From the Boardroom
Wayne County Board of Education Meeting Recap [1-10-22]
On January 10, 2022 the Wayne County Board of Education held its regularly scheduled monthly meeting. The Board approved its Meeting Agenda after returning from Closed Session.
Board receives A.I.M. update and information about Operation Polaris
Executive Director for Teaching & Learning, Dr. Carol Artis, updated the Board about the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s recent A.I.M. Conference. A video presentation shared at the conference was also presented, which updated the Board State Superintendent’s strategic vision, called Operation Polaris, which is a coordinated effort within the agency to better mobilize resources and expertise in response both to immediate needs resulting from the pandemic and lasting efforts to improve student outcomes long term.
Board receives Quarterly Financial Report
Chief Finance Officer, Leslie Rouse presented the WCPS Quarterly Financial Report. Rouse explained any areas that had negative balances due to funding not yet being provided or reductions in funding from the State - in large part due to the State budget being so late in being passed - and shared where budget adjustments are expected to occur.
Board hears monthly COVID-19 update & Revises masking policy
Ken Derksen, Executive Director of Community Engagement and Student & Family Support, presented the monthly COVID-19 - 2021-2022 School Year Data Update. As part of the presentation, Derksen shared exclusion data, information relative to the district’s weekly COVID-19 Dashboard, and data related to quarantine exemptions. Derksen shared that schools were being impacted by the Omicron surge and that metrics looked very much like the Delta surge in regards to primary cases, secondary cases and exclusions. Derksen shared that in the absence of a mask-mandatory policy, the Board could expect to see greater numbers of exclusions than occurred during the Delta surge due to increases in on-campus exposures and decreases in exemptions being applied due to lack of masking. Following the presentation, the Board, as required by general statutes, took action on its current mask mandate. Board Member Foucht motioned to make mask status decisions on a school by school basis, with masks optional at any school that has less than an 8% exclusion rate and masks mandatory for a minimum of two (2) weeks at any school that has an 8% or higher exclusion rate. Seconded by Board Member Leatham the motion passed 4-2. [Voting in Favor: Foucht, Leatham, Sanders, & Chair West / Voting Against: Vice-Chair Burden & Henderson]
Board approves addendum for NCDPI District & Regional Support Team partnership
Board approves 2022-2023 Traditional Academic Calendar
Board hears update on Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund Grant and approves new application for Fremont Elementary project
Board approves ESSER project architect and other ESSER projects
Public Comment
One individual addressed the following topic with the Board during its Public Comment period:
Shanta Edwards (Parent) - COVID-19, buses and NEE EC teachers
Board highlights student and staff achievements
As part of its Board Spotlights, one staff member was recognized for the following achievement:
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Exceptional Children Educator of Excellence - Sarah Jensen (Meadow Lane Elementary District-Wide Autism teacher)
Board takes multiple actions & Approves its Consent Agenda
In addition to unanimously approving the following Purchase Orders and Contracts, the Board approved the following Medicaid Claim Agreement with NCDHHS.
Before moving to Closing Comments, the Board approved its Consent Agenda, which included student reassignment requests, a School Advisory Council Appointment, and donations.
Board Meeting Resources for the January 10, 2022 Meeting
DISTRICT 1: Mr. Don Christopher West (Chair) - christopherwest@wcps.org
DISTRICT 2: Mr. H. Len Henderson - lentick@msn.com
DISTRICT 3: Ms. Patricia A. Burden (Vice-Chair) - patriciaburden@wcps.org
DISTRICT 4: Mrs. Jennifer S. Strickland - jenniferstrickland@wcps.org
DISTRICT 5: Craig Foucht - craigfoucht@wcps.org
DISTRICT 6: Mr. Wade Leatham - daleleatham@wcps.org
AT LARGE: Mr. J. Tommy Sanders III - tommysanders@wcps.org