From the Boardroom

Superintendent Dr. Marc Whichard gave Board members an update about the County Manager’s Recommended Budget, which was currently under public review. Dr. Whichard shared that the Board of Education’s budget approved in May was very conservative and that there were key funding differences between the Board’s approved budget and the County Manager’s Recommended Budget. He noted that his original budget request made early in the budget process to the Wayne County Board of Commissioners had been cut tremendously, and was reduced by several million dollars to what was recommended to the Board of Education in April. He informed the Board that if approved by the Board of Commissioners, WCPS staff will be ready to reconcile the budget differences which include a $500,000 reduction in Capital Outlay and a nearly one million dollar reduction in the General Operating budget. Dr. Whichard noted that the needs within the district are at record levels, and feels there needs to be an increase in local supplements in order to be competitive with neighboring districts with regards to recruiting and retaining teachers and administrators. Dr. Whichard stated that he believes that the staff in the schools are doing their part to improve the quality of education and academic achievement, and preliminary test results are reflecting those gains. He is hopeful that the Board of Commissioners can meet in the middle to address budget needs for the school district

Note: The Wayne County Board of Commissioners approved the County Manager’s Recommended Budget on Tuesday, June 2.

The following students and staff members were recognized with a Board Spotlight for the following achievements:

Each Board of Education committee gave an update along with any recommendations that came out of the associated committee meeting:

• Policy Committee Update - A PLS Report for information. Fifteen policies were presented for information:

• Policy 1510 School Safety

• Policy 1700 Governing Principle - Removal of Barriers

• Policy 1725 Title IX Sexual Harassment - Prohibited Conduct and Reporting Process

• Policy 1730 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disabilities

• Policy 4001 Equal Educational Opportunities

• Policy 4202 Service Animals in Schools

• Policy 7820 Personnel Files

• Policy 2127 Board Member Technology Use

• Policy 3320 School Trips

• Policy 3610 Counseling Program

• Policy 4002 Parental Involvement

• Policy 4040/7310 Staff-Student Relations

• Policy 4240 Child Abuse, Human Trafficking, and Related Threats to Child Safety - Reporting, Investigations, and Training

• Policy 6125 Administering Medicines to Students

• Policy 7130 Licensure

• One policy was approved on second read:

• Policy 5210 Distribution and Display of Non-School Material

• Finance Committee Update - The Board approved the following items:

• FY 2024-2025 Student Accident Insurance

• FY 2024-2025 Payroll Dates

• Donation Report - The Board accepted $5,10.00 in monetary donations and $2,442.00 in non-monetary donations, bringing year to date donation totals to $78,853.00 in monetary donations and $67,125.32 in non-monetary donations.

• Facilities Committee Update - The Board approved the following items:

• Support Services Purchase Orders & Contracts

• Opening and Closing Times 2024-25

• Support Service PO Approval Outside of Committee

• Joint Resolution for SCIF Grant - A Joint Resolution between the Wayne County Board Of Commissioners and the Wayne County Board of Education committing $7 million dollars In State capital and infrastructure grant funding for Wayne County Public School capital projects.

• Curriculum and Instruction Committee Update - The Board approved the following items:

• C&I Purchase Orders & Contracts

• MOU - West Ed. (Reading Apprenticeship)

Robert Yancey, Executive Director for Accountability/Technology Support Services and Program Evaluation, presented a draft 2024-2025 Monthly Meeting Schedule for the Board to consider. After some discussion, the Board of Education approved its 2024-2025 Meeting Schedule.

Prior to the Board Comment period, the Board approved its Consent Agenda, which included minutes, a General Personnel Report, School Advisory Council appointments, and student reassignment requests.

DISTRICT 1: Mr. Don Christopher West - christopherwest@wcps.org

DISTRICT 2: Mr. H. Len Henderson - lenhenderson@wcps.org

DISTRICT 3: Ms. Patricia A. Burden - patriciaburden@wcps.org

DISTRICT 4: Mr. Willie Joyner, II - billjoyner@wcps.org

DISTRICT 5: Mr. Craig Foucht (Chair) - craigfoucht@wcps.org

DISTRICT 6: Mr. Wade Leatham - daleleatham@wcps.org

AT LARGE: Mr. J. Tommy Sanders III (Vice-Chair) - tommysanders@wcps.org