D9 Connection

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 clu...

This week as a Board, we had no meetings. Next week as a Board, we have the following meetings (Please remember these meetings will be streamed live on the  WCPSS YouTube Channel .): Monday, November 28th at 3 pm- Student Achievement Committee. The items on the agenda are the Curriculum Implementation Study and Curriculum Evaluation and Development Cycle. Use  this link  to access the agenda. Tuesday, November 29th at 3 pm- Policy Committee. There are six policies on the agenda. Click  here  to view the agenda. Tuesday, November 29th at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm-Board of Education Recognition Meetings-Spotlight on Students. Use this link to access the agenda. If you have any questions or comments, please email me at kcarter3@wcpss.net.

 This week as a Board, we had three meetings: Finance Committee, Work Session, and Board Meeting. At the Wednesday, November 16th Finance Committee Meeting: Mark Winters, Financial Officer; Laird Hepburn, Chair, Board Independent Audit Committee; and Tyler Baity, Managing Director, Forvis; presented the Audit results. To view the presentation, click here .  Mark Winters provided an overview of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Use this link to access the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Year Ended June 30, 2022. Click here to view the presentation. Use this link to watch the recording of the November 16th Finance Committee Meeting. At the Wednesday, November 16th Work Session: Jill McKenna, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education Services provided an update of the Special Education Self-Assessment Project-including an overview of the District Management Group (DMG) final report recommendations. Click here to access her presentation. Use this link to...

Happy Veterans Day! Thank you to all the Veterans. We honor you for your service, sacrifices, and dedication to our country. This week as a Board, we had two meetings: Facilities Committee and Public Hearing on Student Assignment Plan. At the Wednesday, November 9th Facilities Committee Meeting: Elizabeth Sharpe, Director, Facilities Design and Construction; and Shane Webster, Senior Facility Planner, Facilities Design and Construction; provided a project update for the Piney Plains Bus Transportation Center. Click here to access their presentation.  Glenn Carrozza, Assistant Superintendent for School Choice, Planning, and Assignment; and Susan Pullium, Senior Director, Office of Student Assignment; presented an Area Crowding Considerations 101. Use this link  to view their presentation. Glenn Carrozza and Susan Pullium provided an update regarding their recent work with CAMPO and the Safe Routes to School Initiative. To access their presentation, click here . Douglas Congdon...

On Sunday, I hosted a D9 Connection Meeting. On Wednesday, I attended the Cary High and Athens Drive High School's Fall Orchestra Concert. Splendid job musicians and Director-Mrs. Culbreth. On Thursday, I attended Green Hope's phenomenal production of Metamorphoses. On Friday, I attended Round One of the Football playoffs at Apex High School. Best of luck in Round 2 Apex! This week as a Board, we had two meetings: Work Session and Board Meeting. At the Tuesday, November 1st Work Session: Glenn Carrozza, Assistant Superintendent, School Choice, Planning and Assignment; and Tamani Anderson Powell, Director, Magnet and Curriculum Enhancement Programs; presented the proposed changes to the 2023-24 Traditional , Modified , and Year-Round Instructional Calendars. These calendars will be presented for Board approval at a future Board Meeting.  Dr. Moore-Lawrence, Senior Director, K-12 Instructional Supports; Michele Woodson, Senior Director; K-12 Curriculum Development; Jo Anne Honey...

On Monday, I visited Green Hope High School and attended part of 3rd period and all of 4th period's Civic Classes. I, along with Representative Gale Adcock, spoke with students and answered questions related to their class campaign project. Monday evening was D9's Board Advisory Council Meeting (Please see below for more information). On Wednesday, I attended West Cary Middle School's Fall Orchestra Concert. Great job Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Orchestra students and Director-Dr. Nessim. It was great to be able to check out the Student Art Gallery after the concert. Thank you to Mr. Miller, Art Teacher, for showcasing the students' artwork. On Thursday, I attended Green Hope High School Chorus Program's Turning Over a New Leaf Fall Concert. Amazing job musicians, Director- Mr. Botwick, and Pianist- Ms. Myers. On Friday, I attended Cary High School's football game. On Saturday, I will be attending the 63rd Annual Cary Band Day!  This week as a Board we ...

On Monday, I attended East Cary Middle School's Performance of Murders in the Heir. Bravo cast, crew, and Director-Mrs. Bridges! On Thursday, I attended Cary High School's Fall Choral Concert. Outstanding job Concert Chorus, Choral Ensemble, Green Eggs & Jam A Capella Ensemble, Accompanists- Mrs. Trotter and Evan Szypulski, Student Teacher- Mrs. Goodman, and Director- Mr. Yasick. On Friday, I will be attending Apex High's Performance of Walk Two Moons. On Saturday, I will be attending Green Hope's Performance of Leaving Iowa. This week as a Board, we had two meetings: Work Session and Board Meeting. At the Tuesday, October 18th Work Session: Susan Pullium, Senior Director, Student Assignment; reviewed some of the feedback received via the ThoughtExchange, frequently asked questions, and stability rules and presented Draft 2 of the 2023-24 Student Enrollment Plan. Click here to access the presentation.  Use this link to watch the recording of the October 18th Wor...

On Monday, I visited SCORE Academy for their RAMP (The Recognized ASCA Model Program) presentation. On Wednesday, I visited Apex HS for their RAMP presentation. Thank you to all the work being done to support all our students! On Thursday, I attended Green Hope High School's Orchestra Concert. Outstanding job Concert Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra. A special shoutout to Director-Mrs. Lewis. After the concert, I was able to head to the gym to see the last several points--and the Green Hope Volleyball Team's victory point! On Friday, I will be attending Apex High's Homecoming football game. This week as a Board, we had no meetings. Next week as a Board, we have the following meetings (Please remember these meetings will be streamed live on the  WCPSS YouTube Channel .): Tuesday, October 18th at 4:00 pm- Work Session. The item on the agenda is Draft 2 of the WCPSS 2023-24 Enrollment Plan . Use  this link  to view the agenda. Tuesday, October 18th a...

On Wednesday, I attended the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Dillard Drive Middle School. It was a fantastic evening with special guests, student speakers, performances, and more. On Thursday, I enjoyed celebrating the Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year Finalists. Congratulations to the Principal of the Year- Dr. Williams of Bugg Magnet Elementary- and the Assistant Principal of the Year- Mary Taylor of Brooks Magnet Elementary! On Friday evening, I will be attending the Cary High vs. Green Hope Football game. This week as a Board, we had two meetings: Work Session and Board Meeting. At the Tuesday, October 4th Work Session: Dr. Robinson, Chief of Staff and Strategic Planning; Dr. Nash, Research Triangle Institute; and Michael Martin, Research Triangle Institute; presented the Strategic Plan Framework for discussion. Click here to view the presentation. The goals of the Strategic Plan are scheduled to be available by Spring 2023. Dr. Robinson presented the Ombuds Pos...

On Wednesday, I attended Cary High School's spectacular performance of Clue! Outstanding job cast, crew, and Director-Mrs. McCormick.  On Thursday, I attended Green Hope's Homecoming Football Game. This week as a Board we had three meetings: Student Achievement Committee, Safety and Security Committee, and Policy Committee. At the Monday, September 26th Student Achievement Committee Meeting: Dr. Edward McFarland, Chief Academic Advancement Officer; presented  an overview of bell schedule planning, shared different options  for moving high schools to a later start time, and provided the process and next steps for gathering input and feedback from stakeholders about the 2024-2025 bell schedule. Use this link to view the presentation. Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent, Academics; Christina Zukowski, Director, K-12 Mathematics; John Pritchett, High School Teacher, Athens Drive High School; and Emily Hooks, 8th Grade Math Teacher, West Cary Middle School; provided...

On Sunday, I hosted a D9 Connection Meeting. On Thursday, I attended West Cary Middle School's football game. On Friday, I attended the Apex vs. Cary High School Football game. This week as a Board, we had three meetings: Finance Committee, Work Session, and Board Meeting. At the Tuesday, September 20th Finance Committee Meeting: David Neter, Chief Business Officer; Mark Winters, Finance Officer; Dr. Muttillo, and Terri Kimzey, Senior Director, Budget; presented detailed information about Fiscal Accountability and Transparency. Use this link to review the presentation. Click here to watch the recording of the September 20th Finance Committee Meeting. At the Tuesday, September 20th Work Session: Dr. Muttillo, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources; provided a staffing and recruitment update. Use this link to access the presentation. Susan Pullium, Senior Director, Student Assignment; and Glenn Carrozza, Assistant Superintendent of School Choice, Planning and Assignment; pres...

On Tuesday, I attended the JV Cary vs. Green Hope High Volleyball game. Then I headed to the Cary HS media center, for D9's first BAC Meeting of the school year (See below for more information.) On Thursday, I visited Morrisville Elementary School. It was great to learn more about such a fantastic school. On Friday, I celebrated our Instructional Assistants! You are so crucial to our schools. On Friday evening, I attended the Green Hope Football Game. This week as a Board, we had one meeting: Facilities Committee. At the Wednesday, September 14th Facilities Committee Meeting: M. Elizabeth Wakeford, Senior Facility Planner, Facilities, Design and Construction; Alice Reese, Senior Site Planner, Facilities, Design and Construction; and Elizabeth Sharpe, Director of Planning, Facilities, Design and Construction; presented the schematic design for Swift Creek Elementary School for approval to move forward with the next steps. The committee approved the request. Click here to view the s...

On Thursday, I visited Laurel Park Elementary School. Later that evening, I attended the Apex vs Green Hope Soccer Game. On Saturday, I plan to attend the four Bands of Cary performance at Green Level High School. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. This week as a Board, we have two meetings: Work Session and Board Meeting. At the Tuesday, September 6th Work Session: Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent, Student Support Services; Kendra Hill, Senior Director, Human Resources; Cam Lopes, Director, Special Education Services; Mark Cowell, Senior Administrator, Crisis Prevention & Intervention; and Rae Marsh, Coordinator, School-based Mental Health Program; presented an update on the WCPSS School Mental Health Improvement Plan. Click here to read the presentation.  Superintendent Moore led a Board discussion about the possibility of an ombuds position. Positive feedback was given about moving forward with this position. Use this link to watch the September 6th Work Session. At t...

On Sunday, I hosted a D9 Connection Meeting. On Monday, I visited Green Hope High School for the Senior Parade and to welcome students as they arrived for their first day of school. On Thursday, I visited Carpenter Elementary School and attended Apex High School football game.  This week as a Board, we had one meeting: Policy Committee. At the Tuesday, August 30th Policy Committee Meeting: Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent, Academics; and Lauren Acome, Director, K-12 Online Learning; presented revised Board Policy 3102: Online Instruction. There were additional changes supported by the Board and the R & P will have more parameters about the use of remote learning days. This revised policy will be presented for first reading at a future Board Meeting. Click here to view the revised policy presented. Drew Cook and Lauren Acome presented revised Board Policy 3300: School Calendar and Time for Learning. There were additional changes supported by the Board. This revised pol...

On Wednesday, I went to Apex High School for Women's Tennis. It was great to see both Apex and Cary HS on the courts. On Friday, I attended the Green Hope Football game.  This week as a Board, we had one meeting: Student Achievement Committee. At the Monday, August 22nd Student Achievement Committee Meeting: Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent for Academics; Syreeta Smith, Senior Director, Elementary School Programs; Eric Fitts, Senior Director, Middle School Programs; and John Williams, Interim Senior Director, High School Programs; provided an overview of academic work and activities associated with the opening of schools for the 2022-23 school year. Click here to view the presentation. Drew Cook and Emily Mountford, Senior Director, Professional Learning; presented information about the district’s professional development planning for the upcoming school year as well as an update to the ongoing work related to Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling. Use t...

On Monday, I attended my first golf match at MacGregor Country Club. It was exciting to watch Apex, Cary, and Green Hope Women Golf Teams on the course! On Friday, it was time for some football at Cary High School. The band's halftime show was fantastic! This week as a Board, we had two meetings: Work Session and Board Meeting. At the Tuesday, August 16th Work Session: Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent, Academics;  Michele Woodson, Senior Director, K-12 Curriculum Development;  Kim Keith, Vice President of Youth Development, YMCA of the Triangle; and Teresa Jones, WCPSS Volunteer; provided an update on the WakeTogether Community Partnership. This program is in need of volunteers to provide structured, one-on-one tutoring for students. To view their presentation and to learn more about how you can sign up to volunteer, click here . Dr. Robinson, Chief of Staff and Strategic Planning; Dr. McMillen, Assistant Superintendent for Data, Research & Accountability; Dr. Nash, Res...