On Sunday, I hosted a D9 Connection Meeting. On Thursday, I attended the Summer Writing Slam! for Session 2 students. The students did an outstanding job sharing their powerful creations. On Friday, I visited Adams Elementary. There were so many great activities happening from acting out a story, reading a story, designing a house, celebrating the achievement of a class goal in math, and more.
This week as a Board, we had two meetings: Work Session and Board Meeting.
At the Tuesday, August 3rd Work Session:
- Mr. Koh, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services; Dr. Benjamin, ABC Science Collaborative; and Dr. Mushonga, Wake County Public Health; shared WCPSS priorities being considered, the NC DHHS and CDC guidance, current vaccination data, COVID-19 trends in NC and Wake County, insights from the ABC Science Collaborative and Wake County Public Health, and their recommendation for face coverings for students and staff. During the session, I asked multiple questions seeking clarification related to one of the goalposts, data by age, projected data and data over the past 17 months. I also sought clarification around the quarantine procedures and steps involved in identifying a cluster. To view the presentation, click here.
- Dr. Muttillo, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, shared information related to recruitment and special education teacher vacancies. There is a 6.8% vacancy rate for special education teachers, 11.6% vacancy rate for regional programs, and 2.4% vacancy rate for regular education teachers. Staff proposed a $3,500 recruitment incentive. $1,750 would be paid after the first three months of employment if hired between July 1 and November 21, 2020. Then $1,750 would be paid in November 2022 if the teacher is still employed as a special education teacher through October 31, 2022. Use this link to access the presentation.
At the Tuesday, August 3rd Board Meeting:
- Superintendent Moore provided a brief overview of the items discussed in the Work Session.
- Board Policy 1610/7800: Professional Learning was presented for second reading. It was approved by the Board 9-0. To read the policy, use this link.
- Board Policy 6120: Student Health Services was presented for second reading. It was approved by the Board 9-0. Click here to access the policy.
- Board Policy 4400: Attendance was presented for second reading. It was approved by the Board 8-1. Use this link to read the policy. I voted against this policy, as I have the previous three votes, due to my concerns around remote learning and transparency related to the use of remote learning days versus in-person weather makeup days.
- Dr. Muttillo presented the staff recommendation of a $3,500 special education teacher recruitment incentive for Board approval. It was approved by the Board 8-1. To access the presentation, click here. I did support the recommendation, but voiced my concern regarding improving current staff pay and my desire to have a specific plan that is clear to staff.
- Paul Koh presented the staff recommendation (along with Wake Public Health and the ABC Science Collaborative recommendation) of requiring masks for adults and children indoors in our schools for Board approval. The Board approved the recommendation 9-0. To access the presentation, use this link. To view the legal questions and answers related to masks and other COVID-related issues, click here.
During the presentation, I asked additional questions. I was able to secure a commitment from Superintendent Moore for at least a quarterly review. I requested that at the review we assess the data from the mask optional districts in NC for 2021-22 and WCPSS data. Additionally, I was able to secure a commitment from Superintendent Moore for clear masks to be provided to additional classroom staff (those in younger elementary K-3 and those with hearing impaired students) and to check with the special education staff to see if they need replacements or if new staff need clear masks. There will be communication with staff to make them aware of the availability of clear masks as well.
The vote on masks was a difficult decision. Part of what helped me determine my ultimate vote were my goals of maintaining daily high quality in-person instruction, lessening quarantines, and being able to keep extracurricular activities (band, sports, etc.) as scheduled. I want to avoid concurrent teaching, remote learning, and hybrid learning. Dr. Benjamin shared that there were a few schools in North Carolina that started this current school year with optional masks, but they have now switched to requiring masks due to COVID cases. I am curious what the data will reveal at our quarterly review.
To watch the recording of the August 3rd Board Meeting, use this link.
This week as a Board, we have the following meeting scheduled (Please remember you can watch this meeting live on WCPSS YouTube.).:
- Wednesday, August 11th at 3 pm: Facilities Committee. At the time of this blog entry, the agenda was not posted. Once it is posted, you can access it here.
The next D9 Connection Meeting will be on Monday, August 16th at 7:30 pm. This will be 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.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me at kcarter3@wcpss.net.
