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September 10, 2021

On Wednesday, I watched the Cary Chamber of Commerce's Education Committee Meeting. Dr. Tammie Sexton, Area Superintendent, and Mr. Seydric Williams, Area Superintendent, provided an overview of the 2021-22 school year related to COVID guidance and considerations. To access the recording of this meeting, use this link. On Friday, I visited the Score Academy. I'm very grateful for the work staff is doing, the relationships they are building, the opportunities students are given, and the perseverance of the students. On Saturday, I will be attending the Bands of Cary Event featuring Green Hope, Cary, Green Level, and Panther Creek High School's mass performance of the Star-Spangled Banner and each of the bands performing excerpts from their shows.

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

At the Tuesday, September 7th Work Session:

  • Superintendent Moore, Dr. Benjamin, ABC Science Collaborative; Dr. Mushonga, Wake Public Health; Tim Simmons, Chief Communications Officer; and Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent for Academics; provided information related to SB 654, COVID metrics, recommendations and COVID guidance (masks, vaccinations, testing, quarantine, cluster determination, and more) for staff, student athletes, and students, WCPSS COVID dashboard updates, and academic updates related to the Virtual Academy and instruction during quarantine. Due to time constraints, Mark Strickland, Chief of Facilities and Operations; and Paul Koh's, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, portions of the presentation were added to the Board Meeting agenda. To access the presentation, click here.
Use this link to watch the recording of the September 7th Work Session.

At the Tuesday, September 7th Board Meeting:
  • The presentation from the Work Session was continued. Mark Strickland, Chief of Facilities and Operations, and Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, provided updates related to staff vacancies, COVID guidance, NC DHHS COVID Testing Program, vaccinations, and more. I asked multiple questions related to picnic tables, staffing concerns, athletes, testing impact on school space/staff/instructional time, and more. Click here to view the presentation.

  • Superintendent Moore provided a brief update by mentioning what some of the COVID funding has been spent on.

  • Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent for Academics, requested that the Board waive Section F of Policy 6860: Co-Curricular Activities and Athletics for the fall semester of the 2021-2022 school year for high and middle schools. Section F outlines the attendance requirement eligibility component for student athletes in high school and middle school. The Board approved the waiver 9-0. To read Policy 6860, use this link.

  • Paul Koh requested the Board approve the Wake County Public School System Face Covering Guidance as adopted at the August 3, 2021, Board of Education meeting with the understanding that staff is given operational authority to implement this requirement. The Board approved this 8-1. I did not vote to approve this request because I voiced my concern about the details and implications of staff's operational authority. I also voiced my support of continuing with the requirement of masks indoors. When we voted on August 3rd, I was unaware that staff would have the authority to make decisions related to masks outside without Board approval or public discussion prior to implementation. I support open, transparent discussions regarding masks requirements including decisions about masks outside. With this approved request, district staff holds the authority to add mask requirements for athletes outside, recess, and more. To view the presentation, click here.
To watch the recording of the September 7th Board Meeting, use this link.

Next week as a Board, we have the following meeting (Please remember this meeting will be streamed live on the WCPSS YouTube Channel.):
  • Wednesday, September 15th at 3:00 pm- Facilities Committee. At the time of this blog entry, the agenda had not been posted. Once the agenda does post, it can be accessed here.
If you would like to attend the Facilities Committee Meeting, there is no sign-up form. You can just come to the Board Room for the meeting.

I will be hosting my next D9 Connection Meeting on Monday, September 13th at 7:30 pm. 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 Sunday, September 26th at 4 pm.

Please mark your calendar for District 9's first BAC Meeting for the 2021-22 school year. It will be held at Cary High School on Wednesday, September 22nd at 6 pm. 

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



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