December 2, 2022

This is my final blog as the D9 Representative of the Wake County Board of Education. I want to thank all the students, families, school staff, and community members that have taken the time to email, speak with me over the phone, attend a D9 Connection Meeting, attend a Board Advisory Council Meeting or attend any Board Meetings. I appreciate hearing directly from you and am blessed to have had the opportunity to serve District 9.

While serving as the D9's representative, I have spend a significant amount of time attending events at our wonderful schools: beautification days, athletic signing events, band competitions and concerts, orchestra concerts, choral concerts, IMProv nights, fall performances, spring musicals, golf matches, wrestling matches, swim meets, track and field events, soccer games, football games, tennis matches, volleyball games, community nights, art galleries, classroom projects, dance performances, cheerleading competitions, parades, softball games, drama club performances, NJROTC competitions, and more. These events are all examples of the powerful work our schools are doing. 

The Arts and athletics can help a student stay connected to academics, be a lifesaver for the student, and help change the entire trajectory of a student's life. I encourage folks to attend events at our schools and show our students that we stand with them and support them. I want to thank all the families, staff members, students, referees, umpires, booster clubs, pit crews, PTAs, local businesses, community members, and more for the time and/or items you contribute to help ensure these events happen.

Thank you to all the staff for the roles you play in supporting our students, families, and other staff members. Each staff member--bus safety assistants, CNS workers, clerical assistants, custodians, building substitutes, receptionists, school secretaries, audiology assistants, bus drivers, instructional assistants, custodians, registrars, mechanics, craftsmen, data managers, maintenance technicians, bookkeepers, job coaches, brailists, payroll technicians, interpreters/transliterators, testing technicians, transportation team leaders, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, guidance counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, teachers, assistant principals, principals, and more--is vital to WCPSS. Thank you!

It has been an honor to serve as District 9's representative. I wish the Board all the best.

This week as a Board, we had four meetings: Student Achievement Committee, Policy Committee, and Two Spotlight on Student Meetings.

At the Monday, November 28th Student Achievement Committee Meeting:

• Dr. McMillen, Assistant Superintendent, Data, Research, and Accountability; Drew Cook, Assistant, Academics; and Michele Woodson, Senior Director, K-12 Curriculum Development; provided an overview of the curriculum implementation experience and progress with EL Education (3-8), Open Up Resources (6-8), and Mathematics Vision Project (MVP Math 1, 2, and 3). Click here to view the presentation. The full report of the WCPSS Curricula Implementation of EL Education (EL 3-8), Open Resources (OUR 6-8), and the Mathematics Vision Projection (MVP Math 1-3) can be read here.
  
  
• Michele Woodson, Drew Cook, and Dr. McMillen presented information about the Board of Education feedback from the October 2022 Student Achievement Committee meeting, shared curriculum stages of implementation, and reviewed a cycle timeline to include next steps. Use this link to access the presentation. 

Click here to watch the November 28th Student Achievement Committee Meeting.

At the Tuesday, November 29th Policy Committee Meeting:

• Dr. Crain, Director, Strategy and Policy; presented a revised Board Policy 1710: Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassments, and Bullying for discussion. Revisions reflect concerns mentioned by the Board during a previous discussion. There were additional changes recommended. This policy will be presented for first reading at a future Board Meeting. Use this link to view the revised policy.
  
  
• Dr. Crain presented a new Board Policy 6325: Parking for Students and Visitors for discussion. The committee recommended additional changes. This policy will be presented at a future Board Meeting for first reading. Click here to access the new policy. 
  
  
• Dr. Muttillo, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources; and Kendra Hill, Senior Director, Employee Relations; presented revised Board Policy 7100: Recruitment and Selection of Personnel. This revised policy will be presented for first reading at a future Board Meeting. Use this link to view the revised policy. 
  
  
• Dr. Crain and Dr. Robinson, Chief of Staff and Strategic Planning; presented revised Board Policy 2120: Code of Ethics and Responsibilities for School Board Members. Revisions reflect recommendations made by the NC School Boards Association. The committee requested additional work to be done on this policy. This policy will be presented again at a future Policy Committee Meeting. Click here to access this revised policy. 
  
  
• Dr. Crain presented revised Board Policy 2121: Board Member Opportunities for Development. Revisions reflect recommendations made by the NC School Boards Association and staff. There was an additional concern raised at the Board table. This policy will be presented for first reading at a future Board Meeting. Use this link to access the revised policy. 
  
  
• Dr. Crain and Dr. Robinson presented revised Board Policy 2310: Public Participation at Board Meetings for discussion and feedback. This policy will be presented at a future Policy Committee Meeting. Click here to view the policy.
  
  

Use this link to watch the recording of the November 29th Policy Committee Meeting.

At the Tuesday, November 29th Board Meetings-Spotlight on Students:

• There were twenty-five students recognized as Spotlight on Students Award winners at the 5:30 meeting. Click here to access the students celebrated.
  
  
• There were twenty-five students recognized as Spotlight on Students Award winners at the 6:30 meeting. Use this link to view the students celebrated.

Click here to watch the November 29th Spotlight on Students (both meetings).

Next week the Board has the following meetings (Please remember these meetings will be streamed live on the WCPSS YouTube Channel.):

• Tuesday, December 6th at 4 pm- Board of Education Swearing In Ceremony. The agenda can be accessed at this link.
  
  
• Tuesday, December 6th at 5:30- Board of Education Annual Meeting. The agenda can be read here. The officers (Chair and Vice Chair) will be elected during this meeting.
  
  
• Tuesday, December 6th at 5:45 pm or immediately following the Board of Education Annual Meeting- Board of Education Meeting. The agenda can be accessed at this link. Some of the items on the agenda are gifts to the system, Design Consultant Agreement: Weatherstone Elementary School Systems Upgrade Project, and more.

If you are interested in speaking at the Board Meeting, please visit this page and scroll down to click on the appropriate form. The form will go live at 11:30 am on Tuesday, December 6th and close at 4:30 pm. 

If you have any questions or comments until December 6th, please contact me at kcarter3@wcpss.net. Tyler Swanson will be the new D9 Board of Education Representative after the swearing in ceremony on December 6th.