On Sunday, I hosted a D9 Connection Meeting. On Friday, I visited Crossroads FLEX. It was wonderful to learn more details about this unique, highly individualized high school option.
This week as a Board, we had two meetings: Work Session and Board Meeting.
At the Tuesday, January 4th Work Session:
- The Board discussed current legislative priorities and suggested some changes to the priorities such as an Instructional Assistant in every K-5 classroom, restoring health benefits for retirees hired after January 1, 2021. To view the current priorities, click here.
- The Board discussed the current District 4 Board vacancy, timeline for applying, and interview date. Use this link to access the timeline. To view the vacancy posting, click here.
To watch the January 4th Work Session, use this link.
At the Tuesday, January 4th Board Meeting:
- Superintendent Moore provided an update. She reviewed what was discussed in the Work Session (legislative priorities and District 4 vacancy) and reviewed the NC DHHS Toolkit changes.
- Dr. Ashlie Thompson, Central Area Superintendent; and Dr. Jackie Jordan, Principal, Enloe Magnet High School, presented information about the Enloe Magnet High School Track being named the Richard Leo Barfield Jr. Track. The Board approved the name 9-0. To view information shared, click here.
- Dr. Muttillo, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services; presented revised Board Policy 4040/7310: Staff-Student Relations for first reading. Revisions reflect updates made by the North Carolina School Boards Association. The Board approved the revised policy 9-0. Use this link to review the policy.
- Mark Strickland, Chief Facilities and Operations Officer, presented four new policies for first readings. The policies were created by the NC School Boards Association as part of their Policies to Lead the Schools Manual. Board Policy 6320: Use of Student Transportation Services, Board Policy 6321: Bus Routes and Stops, Board Policy 6322: Student Assignment to Buses, and Board Policy 6340: Contract Transportation were approved 9-0 by the Board.
- Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, presented the Local Face Covering Policy for Board approval. I voiced my priority of ensuring we provide daily, in-person instruction for as many students as possible. I shared my concern about the number of quarantines in mask optional districts in NC. For example, in Union County Public Schools right before the winter break, there were over 2,000 students quarantined. Union County Public Schools has around 40,000 students. I have asked on multiple occasions for Dr. Tilson, NC DHHS, to be invited to a meeting to discuss quarantines. She was invited by leadership to this meeting, but did not attend. Due to her declining to attend this meeting, we have been informed that she has been invited to our next meeting. I am hopeful she will attend to present information about the State quarantine requirements, any changes being considered, and to answer questions. The Board approved the Local Face Covering Policy 9-0. To view the health guidance considerations staff uses for their recommendations, click here.
- Dr. Muttillo presented two sets of Salary Schedules for 2021-22. The first set of 2021-2022 salary schedules provides the overall increases approved as part of state legislation and additional local funding that provides salary increases retro to July 1, 2021. The second set of 2021-2022 salary schedules provides the scales associated with additional adjustments approved by the Board of Education that are effective January 1, 2022. The Board approved the salary schedules 9-0. I voiced my appreciation for all the staff working on these schedules and ensuring these multiple pay increases are processed for staff.
To watch the January 4th 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.):
- Friday, January 14th at 1 pm- Special Called Board Meeting for District 4 Candidate Interviews.
At the time of this blog entry, I did not have confirmation that there would be a sign-up form to attend the Special Called Board Meeting. If there is a form, it will go live 48 hours prior to the start of the meeting (on Wednesday) and close at 5 pm on Thursday and will be accessible on this page .
There was some severe weather this week. To provide some clarification, the Board does not vote or decide if schools will be closed or have a delay due to weather or electrical issues.
I will be hosting another D9 Connection Meeting on Thursday, January 13th at 7:30 pm. 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.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me at kcarter3@wcpss.net.