D9 Connection

On Wednesday morning, I attended the student-led Tobacco-Free Community Forum. The students did a great job with presentations, voicing their concerns, and advocating. To view information about the event, click  here . Later on Wednesday, I attended two additional events: the East Cary Middle School Student Showcase and a press conference. From World Languages to Art to Culinary Club, the Student Showcase was fabulous! It was nice to see the creative student assignments and activities. The joint press conference with the County Commissioners was to announce a new initiative- ThreeSchool. Please note, the details shared during the press conference were the first details to be shared with the majority of the Board. This link provides information about ThreeSchool. On Thursday, I visited Northwoods Elementary and Kingswood Elementary. Seeing the students engaged, playing, and learning made for an outstanding morning. The energy, focus, and enthusiasm of each school staff member spoke...

This week as a Board, we had three meetings on Tuesday, April 20th: Finance Committee, Work Session, and Board Meeting. At the Tuesday, April 20th Finance Committee: David Neter, Chief Operating Officer; and Terri Kimzey, Senior Director, Budget; presented the budget questions submitted by Board Members and provided answers. In my blog entry last week (April 16th), I listed the questions I had submitted. I encourage you to read through the document with the questions and answers as it provides extra details about the proposed budget and spending. To view the Budget Q and A document, click here . The recording of the April 20th Finance Committee can be accessed at this link . At the Tuesday, April 20th Work Session:   Wade Martin, Assistant Superintendent, School Choice, Planning and Assignment; presented an overview of NC General Statue 115C-84.2(f)(5)-current year-round definition. The previously approved 2021-22 single-track year-round calendar (Track 4) does not meet this defini...

On Sunday, I hosted a D9 Connection Meeting. I appreciate the feedback and concerns expressed. On Thursday, I attended the Wake County Indian Education Program (WCIEP) Virtual Public Hearing and Open House. It was informative meeting with special guests from the Parent Committee, Tribal Leaders, and WCPSS staff. Lawrence Kee, a Cary High School junior, did a fantastic job performing the Opening Honor Song. To view the presentation, visit this link . On Saturday, I will be closing out the week at Green Hope Elementary School's Beautification Day. As a Board, we had one meeting on Wednesday, April 14th: Facilities Committee. At the Wednesday, April 14th Facilities Committee: Jack McAleer, Director, Project Controls; shared a positive update to the 2021 Executive Summary: $10 million is being restored by Wake County to WCPSS. Five million dollars in FY22 and five  million dollars in FY23. The restored funds will be returned back to the SNAP line item as that was where it was taken fro...

 As a Board, we had two meetings this week on Tuesday, April 6th: Work Session and Board Meeting. At the Tuesday, April 6th Work Session: Dr. Muttillo, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, shared an update on current recruitment efforts for teachers.  Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent for Academics, and Alicia Miller, Director, Curriculum and Instruction; presented an overview of District staff's current recommendations and planning for the 2021-22 Virtual Academy including operational considerations, key factors, and a general timeline for next steps. *Please note that District staff has adjusted some of their recommendations since Tuesday.** To view the most recent information about the Virtual Academy for 2021-22, access this link .  To view the Work Session presentation, click here . The recording of the April 6th Work Session can be accessed at this link . At the Tuesday, April 6th Board Meeting: Superintendent Moore and David Neter, Chief Business Officer...

As a Board, we had no meetings this week.  Next week, the Board has the following meetings scheduled (Please remember both meetings will be live on the WCPSS YouTube Channel .): Tuesday, April 6th at 3:30 pm- Work Session. The agenda can be accessed here . District staff will be providing WCPSS Planning Updates including information about staffing, allotments, and the Virtual Academy. Tuesday, April 6th at 5:30 pm- Board Meeting. To view the agenda, visit this link . Superintendent Moore's proposed 2021-22 budget will be presented for information. There will also be two policies presented for a second reading: Policy 6200 and Policy 6210, an external audit contract presented for approval, bell schedules for 2021-22 presented for approval, extension of the emergency sick leave provision of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) through June 30, 2021, presented for approval, and more. Please remember you can request to attend the Work Session and/or the Board Meeting. Ad...

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...