On Thursday, I had planned to attend the Score Academy Midyear Graduation; however, due to the possibility of winter weather/hazardous road conditions, the ceremony was canceled. I want to congratulate all the midyear graduates! I wish you all the best on your next steps-military, college, career, or time to explore your options.
This week as a Board, we had three meetings: Work Session, Board Meeting, and Facilities Committee. The Swearing In Ceremony for Craston Artis II was canceled. Initially, I was not provided a reason why it was canceled. I learned there were questions about his residency from one of the public speakers, Becky Lew-Hobbs, at the Board Meeting. Then later that evening, I was informed that due to questions being raised about his residency, the ceremony was put on hold.
At our January 14th Special Called Meeting for District 4 Interviews (around the 11 minute mark), I brought up a concern about a candidate not submitting a letter of intent and I was assured by multiple Board members that the only legal requirement to move forward with the interview was for the applicant to live in District 4. It was even mentioned that someone had submitted information that was out of the district so they were not eligible.
I asked for Craston Artis II be present at our public meeting to discuss this issue, but I was told to call him and have a discussion. I did not call him as I would prefer to have this information shared in an open public meeting. I am prepared for an open discussion on the time line of events.
Our Board Retreat on Friday and Saturday was canceled due to the anticipated winter weather/hazardous road conditions.
At the Tuesday, January 18th Work Session:
- Dr. Gardner, Chief of Staff and Strategic Planning; Beth Silveira, Senior Director, Innovative and Strategic Initiatives; and RTI Staff led a discussion with the Board around developing the next Strategic Plan. The Board provided input regarding what we believe are the hopes, aspirations, and dreams that our community has for our students. I did share the importance of asking our community. The Board also provided input regarding the Board's relationship with supporting the development and implementation of the Strategic Plan. This topic will be part of our Board Retreat. To view the presentation, click here.
- Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services; Karen Wade, Senior Policy Advisor, NC DHSS; Dr. Mushonga, Assistant Medical Director and Epidemiology Program Director, Wake County Health and Human Services; provided data related to COVID, quarantine changes, and more. I asked if Karen Wade had data about how many hospitalizations were because of COVID versus how many are hospitalized and have a secondary diagnosis of COVID. She did not have that data. I asked for that same data from Dr. Mushonga at the county level and she did not have that data either. I asked if WCPSS would be using the Test to Stay exception listed in Toolkit and at first was told no, but later in the meeting I circled backed and was informed that staff would be working to update the WCPSS guidance. In short, in mask-required districts, students and staff do not have to quarantine if exposed in an unmasked setting unless they develop symptoms or have a positive test. Testing would not be required. I also asked Karen Wade if she could explain the severity of symptoms and how that has changed. Additionally, I asked both Karen Wade and Dr. Mushonga for information that they can share to help provide hope. Use this link to access their presentation.
- Glenn Carrozza, Assistant Superintendent for School Choice, Planning and Assignment; provided the metrics used to determine when an underutilized year-round school can be considered for a calendar change. Click here to review the presentation and the metrics used. District staff is recommending West Lake Elementary, West Lake Middle, and Middle Creek Elementary be transitioned to a Track 4 only calendar for the 2022-23 school year. At an upcoming Board Meeting, this recommendation will be presented for Board approval.
- Superintendent Moore provided an overview of what was discussed in the Work Session: Strategic Plan, Quarantine, COVID information, and underutilized year-round schools.
- Jonathan Blumberg, Board Attorney, provided a presentation about SB 654 and the impact on WCPSS' ability to use remote instruction and what is currently being required to offer a Virtual Academy for next school year. To review the presentation, click here. Use this link to read SB 654/Session Law 2021-130.
- Chair Mahaffey and Vice Chair Heagarty presented the revised 2022 WCPSS Legislative Agenda for Board approval. It was approved 8-0. Click here to view the legislative agenda.
- Shane Webster, Senior Facilities Planner, Facilities Design and Construction; and Alice Reese, WCPSS; presented the Schematic Design for Rex Road Elementary School. This will be presented for Board approval at a future Board Meeting. To view the Schematic Design, click here.
- Nate Slavik, Senior Director, Maintenance and Operations; provided an overview of the maintenance and operations budget constraints, staffing concerns, and other challenges. Use this link to read the presentation.
- Marcella Rorie, Senior Director, Long Range Planning; and Glenn Carrozza, Assistant Superintendent for Student Choice, Planning, and Assignment; presented information about factors considered when determining if a school needs to be capped and reviewed the current schools capped, the recommended schools to be added to the capped list and the schools recommended to be removed from the capped list. Staff's recommended capped school list will be presented for Board approval at the February 1st Board Meeting. To review the presentation, click here. To view the 2021-22 capped school list with enrollment and other relevant data, including the schools being recommended to be capped and those recommended to be removed from the list, use this link. I did voice the importance of community engagement-seeking their input- and early on in the process if converting a traditional school to a year-round school or reassignment is being considered instead of capping.
- Douglas Congdon, Program Executive, Facilities Design and Construction; presented the three-month forecast for Facilities Committee meetings and regular Board meetings as it relates to the Facilities Department. Click here to view the three-month forecast.
- Monday, January 24th at 3:00 pm- Student Achievement Committee. Items on the agenda are Behavioral Health Practices: Mental Health Services and Curriculum and Learning Updates: LETRS and Wake Up and Read . To view the agenda, use this link.
- Tuesday, January 25th at 2:00 pm- Special Called Meeting to discuss Craston Artis II's residency and eligibility.*
- Tuesday, January 25th at 3:00 pm or upon adjournment of the Special Called Board Meeting, whichever comes later- Policy Committee Meeting.*
