D9 Connection

On Sunday, I had a D9 Connection Meeting to listen to folks in District 9. Thanks to the people who took time out of their weekend to voice their thoughts about Plan A for grades 6-12, planning for next year, asynchronous/weather days, and quarantines. On Monday, I had the honor of visiting Cary High School, Davis Drive Middle, and Davis Drive Elementary.  It was great to see learning in action, students enjoying being on campus, and staff making things happen. On Thursday, I had a blast attending the Connections Academy's Family Engagement Night at McDonald's. I enjoyed meeting some fabulous families and students and spending more time with the outstanding staff. As a Board, we had five meetings this week: Student Achievement Committee, Special Called Board Meeting, Policy Committee, Joint Meeting with County Commissioners, and Safety and Security Committee. At the Monday, March 22nd Student Achievement Committee: Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services...

What a fabulous Monday! I visited Laurel Park and Farmington Woods Elementary. It was great to see the students and staff's excitement. On Tuesday, Chris Heagarty, Lyndsay Mahaffey and I, met with the Cary Chamber of Commerce's Education Committee. On Wednesday, I visited East Cary and West Cary Middle. Staff and students were doing a wide range of activities (lunch, discussions, art, transitions, and more). Tomorrow, I will wrap up my week at Southeast Raleigh High School volunteering at a WCPSS vaccination clinic. This week, as a Board, we had three meetings: Budget/Finance Committee, Work Session, and Board Meeting. There were members of the public in person at our Board Meeting. It was also nice to have staff attend and provide their presentations in the Board room. At the Tuesday, March 16th Budget/Finance Committee: David Neter, Chief Business Officer, and Mark Winters, Finance Officer; provided an overview of the District's Enterprise Funds and a detailed update on t...

I started my week visiting Weatherstone and Reedy Creek Elementary. It was fantastic to see all the staff and students. On Monday evening, I hosted a D9 Connection Meeting to hear feedback prior to our vote on Plan A for 4th and 5th grades. Wednesday evening was the District 9 BAC Meeting (Read below for more information.). On Thursday, I visited Green Hope High and Green Hope Elementary with Area Superintendent Dr. Sexton. It was great seeing several former DDMS students, the proposed site for a new outside learning space, and all the activities happening. I also attended a WakeEd Partnership Orientation for new public officials hosted by Keith Poston and Tim Lavallee.  As a Board, we had two meetings: Special Called Board Meeting and Facilities Committee. At the Tuesday, March 9th Special Called Board Meeting: Superintendent Moore presented the staff recommendation for 4th and 5th grades: implement Plan A beginning March 15th. To view the presentation, click here.  The Board...

This week, I participated in several events. On Monday, March 1st, I attended COVID-19 and K-12 Education, a virtual event co-sponsored by Polis: Center for Politics and the Center for Child and Family Policy. The presenters were: Leslie Babinski, a Duke Professor; and Everton Blair, a Gwinnet County School Board Representative. They addressed issued related to COVID-19, the impact on the education system, and where we go from here. On Wednesday, March 3rd, I volunteered at a WCPSS Vaccination Event at Southeast Raleigh High. It was exciting to see hundreds of WCPSS staff be able to receive a vaccine. I appreciate all the volunteers who are making these events possible. On Thursday, March 4th, I attended an Every Child NC virtual event and listened to a powerful panel of students and educators share their experiences and information regarding the importance of the Leandro decision and its requirements. On Friday, March 5th, I participated in a Read Across America event with Ms. Knight...

On Sunday, February 21st, I hosted a virtual D9 Connection Meeting. I appreciate all the folks who attended and the feedback and concerns they shared. Later in the week, I recorded a bed time story for Turner Creek Elementary students and participated in the African-American Read-In at Apex Elementary School. Thank you to both schools for including me in these fun events. As a Board, we had three meetings this week: Student Achievement Committee, Policy Committee, and Safety and Security Committee. At the Monday, February 22nd, Student Achievement Committee Meeting: Wade Martin, Assistant Superintendent, School Choice, Planning and Assignment; and Kimberly Lane, Senior Director, Magnet and Curriculum Enhancement Programs; provided a detailed update on our Magnet Programs. To view their documents, please click here. Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent, Student Support Services; Dr. Marrius Pettiford, Senior Director, Counseling & Student Services; and Debbie Richardson, Director, All...

This week, as a Board, we had three meetings on Tuesday, February 16th: the Budget/Finance Committee, Work Session, and Board Meeting. At the Tuesday, February 16th, Budget/Finance Committee Meeting: David Neter, Chief Business Officer; Mark Winters, Finance Officer; and Terri Kimzey, Senior Director, Budget; presented information in preparation for 2021-22 proposed operating budget. Staff shared details about the current landscape and the multi-year funding initiatives previously establish by the Board: non-certified staff compensation, maintenance and operations to maintain school facilities, student social emotional support, and instructional support technicians. The Board provided input regarding the priorities. To view their presentation, click here . The recording of the February16th Budget/Finance Committee Meeting can be viewed at this link . At the Tuesday, February 16th, Work Session: Lloyd Gardner, Chief of Staff, and Tim Simmons, Chief Communications Officer, shared informa...

I kicked off my week with a virtual D9 Connection Meeting on Monday, February 8th. Thank you to all who attended. I'm grateful to receive the timely feedback. On Tuesday, February 9th, I attended the Duke Children's-UNC Children's Health Forum: COVID-19 and Schools.  At the Tuesday, February 9th, Duke Children's-UNC Children's Health Forum: COVID-19 and Schools: Dr. Marisa Ellen Marranccini, Assistant Professor of School Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies at UNC; Dr. Katie Jordan, Pediatric Specialist at UNC; Dr. Gary Maslow, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Duke, and Dr. Angelo Milazzo, Jr, Vice Chair for Practice and Clinical Affairs, Department of Pediatrics; Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology at Duke; addressed issues related to COVID, schools, children, and families. The recording will be posted in the near future. Once it is posted, it will be on the UNC Children's YouTube page. As a Board, we had one meeting on ...