Board of Education - September 10th, 2024

001>> GOOD EVENING, I LIKE TO CALL THE MEETING T ORDER AND TURN TO THE PASTOR TO OPEN US UP. STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE FOLLOWED BY A MOMENT OF SILENCE. [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]. >> THANK YOU, YOU MAY BE SEATED SEATED. >> THANK YOU, WE'LL BEGIN TONIGHT'S MEETING BY REMEMBERING THREE STUDENT WHO IS PASSED AWAY EARLIER THIS YEAR. WE CELEBRATE THEIR LIVES AND THE IMPACT ON THE GUILFORD FAMILY. WE LIKE TO EXTEND OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AND TEACHERS OF THESE STUDENTS. GCS STUDENT REMEMBRANCE SEPT. 10, 2024 DEENA WE WILL BEGIN TONIGHT'S MEETING BY REMEMBERING THREE STUDENTS WHO PASSED AWAY EARLIER THIS YEAR. ALTHOUGH WE CELEBRATE THEIR LIVES AND THE POSITIVE IMPACT THEY MADE ON THE GCS FAMILY, OUR HEARTS ARE EXTENDED IN GRIEF TO THEIR LOVED ONES. ON BEHALF OF THE

002BOARD OF EDUCATION, WE'D LIKE TO EXTEND OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND TEACHERS NDYANA TRULY MADE A POSITIVE IMPACT AS A SIXth GRADE STUDENT. SHE WAS WITH US FOR TEN MONTHS. SHE LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION ON THE ENTIRE STAFF AND STUDENT BODY. OF NDYANA (N-DEE-AHNA) FRANKLIN, JORDAN VO AND DELYLAH (DA-LIE- LAH) KNEPPER (NEPPER)[LL1][SN2]. LINDA OUR BELOVED NDYANA (N-DEE-AHNA) TRULY MADE A POSITIVE IMPACT AS A 6TH GRADE STUDENT AT NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL DURING THE 2023/24 SCHOOL YEAR. HER ENTHUSIASM, RESPECTFULNESS, AND ACADEMIC DEDICATION DISTINGUISHED HER AS A STANDOUT STUDENT. HER INFLUENCE ENCOURAGED HER PEERS TO EXCEL IN THEIR STUDIES AND BUILD MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS. THOUGH SHE WAS WITH US FOR ONLY 10 MONTHS, NDYANA (N-DEE-AHNA) LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION ON THE ENTIRE STAFF AND STUDENT BODY. ALAN JORDAN VO WAS VERY GOOD-NATURED AND EASYGOING WITH A

003SMILE ON HIS FACE. HIS FAVORITE SUBJECT IN PRESCHOOL AT GATEWAY EDUCATION CENTER WAS READING, AND HE LOVED THE SONG “THE WHEELS ON THE BUS” THAT WAS PART OF CIRCLE TIME. JORDAN'S FAVORITE CHARACTER WAS MICKEY MOUSE. WHAT GATEWAY'S STAFF LOVED MOST ABOUT JORDAN WAS THAT HE NEVER MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A NAP OR SNUGGLES. JORDAN BELONGED TO A WONDERFUL FAMILY. HE LOVED HIS MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER VERY MUCH. DIANNE DELYLAH (DA LIE LAH) KNEPPER (NEPPER) WAS A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY WITH A CONTAGIOUS LAUGH. SHE WAS A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY WHO NEVER MET A STRANGER. DELYLAH LOVED HAYNES-INMAN EDUCATION CENTER AND ALWAYS CAME INTO THE CLASSROOM WITH A SMILE. SHE HAD A SENSE OF HUMOR AND LOVED PLAYING JOKES ON PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY HER TEACHER. SHE REMINDED US THAT WE CAN PURSUE JOY AND PERSEVERE EVEN DURING DIFFICULT TIMES. SHE

004LOVED COMMUNICATING WITH HER FRIENDS IN HER OWN SPECIAL WAYS. DELYLAH WAS DEARLY LOVED BY HER FAMILY, HER SCHOOL FAMILY AND HER FRIENDS. WE HAVE ALL BEEN BLESSED BY KNOWING OUR SWEET, BEAUTIFUL DELYLAH. DEENA ALTHOUGH WE WERE ONLY PRIVILEGED TO KNOW THESE STUDENTS FOR A BRIEF AMOUNT OF TIME, IN THEIR OWN WAYS, THEY HELPED TO CREATE HEARTWARMING MEMORIES THAT WILL BE CHERISHED FOREVER. TO HONOR THESE STUDENTS, PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE. [WE WILL NO LONGER INVITE ANY FAMILY MEMBERS OR SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES IN ATTENDANCE TO COME FORWARD TO RECEIVE CONDOLENCES FROM THE BOARD. FRANKLIN FAMILY MAY ATTEND; OTHERS WILL NOT. SCHOOL FAMILIES WILL BE PRESENT BUT WILL NOT COME FORWARD.] >> IT TAKES A SKILLED TEAM TO KEEP THINGS RUNNING. ONE IS TAMMY WHITAKER WHO SPENT 20 YEARS WITH THE DISTRICT. IN THE HIGH

005POINT AREA SHE GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND. THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN INFLUENCED BY HER. MOST OF THE STUDENTS THAT RIDE IN HER AREA ARE FAMILIAR WITH HER. THIS WOMAN IS DEDICATED TO HER WORK AND GIVES IT ALL SHE HAS. SHE'S ALWAYS READY TO STEP UP AND HELP WHEN NEEDED. EVEN WHEN RETURNING TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. AND WATCHING STUDENTS GROW KEEPS HER COMING BACK. HER DEDICATION TO ASSISTING COLLEAGUES GAVE HER THE TITLE OF EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH IN SEPTEMBER. >> I WOULD LIKE CRISSY PRATT TO HONOR TAMMY. >> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER BUT WE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TRANSPORTATION. I WILL SAY THAT -- THAT YOU KNOW, WE HAD MANY OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS, I THINK INITIALLY WITHOUT YOU HAVING ANY IDEA WHO I WAS AND PROBABLY EVEN BEFORE I RAN TO BE ON THE

006BOARD AND TAMMY WENT OUT OF HER WAY TO BE EXCEPTIONALLY HELPFUL WITH TRANSPORTATION ISSUES THAT I WAS HAVING FROM HIGH POINT TO GTC GREENSBORO AND WOULD CALL THE BUS DRIVER FOR ME AND FIND OUT WHERE THEY WERE AND CALL ME BACK. THE COMMUNICATION WAS AMAZING. WELL DESERVED AND THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOUR CERTIFICATE SAYS GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION PRESENTED TO TAMMY WHITAKER, TRANSPORTATION FOR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. SPONSORED BY THE JAYCEES IN SEPTEMBER 2024 AND SIGNED BY OUR SUPERINTENDENT DR. WHITNEY OAKLEY AND OUR CHAIR PERSON DEENA HAYES. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE]. YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS. >> I WAS CAUGHT OFF-GUARD. I CAN TELL YOU THAT. I DON'T DO THIS FOR ME, I DO IT FOR THE TEAM. I APPRECIATE IT AND THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> WE LIKE TO SHAKE

007YOUR HAND AND INVITE YOUR FRIEND'S FAMILY AND YOUR SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES THAT WHERE HERE WITH YOU. IF YOU ROUND THEM UP AND COME UP HERE TO THE BOARD. >> ALL RIGHT. WE'RE NOW AT -- LET'S SEE. DO I HAVE SOMETHING ELSE HERE? I DON'T KNOW. I DON'T THINK SO. >> WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH AT THE MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 10TH. WE'RE RECOGNIZING SANDE PAHL WHO IS LEADER OF THE BOOK BUDDY PROGRAM AS THE VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH FOR SEPTEMBER 2024. THE BOOK BUDDY PROGRAM IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUPPORTING THIRD GRADE STUDENTS. 30 VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTED STUDENTS BETWEEN FOUR, FIFTH AND SIXth GRADE. MY SCRIPT USUALLY TELLS YOU TO COME ON DOWN. I'M READING FROM THE MINUTES TO TRY TO FIND THE DOCUMENT. NOW YOU GET TO HEAR WHAT I HAVE

008TO SAY TO YOU. SA SANDE HAS BEEN A HUGE ASSET. SHE SUPPORTED OUR STUDENTS WITH ACADEMICS BUT CREATED RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE STUDENTS AND STAFF. SHE'S THE TRUE DEFINITION OF A VOLUNTEER. I CAN'T THANK HER ENOUGH. HER PASSION KNOWS NO BOUNDS. SHE DID UNBELIEVABLE JOB OF RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS AND COLLABORATING WITH TEACHERS AND HER POSITIVITY AND COMMITMENT ARE THINGS TO BE EMULATED BY ALL OF US. SHE BELIEVES EDUCATION IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS. SHE'S MAKING IT HER BUSINESS TO INSURE THAT THE KIDS AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ARE SEEN AND HEARD. SHE CAME WITH A DETERMINED MIND TO IMPACT OUR SCHOLARS. HER CLEAR COMMUNICATION HAVE ALLOWED THE PROGRAM TO BLOSSOM. THE HEART OF A VOLUNTEER IS NOT MEASURED IN SIZE BUT BY THE DEPTH OF THE COMMITMENT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OTHER'S LIVES. I WOULD LIKE TO TURN TO

009THE PASTOR TO READ THE CERTIFICATE HONORING SANDE. >> HERE'S THE WORDS FROM YOUR CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FROM THE GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESENTED TO SAN -- SANDE PAUL. I WILL BRING IT TO DEENA HAYES AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR COMMENTS FROM YOU. [APPLAUSE]. >> I'M TRULY HONORED TO ACCEPT THIS AWARD FROM GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS. THIS RECOGNITION BELONGS NOT ONLY TO ME BUT THE VOLUNTEERS THAT MAKES THIS DEDICATION POSSIBLE. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW THIS IS HOME. WITH OUR GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS RIGHT HERE IN DOWNTOWN. WITH OVER 1,000 EMPLOYEES IN THE CITY. WE'RE MORE THAN JUST A BUSINESS. WE'RE A COMMUNITY WITHIN A COMMUNITY AND WE ENCOURAGE OUR TEAM TO FIND MEANINGFUL WAYS TO GIVE BACK TO PLACES WHERE WE LIVE AND WORK. KONTOOR'S COMMITMENT SHOWS HOW SERIOUS WE TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY. AT KONTOOR WE

010BELIEVE IN STRONG AND PROSPEROUS BUSINESS. WE CONTINUE INVEST IN THE AREA. SUPPORTING JONES ELEMENTARY WAS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE. WE'RE HONORED TO BE NAMED VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH. WE HAD 13 VOLUNTEERS AND NINE STUDENTS. I APPROACHED THEM WITH THE IDEA OF WORKING WITH LOCAL STUDENTS. I MOVED FORWARD WITH PLANS. AND THANKS TO THE BACKING OF LOUIS -- LOUISE AND JOSHUA WE HAVE GROWN. THE CLASS GRADUATED THIS PAST JUNE WITH EVERY STUDENT RECEIVING ACADEMIC OR CHARACTER AWARD. WE HAVE EXPANDED OUR STUDENTS. EVERY OTHER WEEK OUR VOLUNTEERS SIT WITH THE SCHOLARS DURING LUNCH TO READ TO THEM. IT IS A POWERFUL WAY TO SUPPORT THE NEXT GENERATION. WE'RE FOCUSED ON GIVING BACK THE VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE IS A REWARD IN ITSELF. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE TRUE HEROES OF OUR VOLUNTEERS. SEVERAL ARE HERE

011TODAY. WITHOUT THEIR DEDICATION AND PASSION AND COMMITMENT, THIS WOULD NOT EXIST. THANK YOU FOR THE RECOGNITION AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE SHARED MISSION OF SUPPORTING THE STUDENTS OF GUILFORD COUNTY. THANK YOU. >> WE LIKE TO SHAKE YOUR HAND. FRIENDS AND FAMILIES AND SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES THAT ARE HERE. >> WE'RE NOW AT PUBLIC COMMENT. WE HAVE FIVE SPEAKERS THAT SIGNED UP. REMIND THE SPEAKERS YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO MAKE COMMENTS. WITH YOU APPROACH THE PODIUM WE LIKE YOU TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF BY GIVING YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. WHEN THE AMBER LIGHT TURNS ON YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES LEFT. WE LIKE YOU TO WRAP UP SO THE NEXT SPEAKER CAN BEGIN. IF PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE ARE IN AGREEMENT, PLEASE DO THIS SO THE SPEAKER CAN CONTINUE UNINTERRUPTED AND EVERYONE HS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THE COMMENTS. FIRST

012IS PHYLLIS CARTER FOLLOWED BY KIM PRICE. >> WELCOME. I WANT TO SAY BOARD MEMBERS HAVE JOINED US BY ZOOM AUDIO. >> GOOD EVENING, SUPERINTENDENT OAKLEY, CHAIR WOMAN HAYES AND TO ALL OF YOU SERVING AS A MEMBER OF THE GCS SCHOOL BOARD. I'M PHYLLIS CARTER AND I LIVE AT 586 COUNTY LINE GUILFORD COUNTY. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS AND COURAGE TO SERVE THE COUNTY SCHOOLS DURING THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE. IT IS SO ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE UNDER ATTACK. THERE'S NO SHAME IN THE GAME OF OUR REPUBLICAN LED ASSEMBLY. I WONDER IF ANYBODY THINKS THESE ARE REALLY FINE PEOPLE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION. THEY'RE NOT ASHAMED, I'M ASHAMED FOR THEM. PHILOSOPHIES DOMINANT BELIEF IN SCHOOL VOUCHERS WILL BE EVIDENCE OF NOT ONLY OUR LEGISLATURE'S INPUT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION BUT OUR LETTING IT HAPPEN.

013I'M HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE I WANT TO BE COUNTED IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO DO NOT -- WHO NOT ONLY DISSENT BUT HAVE COME TO SUPPORT THOSE OF YOU ON THE BOARD WHO REALLY BELIEVE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUR CHILDREN'S RIGHT TO HAVE THE BEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE. YOU BELIEVE IN OUR CHILDREN AND BELIEF MATTERS. IF WE TRULY BELIEVE ONLY SOME CHILDREN SHOULD BE SERVED AND OUR TAX DOLLARS SHOULD BE USED FOR THIS TO BE SO, WE SHOULD DO NOTHING. TOO MANY OF US ARE. EVERYONE THAT CARES ABOUT CHILDREN, ALL CHILDREN WHO CARE ABOUT OPPORTUNITY, JUSTICE SHOULD OPPOSE THESE BILLS LOUDLY. WE'RE BETTER OFF WITH OPPORTUNITY, AND DIGNITY AD SAFETY ARE SIMPLY HUMAN RIGHTS. LET'S NOT LET THE LEGISLATURE TAKE THEM AWAY FROM ANYONE. AS A GRANDPARENT I'VE COME TO REMIND YOU, WE'RE COUNTING ON YOU.

014OUR CHILDREN DESERVE BETTER. THANK YOU, KIM PRICE FOLLOWED BY TONYA MARTIN. >> WELCOME. >> GOOD EVENING I'M KIMBERLY PRICE. I RESIDE HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA. EACH OF YOU HAVE SEEN SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND OTHER LEADERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE IN THE INTEREST OF THE SCHOOL AND THE CHILDREN. AS A MOTHER AND TAXPAYER, I'M APPALLED BY THE RECENT ACTIVITIES OF THE GOP MAJORITY IN RALEIGH AND THEIR EFFORTS TO DESTROY PUBLIC EDUCATION RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES. THEIR ACTION DESERVES PAUSE, ATTENTION AND PERHAPS EVEN SOME PRAYER. AUTHOR, SCHOLAR, ATTORNEY, SPEAKS OF IMPORTANT PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPERIENCE. EXPERIENCE, EXCUSE ME. IT SHOWED, QUOTE, THINKING ABOUT DIVERSE FUTURE, CHANGE WHITE AMERICANS POLICY, PREFERENCE ABOUT GOVERNMENT. THE PROGRESS OF ONE GROUP WAS AN AUTOMATIC THREAT TO ANOTHER. FURTHER, IT EXPOSED A THREAT BEING A MENACE THAT THOSE INTERVIEWS THAT RESIST POLICIES THAT

015WOULD BENEFIT THEM JUST BECAUSE THEY MIGHT ALSO BENEFIT PEOPLE OF COLOR. IT IS A ZERO-SUM GAME BEING PLAYED AND BENEFITS THE FEW. IT IS TIME TO PUT THIS TO AN END. OUR UNITY, OUR CARE AND FAIRNESS, EXCUSE ME, OUR FAIRNESS ARE A WAY TO GOOD FROM WHICH EVERYONE WOULD BENEFIT. IT IS TIME TO LEAVE THE ZERO GAME AND NOT ELECT POLITICIANS TO SPEAK FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE WEALTHY, TO PASS COLLABORATION OR FOR COMPETITION AND COMMON GOOD IN INDIVIDUAL CHOICES WHEN IT HURTS OTHERS AS WELL. THIS WEEK I HOPE ALL OF YOU ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT HAPPENS AT THE STATE HOUSE AND WHAT IS BEING DONE IN ALL OF OUR NAMES BUT WITHOUT US. I HOPE WITH YOUR PERMISSION AND BLESSING THIS EXPERIMENT THAT IS SPOKEN OF INDEED IS A LESSON FOR THE LEGISLATORS.

016FOR VOUCHERS TO LEAVE SCHOOLS, FOR MOST OF US IT HURTS THE ONES USING THEM. UNTESTED AND UNSUPERVISED, CHARTER SCHOOLS TRY TO ACCOMMODATE WHITE FLIGHT AND AREN'T GOOD CHOICES FOR ANYONE. THE LEGISLATION NEEDS TO BE EXAMINED. THEIR MOTIVATION MORE DEEPLY TO STOP PLAYING THE ZERO GAME. WE ALL NEED TO BE OUTRAGED BY THIS, BY THEIR ACTIONS AND RESPONSE ON HOW WE VOTE. MY HIGH SCHOOL AGE DAUGHTER IS COUNTING ON US TO DO THE RIGHT THING. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. TONYA MARTIN FOLLOWED BY GEORGE RUBENSTEIN. WELCOME. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS TONYA MARTIN AND I'M A MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER AND I PAY TAXES. AS YOU ALL DO. SO I LIVE IN GREENSVILLE NORTH CAROLINA. AND I UNDERSTAND POWER AND POLITICS. I'M MORE THAN A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN PUBLIC

017EDUCATION AT THE HANDS OF THE SUPER MAJORITY IN OUR STATE LEGISLATURE. IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT I WATCHED RUN FOR OFFICE WITH THE CLAIMS OF WANTING TO SERVE THE PUBLIC GOOD. THEY'RE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE GUTTING THE PUBLIC GOOD. AND THE NOTION HELD BY MANY THAT SOCIETY CAN LEARN SO MUCH FROM BUSINESS PRACTICES AND THEREFORE THE TREND TO PRIVATIZE EVERYTHING. WE WATCH SMALL BUSINESSES CLOSE ALL AROUND US. PERHAPS WE SHOULD QUESTION THE MONOPOLIES DRIVING PRICES UP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. THIS PROCESS ALTHOUGH ONCE ILLEGAL HAS CLOSED MANY SMALLER BUSINESSES ALTHOUGH THE COMPETITION IS THE EXCUSE ALWAYS GIVEN. SOME CHOSE THIS SAME REASONING TO SUPPORT SCHOOL VOUCHERS, SENDING MONEY AND CHILDREN TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS. IT IS SMOKE AND MIRRORS AND OUR CHILDREN SUFFERS BECAUSE THE ROOT OF THE STATED PROBLEM HAS

018NEVER QUITE BEEN ADDRESSED. THERE'S ONE BUSINESS PRACTICE HOWEVER, PERHAPS FROM THE MANAGEMENT YEARS OF THE 80s. ONE ASKS THE QUESTION, ANSWERS IT AND ASKS WHY THE ANSWER AND THEN THE NEXT QUESTION IS PONDERED. AND WHEN IT IS DEEPER INTO THE TRUTH OF THE QUESTION, OR EVEN AT ITS ROOT THIS IS TRULY WISE TO ASK OF OUR LEGISLATORS. YOU CAN [INDISCERNIBLE] SCHOOL VOUCHERS. WHY? BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS A CHOICE. WHY? BECAUSE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AREN'T ALWAYS GOOD. WHY? BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT PREDOMINANTLY WHY? NOW THAT WE KNOW WHY, THE QUESTION IS WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. I ADVOCATE FOR THE GREATEST POWER YOU HOLD AND THAT'S YOUR VOTE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. GEORGE RUBENSTEIN. >> 51806 GREENSVILLE DRIVE. I'M A SCHOOL COUNSELOR AT SMITH HIGH SCHOOL. I WOULD LOVE TO ECHO THE PREVIOUS THREE SPEAKERS.

019THEY ELOQUENTLY TALKED ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS. IF YOU LIKE A NICE WEBSITE TO GO T TO, RUSH I BELIEVE IS THE COORDINATOR THERE. SHE DOES A FANTASTIC JOB ON A DAILY BASIS. I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD FOR APPROVING MR. SELLERS. HE'S DONE A WONDERFUL JOB OF GETTING US OFF ON A GREAT START AND FOLLOWING MOMENTUM IN THE SPRING. THERE'S DEFINITELY A DIFFERENT VIBE IN THE BUILDING. WE HAVE ACCEPTED ABOUT 175 NEW STUDENTS SINCE AUGUST 26. MY FIRST ACTUAL QUESTION IS, MAYBE ACADEMY AT SMITH HAS A NAME CHANGE. THE HIGH SCHOOL HAS MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING ACADEMY. THIS IS OUR FOURTH OR FIFTH YEAR. THERE'S CONFUSION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS ABOUT UNDERSTANDING WHICH SCHOOL IS WHICH. APPLICATION FOR ONE MEANS THE OTHER. STUDENTS FROM OTHER STATES AND DISTRICTS ARE NOT FAMILIAR THAT THEY'RE SEPARATE

020SCHOOLS SEPARATED BY ABOUT A BLOCK. IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO ENCOURAGE THAT PROCESS? QUESTION TWO, A TUTORING PROGRAM WILL BEGIN LAST MONTH. LAST YEAR TEACHERS RECEIVED 40 DOLLARS AN HOUR AND COUNSELORS 35 DOLLARS PER HOUR. THIS YEAR SAME STRUCTURE. WE'RE CURIOUS HOW THAT IS SINCE COUNSELLORS COORDINATE MANY ASPECTS OF LEARNING INCLUDING ENCOURAGING STUDENTS AND VENDORS TO COME IN FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND MAKING SURE STUDENTS GET TO WITH THEY NEED TO BE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> OUR FINAL SPEAKER IS JACK HARRINGTON. WELCOME. >> MY NAME IS JACK HARRINGTON. 1602 ALDERMAN DRIVE IN GREENSBORO. PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS IN -- AND THIS -- AND THIS DISASTROUS PUBLIC POLICY, THE PRETEXT THAT THIS STRATEGY IS ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNDERSERVED KIDS HAS NOW BEEN GLARINGLY EXPOSED. WHATEVER THEIR PROCLAIMED INTENT, I BELIEVE THE ACTUAL EFFECT OF THIS

021ER LITIST HANDOUT WOULD EVISCERATE OUR SCHOOLS EVEN FURTHER. I REALIZE YOU DON'T HAVE A LEGISLATIVE VOTE. I ALSO KNOW YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE WHO DO. TO ALL IN THE ROOM WHOSE LEADERS CONTROL THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY YOUR LEADERSHIP LISTENS TO YOU. YOU ARE OUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE. AND WE SHOULD ALL BE CRYING TO THE HEAVEN THAT THIS GIVE AWAY STABS THE SCHOOL IN THE BACK. WE HAVE PUBLIC STREETS. YOUR ROAD BACK TO YOUR FARM HOUSE IS FOR YOU ALONE TO PAY. WE HAVE 24/7 PUBLIC LAW ENFORCEMENT. YOUR PRIVATE SECURITY IS YOUR BURDEN TO BEAR. WE HAVE PUBLIC WATER THAT FLOWS FROM OUR FOUNTAINS. IF YOU WANT A BUBBLER, THAT'S ON YOU. AND SIMPLY PUT FOR PRIVILEGED PRIVATE USE MEANS YOU, NOT WE SHOULD PAY FOR IT. I DON'T BEGRUDGE CHILDREN TEACHING THEIR KIDS CATECHISM

022AND TENANTS OF THEIR FAITH BUT DO NOT SUBSIDIZE YOUR SECTARIAN MISSION WITH PUBLICLY EXTRACTED TAX REVENUE. HERE'S WHAT REALLY ESCAPES ME. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY IT IS TO ANYONE'S ADVANTAGE TO CUT THE LEGS OUT FROM UNDER PUBLIC EDUCATION MANDATES. WHO BENEFITS FROM OUR NOT DOING THE VERY BEST BY ALL OF OUR CHILDREN. HOW DOES OUR DISGRACEFUL BOTTOM TIER FUNDING ATTRACT BUSINESSES AND JOBS TO NORTH CAROLINA? I JUST DON'T GET IT. AS A SOCIETY, WE REGARD EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN AS A SOCIAL IMPERATIVE. IT IS LOATHE SOME TO DRAIN CRITICALLY NEEDED RESOURCES FROM PUBLIC COFERS TO SUBSIDIZE PRIVATE PRIVILEGE. IN ADDITION TO DIVERTING FUNDS THIS SCHEME OF -- OF -- OF INCENTIVES, EXCUSE ME, THIS SCHEME INCENTIVIZES PUBLIC SCHOOL DESERTIONS BUT THEN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS STRUGGLE UNDER THE WEIGHT OF DWINDLING SUPPORT IT BECOMES A SELF-FULFILLING

023PROPHECY. I IMPLORE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES BEFORE TOMORROW MORNING. >> THANK YOU. THAT CONCLUDES THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION OF THE MEETING. WE'RE AT APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. MOTION? >> MOVE. >> SECOND. >> YEA. >> OPPOSED. THANK YOU. WE'RE NOW AT CONSENT AGENDA. HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING WITH BRADY TRAIN SERVICES AND HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING WITH HOFFMANN MECHANICAL SOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS WITH BONNETS FOR THE REPLACEMENT PROJECT AT THE GREEN VALLEY ADMINISTRATION MEETING. THAT CONCLUDES THIS EVENING'S CONSENT AGENDA. C AND D HAVE BEEN PULLED. IT WILL BE A, B AND E. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF ITEMS NOT PULLED. >> DIANE? >> YES. >> CRISSY. YES. ALAN YES. MICHAEL YES. KIM. YES. [INDISCE [INDISCERNIBLE]? >> SHE SAYS YES. >> THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. MR. LOGAN, ITEM C AND D. >> DISCUSSION ON C AND D. THOSE

024ARE HEATING ISSUES WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS. AND BOTH OF THOSE ARE FOR 900,000 DOLLARS. THOSE FUNDS WILL COME OUT OF BOND MONEY AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE, CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> COULD YOU PROVIDE WHY WE NEED TO HIRE OUTSIDE HELP. WE HAVE AN HVAC EMPLOYEES WITHIN OUR SYSTEM. >> WE DO HAVE HVAC EMPLOYEES. WE HAVE ONE THAT IS CERTIFIED TO WORK ON EQUIPMENT AND HE HAS THREE HELPERS BUT WE ALSO HAVE SEVERAL VACANCIES WITHIN OUR DISTRICT. WE UTILIZE OUR CONTRACTORS TO MAKE THOSE EMERGENCY REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. >> IT IS CORRECT WHEN WE HIRE HVAC WE PAY THEM 16.07 PER HOUR. >> THE ADJUSTMENT HAS BEEN INCREASED WITH THE LAST PAY INCREASES, 16 DOLLARS AN HOUR. >> WHEN WE HIRE OUTSIDE HELP, MY UNDERSTANDING IS HELPERS ARE PAID 22 TO 25 DOLLARS AN HOUR.

025>> IN THE INDUSTRY THE STARTING PAY IS 20 DLLARS AN HOUR, IT GOES UP TO 40, 50 DOLLARS AN HOUR. >> WE'RE PAYING 20 DOLLARS-PLUS AN HOUR? >> YES, PLUS THEIR OVERHEAD AND PROFIT. >> REGARDLESS OF US NOT PAYING THEM, HOW ARE WE PAYING THEM, WE'RE STILL PAYING THE INCREASED RATES? >> CORRECT. >> IF WE HIRED EMPLOYEES AT HIGHER INCREASE IN PAY WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO SPEND THESE LARGE AMOUNTS FOR THESE REPAIRS. >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> CAN WE GET CLARIFICATION BECAUSE WE'RE HAVING HEAD SHAKING AND NODDING ON THE FUNDING SOURCE. I THINK IT IS A BLEND OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPENDITURES SO WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE. WE'VE TALKED ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING ABOUT IT. THERE WAS HIGH SCHOOL INTERNS AND HAVING THEM BEGIN TO TRAIN. WE'RE NOT AT THE SCALE OF THE CONDITION

026THAT OUR BUILDINGS ARE IN. WE CONTINUE TO EXPAND CERTIFICATION AND CREDENTIALS AND USING OUR OWN STUDENTS BUT WE'RE CRAWLING OUT OF A DEEP HOLE. >> WE'RE AT 13 OPEN POSITIONS, CORRECT? >> YES. >> WHICH MEANS WE HAVE MORE NEED THAN WHAT WE HAVE WORKING. >> YES. >> ALL RIGHT. DIANE. >> IF I REMEMBER, MADAM, SUPERINTENDENT, WHEN YOU DID THE BUDGET DID YOU NOT HAVE A SHEET THAT SHOWED WHAT WE PAY VERSUS WHAT THE [INDISCERNIBLE] IS FOR THESE? IF I RECALL IT WAS ALMOST LIKE A TEN DOLLAR DIFFERENCE IN WHAT WE OFFERED AND WHAT THE MARKET RATE IS, RIGHT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. WE'RE CHASING THE MARKET. THE NUMBER GROWS OVER TIME. >> SO WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THOUGH I BELIEVE GCS IS A GOOD PLACE TO COME TO WORK. IF YOU DO THE NUMBERS, IF

027I CAN GO TO -- TO HVAC CENTRAL AND MAKE ALMOST DOUBLE, WHAT I WOULD MAKE HERE, WHERE DO YOU THINK I'M GOING TO GO? THE CHALLENGING PROBLEM IS TO GET THE PEOPLE THAT HOLD THE PURSE STRINGS TO UNDERSTAND WE CANNOT HIRE FOLK IF WE CANNOT COMPETE AND PAY THEM WHAT YOU KNOW -- YOU KNOW WHAT IS OUT THERE. THAT'S A NO-BRAINER, OKAY? THE OTHER THING IS I THINK WE NEED TO APPLAUD THE AREAS INTERNSHIP AND THE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE LIKE THAT. AND ICT PROGRAMS THAT ARE AT LEAST TRYING TO PUT CERTIFIED YOUNG PEOPLE OR PEOPLE WHO ARE -- OR PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN THESE AREAS BECAUSE THE OTHER THING THAT I SAID IS I REALLY WISH THAT WE WOULD DO, IF WE HAVE THE TIME, WE COULD D IT ON THE TV CHANNEL

028IS TO ACTUALLY SHOW WHAT A DAY IN THE LIFE IS OF SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT YOU DON'T SEE. THEY SEE THE TEACHERS. THEY SEE SOME STAFF. THEY DON'T SEE OUR TECH PEOPLE. THEY DON'T SEE -- AND THOUGH SOME OF THESE JOBS ARE NOT PARTICULARLY MAYBE PHYSICALLY ATTRACTIVE BECAUSE YOU GOT TO CRAWL UNDER THINGS AND GET DIRTY. IF WE PAY THEM WELL ENOUGH THEY CAN BUY ALL OF THE SOAP TO WASH THEMSELVES AND TAKE CARE OF THAT AFTERWARD. WE HAVE TO HELP ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO REALIZE THAT THESE JOBS ARE GOOD PAYING JOBS WITH UPWARD MOBILITY ATTRACTED TO THEM SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WEAR A SUIT AND TIE IN ORDER TO MAKE A GOOD LIING. WE MAY ENJOY. WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE THAT LIKE WORKING WITH THEIR HANDS. FOR THOSE THAT KNOW HOW TO

029DO THAT AND WANT TO DO THAT, WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE THAT. I WANT TO MAKE THE POINT WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET 13 POSITIONS HIRED IF WE CAN'T TAKE AND PROMOTE THE FOLKS WITHIN. >> MS. IRBY WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING. >> MR. MONK, IN REGARDS TO THE CONTRACT, WHEN PEOPLE GET PAID A HIGHER HOUR MY RATE WE DON'T INCLUDE ANY OTHER TYPE OF BENEFITS WITH THAT, AM I CORRECT? WE'RE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT. >> WE'RE NOT. THE COMPANIES TYPICALLY OFFER BENEFITS THAT THEY PASS TO US VIA THE PRICE THAT WE PAY. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> MOTION. SECOND? >> SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT. >> DIANE. >> YES. >> CRISSY YES BUT I THINK A LOT OF VALID POINTS WERE BROUGHT UP. LINDA. YES. [INDISCERNIBLE] YES. BETTY. YES. PAY RETURNING EMPLOYEES. MICHAEL. YES. KIM. DEFINITELY YES.

030DEBORAH. YES. KIM, THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. I AGREE THAT WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT PIPELINE ISSUE. WE'RE NOW AT COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR. AND I HAD THEM HERE A MINUTE AGO. GOOD EVENING. GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL HAVE PERFORMING ARTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT THE PEELER SITE. THIS IS A CONSTRUCTION ADDITION THAT MAKES THE COMPLETION OF A BUILDING FRAME. THEY WILL PLACE THE LAST BEAM. THE CEREMONY IS THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12TH AT NOON. THE ALLIANCE IS DECLARING PRINCIPAL DAY AND VOLUNTEERS CAN SEE WHAT IT TAKES TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH THE SCHOOL AND THE DISTRICT LEADERS AND ASK QUESTIONS AND MEET THE LEADERS. YOU CAN SIGN UP ONLINE. THE SHOWCASE WHICH HIGHLIGHTS EACH OF OUR MORE THAN 60 CHOICE SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS WILL TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 16th FROM 5:30

031TO 8 P.M. AT GREENSBORO COLISEUM. THIS IS ALSO THE CHOICE APPLICATION WINDOW FOR THE 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR. APPLICANTS MAY APPLY AT GCSMC.SCHOOL NET.NET. THE GRADUATION SCHEDULE HAS BEEN RELEASED FOR THE CLASS OF 2025. JUST FINISHED. 30 CEREMONIES TAKE PLACE. IT CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE. AND FINALLY ATTENDANCE AWARENESS MONTH. EVERY DAY IS CRUCIAL FOR YOUR CHILD'S SUCCESS. THIS CONCLUDES MY REMARKS. I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU DR. OAKLEY. >> I WANT TO WELCOME ALL FAMILIES TO THE 24-25 SCHOOL YEARS I WAS ABLE TO VISIT SIX SCHOOLS ON THE FIRST DAY AND SEVERAL SINCE AND BEEN EXCITED TO SEE THE ENGAGEMENT AND SCHOOL SPIRIT. YOU CAN SEE IT ON YOUTUBE AND THE SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS. I WANT TO APPOINT THE HIGH SCHOOL WHICH HAS THE JUNIOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AWARD AND HETTENBECK AND HIS STAFF HAVE

032WORKED FOR TEACHER CAPACITY AND CULTURE AND STRONG LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS TO CREATE A SPACE WHERE STUDENTS FEEL SEEN AND TEACHERS FEEL VALUED. THIS IS PAYING OFF WITH STUDENT PROFICIENCY AND IMPROVEMENTS IN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. WE WANT TO REMIND OUR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY AND PARENTS, IF THEY SEE SOMETHING TO SAY SOMETHING. WE HAVE CONTINUED TO INVEST IN MANY DIFFERENT SAFETY BEST PRACTICES AND ALSO SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK WE CAN DO AS COMMUNITY IS MAKE SURE THAT ALL STUDENTS HAVE A TRUSTED ADULT IN THE BUILDING. THE CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE IS HAPPENING THIS MONTH AND YOU'RE INVITED. MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25th, SEPTEMBER 25th AT 5 P.M. AT THE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AND BE SURE TO THANK OUR SPONSORS GUILFORD EDUCATION ALLIANCE AND OTHERS FOR MAKING THIS EVENT POSSIBLE. WE WILL RECOGNIZE THE BEST

033EDUCATORS IN SEVEN CATEGORIES INCLUDING PRINCIPAL, TEACHER, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL. ROOKIE TEACHER AND COUNSELOR. SPEAKING OF CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE, JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING OUR TOP FIVE PRINCIPALS OF THE YEAR. JONATHAN BROOKS, JENNIFER COOPER, MIKE HETTENBECK, LESLIE KINARD. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CLEARING FOR THEM AND THE REST OF OUR TALENTED EMPLOYEES. FINALLY TONIGHT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EXCELLENT EMPLOYEES AND HVAC VACANCIES AND CONTRACTS, IT IS A FITTING TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE SALES TAX REFERENDUM THAT WILL BE ON THE BALLOT THIS FALL. VOTERS WILL VOTE FOR OR AGAINST FOR SALES TAX FOR THE SCHOOL TEACHERS AND FRONT LINE WORKERS. A PENNY WOULD HAVE FIVE PENNIES ON A 20 DOLLAR PURCHASE. IF THE SALES TAX MEASURE PASSES THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAS PASSED A RESOLUTION COMMITTING TO USE THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE WHICH THE COUNTY OFFICIALS ESTIMATE COULD BE

034MORE THAN 25 MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY TO INCREASE PAY FOR TEACHERS AND FRONTLINE WORKERS. TO LEARN ABOUT HOW THE PROCEEDS WOULD BE USED GO ONLINE. THAT CONCLUDES MY REMARKS. SO DR. STEPHENS AND WELLS AND I WILL TURN TO OUR ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT FOR 2324. ALSO WANTED TO REMIND THE BOARD AND PUBLIC THAT WE'LL SHARE MORE DETAILS ON WORK SESSION ON THE 24th WHEN WE LOOK AT STUDENT GROUPS AND A DEEPER ANALYSIS. SO OUR PURPOSE FOR THIS EVENING'S PRESENTATION IS TO PROVIDE A HIGH LEVEL OF GCS'S ACADEMIC PROGRESS OVER THE PAST YEAR IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR DIRECTION FOCUS AREAS. AS I MENTIONED BEFORE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW WHERE WE DO THAT AT OUR WORK SESSION ON THE 24th. THERE'S LOTS OF DATA. THE ACCOUNTABILITY MODEL IS COMPLEX AND HAS A LOT OF LAYERS AND ALSO

035CHANGES OVER TIME. WE'RE PROUD THOUGH OF THE HARD WORK OF TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AND STAFF AND PRINCIPALS AND SUPERVISORS AND CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF AND ARE EXCITED TO SHARE OUR RESULTS TONIGHT. WE SHARE OUR SUPPORT FOR THE STUDENTS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM. ALSO BEGINNING TO HAVE SOME AFFECT ON ACADEMIC OUTCOMES. AS WE GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATION TODAY, I LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THAT YOU'LL SEE THINGS THAT COME UP OVER TIME. THEY'RE HELPFUL AND WILL HELP US REFLECT ON PROGRESS. SPECIFICALLY YOU'LL SEE EXAMPLES OF HOW WE ARE PERFORMING BETTER TODAY THAN THREE YEARS AGO. WE'RE FACING SIGNIFICANT BUDGET SHORT FALLS AND FOCUSED ON HOW WE GET THIS IMPROVEMENT NOT IN POCKETS BUT CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AT SCALE ACROSS THE DISTRICT. WE START WITH ACCELERATING LEARNING. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW OUR COUNTRY IS FACING THIS LITERACY CRISIS IN GRADES K

036THROUGH THREE. ACCORDING TO THE NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, NORTH CAROLINA STUDENTS IN K-3 ARE STARTING TO SHOW PROGRESS AWAY FROM THE TREND. YOU COULD SEE THAT IN OUR DISTRICT DATA AS WELL. WHEN YOU LOOK HERE, THIS IS LITERACY SKILLS. WE'VE DONE IT FOR DECADES HERE. WE NOTICED IN THE BEGINNING OF 23-24, 50 PERCENT OF THE STUDENTS IN K THROUGH THREE STARTED THE YEAR BEHIND BUT THOSE NUMBERS WERE REVERSED AND BY THE END OF THE YEAR ALL STUDENT GROUPS SHOWED STUDENTS TESTING AT OR ABOVE THE BENCHMARK. YOU CAN SEE THE GRAY BAR AND THAT SHOWS STUDENTS IN GRADES K THROUGH THREE. WHEN WE COMPARED THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR RESULTS THERE'S DOUBLE DIGIT POINT INCREASES ON THOSE LITERACY SKILLS AND IT HELPS STUDENTS COMPREHEND AS THEY GET TO THE THIRD GRADE TEST. DR. STEPHENS WILL TALK

037MORE ABOUT OUR OVERALL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT AND SHE'S GOING TO START WITH OUR PROFICIENCY PROCESS. >> THANK YOU. IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE TODAY. AS WE LOOK AT 23-24 COMPOSITE RESULTS. THIS IS THE PERCENT PROFICIENT OF ALL GRADES AND TESTS COMBINED. YOU CAN SEE FROM THE STATE REQUIRED EOG AND EOC ASSESSMENTS, WE HAVE GOOD NEWS TO SHARE. 77 SCHOOLS INCREASED THEIR PERFORMANCE COMPOSITES COMPARED TO THE SCHOOL YEAR. WE INCREASED PROFICIENCY FOR ALL STUDENT GROUPS. AND 36 SCHOOLS HAD 23, 24 PERFORMANCE COMPOSITES AT OR ABOVE PRECOVID LEVELS UP FROM 28 SCHOOLS IN 22-23. OVERALL OUR STUDENTS ARE MAKING STEADY PROGRESS SINCE THE PANDEMIC AND DISRUPTED THE WAY STUDENTS LEARN. NEXT I'LL SHARE THE EOG RESULTS. WE'RE EXCITED TO CELEBRATE OUR PROGRESS IN MATH BECAUSE WHEN COMPARED TO THE 22-23 SCHOOL YEAR, THE MATH PROFICIENCY AT

038GRADES THREE THROUGH EIGHT INCREASED FOR EACH STUDENT GROUP AND EVERY GRADE LEVEL. THE ONLY EXCEPTION WAS THE STUDENT LEARNER GROUP. ADDITIONALLY THERE WAS 62 SCHOOLS WHOSE MATH PROFICIENCY IMPROVED AND SIX MIDDLE SCHOOLS HAD INCREASES GREATER THAN 25 PERCENTAGE POINTS ON THE GRADE EIGHT MATH ONE EOC. MATH RECOVERY EFFORTS ARE CONTINUING TO SHOW POSITIVE CHANGES. WHEN COMPARED TO THE STATE WE'RE RECOVERING IN MATH BY ALL STUDENT GROUPS. ALSO FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND OUR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS ARE DOING BETTER THAN WHAT THEY DID IN 2018-19. WHEN READING THIS GRAPH THE BLUE LINE REPRESENTS THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND THE TEAL LINE REPRESENTS OUR DATA. IN THIS CASE, THE SHORTER LINE IS BETTER THAN THE LONGER LINE AND AN INDICATION OF FASTER RECOVERY BECAUSE THE GOAL IS TO GET TO ZERO WHICH IS THE MARKER FOR

039THE 2018-19 PREPANDEMIC YEAR. WHEN EXAMINING RESULTS BY SCHOOL AND GRADE WLEFL AND GROUPS WE HAD AREAS TO CELEBRATE. WE SAW INCREASE AT THREE, FIVE, SIX. GRADE THREE HAD THE LARGEST INCREASE. WE ALSO HAD 51 SCHOOLS INCREASE THEIR READING PROFICIENCY COMPARED TO THE 22-23 SCHOOL YEAR INCLUDING 27 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND TWO SPECIALTY SCHOOLS. WHEN EXAMINING THE SCIENCE RESULTS BY SCHOOL GRADE LEVEL AND STUDENT GROUPS WE SAW INCREASE IN GRADE FIVE SCIENCE OVERALL FOR ALL STUDENT GROUPS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF OUR HISPANIC AND E.L. STUDENTS. WE HAD 41 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS INCREASE OR REMAIN ABOVE 95 PERCENT ON THEIR FIFTH GRADE SCIENCE EOG PROFICIENCY AND 11 MIDDLE SCHOOLS WITH THEIR SCIENCE EOC PROFICIENCY. NEXT IS THE END OF COURSE ASSESSMENTS. WE INCREASED PROFICIENCY ACROSS THREE OUT OF THE FOUR EOC ASSESSMENTS. THESE INCLUDE HIGH SCHOOL MATH ONE, MATH

040THREE AND BIOLOGY. ALL STUDENT GROUPS INCLUDING ENGLISH LEARNERS AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES INCREASED PROFICIENCY IN MATH ONE AND THREE IN 2324. HERE AS YOU CAN SEE THE GRAY BARS REPRESENT THE PREVIOUS YEARS STARTING WITH THE 2018-19 SCHOOL YEAR AND THE BLUE BAR IS THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR. YOU CAN SEE THE INCREASES FOR ALL BUT ONE OF THE EOCs COMPARED TO 22-23. MATH THREE HAD THE LARGEST INCREASE IN PROFICIENCY IN 23-24 COMPARED TO THE OTHER EOG ASSESSMENTS AND SURPASSES PREPANDEMIC RATES. AS A REMINDER, THE CURRENT WAITING FOR CALCULATING PERFORMANCE GRADES OR THE SPG IS STILL 80 PERCENT PERFORMANCE AND 20 PECENT GROWTH. WE HAVE MENTIONED FOR YEARS THAT THIS WAITING IS NOT BALANCED AND THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AND THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY ARE STILL WORKING ON REVISIONS TO ADDRESS THIS IMBALANCED

041MODEL. THEY'RE REVISING THE STATE ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES TO ALIGN WITH MORE OF THE WHOLE CHILD AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SKILLS. SO FAR YOU HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE PROFICIENCY THAT REPRESENTS THE 80 PERCENT PERFORMANCE PORTION OF THE STATE'S SCHOOL PERFORMANCE GRADE FORMULA. NOW GOING TO SHARE MORE ABOUT THE 20 PERCENT GROWTH PORTION. ACADEMIC GROWTH INDICATES THE PROGRESS STUDENTS AND THE SCHOOL MADE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE STANDARD IS ROUGHLY EQUIVALENT TO ONE YEAR'S WORTH OF EXPECTED GROWTH FOR A YEAR OF INSTRUCTION STUDENTS EXPERIENCED DURING A TYPICAL SCHOOL YEAR. GROWTH IS REPORTED FOR EACH SCHOOL AS EXCEEDED, MET OR NOT MET. IT HAS REPORTED AN E A PROGRAM. IT HELPS MEASURE GROWTH. FOR 23-24GCS HAD 92 SCHOOLS THAT MET OR EXCEEDED GROWTH WHICH IS MORE SCHOOLS THAN IN 2018-19, THE PREPANDEMIC YEAR AND INCREASE OF 17 SPARED TO

042THE 22-23 SCHOOL YEAR. THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS NOT MEETING GROWTH HAS STEADILY DECLINED. WE DROPPED FROM 55 IN 21-22 TO 40 IN 22-23 TO SCHOOLS IN THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR WHICH IS CLOSE TO 50 PERCENT DECLINE. DESPITE THE GRADING MODEL WE MADE PROGRESS THIS LAST YEAR. THE PERFORMANCE GRADES IMPROVED WITH MORE SCHOOLS IN THE A CATEGORY AND FEWER SCHOOLS IN THE F CATEGORY. THE STEADY PROGRESS WE'RE SEEING IN PROFICIENCY AND GROWTH IS REFLECTED IN THE SCHOOL PERFORMANCE GRADES. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER NCDPI AND THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY ARE WORKING ON THE REVISION OF THE ACCOUNTABILITY MODEL AND THE LATEST RELEASE OF THE REVISED PLAN SHARED WITH US IN MAY OF 2024. THE MODEL WAS PROPOSE TO DO CHANGE FROM 80 PERCENT PERFORMANCE AND 20 PERCENT GROWTH TO 50 PERCENT PERFORMANCE AND 30 PERCENT GROWTH

043AND 20 PERCENT OTHER FACTORS WHICH ARE STILL BEING DETERMINED. WE EXPECT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FINAL CHANGES TO THE ACCOUNTABILITY MODEL DURING THIS SCHOOL CREER YEAR. IN NORTH CAROLINA A SCHOOL IS LOW PERFORMING IF IT RECEIVES A GRADE OF D AND DOES NOT MEET EXPECTED -- AND DOES NOT EXCEED EXPECTED GROWTH. THIS YEAR WE HAD SEVEN SCHOOLS THAT MOVED OUT OF LOW PERFORMANCE STATUS. IN FACT FOR THE PAST THEE YEARS, THE NUMBER OF LOW PERFORMANCE SCHOOLS HAS DECREASED. WE DECLINED FROM 59 OR 50.9 PERCENT IN 21-22 TO 51 SCHOOLS OR 44.3 PERCENT IN 22-23 TO 43 OR 37.34 PERCENT IN THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR. THAT'S A 13.5 PERCENT DROP WHEN COMPARED TO THE 21-22 SCHOOL YEAR. AGAIN, WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS. I WILL NOW SHARE THE RESULTS FROM -- FROM THE -- FROM THE COHORT

044GRADUATION RATES. FOLLOWING THE NATIONAL TREND GCS SAW AN INCREASE IN THE COHORT GRADUATION RATE FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR REACHING RECORD LEVEL OF 92.2 WHICH INDICATES WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. EVERY STUDENT GROUP INCREASED ITS GRADUATION RATE COMPARED TO 22-23 SCHOOL YEAR AND BLACK AND HISPANIC STUDENTS MARKED THE HIGHEST RATES GCS HAS EVER HAD. GRADUATION RATE WAS 100 PERCENT AND 12 SCHOOLS HAD GRADUATION RATES OF 90 PERCENT OR HIGHER. FOR MOST OF THE PAST TEN YEARS GCS HAS HAD A HIRE GRADUATION RATE THAN OTHERS IN NORTH CAROLINA. THAT CONTINUES. 92.2 IS HIGHER THAN 86.9, THE STATE RATE, AS WELL AS OTHER LARGE DISTRICTS IN NORTH CAROLINA. WEH STRATEGIES FOR INCREASING GRADUATION RATES INCLUDING LEARNING HUBS WOVIDE COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOLS. OUR STUDENT RECOVERY EFFORT INCLUDE PRINCIPALS SCHOOL COUNSELORS SOCIAL WORKERS AND TEACHERS CANVASSING NEIGHBORHOODS TO RECOVER

045STUDENT THAT ARE NOT ATTENDING SCHOOL. WE'RE GOING TO KEEP REPEATING THE MESSAGE THAT WE NEED AND WANT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS IN SCHOOL. WILL CONTINUE TO OFFER BEYOND A TRADITIONAL SCHOOL YEAR IF STUDENTS FAILING THE COURSE GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE TO A PASSING GRADE TO MEET GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS. FINALLY PROCESSES IN PLACE TO AUDIT TRANSCRIPTS TO INSURE THAT THEY'RE MEETING THE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS. FOR THREE YEARS IN A ROW STUDENTS THAT ATTENDED LEARNING HUBS HAD HIGHER GRADUATION RATES THAN THOSE THAT WERE NOT. A DEEPER DIVE SHOWED STUDENTS WHO ATTENDED LEARNING HUBS HAD A 29 PERCENT INCREASED PROBABILITY OF GRADUATING. OUR HUBS ARE NOT JUST A GOOD IDEA. THEY'RE A GOOD INVESTMENT. WHILE TUTORING AND LEARNING HUBS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE WE MUST ALSO CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF THE SUN SETTING OF EXTRA FUNDING. JUST LAST

046YEAR THE COST OF HIGH DOSAGE TUTORING INCREASED BECAUSE WE DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WE WERE TUTORING AND TRIPLED THE NUMBER OF TUTORING SESSIONS. WE NEED TO IDENTIFY WAYS TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THESE SUPPORTS THAT THE STUDENTS ARE ACCESSING AND ARE MAKING IMPACT ON LEARNING AND LIFE OUTCOMES. NEXT WE DISCUSS OTHER PERFORMANCE INDICATORS WHICH INCLUDE PROFICIENCY. ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRESS FOR OUR E.L. STUDENTS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE ACT HAS NOT BEEN REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION TO THE USC SYSTEM COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY SINCE THE PANDEMIC BUT THE UNC BOARD OF GOVERNORS APPROVED A REVISED POLICY IN MAY2024. FOR STUDENTS ENTERING COLLEGE THIS YEAR, 24-25 ANACT SCORE WASN'T REQUIRED. THOSE ENTERING IN 25-26 IF THEIR WEIGHTED GPA IS BETWEEN 2.5 AND 2.8 THEY MUST SUBMIT ACT SCORE BUT A MINIMUM SCORE IS NOT REQUIRED. FOR STUDENTS

047ENTERING IN 26, 27, IF THEIR GPA ISWEEN 2.5 AND 2.8 THY MUST HAVE AN ACT SCORE OF 17 OR HIGHER. IN GCS, THE OVERALL ACT AVERAGE FOR US IS 17.3 WHICH IS A SLIGHT DECLINE FROM THE AVERAGE OF 17.5. ALL CONCENTRATORS TAKE THE ACT WORK USE ASSESSMENT IN AN EFFORT TO EARN THE NATIONAL CAREER READINESS CERTIFICATES WHICH IS AN ASSESSMENT -- WHICH IS ASSESS MENT BASED CERTIFICATE. ON THE ACT WORK KEYS ASSESSMENT, 58.5 PERCENT OF 12TH GRADE CONCENTRATORS SCORED AT THE SILVER OR HIGHER LEVEL WHICH IS BASED ON THREE ASSESSMENTS, APPLIED MATH, GRAPHIC LITERACY AND WORKPLACE DOCUMENTS. OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WE INCREASED INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS FROM 2,096 TO AN INCREASE OVER FOUR YEARS. THE GCS STUDENTS TOOK OVER 10,000 COLLEGE COURSES. WE LIKE TO SEE THAT NUMBER INCREASE THIS YEAR. THE BENEFITS TO

048STUDENTS INCLUDE EARNING COLLEGE CREDITS WHILE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL AND REDUCING THE TIME AND COST OF OBTAINING A DEGREE. DUAL COLLEGE ENROLLMENT EXPOSES STUDENTS TO RIGOR AND EXPECTATION OF COLLEGE AND INCREASES THEIR CHANCES OF COLLEGE SUCCESS. NOT ONLY DOES IT BENEFIT STUDENTS, THERE'S A BENEFIT TO OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY. STUDENTS AND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION OR CTE, DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAMS OFFER -- OFTEN GAIN INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION MAKING THEM MORE EMPLOYABLE AND PLANNED GRADUATION. DUAL ENROLLMENT CAN PREPARE STUDENTS FOR IN DEMAND CAREERS AND CONTRIBUTE TO A STRONGER LOCAL ECOOMY. I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO DR.^WELLS. >> GOOD EVENING. YOU HEARD A LOT ABOUT OUR SUCCESSES. LET'S DISCUSS WHAT CONTINUES TO WORK TO ACCELERATE LEARNING EVEN MORE. WE SEE POSITIVE RESULTS FROM THE RECOVERY EFFORTS WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED AND ARE COMMITTED TO CONTINUING WHAT WE KNOW

049IS WORKING. AS A REMINDER A LEARNING RECOVERY EFFORTS ARE BASED ON THREE PRINCIPLES, EXPANDING LEARNING TIME, HIGH DOSAGE TUTORING, ACCELERATION, NOT REMEDIATION AND HAVING ACCESS TO GRADE LEVEL CONTENT. AS WE HAVE MENTIONED BEFORE WE PRIORITIZE HIGH DOSAGE TUTORING IN OUR SCHOOLS BECAUSE WE KNOW IT WORKS. CONTINUING LEARNING RECOVERY EFFORTS MATTER. OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE TRIPLED THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS SERVED TO OVER FOR MORE THAN 250,000 HOURS, AN INCREASE IN THE N SESSIONS TO ALMOST HALF A MILLION HIGH DOSAGE TUTORING SESSIONS WHICH IS UP FROM IN 21-22. THIS YEAR WE WILL PROVIDE HIGH DOSAGE TUTORING AND LITERACY FOR K-3 AND MATH FOR GRADES 6-8. HIGH SCHOOLS WILL BE THROUGH HUBS. DUE TO DECLINING FUNDING THE LEARNING HUBS WERE SCALED BACK IN 23-24. WITH ALL SCHOOLS ONLY OFFERING THEM TWICE PER WEEK COMPARED TO FOUR

050DAYS PER WEEK PREVIOUSLY. WE REDUCED THE AVAILABILITY OF TRANSPORTATION HOME FROM THE HUBS.LEARNING HUBS SAW A 29 PER DECLINE IN STUDENTS PERSON -- PARTICIPATING IN 23-24, NOT BECAUSE THE STUDENTS ARE NOT COMING TO THE HUBS BUT BECAUSE WE HAD TO REDUCE AVAILABILITY FROM FOUR DAYS TO TWO DAYS. DESPITE THE LEARNING HUB SERVING FEWER STUDENTS WE SEE THE SAME POSITIVE TRENDS AS WE HAVE IN THE PAST WITH STUDENT ATTENDANCE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT STUDENTS THAT ARE INVITED TO ATTEND LEARNING HUBS HAVE ONE MORE MORE RISK FACTORS FOR NOT MEETING GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS INCLUDING NOT DEMONSTRATING PROFICIENCY ON ONE OR MORE TESTS OR A HISTORY OF CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM AMONG OTHERS. RESULTS ARE SHOWING THAT OUR LEARNING HUBS ARE PAYING DIVIDENDS. THE MORE STUDENTS VISIT LEA MOR SCHOOL. YOU COULD SEE THAT DATA VERY CLEARLY HER. AND ALL OF

051US IN EDUCATION KNOW HOW CLOSELY LINKED ATTENDANCE AND ACHIEVEMENT ARE. WE OFFER 21CTE MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSES WITH 11 PATHWAYS AND 306 HIGH SCHOOL COURSES OFFERING 56 PATHWAYS TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION TO ALL OF STUDENTS IN EVERY MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND WITH 67 PATHWAYS OFFERED. CTE PATHWAY OFFERINGS ARE AT ALL OF OR HIGH SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE S. LAST YEAR ALMOST 25,000 STUDENTS IN MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED IN CTE. WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE ACADEMIC SUPPORTS THAT WE PROVIDE STUDENTS AND HOW THEY'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. WE KNOW THE NORTHERN ACADEMIC -- NONACADEMIC SUPPORTS ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT FOR OUR STUDENTS TO THRIVE IN SCHOOL. OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM WE'RE MAKING SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN SUPPORTING THE WELL-BEING OF OUR STUDENTS. LAST YEAR WE

052CREATED A MODEL THAT INTEGRATES OUR MANY HEALTH INITIATIVES FROM NURSES IN SCHOOLS TO TELEHEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. SCHOOL BASED TELEHEALTH IS AVAILABLE AT 14 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. IN THE LAST YEAR WE COMPLETED 1,440 VIRTUAL VISITS. OUR TELEHEALTH PROGRAM IS HAVING A POSITIVE IMPACT IN ADDRESSING CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM. SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? WE KNOW CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM DRASTICALLY INCREASED AFTER THE PANDEMIC. IN OUR DISTRICT IT DOUBLED. HOWEVER, IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IT INCREASED FROM 7 PERCENT TO 28 PERCENT. THIS MEANS ONE IN THREE STUDENTS MISSED MORE THAN TEN DAYS OF SCHOOL. WHEN STUDENTS ARE NOT DOING WELL PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY, THEY DO NOT PERFORM AT THE SAME LEVEL AS WHEN THEY ARE WELL. WE HAVE TWO SCHOOLS THAT HAVE HAD TELEHEALTH FOR OVER A YEAR. WHILE IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO FULLY MEASURE THE IMPACT OF TELEHEALTH

053FOR THOSE TWO SCHOOLS WE HAVE SEEN CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM DECLINE BETWEEN 13 PERCENT AND 23 PERCENT. WE ARE CONDUCTING A MORE IN-DEPTH EVALUATION TO ANALYIMP ON CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM, BUT IT TAKES THREE TO FIVE YEARS TO FULLY EVALUATE A PROGRAM. OVERALL, OUR CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM RATES HAVE DROPPED FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR. FALLING BELOW 2021 AND 2022 BUT REMAINING HIGHER THAN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC. ATTENDANCE MATTERS AND WE NEED OUR STUDENTS TO ATTEND SCHOOL ON A REGULAR BASIS. WE'RE ALSO CONTINUING OUR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND HAVE BECOME A NATIONAL THOUGHT LEADER IN THIS AREA. WE ARE IMPLEMENTING NEARLY 20 MILLION DOLLARS TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. LAST YEAR WE SERVED MORE THAN 1,000 STUDENTS IN OVER 9,000 I WILL TURN IT BACK TO DR. OAKLEY. >> YOU SEE LOTS OF MOVING PARTS. WE'RE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS. AT THE SAME

054TIME WE KNOW THERE'S CHALLENGES AHEAD OF US. WE HAVE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THIS AND IT CONTINUES BUT GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS LIKE MANY DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAS SEEN A DOWNWARD TREND ENROLLMENT FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND WE'VE SEEN THAT BE EXACERBATED BY THE PANDEMIC. WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS IT MEANS EVERY TIME A STUDENT LEAVES CHARTER FUNDING INCREASES AND OUR TEACHER ALLOTMEN SINCE PANDEMIC STARTER SCHOOL AND STATE AND LOCAL FUNDS HAVE INCREASED BY MORE THAN 36 MILLION DOLLARS WHICH MEANS REALLY RIGHT NOW THAT WE GIVE CHARTER SCHOOLS ABOUT 100 MILLION DOLLARS EACH YEAR WHICH COULD BE GOING TO OUR SCHOOLS. SECONDLY, AMERICA'S SCHOOLS HAS STARTED MAKING PROGRESS GETTING STUDENTS BACK ON TRACK. IMPROVEMENT IS OFTEN SLOW AND UNEVEN WITH MILLIONS OF STUDENTS, MANY FACING SYSTEMATIC ENEQUITIES BEFORE THE PANDEMIC. THIS RECOVERY

055SCORECARD IS A COMBINATION OF STATE AND NATIONAL RESULTS BY RESEARCHERS AT HARVARD AND STANFORD. WE'RE SEEING THE SAME CHALLENGES HERE. WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS AND SOMETIMES IT IS SLOW OR INCONSISTENT IN A FEW GRADE LEVELS. ADDITIONALLY THERE CONTINUES TO BE A GAP BETWEEN STUDENTS OF COLOR AND THEIR WHITE PEERS AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND OUR ENGLISH LEARNER STUDENT GROUPS. CHALLENGE NUMBER THREE WE DISCUSSED A LITTLE BIT. WE'RE SEEING SLIGHT DECLINES IN CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM BUT WE'RE CONCERNED STUDENTS ARE MISSING TEN OR MARE -- MORE DAYS SCHOOL. IT IS HARD TO CATCH UP. STUDENTS NEED TO BE IN SCHOOL TO INSURE ACADEMIC SUCCESS. WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT CONCENTRATED POVERTY OVER TIME AND OUR COMMUNITY AND THAT'S THE CHALLENGE LISTED HERE. THIS IS EVIDENT WHEN WE COMPARE THE NUMBER AND PERCENT OF SCHOOLS AND THE LARGEST NORTH CAROLINA

056DISTRICTS THAT ARE APPROVED TO BE THE COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROVISION SCHOOLS FOR 24-25 AS A POINT OF WADE COUNTY HAS A DOZEN CEP SCHOOLS. GUILFORD HPERCENT. THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS GCS HAS PARTICIPATING IN CEP IS HIGHER THAN OTHER LARGE DISTRICTS. THIS PROVISION OF COURSE IS THE ONE THAT PROVIDES FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR ALL STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL. HERE ON THIS MAP YOU CAN SEE THAT THE DARKER BLE AREAS INDICATE HIGHER CONCENTRATIONS OF POVERTY ACROSS OUR COUNTY. AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE MAP GCS SCHOOLS WITH CEP STATUS ARE LOCATED IN ALMOST EVERY AREA OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. WHILE OUR 24 ACCOUNTABILITY RESULTS ARE OFTEN COMPARED WITH THE OTHER LARGE DISTRICTS WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE'RE NOT PLAYING ON THE SAME FIELD. WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE POVERTY THAT OUR

057FAMILIES FACE MOST HAS BEEN HIGHER. FOOD INSECURITY REMAINS HIGHER IN GUILFORD COUNTY COMPARED TO WAKE AND MECKLENBURG. MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME IS LOWER THAN THE STATE. THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENT -- OF RESIDENTS THAT HAVE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE HAS BEEN LOWER WHICH SPEAKS TO THE SYSTEMATIC INEQUITIES T HELD TRUE OVER TIME AND IMPACT HOW STUDENTS PERFORM. WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE LACK AND SUN SET OF FUNDS IS APPROACHING AND IS UPON US. SO WE HAD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PRIORITIZE FUNDING TO CONTINUE WHAT IS WORKING. YOU SAW TONIGHT DATA THAT PROVES THIS HIGH DOSAGE TUTORING AND LEARNING HUBS ARE WORKING FOR STUDENTS. AND CARING FOR THE WHOLE CHILD BY PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IS SOMETHING THAT STUDENTS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF AND OINVESTING IN SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY AND MAKING SURE THAT TEACHERS HAVE ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY

058THAT THEY NEED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS. FEW DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS BEFORE WE OPEN UP FOR QUESTIONS. HERE YOU SEE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EARLY LITERACY AND EOG ASSESSMENT AND REMEMBERING EVERY STUDENT SAW GAINS IN EARLY LITERACY. THE NEXT SLIDE YOU CAN SEE MATH PROFICIENCY HAS CONTINUED TO INCREASE FOR EVERY STUDENT GROUP IN EVERY GRADE LEVEL WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ENGLISH LEARNERS. WE SHOW MATH RECOVERY FASTER THAN THE PACE OF THE STATE. READING PROFICIENCY INCREASED AT ALL GRADE LEVELS AND BLACK STUDENTS AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND LEARNERS AND INCREASES IN THREE OF FOUR EOCs. WE'RE PROUD OF TEACHERS AND LEADERS THAT WORKED HARD TO GET THE STUDENTS TO GET TO THIS POINT. WE'RE EXCITED THE COHORT GRADUATION RATE IS THE HIGHEST WE'VE SEEN. MANY GRADUATES TOOK AT LEAST ONE COLLEGE COURSE OR EARNED A CREDENTIAL

059OR MET THE UNC GPA REQUIREMENT. THE COMMITMENT REMAINS THE SAME AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THE 24-25 SCHOOL YEAR. THAT'S TO ACCELERATE ALL LEARNING FOR STUDENTS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE RECRUITING AND REWARDING OUR STAFF, PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT WORK DIRECTLY WITH STUDENTS AND KEEP OUR BUILDINGS RUNNING IN A DISTRICT THERE SIZE AND MAINTAINING HEALTH AND SAFE SCHOOLS AND PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THE WORLD. WE KNOW WE'RE PERFORMING CONSISTENTLY IN A BETTER WAY THAN THIS PLACE THREE YEARS AGO. WE HAVE THE HIGHEST GRADUATION RATE IN THE DISTRICT'S HISTORY. WE HAVE A DECLINE IN THE LOW PERFORMING SCHOOLS. ONE-THIRD OF THE SCHOOLS ARE PERFORMING AT OR ABOVE WHERE THEY WERE PREPANDEMIC. 3,528 MORE CREDENTIALS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR AND HAD STUDENTS TAKING MORE THAN 10,000 COLLEGE CLASSES LAST YEAR. DESPITE THE LACK OF INCREASES IN A LOCAL TEACHER SUPPLMENT

060AND LACK OF INCREASE IN THE SUPPLMENT FOR THREE YEARS IN A ROW TEACHERS ARE STILL SHOWING UP. ALSO DESPITE THE STATE REMOVING ALL GUARD RAILS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS, MANY OF THEM, RELIGIOUS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS AND TAKING MONEY OUT OF SCHOOLS WE REMAIN THE BUSINESS IN TOWN THAT TAKES ALL KIDS EVERY SINGLE DAY. THAT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER. AND OUR WAGES TRAILING, WHICH WE TALKED ABOUT, OUR STAFF CONTINUES TO SHOW UP FOR KIDS. PICK THEM UP AND TAKE THEM HOME AND FEED THEM MEALS SO THEY CAN FOCUS. OUR STAFF REMAIN HERE. WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THEM. WE HAVE TO REMAIN FOCUSED ON CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AT SCALE. WE MADE PROGRESS BUT WE'RE NOT THERE YET. WE KNOW IF CHILDREN COME TO SCHOOL REGULARLY WE WILL SEE PROGRESS. WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE DATA SHOW THAT

061THE STUDENTS ARE MAKING PROGRESS BUT THEY HAVE TO SHOW UP TO SCHOOL FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE COMPENSATE OUR TEACHERS AND WORKERS THAT PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE EVERY DAY THEY SHOW UP JUST TO PREPARE STUDENTS TO SUCCEED DESPITE CHALLENGES. OUR EMPLOYEES DO THAT BECAUSE THEY CARE ABOUT KIDS WHICH IS WHY -- WHILE IT IS NOT AN ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURE IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO BE SURE THAT WE INFORM OURSELVES OF THE UPCOMING REFERENDUM FOR THE LOCAL SCHOOL TEACHERS AND FRONT LINE WORKERS. YOU'RE GOING TO WORK FOR OR AGAINST INCREASING THE LOCAL SALES TAX BY A FRACTION OF A PENNY OR .25 PERCENT IF THE SALES TAX PASSES, OUR COMMISSIONERS PASSED A RESOLUTION TO USE THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE TO INCREASE PAY FOR OUR TEACHERS AND OUR FRONTLINE

062WORKERS. WE'VE TALKED ABOUT HOW THAT IMPACTS US ABOUT FIVE PENNIES ON 20 DOLLARS. MANY SURROUNDING COUNTIES, MANY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HAVE DONE THIS ALREADY, GONE FROM 6.75 TO 7 PERCENT INCLUDING ROCKINGHAM AND SIMILAR TAX REFERENDUM. A PROPOSED SALES TAX DOES EXCLUDE EVERY DAY ITEMS LIKE PRESCRIPTIONS AND GAS AND GROCERIES. IT DOES APPLY TO VISITORS THOUGH WHICH I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO REMEMBER TO TELL OTHER PEOPLE. RECENTLY A GROWING NUMBER OF VISITORS HAVE COME TO GUILFORD COUNTY. WE HAD THE FOLK FESTIVAL LAST WEEKEND. WE HAD EVENTS AT THE HANGER CENTER AND WE HAVE THE WYNDAM CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE HOME COMINGS COMING UP. PEOPLE COME HERE. SHARE THE LOVE. JUST TO NAME A FEW. THOSE EVENTS LAST YEAR GENERATED 1.6 BILLION DOLLARS IN REVENUE. WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE COUNTY'S ESTIMATE THAT THE SALES

063TAX COULD GENERATE ADDITIONAL 25 MILLION THAT'S A BIG DEAL. I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT IT IS UP TO ALL OF US IN NOVEMBER, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN VOTERS GO THEY GO INFORMED. FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN SEE GCS AND SEE THAT SALES TAX. AGAIN, THIS WAS HIGH LEVEL, WE'RE GOING TO GO A LITTLE DEEPER AT OUR WORK SESSION, PARTICULARLY WITH STUDENT GROUPS LATER ON IN THE MONTH. I THINK IT IS SEPTEMBER 24th AND WITH THAT WE OPEN UP FOR QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU. CRISSY? >> FIRST I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO PUT THIS REPORT TOGETHER. FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW THIS INFORMATION CAME OUT FROM THE STATE LAST WEEK. AND SO THIS IS REALLY FAST TURNAROUND TO PULL TOGETHER ALL OF THIS DATA AND GET IT

064READY TO PRESENT TO US HERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR -- FOR YOUR HARD WORK ON THAT. I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF GENERAL QUESTIONS. BACK ON PAGE 33 WHERE IT TALKS ABOUT CTE FROM THE NUMBERS WE GONE FROM CREDENTIALS EARNED IN 20-21 TO ABOUT 3,000 UP TO THIS PAST SCHOOL YEAR ALMOST 11,000 CREDENTIALS EARNED WHICH IS A MASSIVE INCREASE. I LOVE TO KNOW KIND OF WHAT THE CAUSE IS BEHIND THAT INCREASE. HOW HAVE WE MANAGED TO HAVE THAT? >> I DON'T THINK WE CAN TAKE CREDIT FOR THAT. ALL THOUGH WE DO HAVE A STELLAR GROUP AND DEPARTMENT THAT IS PUSHING HARD TO LET KIDS KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO. WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OF EXPOSING KIDS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. THEY HAVE MORE INFORMATION WHEN THEY GO IN TO BE ABLE TO

065EARN THE CREDENTIALS. I DON'T THINK WE COULD PRETEND THE 22 GRADUATION REQUIREMENT, SO STUDENTS CAN DO MORE OF THIS KIND OF THING. THEY HAVE MORE TIME IN THEIR SCHEDULE BECAUSE THEY'RE ONLY REQUIRED TO HAVE THE 22 CREDIT HOURS TO GRADUATE. WE HAVE A COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THREE CITIES, SO -- SO GREENSBORO AND JAMESTOWN AND HIGH POINT WHICH OTHER PEOPLE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE. WE HAVE RURAL DISTRICTS THAT DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THAT. WE DO HAVE BARRIERS THOUGH BECAUSE MOST STUDENTS THAT GO DRIVE THEMSELVES SO WE'RE TRYING TO WORK WITH THE CITIES AND THE COUNTIES TO BE ABLE TO TRANSPORT STUDENTS BECAUSE THE STUDENTS ACCESSING THAT ARE PROVIDING THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION. THE LAST ONE IS IT OFFERS THE FIVE GPA POINTS AS AN A.P. COURSE. YOU CAN GET THE POINTS AND NOT TAKE THE A.P. EXAM. THAT'S

066A NICE INCENTIVE. >> KIDS ARE SMART. WORDS SPREAD. WE WERE ABLE TO PAY FOR BOOKS AND FEES. I THINK WE MAY SEE A DECLINE WHEN WE'RE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT. WE DO HAVE PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS THAT HELP US COVER THAT COST AS WELL AS ALLEVIATE THE TRANSPORTATION BARRIER. THOSE ARE MY HYPOTHESES ON THAT ONE. >> THAT'S -- IT IS SUCH A DRASTIC INCREASE I WANTED TO ROOT INTO WHAT WAS THE CAUSE BEHIND THAT. THE NEXT QUESTION IS, CAN YOU CLARIFY FOR THE PUBLIC WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS BETWEEN HIGH DOSAGE TUTORING AND LEARNING HUBBS, WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT BOTH OF THEM. >> WE HAVE DATA THAT SHOWS IT WORK BUT THEY COST A LOT OF MONEY. THE HIGH DOSAGE TUTORING IS THREE TO FIVE TIMES A WEEK WITH DURATION OF OVER 20 MINUTES. IT IS

067NOT HIGH DOSAGE, IT DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME DATA BACKING. THAT HAS BEEN -- WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT AT SCALE ACROSS SUBJECT AREAS, ACROSS GRADE THE LEARNING HUBS IS SIMPLY FLEXIBLE EVENING HOURS AT HIGH SCHOOL. TWO NIGHTS A WEEK AT THE HIGH SCHOOL. THIS YEAR WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO TUTORING AND EARLY LITERACY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO OFFER DURING THE DAY TUTORING IN HIGH SCHOOLS. WE'LL HAVE DUTYERS THAT WORK AT THE LEARNING HUBS. WE'LL HAVE THE VIRTUAL HEALTH LINE AVAILABLE FOR ALL STUDENTS THAT MAY NEED TUTORING OR HELP WITH A HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT. >> FOR THE TUTORING AND LEARNING HUBS WHERE IS THE MATERIAL COMING FROM THAT IS BEING USED? ARE WE USING SOME CONTENT? ARE WE WORKING WITH JUST A STUDENT BRINGS IN THEIR HOMEWORK OR UNFINISHED ASSIGNMENTS FROM

068CLASS? HOW ARE WE MAKING SURE THEY'RE GETTING THE PROPER KIND OF INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT? >> IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE MORE THAN JUST HOMEWORK HELP. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE DESIGNED FOR INDIVIDUAL SKILL GAPS. ONE THING THAT PAID OFF IS OUR CURRICULUM SO THE TUTORS ARE TRAINED ON OUR CURRICULUM AND THEY WILL PAY TO WORK WITH TEACHERS 30 MINUTES A WEEK TO PLAN FOR THE NEXT WEEK. IT IS NOT JUST LIKE THE WILD WEST OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WITH THE TUTORING TIME. IT IS ALIGNED AND MAKES CONTENT AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CLASSROOM TEACHER. >> ONE OTHER THING WHICH IS -- THIS ONE REALLY ISN'T A QUESTION. IT IS JUST SOMETHING I WANTED TO BRING ATTENTION TO. THE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IS TERRIBLE. THIS IS NOT JUST GCS PROBLEM, THIS IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM. WE

069LOOK AT THE NUMBERS IN 2018. WE HAD 10 PERCENT OF STUDENTS THAT WERE FALLING INTO THAT CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM CATEGORY. THIS PAST YEAR AT 31 PERCENT, EVEN THOUGH THAT'S A DECLINE FROM THE PAST TWO YEARS, THAT'S STILL A THIRD OF OUR KIDS THAT ARE FALLING INTO THAT CATEGORY. I WANTED TO SPELL OUT THE MATH. IT IS TEN PERCENT OF DAYS INVOLVED. THE DAYS ARE 180 DAYS APPROXIMATELY. THAT'S 18 DAYS THAT STUDENTS ARE MISSING TO FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY. SO WE'RE SAYING THAT A THIRD OF OUR KIDS ARE MISSING 18 DAYS WORTH OF INSTRUCTION. WE HAVE FIVE DAYS IN A SCHOOL WEEK. THAT'S 3 1/2 WEEKS OF INSTRUCTION THAT STUDENTS ARE MISSING. IT IS SO CRITICAL FOR PARENTS TO GET THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE COMING. IT IS CRITICAL FOR KIDS TO BE COMING

070TO SCHOOL. THANK YOU TO THE SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE PRINCIPALS AND THE TEACHERS AND EVERYBODY THAT IS REACHING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY TO REACH OUT TO THOSE STUDENTS THAT AREN'T COMING TO SCHOOL BUT I SEE THIS AS ONE OF OUR HUGE HUGE CHALLENGES AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM. KIDS CAN'T LEARN IF THEY'RE NOT IN SCHOOL TO LEARN. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> WE HAVE MICHAEL AND KIM. >> OKAY P . PAGE 17. THAT'S WHAT GRADE LEVEL? >> TEN, EIGHTH THROUGH NINTH GRADE. >> MATH ONE WOULD BE STUDENTS THAT EITHER DIDN'T TAKE IT IN MIDDLE SCHOOL OR FAILED IT IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND TAKING IT IN HIGH SCHOOL. >> YES. THERE'S NO LONGER BANK SCORES. THE MIDDLE SCHOOL REPORTED THE ACCOUNTABILITY NUMBERS. >> STUDENTS THAT DIDN'T TAKE IT THEN OR FAILED IT

071THEN? >> THIS WOULD BE STUDENTS THAT ARE TAKING MATH ONE IN THEIR NINTH GRADE YEAR AND THE TEST IN THEIR NINTH GRADE YEAR. LOT OF PAGES HERE. Y'ALL WORKED HARD ON THIS. FOR STUDENTS THAT ATTEND LEARNING HUBS. WE REQUIRE, WE JUST DISCUSSED ABOUT CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM. ARE WE REQUIRING STUDENTS TO ATTEND LEARNING HUBS. THEY HAVE A POLICY THAT REQUIRES STUDENTS TO ATTEND SCHOOL. YOU CAN'T ENFORCE. THEY'RE AFTER SCHOOL HOURS. STUDENTS THAT HAVE JOBS FOR EXAMPLE, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FORCE TO ATTEND. IN THE PAST WE USED TO PUT A REQUIREMENT IF YOU MISS SO MANY DAYS THAT YOU RECEIVED AN INCOMPLETE. >> WE'RE NOT REQUIRING THEM TO ATTEND BURNING HUBS IF THAT'S THE QUESTION. WE COULD LOOK AT THE ATTENDANCE POLICY WHICH WE TALKED ABOUT. >> THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO FOCUS ON. WE HAVE

072ATTENDANCE PROBLEM. WE'RE NOT REQUIRING STUDENTS TO ATTEND THE SCHOOL. IF WE'RE NOT ENFORCING STUDENTS TO ATTEND SCHOOL THE NUMBER OF ABSENCES AT 30 PERCENT, HOW MANY ARE UNEXCUSED? >> IT DEPENDS OF COURSE. IT ALSO DEPENDS ON NOTES AND REPORTING AND SOME OTHER THINGS THAT COME ALONG THAT INVITE VARIANCE THERE. >> I THINK WE NEED TO FOCUS ON REQUIREMENT THAT STUDENTS HAVE TO ATTEND SCHOOL TO PASS THE CLASSES. IN REALITY THAT IMPROVES THE CLASS AND THE PERFORMANCE. STUDENTS CHRONICALLY ABSENCE MAY BE SMART ENOUGH TO GET BY TO PASS THE TEST. IF WE REQUIRED THEM TO ATTEND SCHOOL WHICH PUTS CONSEQUENCES OF MISSING SCHOOL IT WOULD IMPROVE THE WHOLE SYSTEM OVERALL OVERALL. >> REQUIRED BY LAW BUT LEARNING HUBS ARE NOT PART OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL DAY. SO LEARNING HUB, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM CANNOT REQUIRE STUDENTS TO

073ATTEND LEARNING HUB BUT BY LAW THEY'RE REQUIRED TO ATTEND SCHOOL. >> I UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT PREVIOUSLY IF A STUDENT HIT A FOURTH ABSENCE IN A SEMESTER CLASS IN A BLOCKED SCHOOL THEY GOT AN INCOMPLETE ON THEIR REPORT CARD. THAT WAS NOT CLEARED UP UNLESS THEY MADE UP THE TIME. I UNDERSTAND THAT. WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS REQUIRE STUDENTS TO ATTEND SCHOOL AND MAKE UP TIME. I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO LOOK AT. IT WILL IMPROVE PERFORMANCE. ON MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WE HAD 1,051 STUDENTS RECEIVING THE SERVICES. AND THOSE CASES DID WE HAVE PARENTS CONTACTED THAT THEY WERE RECEIVING SERVICES? >> YES. PARENT CONSENT IS REQUIRED. >> I KNEW THAT WAS GOING TO BE ASKED AFTER THE MEETING. THAT'S IT. >> THANK YOU. KIM KIM. >> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION. SOME QUESTIONS

074WERE I THINK ANSWERED. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM AND JUST FOR CLARITY, JUST BECAUSE STUDENTS COULD MAKE UP TIME IT STILL WOULDN'T ERASE THE ABSENCE, AM I CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> RIGHT. SO IT WOULD STILL COME UP IN OUR DATA AS CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM. >> CORRECT. >> OKAY. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ACTUALLY OPERATE A LEARNING HUB? AT ONE SCHOOL. >> THE NUMBER OF DAYS A WEEK AND THE NUMBER OF STUDENT THAT IS ATTEND AND THE BUSES THAT ARE NEEDED TO RUN AND THE STAFF NEEDED TO EMPLOY. WE CAN CERTAINLY GIVE A CASE STUDY. WE ALLOTTED 1.6 MILLION FOR THIS COMING SCHOOL YEAR TO OPERATE TWO DAYS A WEEK IN COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL. >> TWO DAYS A WEEK? >> MOST TUESDAY AND THURSDAY. >> I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY HIGH SCHOOLS WE HAVE.

075>> 15 COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOLS. COULD STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO ACT AND SAT PREP AS WELL? >> YES. THEY'VE SEEN EXAMPLES OF THAT WORK. WE HAD SCHOOLS THAT HAVE DONE THAT. OKAY. YOU GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT -- WHAT THE STRATEGY OF ACCESS TO GRADE LEVEL CONTENT. I HEARD THAT'S MENTIONED AS ONE OF THE STRATEGIES. >> I THINK SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE -- WE'RE FOLLOWING THE RESEARCH ABOUT WHAT WORKS AND IT WAS WHEN THIS BOARD TOOK ON THE -- THE ADOPTION OF HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND INVESTMENT IN PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND A LOT OF IT HAD TO DO WITH THE REPORT THAT WAS RELEASED CALLED THE OPPORTUNITY MYTH THAT SHOWED THAT IN MANY MANY CASES SCHOOLS, PREDOMINANTLY SCHOOLS WITH BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS WEREN'T GETTING ACCESS IT GRADE LEVEL CONTENT. 81 PERCENT WERE GETTING ACCESS

076TO REMEDIAL CONTENT. FLASH CARDS IN HIGH SCHOOL MATH DON'T WORK. DON'T HELP KIDS. ACCESS IT GRADE LEVEL CONTENT MEANS LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD WHETHER BECAUSE OF BIAS OR WHETHER SOMEONE IS GOOGLING WHAT TO TEACH THE NEXT DAY. THIS BOARD TOOK A STAND PARTICULARLY IN LITERACY AND MATH IN 2016 FOR INSURING THERE WAS A VIABLE CURRICULUM AND ALL STUDENTS WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO GRADE LEVEL CONTENT. OF COURSE WE -- IT IS NOT PERFECT. WE HAVE ISSUES AND PACING AND ALL OF THAT. I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS WORKS. >> JUST TO LET YOU KNOW SOMETIMES OUR PARENTS, THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE ABSENTEEISM. I KNOW OFTEN, SOMETIMES THEY ACTUALLY GO ON VACATION DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. SO. THAT'S THE REAL CHOICE AS WELL. IN FACT THE ABSENTEEISM RATE.

077THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION, JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS. LOOKING AT THE DATA THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOL DID AN AWESOME JOB AND SHOULD BE COMMENDED FROM -- FROM THE SCHOOL LEVEL ON UP. I WILL SAY THAT I'M NOT SURE HOW THIS CAN BE DONE BUT SOMEWHERE OR ANOTHER WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT [INDISCERNIBLE] BECAUSE IT IS DEFINITELY IMPORTANT THAT WE KEEP THE TUTORING IN THE HIGH DOSE TUTORING. AND THE MONEY HAS DWINDLED OR FADED OUT AT THE END OF THE MONTH, I KNOW WE WOULD HAVE THAT MONEY. WE HAVE SHOWN THAT IT WORKED. IF YOU CAN'T SEE IT, SOMETHING IS WRONG. IF THE COMMUNITY SOMETIMES ASKS THE QUESTION, WHAT DO YOU NEED? THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE NEED. I'M HOPING SOMEONE WILL STEP UP

078AND TRY TO HELP US TO RETAIN AND KEEP THE HIGH DOSAGE TUTORING IN THE LEARNING HUB. YES, WE NEED TO WORK ON ATTENDANCE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT CREATIVE WAYS WE NEED TO WORK ON THIS. BUT SOMETIMES WE NEED TO WORK ON OUR STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND STAFF ATTENDANCE ALSO. >> NO MORE QUESTIONS. I HAVE A COMMENT AS WELL. I WANT TO THANK OAKLEY AND THE STAFF AND EVERYBODY IN THIS DISTRICT THAT MAKES SCHOOL HAPPEN EVERY SINGLE DAY, OUR TEACHERS AND BUS DRIVERS AND NUTRITIONAL STAFF, OUR MAINTENANCE FOLKS, JUST EVERYBODY THAT IS WORKING SO HARD. WE'RE FACING MANDATES AND DEFUNDING PUBLIC EDUCATION AND UNDERVALUING AND UNDERPAYING ALL OF OUR PEOPLE THAT ARE PART OF THE GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS AND JUST UP AGAINST THE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE THAT ARE OUT OF OUR CONTROL IN THE CITY AND

079THE COUNTY AROUND HOUSING AND JUST FUNDING AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS. THIS IS SO PROMISING. IT IS A MOVING TARGET. I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AT ONE TIME. PEOPLE ARE DOING JUST ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY. THE CURRENT ABSENTEEISM IS A COMPLEX THING. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE WORKING REMOTELY. AFTER THE PANDEMIC, THE PEOPLE THATTE THAT ACROSS THE CONTINUUM OF PROFESSION IS WORKING REMOTELY. IF YOU HAVE A MEETING OR ANYTHING COULD -- COULD SPARK THAT. I KNOW THE G.C.S. FLEX, I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT THAT. IT IS ALSO IN THE PAPER. ONE OF THE CREATIVE WAYS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ADDRESS THAT. IT IS NOT ONE THING. IT IS A REMOTE CULTURE AND OTHER THINGS. I KNOW AT WYLIE YEARS AGO, WE MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES ONE OF

080THE TEACHERS WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY HER STUDENTS WEREN'T DOING WELL WITH THEIR SIGHT WORDS. SHE REALIZED WHEN IT RAINED IN THE MORNING AND THEY WERE WALKERS THAT THEY DIDN'T COME TO SCHOOL UNTIL IT EITHER STOPPED RAINING OR THEIR FAMILY HAD AN INCIDENT AT HOME. THAT WAS REALLY INTERESTING. I KNOW DR. KENNEDY CAN HELP US FIND THAT. THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON AS WELL. IT IS JUST NOT A THING, ONE THING, IT IS MULTIPLE THINGS. CERTAINLY WILL BE THINKING ABOUT WAYS AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL THAT PEOPLE CAN GET INVOLVED AND FIGURE OUT IF YOU GET DATA ON -- I DON'T KNOW. IF PEOPLE FILL OUT SURVEYS OR THE SCHOOLS -- I'M SURE THEY CONTACTED PEOPLE. IF THEY'RE GIVING CONSISTENT THEMES AROUND WHY YOU KNOW -- AND THERE'S SCHOOLS I KNOW THAT MIGHT

081SHOW GREATER ABSENTEEISM THAN OTHER SCHOOLS. IF WE COULD GET AN OVERVIEW OF THAT. I KNOW WITH THE LEGAL PROTECTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. IF WE COULD FIGURE OUT JUST -- JUST SOME PATTERN THAT -- THAT -- THAT COMMUNITY CAN HELP WITH OR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL THING INTO THE THINGS THAT YOU ALL ARE THINKING. I KNOW WE GOT GAPS AND THEY'RE STILL BIG. IT WAS REALLY GOOD TO SEE IN THIS CLIMATE AND AFTER WHAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE FACED, A REPORT LIKE THIS. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL. ALL RIGHT. IF THAT'S IT, WE'RE AT BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS. >> WHAT A GREAT TIME THIS IS. BEING AN EDUCATOR. THERE'S DISCUSSION OVER CELL PHONE POLICY. THERE IS A POLICY WITHIN GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS, FOR THAT POLICY TO WORK IT IS GOING TO TAKE MEMBERS

082ON THIS BOARD TO BACK DR. OAKLEY UP. IT IS GOING TO TAKE DR. OAKLEY TO BACK THE PRINCIPALS AND SCHOOLS UP. IT IS GOING TO TAKE THE PRINCIPAL AND ADMINISTRATION TO BACK THE TEACHERS UP. WE HAVE A CODE OF CONDUCT. AND THIS IS DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME. CAN'T USE DEVICE DURING INSTRUCTION TIME. CANNOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM PERSONNEL. DISCIPLINE IS DEVICE MAY BE CONFISCATED AND ONLY RETURNED TO THE STUDENT'S PARENTS OR CAREGIVER. IF WE BACK THE SYSTEM UP WE HAVE WE JUST NEED TO ENFORCE IT. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MY PRINCIPAL, I WAS INVITED TO SIX SCHOOLS FOR OPEN HOUSE. I ATTENDED ALL SIX. D9 WAS AT RANKIN ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. NINE GREEK FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES. WE WELCOMED THEM TO RANKIN AND WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME. TO THE RETIREES,

083THEY GAVE A PROMISE THAT AFTER SIX MONTHS THAT THEY WOULD BE COMING BACK TO ASSIST US IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE. SO WE'RE NOW PROBABLY WITH SOME OF THEM AT THE SIX-MONTH MARK. DR. MORRISON IS LOOKING FOR YOUR PHONE CALL SOMETIME TOMORROW, ANYTIME BETWEEN 8 AND 5. FRANCIS, THIS IS A SWEET GIRL THAT SENT ME A BOOKMARK AND IT SAID STAY SWEET. I HAD TO SHOW IT. MAILED IT TO ME AND I SAID THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO YOU. DON'T FORGET I NEED TO SEE EVERY FACE HERE NOW AT THE VPA CEREMONY ON THURSDAY AT 12:00 AND NOW I SEE WHO YOU ARE AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE. THE SALES TAX, I'M ONE FOR THE SALES TAX BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO OUR STAFF, CERTIFIED AND CLASSIFIED. ALL OF THESE PEOPLE COMING INTO THE

084CITY, DR. OAKLEY MENTIONED THE GAME BUT I WOULD SAY G HOPE. WE TALK ABOUT G HOPE AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS. THIS IS MORE THAN FURNITURE MARKET. THEY COME FROM EVERYWHERE HERE JUST TO CELEBRATE. THANK YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU DO ON A DAILY BASIS. YOU'RE TREMENDOUS. I KNOW I SEND E-MAILS OUT ON I DON'T EXPECT AN E-MAIL BACK ON WEEKENDS. I THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO AND ALL YOU'RE GOING TO DO IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU FOR HELPING US OUT. OUR STUDENTS ARE GROWING. THE PERFORMANCE LEVEL IS SHOWING. AS LONG AS WE KEEP WORKING TOGETHER, BETTER TOGETHER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> SUCCESSFUL START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR. EVERYTHING THAT WE HEARD AND TONIGHT'S ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT. THANK YOU, STAFF FOR THE EXCELLENT WORK ON THAT. AND THE

085SOARING AND RISING GRADUATION RATES WHICH ARE STILL NOT AS HIGH AS WE WILL WORK FOR THEM TO BE. THIS IS SUCH AN EXAMPLE OF THE INCREDIBLE LEADERSHIP FROM ALL OF OUR EDUCATORS AND OUR STAFF AND REMINDS US IT IS SUCCESS ENJOYED DESPITE THE FACT THAT DOWN THE ROAD THE EFFORT CONTINUES TO SYSTEMATICALLY UNDERMINE OUR SCHOOLS. I WANT TO SAY I UNDERSTAND COMMENTS TONIGHT FROM THE SPEAKERS FROM THE FLOOR THAT REMIND US WHAT IS HAPPENING IN RALEIGH WITH THE SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM. I APPRECIATE THE PART OF THE BOARD THAT IS MULTI-PARTISAN AND POLITICALLY DIVERSE AND BELIEVES IN KEEPING PUBLIC MONEY WORKING FOR OUR SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY IN A STATE WHERE SUPPORTIVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS RANKS AMONG THE WORST IN THE NATION. RUSSO WHO IS CONSIDERED THE ARCHITECTURE OVER CONFLICT OVER CRITICAL RACE THEORY, REMEMBER THAT, HAS SAID THE

086FOUNDATION OF UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE IS UNIVERSAL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRUST. THAT IS TO UNDERMINE, UNDERFUND AND ULTIMATELY ERODE PUBLIC TRUST IN OUR SCHOOLS AND STRANGL PUBLIC EDUCATION AND HAVE THE AUDACITY TO TELL PEOPLE IT DIED. THIS IS A CONCERN OF OUR VOUCHERS THAT TAKE PUBLIC MONEY FOR PRIVATE EDUCATION AND PRESENTED AS MEANS OF OPTIONS FOR ALL CHILDREN. IN ACTUALITY MORE THAN HALF OF THE FAMILIES THAT GET VOUCHER MONEY MAKES OVER 115,000 A YEAR, AND 2 PERCENT OVER 259,000 A YEAR. AND OF THE MOST FUNDED PRIVATE SCHOOLS, THE FUNDING LAST YEAR, 90 PERCENT ARE RELIGIOUSLY AFFILIATED, 89 PERCENT ARE ABLE TO DISCRIMINATE BASED ON RACE, SEXUAL IDENTITY AND OTHERS. THIS IS WHAT OUR LEGISLATURE IS DOING INSTEAD OF MEANINGFUL PAY INCREASE FOR THE TEACHERS AND INVESTMENT IN CAPITAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND BOOSTING MORALE. WE MAY REMEMBER THAT

087THIS PROGRAM OF VOUCHERS HS ITS ROOTS IN SEGREGATION AND CAN ALSO LEAD PEOPLE TO BE RELUCTANT TO RAISE TAXES TO FUND THEIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THIS IS OFFENSE TO US AS CITIZENS. OUR STATE CONSTITUTION REMEMBERS THERE'S AN INHERENT LINK BETWEEN MAKING SUITABLE PROVISIONS FOR FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OUR RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES AS A FREE PEOPLE. THIS IS UNDERMINING OF OUR VERY DEMOCRACY. SINCE MANY SCHOOLS ARE RELIGIOUS I WANT TO MAKE THS POINT IN CLOSING. THIS POLICY SIMPLY MEANS TO APPEAL TO RELIGIOUS PEOPLE. RELIGION IS A MEANS FOR PURSUIT OF THE COMMON GOOD AND IT SHOULD BE SAID THIS DOESN'T REFLECT TENANTS OF ANY RELIGION I KNOW AND AS CHRISTIAN PASTOR IN ANOTHER PART OF MY LIFE, LET ME SAY IT IS NOT AT ALL CHRISTIAN. LET'S KEEP PUBLIC MONEY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. >> THANK YOU. LINDA.

088>> I HAVE TO FOLLOW THAT. >> YOU GOT IT. >> I'M ALWAYS SIMPLE. HERE AGAIN, I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE PRINCIPAL, THE STAFF THAT HAVE STARTED THIS YEAR OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT. I LOOK FORWARD TO ALL OF THE GREAT WORK THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IN THE FUTURE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD ON OUR SUCCESSES AND WRAP OUR ARMS AROUND OUR CHILDREN AND DO THE BEST WE CAN. I WILL SAY THAT ABSENTEEISM, YOU CAN'T TEACH A CHILD IF THEY'RE NOT IN SCHOOL. I ALWAYS THOUGHT WITH THE DATA THAT'S NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE A CRITICALLY, I MEAN WE'RE TALKING 18 BUT SOME CHILDREN ARE EVEN OUT MUCH MORE THAN THAT. THEIR GRADES AND THEIR -- THEIR LACK OF GROWTH IS -- IS INCLUDED IN THAT DATA ANYWAY. I'M BRINGING THAT UP

089BECAUSE IT IS -- IT IMPACTS YOUR GRADE PERFORMANCE. I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT BUT I USED TO HAVE A LITTLE DEBATE WITH ONE OF OUR PRINCIPALS AND HE'S SITTING OUT THERE HE KNOWS WHO HE IS ABOUT THE DEVIATION AND ALL OF THAT STUFF THAT GOES INTO EVOS. ATTENDANCE IMPACTS US IN MANY WAYS. I LOOK FORWARD TO A GREAT YEAR AND GOT A GREAT STAFF. HERE WE GO. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. CRISSY? >> AS I THINK I'VE MENTIONED BEFORE I REALLY HATE THE COMBINATION OF POLITICS AND EDUCATION. I BELIEVE THAT EDUCATION SHOULD BE FOR ALL STUDENTS AND I BELIEVE THAT PARTISAN DIFFERENCES SHOULD BE SET ASIDE WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION. IT MAKES ME VERY SAD TO HEAR BROAD SWEEPING GENERALIZATIONS THAT SAY THINGS TO THE EFFECT OF ALL REPUBLICANS HATE PUBLIC SCHOOL.

090THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE HEAR FROM A LOT OF THE CONVERSATIONS. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY FOR THE RECORD, AS A REPUBLICAN, I WOULD NOT GO TO THE TROUBLE OF BEING ON A SCHOOL BOARD IF I DID NOT BELIEVE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION AND IF I DID NOT BELIEVE IN GCS. I THINK ALL OF US SITTING UP HERE DEVOTE A LOT OF TIME AND ENERGY IN OUR HEARTS TO THE WORK THAT WE DO HERE ON THE BOARD BECAUSE WE DO BELIEVE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WE WANT TO SEE THEM IMPROVE AND BECOME BETTER FOR EVERY SINGLE STUDENT THAT WE SERVE HERE IN THE COUNTY. AND THEN THE ONLY OTHER THING I WANTED TO SAY IS WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL, EVERYBODY. IT IS SEPTEMBER, TIME TO HT THE GROUND RUNNING AND DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN

091DO AND BRING FORWARD BETTER RESULTS FOR NEXT YEAR THAN WHAT WE SAW TONIGHT. WE SAW GREAT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PAST YEAR. I KNOW WE CAN DO BETTER NEXT YEAR. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> FIRST OF ALL 100 YEARS AGO WHEN I WORKED IN HIGH POINT SCHOOL SYSTEM I WAS AT THE -- AT THE SECOND HIGHEST -- LOWEST ATTENDANCE IF YOU WILL SCHOOL BEHIND THE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL. IT WAS AT 72 PERCENT. WITHIN TWO YEARS BECAUSE I WAS A HOME SCHOOL COORDINATOR. WE WENT FROM 72 TO 97. IT DID TAKE THAT -- THAT WAS MY JOB EVERY MORNING WAS TO LOOK AT THE ATTENDANCE, SEE WHO WAS THERE AND GO GET THEM. I UNDERSTAND WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THAT KIND OF FUNDING NOW BUT WE -- BUT AS ONE OTHER COLLEAGUE SAID, IF WE COULD

092FIGURE OUT ATTENDANCE HOTLINE OR SOMETHING THAT IS FOR KIDS THAT WANTS TO COME TO SCHOOL. IS THERE SOMEONE THAT THEY CAN CALL AND SAY CAN YOU COME GET ME? I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN LEGALLY DO THAT. WHEN I WAS COORDINATOR, IF I SAW A CHILD WALKING ON THE STREET I WOULD PICK THEM UP AND TAKE THEM TO WHATEVER SCHOOL. THEY WEREN'T AT MY SCHOOL. THEY GOT TO SCHOOL. AS LONG AS I GOT THEM THERE BY 11:00 IT WAS COUNTED. I KNOW THAT IF YOU CAN GET SOME OF THESE SCHOOLS TO GIVE ATTENTION TO THAT YOU PROBABLY CAN IMPROVE IT. I DON'T KNOW. PERHAPS A JO FOR VOLUNTEERISM. THE OTHER THING I WANT TO SAY IS THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU. THIS ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT IN MY OPINION IS HOPE. WHEN YOU'RE IN THE GRIND,

093YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. THOUGH WE WOULD LIKE FOR THIS TO REFLECT OTHER THINGS, IT DOES TELL US WE'RE DOING AN EFFECTIVE JOB AND WE COME IN AS -- AS THE CHAIR SAID, YOU TALK ABOUT THE 2025 GRADUATION. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, WE WERE DOING JUST 2024. WE CAN'T STOP. WE HAD TO KEEP GOING. THE OTHER THING IS THAT MY HEART SUNK LAST -- MONDAY OR WHENEVER I SAW THE NEWS REPORT ABOUT THE SHOOTING. I WANT US TO REMEMBER EVERY DAY THAT ALL OF US HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO SAFETY, COMMUNITY AND EFFORT. WE -- WE HAVE GOT TO TURN THIS THING AROUND. YEAH, WE CAN PRAY AND GOD HEARS US BUT WE GOT TO GET THOSE GUNS OFF THE STREET AND OUT OF OUR CHILDREN'S HANDS AND CRAZY PEOPLE'S HANDS, HOW

094WE DO THAT, I'M NOT SURE. OUR TEACHERS AND OUR STUDENTS DO NOT COME TO SCHOOL NOT TO GO HOME. YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT IF YOU ASK A TEACHER AND DR. MARKS CAN SPEAK TO THIS YOU TALK ABOUT DYING ON THE JOB, A TEACHER DID NOT DIE OR A COACH OR A COUNSELOR, YOU KNOW, FROM BEING SHOT. THAT'S -- THAT'S -- THAT'S A -- THAT'S ANNOUNCING THAT WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT DO WE DO? I HOPE EACH ONE OF US TONIGHT WILL SAY A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR OUR STUDENTS, OUR FAMILIES, AND FOR OUR STAFF. BECAUSE THEY NEED TO GO HOME EVERY DAY. AND WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. KIM? >> TWO MINUTES OR THREE MINUTES? >> THREE MINUTES. OKAY. >> IN PERSON IT

095IS THREE. >> THREE MINUTES. I'M GOING TO TALK NOW. WELCOME BACK TO EVERYONE. I DID HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STOP BY JOE'S ELEMENTARY AND [INDISCERNIBLE] ELEMENTARY THIS YEAR ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AND JUST FOR FAMILIES, I HAD NO IDEA HOW MANY FAMILIES COME ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL TO ACTUALLY ENROLL THEIR STUDENTS. SO THAT WAS DEFINITELY AN EYE-OPENER AT FAULKNER AND I SAW SO MANY FAMILIES, DIVERSE FAMILIES COMING TO FAULKNER. IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAD THEIR OWN UNITED NATIONS OVER THERE. CONGRATULATIONS TO TAMMY WHITAKER. SHE'S A GOD SEND TO THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT. SHE HELPS ME MANY DAYS WITH MY STUDENTS, MY OWN STUDENTS AND TRANSPORTATION. I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT SHE'S BEING RECOGNIZED TODAY. OF COURSE HIGH POINT CENTRAL IS JUST DOING GREAT WORK OVER AT HIGH POINT CENTRAL. IT IS GOING

096TO BE VERY HARD THIS COMPETITION BETWEEN JAMESTOWN AND HIGH POINT WITH THESE PRINCIPALS OF THE YEAR. IT IS EXCITING. IS CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THEM, OUR TOP FIVE PRINCIPALS THAT -- EXCUSE ME SIX THAT ARE BEING RECOMMENDED FOR PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR. AND JUST FOR CLARITY, PUBLIC SCHOOLS CONTINUE TO BE ASKED TO DO MORE WITH LESS. LET US BE CLEAR, CHARTER SCHOOLS, THEY'RE NOT PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THEY'RE NOT PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THEY'RE PUBLICLY FUNDED SCHOOLS WHICH IS A BIG DIFFERENCE. THEY ARE ALSO THEIR OWN PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM. A LOT OF OUR FAMILIES ARE DRUG INTO A SYSTEM THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING -- ANY INFORMATION, HOW IT IS GOING TO OPERATE. THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW THEIR OWN BOARDS OF EDUCATION AT THEIR CHARTER SCHOOL. SO OUR SYSTEM, OUR SCHOOLS, GUILFORD COUNTY, WE'RE DOING A GREAT JOB. WE

097HAVE A LOT OF CHOICE IN GUILFORD COUNTY FROM K THROUGH 12. WE HAVE A LOT TO BRAG ABOUT. THE REPORT SAYS TO ME THAT -- THAT WE'RE ALL THE WAY UP. WE'RE ON OUR WAY. AND THAT'S THE DIRECTION THAT WE WANT TO BE IN AND GO IN. YES, I AGREE RETIREES COME ON BACK. I SAW ALL OF YOU AT THE LUNCHEON. I GOT YOUR NAME AND NUMBERS. SO I'M GOING TO BE CALLING SOME OF YOU. YES, TO THE SALES TAX. WE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN AS WELL. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. >> THANK YOU. KIM. GABRIELLE. >> I THINK A LOT OF POINTS THAT I WANTED TO MAKE HAVE BEEN DRIVEN HOME BY THE PUBLIC COMMENTS AND MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS. WE NEED TO SUPPORT THE SALES TAX INCREASE AND --

098LET ME JUST HIT THAT ONE MORE TIME THAT THAT SALES TAX INCREASE WILL GO TO PAY THE STAFF THAT DIRECTLY INTERACTIONS WITH OUR STUDENTS. THIS IS ONE THING THAT WE HAVE CONTROL OVER EXACTLY REROUTED AND THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE DEDICATED THAT MONEY TO OUR DIRECT STAFF. IF WE SUPPORT THIS MEASURE, Y'ALL, WE CAN PAY OUR TEACHERS. I KNOW YOU SEEN THE BILLBOARDS. WE SEE THE TEACHERS. WE NEED TO PAY THIS PART. ALL WE CAN DO IS DRIVE THEM CRAZY. I KNOW MYSELF AND MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS DAY IN STAY IN TOUCH TO KEEP PUSHING THAT POINT. TO THAT END, I WOULD SAY THAT JUST STARTING SCHOOL THIS WEEK IS AN EXCELLENT -- THESE LAST TWO WEEKS IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF WHY THEY ENGAGE MORE COMPENSATION BECAUSE I HAVE WATCHED THE LINES IN THE MORNING AND

099AFTERNOON GOING FROM HALF HOUR TO 45-MINUTE EVENT DO SOMETHING THAT YOU KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOREVER. THEY GET THE KIDS IN AND OUT AND IT IS A WELL OILED MACHINE AND IT HAPPENED IN A MATTER OF DAYS. THAT EXPERTISE DIDN'T COME OVERNIGHT. OUR TEACHERS DEDICATE THEIR TIME. THEY DEDICATE THEIR TIME TO MAKE SURE THIS WORKS AS IT NEEDS TO. THEY SHOULD BE SUPPORTED AND COMPENSATED FOR EVERYTHING THAT THEY PUT INTO OUR SCHOOLS. THAT WELL OILED MACHINE WILL CONTINUE TO RUN AND I WOULD LIKE TO STOP ONE MORE TIME AND SAY THANK YOU TO THE STAFF THAT SUPPORT OUR KIDS, THAT KEEP OUR PARENTS IN THERE WITHOUT LOSING OUR MINDS. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL THING. MY GIRLS ARE SO HAPPY TO BE BACK IN SCHOOL AND SEEING THEM COME HOME EVERY DAY WITH SOMETHING

100NEW ON THEIR MINDS AND SO READY TO PICK UP AND DO MORE IS JUST INCREDIBLY -- A TESTAMENT TO WHAT OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF DO FOR OUR KIDS ON DAY-IN AND DAY OUT BASIS. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A STORY THAT MY OLDEST GAVE ME PERMISSION TO SHARE. FOR YOU THAT DON'T KNOW I'M FIRST GENERATION CITIZEN. MY FAMILY IS CANADIAN. AT ONE POINT WE TALKED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF IMMIGRATING BACK UP TO CANADA. DURING THAT TIME WE SPOKE TO MY OLDEST DAUGHTER ABOUT IT. ONE THING THAT CAME UP THAT -- IS THAT IN CANADA THEY DON'T DO ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILLS. SHE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO PANIC ASKING WHAT DO THEY DO? HOW DO THEY KEEP SAFE? WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE COMES IN THE BUILDING AND THEY GOT A GUN? THE EXPRESSION ON HER FACE AND THE

101NEAR INSTANT TERROR, Y'ALL, I WAS IN TEARS. I HAD TO EXPLAIN TO HER THAT THE REASON THEY DON'T HAVE ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILLS IS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE GUNS FOR ACTIVE SHOOTERS. WATCHING HER UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT WE GO THROUGH HERE AND WHAT WE PUT OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN THROUGH IS COMPLETELY OPTIONAL. WHICH IS UNTHINKABLE. DIANE WAS RIGHT. EVERYBODY IS RIGHT. IT HAS TO STOP. IT STARTS WITH THE PARENTS AND THE FIRST THING YOU CAN DO, IF YOU KNOW YOUR CHILD IS HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM, PLEASE ACCESS THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE FOR THEM. YOU HAVE THE RESOURCES TO GET HELP FOR YOUR CHILD, IF YOU KNOW THEY'RE GOING THROUGH SOMETHING, THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE TO TELL YOU WHAT, JUST OFFER. THEY MAY NOT WANT TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH YOU BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO

102HURT THEIR PARENTS FEELINGS, JUST OFFER. IT IS THERE, IT IS THERE FOR THE STUDENTS, IT IS THERE FOR THE TEACHERS. WE SUPPLIED IT FOR EVERYONE THAT WE CAN POSSIBLY AFFORD TO DO. PLEASE USE IT. YOU MAY SAVE LIVES, NOT A LIFE. THERE'S NEVER JUST A LIFE, IT IS LIVES. WE GOT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE GUNS. OUR CHILDREN'S HEARTS ARE BREAKING AND THEY'RE TERRIFIED AND THEY DON'T COMPREHEND A WORLD WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE THAT SCARED. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I'LL BE QUICK. I WANT TO DITTO WHAT THE PASTOR SAID, EVERYTHING HE SAID AS USUAL. DR. OAKLEY, THANK YOU FOR THE PIZZA EXAMPLE AND THE SALES TAX. INSTEAD OF 20.30, IT WILL BE 20.35. THESE COMPLEX BUDGET AND FINANCIAL THINGS PEOPLE WORKING EVERY DAY AND TRYING TO DO ALL OF THE THINGS THAT

103THEY DO. THAT WAS HELPFUL. I'M GOING TO USE THAT A LOT. CHARTERS TO PUBLIC SCHOOL COMPARISONS ARE NOT IN APPLES TO APPLES COMPARISON. WHAT WE DO KNOW IS CHARTERS FACE THE SAME CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE. AS A MATTER OF FACT ONE DPI REPORT SAID THAT NEARLY 40 PERCENT OF CHARTER SCHOOLS RECEIVED A D OR F. AFTER I LOOK AT OUR DATA TONIGHT YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT NO MATTER WHERE YOUR KIDS GO YOU HAVE A CHALLENGE IT IS A FRIGHTENING THING AND YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOME PLACE BETTER. THERE'S NO PLACE TO HIDE OR RUN. IF WE WANT TO MAKE THEM GREAT, WE HAVE TO BE A PART OF DOING THAT. WE CAN LOOK TO NEW ORLEANS AND SEE THAT THE CHARTER ONLY SYSTEM HAS BEEN MIXED BAG OF RESULTS AND HAS BEEN CHALLENGING. I KNOW

104THEY'RE ATTEMPTING TO RUN -- TO OPERATE A DISTRICT-RUN SCHOOL AND NOW THEY HAVE TO PUT ALL OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE BACK IN PLACE AND ESSENTIAL OFFICE AND CURRICULUM AND STAFFING AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS. SO IF WE WANT TO PUT OURSELVES THROUGH THAT, WE'LL KEEP GOING IN THE DIRECTION THAT WE'RE GOING. BUT I -- I HOPE THAT -- THAT THE ORGANIZING AND THE COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO -- TO STEP UP AND DEFEAT THOSE EFFORTS SOON. I DON'T THINK I HAVE ANYTHING ELSE. I WOULD SAY THAT THIS IS PROVOCATIVE. SHE WAS LIKE GIHO. AND WE'LL TELL PEOPLE WHAT IT IS IN CASE THEY DON'T LIVE HERE. PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW WHAT IT IS. THE GREATEST HOME COMING ON EARTH. STATE UNIVERSITY HOME COMING, OCTOBER 19TH. WE'LL ALL BE THERE. A LOT OF US. TAILGATING. GAME ALL OF THAT.

105ALL RIGHT. MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR. YEA. OPPOSED? GOOD NIGHT. THANK YOU, KIM, THANK YOU,