an overview of Family Engagement events. I followed up on information shared by staff at our May Student Achievement Committee Meeting. Staff had mentioned having Family Engagement events in the summer to seek family input/feedback about curriculum and resources used in the classroom. Superintendent Moore agreed to bring back an overall plan/expectations. Now the focus is on school-level events. 

  • Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, provided a detailed update on COVID-related protocols, procedures, and guidance.

  • Dr. Muttillo, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, presented a staffing update. There are multiple areas of concerns from CNS, VA teachers, SPED teachers, IAs, Bus Drivers, and more.

  • Mark Strickland, Chief of Facilities & Operations, provided an operational update. Due to staffing vacancies and other shortages, more than half of our bus routes will be making double runs (morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times will be delayed), menu options will be limited, etc.
To access the presentation, click here.

Use this link to watch the August 17th recording of the Work Session.

At the Tuesday, August 17th Board Meeting:
  • Superintendent Moore provided an overview of the items discussed in the Work Session.

  • The Board unanimously approved the 2021-22 School Year Data Use Agreement with the Duke ABC Science Collaborative. This is an extension to an existing agreement between WCPSS and Duke University. It governs the sharing of WCPSS data with Duke University.  The purpose of the data sharing is for WCPSS to access Duke’s scientific analysis services regarding the prevalence and tracking of COVID-19 infections and to assist WCPSS in making informed decisions on district operations. These services are being provided to districts across North Carolina as per state directive, and this agreement ensures that any data shared in that work will be used and stored appropriately and in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), 20 U.S.C. 1232g and its implementing regulations at 34 CFR part 99; the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (“PPRA”), 20 U.S.C. 1232h and its implementing regulations at 34 CFR part 98; the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”), 15 U.S.C. 6501-6506 and its implementing regulations at 16 CFR part 312; N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 115C-401.1 and 115C-402; and any associated WCPSS Board policies. To review the agreement, click here. I asked for families to receive communication that provides background and other information about this agreement. Superintendent Moore agreed to have that communication sent to families.

  • The Board unanimously approved a contract with the Arc of the Triangle to provide a day program to students who reached age 22 and exited school in June 2021 with a certificate. The Arc of the Triangle is a provider of the University Transitional Day Program, where participants will focus on transitional adult skills. While no longer students of WCPSS, these services will provide a bridge for skills acquisition that may have been lost during COVID closures. Use this link to access the contract. I voiced my gratitude for district staff working to arrange this opportunity.
To watch the recording of the August 17th Board Meeting, click here.

Next week as a Board, we have the following meeting scheduled (Please remember the meeting will be live streamed on the WCPSS YouTube Channel.):
  • Monday, August 23rd at 3 pm: Student Achievement Committee. Use this link to view the agenda. The topic on the agenda is year-round schools.
I will be hosting a D9 Connection Meeting on Sunday, August 29th at 4 pm. This is an informal meeting for me to listen to your concerns and feedback. If you live in D9, work in a D9 school, or have a student in a D9 school, please join us using this Google Meet Link.

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



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