D9 Connection

On Sunday, I had a wonderful time volunteering at Green Hope Elementary's Beautification Day. We had quite the surprise when we were pulling up weeds around the frog pond. There was a duck nest with eight eggs! The momma duck watched us from a distance while we finished pulling weeds, spreading compost and mulch, and planting sunflower seeds. On Tuesday, I visited West Cary Middle School to see areas of concerns regarding the condition of the buildings. Tuesday evening, I attended the WCPSS' Arts Night Featuring Gifts of Gold at Crabtree Valley Mall. The Ligon Middle School Choir did a fantastic job performing! On Wednesday, I had a great time at Salem Middle School's Community Night. Salem Middle School's Jazz Band kicked off the event with multiple songs that had the event hopping. Later on Wednesday evening, I hosted D9's Board Advisory Council Meeting (Read below for more information.). On Thursday, I had a fabulous time at Cary High School's Green Tie Gala....

On Monday, I joined Ms. Culver's class at Davis Drive Elementary for a United Arts Artist in Our Schools Event: a Song Writing Workshop with Roger Day ! This is Roger's 19th year performing at DDE. He sang some songs, broke down the song writing process, connected the process to what the students are doing in Ms. Culver's class, and the students helped write a song. Their song was called Coach Potatoes! Monday evening, I hosted a D9 Connection Meeting. On Wednesday, I attended the Cary Chamber's Elected Officials Reception. On Friday, I had a meeting with a high school student. This student has concerns about the impact of poverty and creative ideas for a partnership between students, schools, and the community. On Saturday, I will be attending Davis Drive Elementary's Earth Day Celebration. This week as a Board, we had five meetings: Finance Committee, Work Session, Board Meeting, Student Achievement Committee, and Policy Committee. At the Tuesday, April 19th Finan...

For folks on the traditional calendar, I hope you are enjoying your Spring Break. I wish everyone a Happy Easter! This week as a Board, we had one meeting: Facilities Committee. At the Wednesday, April 13th Facilities Committee Meeting: Douglas Congdon, Program Executive, Facilities Design & Construction, provided an update on the 2022 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) process. Staff recommended Option 1A: Major Renovations: North Garner MS, Lockhart ES, Brentwood ES, HS TBD – Cary HS or Athens Drive HS,  Briarcliff ES, Washington ES, Ligon MS, Zebulon MS; New Construction: HS3 – West Cary/Morrisville area – land TBD, ES [TBD] 1 – Wendell/Zebulon area – land TBA* - Wendell ES relocation, ES [TBD] 2 – Poole Road site, ES [TBD] 3 – Northeastern Raleigh site – land TBA*. TBA-to be acquired; Staff also recommended Athens Drive Magnet High for the high school to be renovated instead of Cary High. I voiced my concerns about Cary High not being recommended. If you review the rubric score...

On Friday, I attended the Cary High School softball game at Green Level. On Saturday, I will be volunteering at Kingswood Elementary's Second Saturday Spruce Up Event. This week as a Board, we had two meetings: Work Session and Board Meeting. At the Tuesday, April 5th Work Session: Mark Strickland, Chief of Facilities and Operations; Douglas Congdon, Program Executive, Facilities Design & Construction, and Jack McAleer, Director, Project Controls; presented the 2022 Cost Model and Executive Summary update. To view the presentation, use this link . Douglas Congdon provided an update on the Existing School Renovation/Replacement Prioritization Rubric. Click here to view the presentation. Use this link to access the Top 25 for 2022. Marlo Gaddis, Chief Technology Officer, presented information about the Gaggle Pilot. To view the presentation, click here .  Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services; and Dr. Pettiford, Senior Director, Counseling and Student...

On Monday, I hosted a D9 Connection Meeting. On Thursday, there was a D9 BAC Meeting (Read below for more details.). On Friday evening, I will be attending Green Hope High School's musical-Freaky Friday. This week as a Board, we had two meetings: Student Achievement Committee and Policy Committee. At the Monday, March 28th Student Achievement Committee Meeting: Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services; Paul Walker, Senior Director, Student Due Process; Ken Jorgensen, Director, Alternative Education and Extended Learning Programs; provided an overview of the District's Alternative Education Programs, data, and the beginning work on a five-year plan for Alternative Education Programs. To access their presentation, use this link . I did express my concern about the need for programs around the district. Brian Pittman, Senior Director, High School; Crystal Reardon, Director, School Counseling; and Jo Anne Honeycutt, Director, Career and Technical Education; p...

On Tuesday, I visited Adams Elementary and was able to observe a fantastic Artist in Schools event- Number Drummer. Troy Kryzalka did an amazing job motivating the students and showing the connections between math and music in ways that had students (and Principal Hegedus) rocking out with cowbells, trash cans, and drum sticks! On Thursday, I visited Cary High School for the S.H.E.D. (student hands-on experience day) competition. The students' work did not stop even in the rain.  Thursday evening, I attended the Celebration of Teaching Excellence for WCPSS' new and renewed National Board Certified Teachers. I was also able to cheer on the Cary High Women's Lacrosse Team during their game against Middle Creek. At the Tuesday, March 22nd Joint Board of Education and County Commissioners Meeting: David Neter, Chief Business Officer, provided an update on WCPSS' use of pandemic relief funds. To access the presentation, click here . David Ellis, County Manager, provided an ...

 On Sunday, I hosted a D9 Connection Meeting.  This week as a Board, we had four meetings: Finance Committee, Work Session, Swearing-In Ceremony for the new District 4 Representative, and Board Meeting. At the Tuesday, March 15th Finance Committee Meeting: David Neter, Chief Business Officer, provided an update on the District's use of COVID funding. To access the presentation, click here . Please note that on slide 24, there are links to the six previous updates on the District's use of COVID Funding. To watch the recording of the March 15th Finance Committee Meeting, use this link . At the Tuesday, March 15th Work Session: Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent for Academics; and Lauren Acome, Director, Online Learning; provided an update on the Virtual Academy including the implications of SB 654 and other key factors to be considered in the development of any long-range plans for virtual programming for the 2023-2024 school year and beyond. Click here to view their pr...