001You'll probably hear something. Yes. Thank you. Hip hop. All right. Good evening, everyone. We're going to call our meeting to order. It is 5:34 p.m. Today is Tuesday, October the 21st, and this is the Wake County Board of Education's regular business meeting. Uh we do have a quorum today, so we will proceed with the agenda. First item is I'd like to ask all of you who are able to stand to join us for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right. Thank you. So, the first official item on our meeting agenda is adoption of a meeting agenda. >> Mr. Chair, >> Vice Chair Swanson. >> Mr. Chair, I move
002for the adoption of the agenda for tonight's meeting. >> Thank you, Vice Chair Swanson. Is there a second to Vice Chair Swanson's motion? We have a second from Miss Gordon. Board members, all in favor of adopting tonight's agenda, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? All right, the agenda has passed and we will move to the first item on the agenda, which is an item under academic achievement. These this will be our 2025 school health advisory council recommendations and commendations from the shack. I see Mr. Glenn Dennick. We'll welcome you up to the uh podium with any other speakers. Good evening, Chair Hagerty, members of the school board, and Superintendent Taylor. My name is Brian Glendenning. I'm the director of health and physical education for our wonderful school system, and I'm also liazison to
003the um school health advisory council. The school health advisory council, also known as the shack, is charged with providing recommendations to the board of education and the superintendent. These recommendations are in alignment with the 10 areas of the whole child, whole school, whole community model. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Wake Shack. Michelle Moahill is the current co-chair and she is here to um give the council's annual report. >> Thank you, Brian. Good evening, Chair Hagerty, uh esteemed board members and Superintendent Taylor. My name is Michelle Malvaill um and I currently serve as the co-chair of the shack. Um I am also a product of Wake County Public Schools as well as have two of my four kiddos in Wake County Public Schools uh as well. Uh this evening we're here to present
004the annual report for the Wake County School Health Advisory Council. Each year we provide recommendations and commendations for the school system on a variety of health and wellness topics. The healthy active child policy outlines the use of the whole school, whole community, whole child or whisk model for shack representation. Each year we review our shack membership with the goal of having having representation from each area of the whole school, whole community, whole child or whisk model. We currently have representation in each area. We are always looking for new members and welcome recommendations and participation. We are additionally working on the best way to engage students in our meeting. Uh also we would like to recognize Paula Duca and her commitment to children nutrition and the shack. Um and wish her best of luck in her
005retirement which was last year. The next two slides provide the framework for our annual report as directly taken from board policy 6140, the Wake County student wellness policy. It states that a local shack is to be established and maintained. This council has an important charge to assess the students and employee needs along with the school environments including policies and regulations to help raise awareness about school health and wellness within Wake County Public School System. Then the council is to be comprised of representatives of the school system, the health department, and community organizations and shall provide periodic updates to the board, which is why I'm here tonight. Throughout the 2024 2025 school year, we heard from a number of presenters on a variety of health and wellness topics. We will go through the commendations and recommendations
006for the topics on upcoming on the upcoming slides. Please feel free to ask any questions that you may have along the way. In the beginning of last year, we heard from Toward Zero Waste about the share program, which is a food recovery program to capture wholesome foods left over that can fill up students instead of landfills. We commend the support of the pilot program that included eight schools. Davis Drive Elementary, Dillard Drive Elementary, Kingswood Elementary, Lincoln Heights Elementary, Milbrook Elementary, Po Elementary, Wake Forest Elementary, and WY Elementary. For recommendations, we encourage the board to learn more about the share program and are glad to hear that um the share program presented to the facilities committee in June. We also recommend the support of the expansion of the program into 10 more schools this year in
007including uh some middle schools in addition to elementary schools um such as Lufkin Road Middle, Partnership Elementary, Morsquare Middle, North Garner Middle, Underwood Elementary, Apex Elementary, Douglas Elementary, Barcliff Elementary, Wake Forest Middle, and Kerry Elementary. Additionally, as a shack, we would continue to monitor the share uh tables across the state and in Wake County. We will also support making connections between organizations um and the schools to p support this program. Our next topic was around the survey of students specifically in regards to the youth risk behavior survey and the youth tobacco survey. The shack has long supported and advocated for the use of the YRBS and YTS data to obtain local weight county specific data to understand student wellness. This data is often requested when looking for grant opportunities to support wellness programs and topics.
008We commend the board for updating the policy to allow YRBS and YTS to be administered as opt out. In regards to recommendations, we would like to continue to see support and communications to principles about the importance of obtaining local data and oversampling to ensure this data. As a shack, we will work with local PTAs to support volunteers for classroom support if needed by a school to administer the survey. As a shack, we also discuss the technology pol, excuse me, technology policy during our meetings. We commend the board for taking action on this important topic even prior to this becoming a state requirement. We also commend the input requested by parents, students, and the community along with benchmarking throughout the state to ensure the best possible policy while taking many voices into consideration. The board is
009also committed for a district-wide approach on this policy. We would like to recommend that the board continue with the three-phase plan to continue the development of the four to five-year technology policy and ask that this be shared with the shack throughout the year. Social media is another area of concern with regards to technology and it is briefly mentioned in the bullying policy. We would like to ask that this topic be considered for continued discussion and updates to either the technology policy or the bullying policy 1710 to protect our students and our staff. We heard from Kendrick Scott regarding safety and security. We commend the full implementation of the v visitor monitoring system throughout the county and the implementation of and promotion of the see something say something initiative. We would recommend a review of the
010impact of the implementation of the cell phone policy on safety and security as this was voiced as a concern during the focus groups. Finally, we recommend continued review of opportunities to implement other priority pol, excuse me, priority projects that have been previously identified. In May, we heard from Tenetta Sutton and members of the youth mental health advisory group. We commend the formation of this advisory group and having a representative representative from each high school. We received a presentation from students at uh Apex Friendship High School and encourage continued activities from this group. We recommend additional staff and students training around mental wellness which could be coordinated with the employee wellness staff. Additionally, we think it's important to continue to explore adding more information about stress and stress management along with sexual assault topics to the
011curriculum or program offerings. As a shack, we would like to continue to stay connected with the youth mental health advisory group to offer support and connect the group with resources where possible. In February, we had Assistant Superintendent Michelle Woodson provide the SHAK with an update on crisis inter intervention and prevention efforts throughout the district. We are excited to hear that the mental health appointments are now available to students via teleaalth, something we've recommended to the board and district in previous years. Also, we commend the district on the implementation of the see something, say something initiative, the prepare model, school-based crisis prevention and intervention and the rave app for teachers to communicate with first responders during perceived and potential crisis. We understand that during the 2025 2020, excuse me, 2024 2025 school year, the district was
012notified of a multi-million dollar school-based mental health grant to increase the district's capacity for mental health needs at every school. While the Department of Ed, excuse me, the US Department of Ed has since canceled the grant award, we would still like to commend the district on their initial award and commitment to school-based mental health services. We recommend that the board and the district to communicate with parents and families more broadly about the prepare model. Also, we would recommend the expansion and promotion of the telealth services for mental health appointments for teachers, staff, not just for students and families. Also during our February meeting, we heard about School Meals for All, which is a statewide initiative advocating for every child in every public school in North Carolina to have access to breakfast and lunch at school
013at no cost for their families. While advocacy partners are still working towards school meals for all, we commend the board for creating the angel fund as a stop gap for school meals for all, expanding the community ele eligibility provision with CNS, and for engaging the Wake County Board of County Commissioners in supporting school meals for all. We recommend updating the wellness policy to explicitly prohibit punishment for students who have school meal debt. punishment such as prohibiting them from participating in school activities or engaging with debt debt collectors and CPS. We also com uh recommend continued support for C implementation, especially with identified student percentage or ISP rates changing for this program. Additionally, as a shock, we continue to communicate uh and educate about the C program and watch the general assembly bills related to school
014meals and will provide comments and support. We also heard from Wake County Public Health's safe routes to school program and appreciated the board's continued support for the all kids bike program. For the 2025 2026 school year, a new bike share sharing pilot program will enable four new schools to include bike skills uh bike skill educations in their PE curriculum. With the addition of those schools and two others who purchase for the program on their own, 11 schools will be teaching their students how to ride a bike during PE class. Um this this current school year, Southeast Raleigh, Powell, Con, Milbrook, uh Lincoln Heights, Lin Road, Jeff Grove, Carver, Forestville, Green, and Stowaries. That's over double from the previous year. We also commend the board for their support for walk, bike, and roll to school days
015within their districts. Over 50 schools participated in the events during the 2024 2025 school year, and there's more this year, too. Um lastly, we appreciate the district support and promotion of the middle school bike safety poster contest for the all kids bike program. We would recommend establishing a standardized process for bike maintenance and for efficiently moving bikes between schools in the sharing program. This helps ensures the programs run smoothly and sustainably. We also recommend developing the imple and implementing clear metrics to track the program's impact and success. For our shack recommendations, we will emphasize the need to get more information out to the PTAs about the all kids bike program, especially regarding the school sharing options for bikes. And we will work on inviting schoolboard members to attend a PE class where all kids bike
016is being implemented as this hands-on experience can really underscore the program's value. Shaq revisited discussion around the proposed cell phone policy once it was recommended as a separate policy from the proposed technology policy. We commend the board on taking action on this important topic even prior to it becoming a state requirement and their thoughtful considerations around definitions, exemptions, and emergency use. We applaud the district and the board for already addressing cyber bullying and cyber harassments in policies 1710 40217230 prohibit prohibition against discrimination, harassment and bullying as these were concerns and considerations raised during the discussion of the cell phone policy with the shack. We recommend continued uh communication to parents, students, and staff around students of personal wireless communication devices and prohibition against discrimination, harassment, and bully bullying policies. As the shack, we plan to
017inquire about how the implementation of the cell phone policy went during the 2025 2026 school year. In April, our own Brian Glenn Denning provided us with a dual settlement funding update regarding the previous uh previously BOE approved plans. We appreciate the board's support of the use of uh jewel settlement funds in alignment with the proposed WCPSS uh tobacco and vaping prevention plan. We recommend to the board continue supporting the use of the dual settlement funds for what they were intended. Ensuring reallocation of funds that are replenished, support and ensure progress is made with building the dual funding district infrastructure, including the hiring of three positions. As a Shaq, we will continue to request twice a year reports um to stay informed about the initiative's progress. In May, Shaq heard from child nutrition services. We commend
018the district and the board on increasing the number of community eligible provision schools or C schools from 12 to 44 for the 20254 2025 school year and collecting a total of $17,000 in annual fund donations, enough to provide and cover $4,800 breakfast and more than 21,000 lunches. CNS also offered a culturally relevant um foods in the cafeteria of certain schools this past year, an initiative that was met with much excitement. For recommendations, um we recommend promoting the purchase of school breakfast, including signing up for FNS benefits, monitoring legislation and funding changes and how they will impact CNS. Evaluate how to support CNS with any funding decreases. For the example, um, for example, the loss of the local foods for schools grants, meaning less fresh fruits and vegetables for school meals, or if there are any
019changes in the C C program, to name a few, support purchasing fresh foods in schools, and continue to increase the number of C schools. As Shaq, we will encourage CNS to work with additional partners including school meals for all and toward zero waste on aligning priorities and initiatives. Lastly, Shack examined topics um having examined excuse examined topics having a direct impact on WCPSS. Examples include, but are not limited to, Tobacco 21, the cell phone policy bill in the North Carolina General Assembly, DEI impacts from the federal level, and um the board of education at the federal level. We commend the board on immediately engaging um the legal team to interpret executive orders and how they affect the school system. As a SHAK, we plan to continue to monitor the legislative landscape at both the state
020and federal levels. I thank you for your time this evening. If you would like further any further any further information about the presentation, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly or via board member Edmonds. Um we really appreciate the opportunity to come and present on all that we have learned this year. >> All right. Thank you very much. We appreciate the commendations and the recommendations. Miss Edmonds, >> thank you. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Um, and hey Jen, I waved at you, but you didn't see me. Uh, it's good to have y'all here and I appreciate um the report. I especially I hope that um Chair Hagerty and um our um Vice Chair Swanson that we'll seriously consider a standing agenda item to review legislative issues. I think that's a great idea. And
021um I just want to lift up the work of the shack and the people that are involved. Um the meetings I'm the board liaison to the shack and the meetings are always very thoughtful and robust. Um you all are really good at bringing in you know great whether it's staff or community partners to explore the topics and things that are of concern to you. Um and I commend you for all that work behind the scenes. So thank you so much. Thank you. >> Thank you Miss Edmonds. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right, the next item on our agenda tonight is the public hearing on the WCPSS enrollment plan for 2026 2027. So only public comments pertaining to the enrollment plan are permissible during the public hearing. This is a special time set up just
022for those residents to come out here and address the board directly. We will have a regular public comment period following the public hearing. Um, for those of you that are participating, each speaker will be given two minutes to present remarks. You will see a yellow light on the podium that will light up when you have 30 seconds remaining in your time and then a red light when your time is up. Now, we also know tonight there are a couple speakers who will require some translation services. We're going to have to play a few games with the time up there. If the time goes off during comments that are being translated, they won't get cut off prematurely. We'll make sure that we do have the full and allotted time for that. Now, Wake County Board of
023Education meetings are conducted for the purposes of carrying out the official business of the board. Uh, per policy 2310, persons who willfully interrupt, disrupt, or cause disturbances at an official meeting may be directed to leave by the presiding officer. Members of the audience should show respect for the speakers by refraining from loud comments or other disruptions. Disruptions by any purpose or sorry, disruptions by any person or persons at a public meeting will be subject to action in accordance with GS1 143 through817. And again, the the importance here is please be respectful of the other speakers. Whether you support them, whether you disagree with them, disruptions during their comments can distract, it can rattle their train of thought. And again, it takes a lot of courage to get up here in a public setting to give
024those remarks. So, let's be respectful of all of our speakers. Um, what we do is as our practice, we do have some students that wish to address us tonight. So, we want to give priority to them first during that public hearing. So, what we'd like to do is I will go to the list of students wishing to speak first. We'll hear from them and then we'll move to our other public hearing speakers. All right. So according to our agenda our our itinerary here our first student speaker tonight will be Francis Razie Prasad Fernando speaking on the stu the student enrollment plan is Mr. Fernando here. All right if he's not in here yet but if he comes in before the end of the hearing we will put him back on the agenda at the end.
025So our next speaker, student speaker is Nirage Matur. Is Nirage here? Okay. So everything I just said in reference to Mr. Fernando will apply to Mr. uh Mthor as well. All right. How about Akinald Garrett? All right. Well, we'll move on to our other public speakers for our public hearing and then if the students arrive, we will give them an opportunity to speak before we move into public comment. Um, so our first speaker on our public hearing is Shravan Narundar who will be followed by Shilu Roy Garrett. >> Good evening. >> Hello. Thank you for listening to our comments. Um, with only two minutes, I'm just going to get right into it. Please stop using your time and resources to move families into underperforming schools. Please instead use those resources to improve the quality of
026the schools so that more families will want to move to areas already bound to those schools. This proposal makes no sense and it's completely unfair to those of us who spend extra time, money, and resources to live in areas already there. If I'd wanted to send my child to to those schools, I could have saved several hundreds of thousands of dollars to live in those neighborhoods. In addition, there are several better elementary schools right around the corner from us that do not have enrollment caps like Highraftoft and Mills Park that we can ride our bike to and get there. And instead, the proposal is to send my child to downtown Apex 15 or 20 minutes away by car. Um, you're making it harder for families to justify moving to Kerry, unsure if their kids will
027be sent to random schools for no reason at all. You're prioritizing new builders instead of existing families and are taking money out of our pockets and giving it to them instead while also destroying our quality of life and the goals for our children. If you absolutely must do this, then at least include a provision that grandfathers in those of us who live here already and continue to live in the zones, including people on the wait list, so that existing families continue can continue to build their communities around the schools that we signed up for. and families new to the area will at least have an idea of the schools that are there. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Charlie Roy Garrett who will be followed by Nazia Ahmad Koulan. >> Good evening.
028My name is Shilu Garrett. I'm a resident of the Cresmont community in Apex, a current White Oak Elementary parent and a future Mills Park Middle School parent. I'm here to respectfully urge this board to grandfather current students in their proposed reassignment. I understand the district needs immediate relief, but I also ask that you consider the long-term impact on families like mine who are already established and deeply engaged with our school communities. Our children are not just enrollment numbers. They've built lasting relationships with their teachers and their peers. And uprooting them now disrupts far more than academics. It undermines their emotional social stability during key developmental years. Stability transfers have been offered, but they come with no transportation. For working families like mine, that's not a realistic option. Managing different school calendars and commutes plays a
029heavy burden on our families and our careers just to keep children where they already are. We know the grandfathering does not solve crowding overnight. But it offers something more sustainable, a break in the cycle of disruption that has continued over the last few years for Wake County. Without it, families like ours are moved out only to watch new developments fill in and potentially face resoning themselves later. That's not a fair, stable, or forward-thinking plan. The administration mentioned that smaller communities like Cresmont were cobbled together to create impact, but grouping neighborhoods from convenience does not justify the impact on disruption of families that are already settled and thriving. Disruption should not be the default just because it's easier. Please let the children of Cresmon community remain in the schools that they are in now. Thank you.
030>> Thank you. Our next speaker is Nazia Ahmad Gulan, who will be followed by Sarah McFersonson. Good evening and thank you for your time. I am a resident of the Pines community and I'm here today to express our community's firm and united opposition to the current resoning proposal. Um the information session last month uh made it abundantly clear that this plan was developed really honestly without sufficient long-term planning or meaningful communication. The result is a proposal that truly treats our children as numbers on a map. fundamentally disregarding their educational stability and the well-being of our established neighborhood. It it is I honestly think it is unacceptable that the Pines community and and I've conferred with a lot of parents is there as well that we should be forced to bear the cost of this failure.
031This resoning will disrupt the lives of students who have built friendships and academic momentum and it really shatters the peace of mind of families who choose our community for its schools. So we are not simply data points. We are a community of families who are deeply invested in our children's futures. Uprooting our students is not a solution. It is a disruption that will have real and lasting consequences. And we urge you to listen to our voices. The voices of the families, the voices of the children. We ask that you withdraw this specific proposal and commit to a more transparent collaborative process that does not solve one problem by creating another at the direct expense of our families. Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is Sarah McFersonson who'll be followed by Human Hushi. >> Hi.
032Um, first of all, we just moved here from California and one of the reasons that we moved here was for the Wake County School District. So, thank you for creating a wonderful school district where our child can thrive. Um having said that um uh so we are in the district that is being proposed to shift from White to White Oak to Trimmer Creek. My daughter Sachka who is five uh committed the unforgivable crime of being born in September instead of August. And so since the EKE program doesn't allow kids to apply until school is already in session, we submitted her application the same morning that we were allowed to. And of course, she was still wast weight listed. Um she goes to Davis Drive now, the overflow school, and she's completely thriving there. But uh
033because she's weightlisted for White Oak, the stability process uh that's in place allows her neighbor friends to keep attending White Oak while she's forced to attend Turner Creek or Balcom. Um we moved here for the schools and now my daughter and kids like her, it seems like they're sort of being punished for it. So please don't pass this proposal. this is not this is not really sustainable. And um and I appreciate the fact that this area of the country is so accepting of the giant influx of tech people from California. Um and I'm so glad that we moved here and I'm hoping that my kid can uh can attend the school that we came here for. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Human Hushiar followed by Dev uh Vishuar Kharma. >> Yes.
034And if you do have materials that you wish to distribute to the board, please bring them up to Mr. Remy sitting here at the edge of the table either before or after your comments and that way it won't count against any of your time. All right. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Humen. I'm here on behalf of the Southerntherland community. Uh we have been here before in this public hearing. We have submitted a petition on behalf of the community. Uh first I want to thank um the board, Mr. Chair, for this opportunity to speak here tonight. Also, I want to thank the staff. I know this is not an easy topic. I know there's a lot of variables, a lot of parameters, a lot of thought that goes into
035this process. Also don't want to speak to the personal hardships that this is causing for a lot of the people in my community. I do want to bring up um some highlights um some main concerns for our community. First and foremost, our community has been experiencing multiple calendar changes. So, a few years ago, we were initially assigned to Turner Creek uh uh elementary and Salem Middle. Both of them are year- round school. Then, we were reassigned to White Oak Elementary and um um Mills Park Middle, which are traditional schools. And now we're being reassigned again back to Turner Creek and Salem Middle. So this constant flip-flopping, for lack of a better word, is causing some confusion, instability for the members of our community. Second, our neighborhood uh represents only about 25 students um that go
036to White Oak Elementary. It's not in itself, it's not a big enough number to make a big impact on the overall enrollment numbers at White Oak Elementary. Um third, um the Southerntherland community is actually the closest community in the neighbor, the closest neighborhood to White Oak on the new proposed Turner Creek map from a proximity, transportation, bus route standpoint. Um it's difficult for us to understand how this is efficient. And then finally, uh I want to appreciate that a calendar option was added as an option for the elementary school, but that's Bacham. I hope I'm pronouncing it right. and Balkam is six miles away from our neighborhood. So I can only imagine how long the bus ride would be. So in in summary, the multiple calendar changes, the our proximity, the low number of students
037in our community. Um I want to respectfully ask the board to reconsider your assignment of Southernland based on our um >> and that is your time. I'm sorry. Thank you. All right. Our next speaker is Dev Vishu Karma who'll be followed by Vishali Desar. Good evening members of the board. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. Um I reside at Spire Bened and in the neighborhood of uh Greenore within Apex and this is within the zone currently scheduled to be reassigned from Mills Park Middle School to Salem Middle School. And I speak tonight on behalf of my child, our family, and our whole neighborhood. When we purchased our home in this zone, we did so with the understanding that our child would attend Mils Park Middle, a school that is among the very best in
038our state uh rated 10 on 10 constantly gets top 5% of the middle school in North Carolina. And the proposed reassignment to Salem Middle kind of causes several deep and fundamental fundamental concerns for us. While Salem uh may have strengths, the public reviews and data shows it does not have the same track record of excellence for uh as the Mills Park Middle. Also, we made a long-term investment in our home and in our child's education based on the assignment to the Mills Park. This reassignment undermines that expectation and the place the places our child uh and places our child at a disadvantage. And I understand reassignments are sometimes necessary for capacity or equity reasons, but my request is please grandfather the existing houses and uh uh kids that are uh currently assigned to go to
039Mills Park Middle. Um in closing, our children deserve stability, academic excellence, and fairness. I hope the board will hear our concerns and respond with a plan that honors the commitment families make like ours who made when choosing the school zone. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is uh Vishali Desari. He'll be followed by Gregory Paul Richards. Vishali here. All right. If Vishali is not here, we'll move to Gregory Paul Richards. Good evening, Mr. Richards. >> Uh, good evening. It's actually uh Dr. Richards, but thank you. >> Good evening, Dr. >> I have uh two sons at White Oak Elementary School. Uh, and I'm here today to urge the board to resoundly reject uh the redistricting assignment. I'm actually surprised at the need to do so. The District 8 representative is not here today,
040not because they're sick or on vacation, but because we don't have a representative. It astonishes me. It appalls me that the staff would even consider a change to our district when our district does not have a voice or a vote on this board. Our country was founded on no taxation without representation and we have no representation here. Please consider to reject this proposal this year and reconsider it in the following year when we do have a voice. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Have any of our students come back in come into the room? either Mr. Fernando, Mthor, or Garrett. All right. If not, we'll declare the public hearing concluded and we'll move on to our public comment period. All right. So, for our public comment, um this is a similar procedure to what
041you've heard. Comment speakers commenting on items on tonight's agenda will speak first, followed by our speakers commenting on other topics. Again, only the person who is speaking may be at the podium and be standing at that time. All other the attendees should remain seated while someone else is speaking. Concerns related to specific personnel issues or student matters may be addressed through WCPSS personnel, the grievance policy, or the replicable policies. If you've brought one of those concerns before you leave, please talk to a member of staff who might be able to assist you before you leave tonight. Um, in the interest of maintaining order and decorum, speakers are encouraged to address their comments to the board of education up here and must refrain from personal attacks and insults directed at other speakers, um, individual board members,
042staff or members of the general public. All commenters are asked to remember that children often attend these meetings and to keep their comments substantive and civil. So, as if you are speaking tonight, please remain at the podium during your speaking time. As I mentioned, if you have materials to share, we welcome those. Please give them to Mr. Remy either before or after your comment. So that doesn't take any um you know, take away from any of your aotted time. Uh the public comment speakers may speak for up to three minutes. Please notice the microphones are adjustable. You can adjust them to whatever height you need before you speak. And as I said, the green light will when it comes on that indicates your time has started. When it turns yellow, that indicates you have 30
043seconds left. You'll hear one audible tone. When you hear that second tone, that's when you need to stop because that's when we're going to call the next speaker up to make sure we get through all of our speakers on time and we get everybody home at a decent hour tonight. Um I again I think we've covered everything. Speakers are asked to respect that time limit. Speak no more than 3 minutes. And um I believe that's it. We do have a number of speakers tonight, but we're going to start. We have one speaker on an on agenda item. Uh Drew Washington speaking on school improvement plans. and then we'll start on the remainder of our speakers. So on deck we'll have uh Mr. Danny Coleman. So is uh Drew Washington here? >> All right, welcome Drew.
044>> All right. Well, good afternoon to all of the members of the school board. My name is R Washington and I serve as a youth organizer for Education Justice Alliance. And today I'd just like to briefly speak on the roll out of school improvement plans in accordance to the general assembly's policy. So the first thing I noticed with the general assembly's policy uh regarding the school improvement plans was the lack of a requirement for student input on school improvement teams. As someone who does continuous advocacy work with youth, I know that students have the answers to the problems that they themselves are facing. The absence of youth voice on school matters reinforces adult centered decision-making and limits youth participation in shaping environments that affect their academic and em and emotional well-being. If we truly want
045to improve them performance of our students, it is vital that we meet them where they are. Another thing that stood out to me in the general statute was the priorit prioritization of datadriven assessments uh that is required in the student improvement plan development process. While data is very important, I would like to argue that prioritizing the lived experiences of students and families is equally if not more important. If we want to create a space that is truly to the benefit of students, we must approach education as a human right and not a business plan. I want to also note that school improve that the school improvement plans address safety and discipline concerns. We know that safety is a priority for our students meaning that with these plans we must honor every aspect of their safety.
046It is important to ensure that students feel safe not only physically but academically and emotionally. So, I'm asking the school board members to work to ensure that the pillars of student voice, lived experience, and emotional well-being are honored as schools come together to structure their own improvement plans. When we build power with students, we don't just improve performance. We build the kinds of schools that every young person deserves. Thank you'all. >> Thank you, Mr. Washington. All right. Our first our next speaker will be uh Daniel Coleman, who will be followed by Carol Gartrell. Good evening. >> Good evening, >> members of the Wake County Board of Education, staff and attendees. My name is Daniel Coleman, and again, I rise to speak. I may be more knowledgeable than my last time standing before you. Tonight, I
047wish to request the following. The enhanced design narrative as referenced in the agreement for design consultant services between WCPSS and LSP3 Associates Limited for the Ligan Magnet MS major ren renovation and replacement project number 8620458 dated December 17 24. Furthermore, I'm requesting from the same document found in article one subsection 1.7 the milestone schedule reference in exhibit C of the same document. You all understand where I stand keeping Ligan as a beacon on top of the hill. But to be fair to the process, that seems to be a mystery to most that care on the local level. We should have access to that information and any other information, especially cost of the major renovation and or replacement costs. Thank you again, Dan Coleman. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Carol Gortrell, who'll be followed
048by Miguel Figeres. Good evening, Chairman Hagerty and um Superintendent Taylor and other board members. Um, I just want to reiterate our interest in keeping Lian at the top of the hill primarily because we have information that the initial plan was for renovation and replacement and that these plans included relocating the building at the bottom of the hill and back of the school. And it's very concerning when you know we hear one thing from the board and we hear something else from the planning or developers. Uh we know that the need is tremendous. The school is 75 years old. You know, it's like infrastructure in the city. If it's not maintained, it's just worse and it's more costly. We are all for the renovations necessary. We have grandkids in these schools still where we went, but
049we want to make sure that the vision remains uh visible where it is at 709 Lenor Street. We are against rebuilding it at the bottom of the hill in back of the school. So, we just appeal to you for your consideration for more transparency and more communication with the community. We met in May 15th. That's five months ago. We are told there will be another meeting November 24th. That's 6 months since the first one. There have been some smaller closed meetings with some handpicked persons to represent the community and and it does not. So we do appeal to you for your consideration for more information and to uh make certain that our school remains visible as Broton is. There were revisions and renovations made for Broton, but they didn't wipe it off of Peace Street
050and we don't want Lian wiped off of Lenor. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Miguel Figeres who's will be followed by Louisa Escobar. Good evening. >> Oh, one second before you start. >> I'm a parent organizer for Education Justice Alliance and um we're all here the blue shirts as part of the dignities in school campaign because we Okay. because we still believe that um education is a human a human right >> and uh one of the parents um cannot be here because he did not feel safe being in this space the way the the times are in the United States. So I'm going to be reading his comment if that's okay. because it is public. Uh hello, my name is Dixon and I am the father of two children in Wake County
051Public Schools. I share today not as a critic but as a partner committed to the future of each child. So I have spent time reflecting on what really nurtures the potential of our children and the conclusion is simple. Few does not teach our children, community and imagination do. In their schools, there are children who do not know if their parents will be there when they get home and I and I ask you today, do you think that a student can excel in his studies with that thought in his mind constantly? Fear is the oldest enemy of learning. Think about this. When a child feels afraid for not understanding the task because of the pressure of an of an exam or because of the feeling of being watched, his brain closes. He can't innovate. He can't
052be curious. He can only try to survive. Our task as adults responsible for their education is to replace that fear with an environment of community. Creating an environment where their mistakes are opportunities and where their voices are heard. We replace with im with imagination allowing them to explore without limits so that they grow and become the problem solvers. If we want great minds we might we we must first calm down little hearts. This is my deep convict uh con conviction. Our classrooms must be centuries and safe for students. Prison extensions. A century is a place of refuge where protection is an and and unconditional support is found. This means having mental health counselors and support staff in the hallway instead of of a policeman. >> It means that when a child stumbles, he receives help,
053relief, and therapy, not prison. If the school board prioritizes surveillance and punitive discipline over social and emotional support, it is sending a devastating signal. >> It is sending a devastating signal. It is turning classroom into prison extensions. Spaces where the solution to anguish is exclusion not empathy. Members of the board, your task is to your task is to ensure a learning environment for all students regardless of their race, gender, status, or color. Let's make way classrooms a place where every child feels safe to dream, imagine, and above all learn. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our next speaker, our next speaker is uh hold on I need to pull this up again. Louisa Escobar who will be followed by Anurban Muk Mukharji. Is Louisa here? Okay, thank you. All right, we'll go to uh Anduruban uh
054Mukherji. >> And could you say your name for me? I'm sorry if I mispronounced it. >> Perfect. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Hi, my name is Aner Ban Mukherji and thank you for giving me this opportunity to talk here. I belong to the pines resident that is pines at Wake Crossing and my daughter goes to White Oak Elementary School and we moved here from Boston and as all of my previous speakers so we do not support this enrollment proposal and for a few reasons first of all when we moved from Boston we spent a lot of time money effort energy everything so that my daughter goes and all the community people go to the same school that we started with and since I come from Boston I would like to point out one particular thing
055that they also have a schooling system and there if there are new houses built they do not get the schools that's a very good policy that they have which I think we should kind of consider if there are new communities built where we are talking about all the like new growth and stuff they only give it to 55 plus communities with no commitment to school since we are having so much problems with the existing communities where we are not being grandfathered that would be a very nice option I would believe which we can take from other states as a learning that we build schools with 55 plus communities And apart from that as you have seen like with all of these I would go not go into any specific example but overall I would like
056to say when you see not the entire community with this proposal is happy I will not support that proposal and I would request the team or the board to consider that not approving this proposal because when the community is not happy not everybody is happy then things are not going in the right direction. With that, I would like to like end my comment and appeal that if you can consider not approving this for this year. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you for your comments. Our next speaker um is Fernando Martinez who'll be followed by Christina Holer. I will also be speaking on behalf of our parents. So I will request interpretation as well. In the meantime, thank you so much more and Superintendent Taylor. No. Okay. I'm gonna read this on behalf of Marcela
057Maldonado is a mother and she asked me to do it for her. Uh it is a good evening. I am a mother and I am an active member of um um um the um education justice alliance. >> Okay. This um justice alliance for education member. >> Okay. I am a mother of five children. Two of them are already married. So, one is uh already attending college and one is in high school. I'm also ESLs students at Way Tech Community College. >> I am also an ESL student at Yeah. Good. >> Okay. Okay. Uh I am also an ESL student at Wake Tech Community College. You know, >> we're not going to change justice for a false unity. So the livelihood of our students is not negotiable. So one of the problems is that my uh
058daughters I mean uh uh pick I mean elective classes like finances >> uh health and uh cooking >> and they have never been accepted I mean to take these classes. But they got I mean they got enrolled and accepted in uh subjects and uh classes like arts uh Spanish and uh PES the classes if these I mean classes that are very important and crucial for the the development are in high demand. Please open more spaces for more students to uh be able to take I mean these classes I hope I mean the school principles I mean can work in conjunction with you members of the board in order to make this I mean happen and have a better future. I hope that my voice is heard because it's not only me. There are several parents
059I mean who are facing these problems and they need help and assistance from you. Thank you for hearing and listening to my concerns. You mean for the education of my children that maybe you are not aware of. >> That concludes Gracias. >> Yeah, that that concludes uh the mother statement. Uh I still have one minute. So I would like to take advantage of that. I've been coming to this board for 13 years. Um and yes a lot of things have been changing and uh one specific example is the fact that we do now have access to interpretation. At the same time my invitation to you is to come to our communities with u more open mind to listen the community's concerns. The political polarization we're living in right now is really impacting the families in
060a way that people are afraid. We are seeing that students don't feel uh safe to come to school. Parents don't feel safe to come to drop this kid at the schools. And also we start seeing uh an increase in bullying in the school environment due to the immigration to the harsh immigration approaches that we seeing right now. My invitation to you as decision makers is that you always have a two-way relationship with us. we will be happy uh to work with you and to uh put you in contact with community members so you can have a little more sense of all the challenges that people are going through in these times. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Christina Hoser who will be followed by Tony Aras. And if you want to wait
061just one minute, we'll let some folks head out before you begin. All right. Thank you. >> Good evening, members of the board. My name is Christina Holzer and I'm a veterinarian and I'm also president of the Kerry Homeschools. um organization and this is my son Avery Hoer. He is currently a homeschool eighth grader and will be a ninth grader next year. Um we're here tonight to ask the board to consider a pathway forward where Avery could join the Athens high school marching band next year. Um Avery has met with the high school marching band at a practice and also their middle school meet and greet and um he was invited to play the drums out on the field with them. He had such a wonderful time. Um, I was a marching band member as a
062child and so I understand the time commitment and also the benefits that you learn from being a part of something so significant. Um, Avery is already friends with many members in the band through his interactions in scouting and it would be endlessly meaningful to him and our family for him to have this experience. Um, I'm new to this process. Um, but I've come to understand, um, there's a policy in North Carolina that allows homesooled children to join extracurricular programs with permission of the school system. Um, Wake County has a policy number 6860 that currently does not allow this opportunity for homeschool children. It is very, very difficult to find a way to be part of large musical groups. Um, we can join lots of clubs and co-ops and classes, but music is a really hard
063thing for us to access. Um, as a homeschool mom, I do appreciate the time, the effort, and the work that goes into organizing programs for children. Um, while I can imagine there would be some challenges to allowing homeschool children to join these activities, um, I'd appreciate the opportunity to collaborate and synergize with the school system. Um, there's currently a bill called the Senate Bill 48 and it is well positioned to be passed within the next year or so. um and it would at a state level allow all homeschoolers to join um all extracurricular activities. Um as scout master of our local scout troop, I have been part of the challenging integration of females into what is um previously named the Boy Scouts of America. Um they used a pilot trial program to integrate really small
064groups of scouts prior to full inclusion. and anticipation of this bill that is um potentially passing, I wonder if we could consider a small pilot program with the music department um if that would be possible in the Wake County school system in the upcoming year. Um I really thank you all for your consideration and the time it would take to think about it and all the extra work that it might involve for all of you. Um I hope you have a good evening and thank you. >> All right, thank you. Our next speaker tonight is uh Tony Arias who'll be followed by uh Raaya Robinson. Thank you schoolboard members. My name is Tony Arias and I am a community organizer with the Education Justice Alliance here in Wake County. Um I also help coordinate public
065school strong. So I'm speaking here as an organizer, community member and supporter of public schools. But tonight, most importantly, as a former teacher myself, I want to chime in into the conversation that has already been shared about the fears that continue to impact our students and our families from showing up. And I want to share a little bit about my experience as a teacher because what was always important for me, as I'm sure it it was for many teachers, is to make sure that my students feel in control of their own learning. Um, as a teacher, I felt responsible for helping my students engage with questions bigger than themselves and providing the tools necessary for them to engage with those questions on their own time inside and outside of my classroom. I believe our students
066deserve the space and time to engage with big questions, to be curious, and to know how and to know and not know in ways that feel appropriate to their age and development. Um, and generally, you know, we don't teach a first grader how to write a five paragraph essay, and you don't teach a second grader long division because they're still developing the tools to understand these concepts at a later age. However, you know, child development strongly informs what we teach and when we teach it. And yet, all of our students, no matter how young or old, are able to experience fear in schools. A young student is able to experience uncertainty no matter where they are in their development. And as you've heard it already tonight, fear won't teach our children. But I'm afraid that
067if our schools fail to prioritize protecting our students and families from being fearful, then we are not acting in the best interest of our students needs. As this board prepares to approve policies such as policy 7405, which deals with teacher responsibilities and duties, my hope is that you all don't lose sight on what teachers already are responsible for and the depth of support needed to meet that responsibility. Before continuing to add more responsibility to our teachers, consider the lack of support our teachers already experience. And again emphasizing teacher training and development is so essential especially on social emotional learning, racial equity and racial trauma and using trauma informed practices which by the way if any of those terms feel foreign or messy to implement, that's what we're here to help you understand and do as
068well. Um, I know this because of my experience as a teacher and because many teachers I worked with felt the same way. Um, again, fear will not teach our children unless we allow it to do so. This board has the power to make a difference by putting our children first. Doing so is to acknowledge and prioritize the importance of social emotional learning in our classrooms and the reality that teachers already hold the social emotional well-being of their students in their own hands. and our school leaders have the responsibility to equip our teachers to meet those needs. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Raaya Robinson who'll be followed by Serena Johnson. >> That's all right. We got you. >> My four-year-old fell asleep during this. We are multitasking. All right. Okay. >> If
069he wake up, he gonna scream. So, um, good evening. My name is Raaya and I'm a youth organizer who works with high school students across Wake County with Education Justice Alliance. I am also a graduate of Southeast Raleigh High School. Woop. Um, I get to hear directly from students about what schools feel like for for them, the good, the bad, and everything in between. And one thing I hear over and over is that school doesn't always feel like a place where they can be themselves. For a lot of students, the classroom feels more like a place where they're being controlled than supported. There are constant rules, surveillance, and punishments, but not enough trust, care, or understanding. When young people feel like they're being treated as problems to manage instead of people to nurture, it changes
070how they show up. It's hard to learn when you feel unsafe or unseen. Classrooms should be spaces where students feel respected and encouraged, places that inspire curiosity, not fear. A good learning environment doesn't rely on control. It relies on connection. When teachers have resources and freedom to build real relationships with their students and their families, everything changes. Behavior improves, engagement grows, and students start to believe in their own potential. We can't expect students to thrive in spaces that feel like punishment. We have to make sure our schools are environments that care for the whole person, not just their grades or attendance. Because when students feel safe, valued, and trusted, they don't just learn better, they grow into competent, compassionate people who carry those lessons from far beyond the classroom. That's what real education should feel
071like. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Serena Johnson, who will be followed by Yaki Cypino. Hello everyone. My name is Serena Johnson and I'm a parent organizer with the Education Justice Alliance and I'm speaking on behalf of a parent that's not able to make it tonight due to health problems. Um I'm going to read her her speech. I am Gina, an active parent of two daughters whom are within Wake County Public School System. Public education is a promise. We're here to make it real. Public education is more than just a system. It's a promise to every child, every family, and every community. It's a commitment to opportunity, equity, and excellence. Yet, that promise is being tested in Wake County. Research and data have revealed that barriers standing in the way of real
072progress, from inconsistent funding priorities and overcrowded classroom to leadership decisions that silence educators and overlook students needs. When politics overweigh um purpose, when profit and personal interest replaces student focus, that's where the harm begins. My daughters were in overcrowded classes and very difficult for students to get an opportunity to receive one-on-one attention from their teacher that can be needed for growth. I would like for you all to allocate funding to support students, teachers, and parents and families to obtain public education with necessary resources, support, and training. Um those are her statements and these are my statements. Um tonight is very interesting to see how the speeches have changed from the beginning of the the night from now. And we have parents here who are advocating for their students to get the quality education that they've
073been receiving their whole school life. And then we have parents here who are advocating for that to happen in the same county. So if that's able to happen in the other side of town, why are we advocating for it happen over here on south side for the most part what we're looking for now. So my question or my comment to you guys is that we need to see that all over Wake County. We know it's possible because have parents here who are advocating for their children still remain in schools that provide resources that provide adequate um teachings and classes for their students. They don't want their children in areas where there is lack and we don't want our children in areas that are lack. So we need for you guys to make sure that in
074this in this room that everyone is receiving the same resources and we're able to do that. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Yaki Sip Albanil. We'll be followed by Tamika Arnold. >> Good evening. My name is Jackie and >> my apologies. >> No worries. Thank you. Um my name is Jackie and I'm a community organizer with Education Justice Alliance here in Wake County and I am uh here speaking as a community member, a public school supporter and a coordinator for public school strong. I'm here to speak about the importance of aligning our budget decisions with a clear proactive approach to student safety and well-being. The district's budget is a um policy document. It reflects not only our financial priorities, but our moral ones. When we say that safety is a priority, our
075spending and our policies must demonstrate that commitment in specific and transparent ways. While I appreciate the district's recent um statement on keeping children safe from ICE, the specifics on how we will um be accomplish how that will be accomplished have not been shared. So, our families are concerned and rightfully so. Vague assurances are not a substitute for clear procedures, consistent communication, and well-unded systems of prevention and response. So, please don't wait until something tragic happens and we are unprepared because we failed to properly be equipped with policies, training, and community engagement that anticipate risk and protect our students. I ask you to join the school systems who have vowed to keep their children and families safe from ICE, even if that means defying federal guidance. Because just because it is law law lawful doesn't make
076it morally right. Safety is not simply the absence of harm. It's the presence of trust, stability, and care. That means that using this budget to invest in evidence-based safety measures like more counselors and social workers, comprehensive crisis respond plans, response plans, trauma-informed training, and restorative approaches that build relationships rather than criminalize our students. families and educators um and students all deserve to know what safety looks like in practice, not just in principle. Transparency and accountability should be part of our prevention strategy. As you finalize, um your budget, I urge you to connect the numbers to a clear plan of action, one that makes our classroom sanctuaries of learning and care, not places of fear and uncertainty. Wake County can and should be anam or lead by example, showing what it means to protect students through
077preparation, communication, and compassion. Thank you for listening. Thank you. Our next speaker is Tamika Arnold who'll be followed by Yanayra Valenuela. >> Good evening, M. >> Good afternoon. I'm coming. Good afternoon. Good. Good evening. and I'm Tama Arnold, a member of EJA. I would like to share a few concerns about our school. First, the student suspension program need more focus on helping students learn and grow instead of just removing them from classes. We also need more school counselors to support children who may not get enough encouragements or guidance at home. And finally, I asked the board to review the numbers of teacher work days to keep a fair balance between between planning time and the students learning time. Thank you for listening to my concern. >> Thank you. Our final speaker tonight is Janara Valenuela.
078>> Hi, good evening everyone. My name is Janetta Valenuela and I'm a proud parent of two children currently in the third and fourth grade. I'm also proud fellow with EJA, Education Justice Alliance and I'm here to speak not just as a parent but as someone who deeply values the future of public education. Right now our teachers are not being paid what they deserve. They are underpaid and under supported and year after year the lack of insensitive and recognition makes it harder for them to stay in this profession. Education is a human right not a business plan. And yet we are treating our educators as if they are disposable. Our major concern, our my main concern is the shortage of support in special education. Regular education teachers are often reluctant to step into special education roles,
079not because they don't care, but because the responsibilities are overwhelming and the compensation does not reflect the workload. The stress, the paperwork, and emotional labor that special education teachers carry every single day is immense. And yet, sorry, and yet they pay the pay does not match the demand. If we increased salaries and provided proper training, more teachers would feel motivated and prepared to support students with special needs. We also need to value our veterans teachers. These our experienced professionals who have dedicated years, sometimes decades, to our children's growth. They deserve pay increase just as much as new hires. Their experience is in irreplaceable and we must honor it, not overlook it. We say that public education is a promise. If that was true, we must keep that promise. That means investing in our teachers, respecting
080their work, and ensuring that they are paid fairly for the critical role they play in shaping our children's future. Let's make public education real for all of us. >> All right. Thank you. And that will conclude our public comment even public comment period this evening. Thank you very much. We will now move forward with the uh rest of our consent the rest of our agenda. The next item are the items listed under our consent agenda. Board members have had a moment to review those items and at this point I would entertain any motion. Vice Chair Swanson. >> Mr. Chair, I move for the adoption of the consent agenda. >> Is there a second? >> Second. We have a motion to approve the items on the consent agenda. We have a motion for vice chair Swanson,
081a second for Mr. Hershey. All in favor of approval of the items on the consent agenda, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? >> Nay. >> All right. I heard one. >> All right. >> Roll call vote. >> Um, we'll do a roll call vote just to make sure. Um, Miss Gordon, >> I. >> Mr. Hershey, >> Dr. Ing, >> hi. >> Miss Edmonds, >> I. >> Chair votes I. Mr. Swanson. Vice Chair Swanson. >> I. >> And Miss Caulfield. >> Nay. >> All right. And Miss Allen has recorded that vote. All right. Next, we'll move to the items on our action. Our action items on our agenda tonight. And the first area of items is under policy. We'll have consideration of board policy 7720, employee political campaign activities. On second reading, I see
082Dr. Mutillo and uh Dr. Crane. Good evening members of the board. Superintendent Taylor. Tonight I am bringing policy 7720 employee political campaign activities for second read. We did bring it for first read on action during the last board meeting. Board member Hershey had some suggestions to remove sentences from policy 2220 official school spokesperson that were included in the school board association's model policy. So you will see in your documents the strikethroughs remove the language from 2220 and we have included a sentence along with a hyperlink uh to policy 2220 instead. Um so tonight we are requesting the board's approval of the second reading of policy 7720 employee political campaign activities. >> Chair Hagerty. >> Yes ma'am. Um, what I'd like to do is make the motion to approve, understanding that we can have discussion before
083the vote. Is that okay with you? >> Yes, that's perfectly within order. >> Okay. So, I make a motion that we approve 7720 on second reading. >> Uh, we have a motion from the policy chair and there's a second from Mr. Hershey. Again, this is not a vote. This is just to put the motion on the table to be discussed and debated. Is there any discussion about the policy, Miss Evans? Sorry, just as policy chair, I wanted to give you the first graph. >> Thank you. Sure. Um, so I missed the last meeting, but I h I did review the video, so I saw the discussion and I'm aware of the concerns that were raised and I will yield to Mr. Hershey because I believe he might have another um comment before we take our
084vote. >> All right, Mr. Hershey. >> Yes. Thank you. Um, so I I said at the last meeting that I wasn't going to die on the hill, but as it turned out, I'm going to. Um, one thing we've done a really good job of as a board is referencing policy, a different policy within a policy. And we've never quoted an entire policy within a different policy. So, I'd like us to continue with the good work we've been doing by having a hyperlink rather than spelling out all of 2220, which can be really put into a bunch of different policies if we went down that road. Um, and we were kind of repetitive within this the way it was written. So, uh, I did work with, uh, Dr. Crane and, uh, Mr. Ramy on making some
085changes and there was an additional change um that I caught a little bit after too which doesn't make a lot of sense. This is uh 7720 employee policy and then in the first four words we say employment or volunteer service. And so I would ask that we also strike or volunteer service and I spoke again with Mr. Ramy about this and with Miss Edmonds about this and she had um a place where if we were going to do volunteer political campaign activities where it would go that way this remains entirely about employment and employees. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Hershey and Miss Evans. I see you have let's um and I do want to hear from other board members if they you know have thoughts or concerns but I looked up our policies um
086governing school volunteers and we do have specific titled school volunteers is policy 5015 and I think that might be a good place for us to look if we want to take go in that direction and then we also have um policy 5020 which is visitors to the schools and that has a lot of language about volunteers contained in that policy. It's much longer. That's again 50/20 visitors to the schools, but it again it includes a lot of governing language for volunteers as visitors to the schools. So, I think those are two places that if we were concerned about that that we could have that discussion. So, I support the removal of the volunteer service phrasing because this was intended to be very narrow in scope and um targeted toward employee political activity. Thank you. >>
087All right. Thank you. So, I knew that we were bringing the spokesperson language. I didn't know about the volunteer side. So, I think we'll probably have some new discussion tonight from some board members sort of thinking about it for the first time. Um so, I'll start with Dr. ing and then we'll hear from other board members as well. Um, just to clarify, um, the strikeout, um, I in my in my interpretation, and I I may be wrong, but, um, the I I I thought maybe the the intent of that language was to state that that um employees are representing um the best interest of the board, school system, and the community. I I I didn't see it as much as that that only you know the only um the chair of the board and the
088superintendent are the spokes per people for the school system. I thought it was more the second sentence that was more important in my in my interpretation. If if I'm incorrect, please correct me. >> All right. Um so Dr. Just to clarify, was that an question for staff or just an open and a question for the board to discuss? >> Um, it's an open question. The, you know, the the idea was the the second sentence where it says the the policy further states that any person speaking in an official capacity shall conduct his or her assignment from the standpoint of the best interest of the board, the school system, and the community and not as a represent representative of his or her own personal ideas or feelings. All right. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Hershey. Do you
089have a response to that before I go to others? >> Well, I I think in general that applies in all sorts of situations, which is why I don't like doing a full policy within a policy. Um, and I we hyperlink it as well. And so that was kind of I mean the way I tried to do this is I would have actually cut out a lot more because it made it really just very specific about employee political campaign activities but I understood the arguments for keeping some of it and I think h you know doing the hyperlink um works but I also think that there's a general expectation of that from the superintendent about how people are to conduct themselves in any manner when when it comes to being employees of the school system. >>
090Okay. Thank you, Vice Chair Swanson. >> Thank you. So, I was not aware of the other changes that was there. I'm only prepared at this moment to speak about the embedded language. Um, and I think it is a reminder not just to the public but to the board as well that the chair is the official spokesperson for the board. Um, and I said that the last time and I'm fine with the language here and that's the hill that I will die on because I think it needs to be a reminder that we can speak as individuals, but when it pertains to the business of the board, the chair is the official spokesperson. So, it's not con, you know, getting confused with stuff out in the media or whatnot. But I also believe that folks may
091not understand policy or know the policy until it applies to them. So, having these reminders set there um is fine with me. But the other piece I want to speak to was the volunteer piece. Is it practical, Dr. Matillo, to have uh volunteers, whether they are a PTA member, PTA president, and being employed or filling in a a substituting role, is that common practice? And the reason why I'm raising that is because if we were to strike the volunteer piece out of that, would that, you know, would that cause some confusion? because a a volunteer may not see themselves as a employee if they're you know sitting in as filling in a substitute role or something along those lines. So just trying to make sure that if we're striking those languages that we're being mindful
092of all potential situations not just the ones that is gerine to this but yeah so that's that's just what I wanted to flag but and I'll encourage you know the dialogue from my colleagues on this. Okay, Miss Caulfield, >> thank you. Um, I was going to add one more thing since uh Mr. Hershey brought it up. I actually like um having that piece be a little bit more transparent in even if it's in multiple policies because if somebody refers to a policy and they're talking about the political campaigning activities any of that stuff they don't it may not necessarily be somebody that considers themselves just a volunteer like you were saying PTA or somebody who's filling in a substitute whatever I think it just kind of defines the line that all the people that are
093representing the school system in the classrooms. So that's just a feedback with that. But I did want to um I wanted to ask about that particular piece that um Mr. Swanson just brought up that if if if the chair obviously when we're conducting business is the is the speak the spokesperson but when we're out with the public say a town hall and like I'm doing a mayor's academy this week like I'm still representing providing information to the public to our constituents our board advisory committee I'm out there with the people in my district and I'm stating things so I'm not taking over chair Chair Hagert's role and sometimes I refer to some of the things that you have said as our chair. Um, but we're still sharing. So, I'm worried that the wording could blur
094the line between us violating policy versus us being elected official and stating that. I was just curious why we were put into the policy versus an employee because we're not an employee. We're an elected official representing the school. Um, I have one other thing, but I could I could wait. Looks like he has something to say. >> Go ahead. Okay. Mr. Swanson might have a comment on that or Okay. And then I I'll have some comments, too. >> All right. And then my my third um I guess question was on the last paragraph where it talks about impartial study. I was wondering if we couldn't um expand on that a little bit more to make it clear that if it is part of a lesson that it is actually impartial information. I think it's really
095more about teaching the students where they can find information and how to search for things. Um, but if we're only providing one side or one avenue, it's not really fair to the students that need to actually learn how to do it for themselves. So, I'm just and it's it's I'm just wondering if we could put more specific language in there. Those are just my three things that I thought about the policy. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. So if I can I want to respond to different aspects of of the policy and the changes. Um you know the the first thing is I want to get back to the original intent of the policy and the intent of the policy was um about employee political campaign activities. Originally when we talked about the policy it
096had it was broader. It just talked about political activities. And with something as broad as that, we know and we've discussed there are so many issues, especially today that we could bring up that someone could say, "Oh, that's political, right?" But when the policy was originally designed, we were talking really about electoral activity, campaign advocacy, those sorts of things. And so, you know, I I want us I want us to kind of keep our focus on that. Um, so to that end, as we get down into just your last question about some of the lessons, you know, I think we want to have classrooms that can have like a mock election or, you know, who would you vote for? I mean, sometimes some teachers will do this with fictional candidates or historical candidates. Some teachers
097will ask, you know, how they would vote in today's election if they could. And you know, I think that's that that's generally an acceptable activity, especially if it's studentled, you know, and it's not the teachers advocating like for a particular candidate or another. Um, if you have specific language for like how you would want to tighten that up, I'm welcome to that. I don't oppose that. But I think the intent is there that we still want instructional lessons about politics in our election system. um >> policy >> to the other language that we have. There are I see there are two parts to it. There's the language about the spokesperson and the designate and then there's the question about the volunteer service. So Mr. Hershey had come to me and we' talked about this language
098about um you know quoting a whole policy within another policy and I understood his point um and so like this new language that was suggested um just as specified in a reference to the old policy you know I saw that as kind of addressing it and removing some of the redundancy. Uh so if if the board wants to you know go that route I mean I have no problem with that. Um, I think to the points that Mr. Swanson raises, Vice Chair Swanson raises are very valid. I saw them a little bit different again just within the context of this policy. Remember that we're talking about political campaign activity. And to that end, neither the chair of the board nor the superintendent should in our official roles be engaging in employee political campaign activity. all
099of us as individuals, you know, you all are free to go out and endorse candidates, contribute to candidates, volunteer to candidates, and I think that's appropriate. Where I think that would cross a line is whether as a board member or as the board chair, I'm telling you who to vote for you using this platform as and you know, the taxpayer dollars and resources as a means of campaign advocacy. So for me, I'm not as much worried about the spokesperson language being very explicit here because I don't think any of us should be engaged in that political campaign advocacy. Um but you know the the the second half of that statement to Dr. Ing's point and then I think that supports Mr. Swanson's position too. The policy further states that any person speaking in an official
100capacity should conduct his or her assignment from the standpoint of the best interests of the board, the school system, etc. I mean, that's good language and that is a good reminder. Whether you need to have that explicitly stated here or whether that's what's referenced in the as specified in policy 22 20 official school spokesman. You know, I'm fine with that. Honestly, speaking as the chair, I see both sides. I don't have a strong opinion either way. I just think it's not necessarily as relevant here because none of us should be engaged in that political campaign activity in our official roles. Now the question about volunteers is interesting because you know I mean to me the solution would be just to add employee and volunteer political activities in the title to make it consistent. Um, you
101know, I think it's important that we have a policy regarding that political activity by volunteers because just like we don't want school employees engaged in electioneering on campus, when we welcome a school volunteer onto campus, you know, then they're sort of acting within the the endorsement of the schools, right? And you know, I I'd hate to see anyone sort of try to take advantage of this and a staff person say, "Well, I'm doing this on my break, so I'm technically a volunteer, right?" Or find some other way around that. Um, you know, I think there could be activities where a a teacher might want to bring in a representative of two campaigns and have them debate, right? But I think that's different than necessarily being a volunteer. So I like that volunteers wherever it is
102in policy whether it's here or in the other two areas that uh you know our policy chair cited 1515 or 5020 um there does need to be guidance for volunteers that they're not engaged in this activity either. So I guess what I'm saying is I hear all your viewpoints. I think a lot of them are valid but for me the focus is just making sure that we are restricting that political election not political that campaign and electioneering activity and making sure that it applies equally to staff and to volunteers. All right. So we'll go back around um I'll I'll start with Mr. Hershey since you introduced the language then I'll go to Miss Evans and I'll come back around. Was the So, one question was the um state uh the state school board policy was
103that ever put up and sent because that would help that helped me when I saw it. >> I don't know. Was that posted? >> I don't think I have it, but >> not. >> We might need to It might still be in assembly from the previous meeting. I'll take a look what >> that was helpful when you sent it. I can share that the the volunteer service language is in the original NCSBA policy, but the quote of the policy 2020 was added. I do recall that. >> Yeah. >> Um I completely agree about the volunteer piece. My initial suggestions when I was communicating with Dr. Crane and with uh Mr. Ramy were either to add it to the title or to strip it and make it its own policy with volunteer. 100% agree that we
104should do that. Either either is fine. The reason I went with stripping it is because you this is really about employees and the the language is about employees and it references employees down and I like the idea uh that Miss Edmonds had of putting it where other volunteer information is. But I am completely agree I completely agree that we should do it. I do think and I forgot to mention this that the language that additionally as specified board policy 30 I'm sorry 7300 staff responsibil abilities responsibilities and code of ethics is that reminder to our employees about just that and I think we should actually hyperlink that as well um in the policy. >> Thank you Mr. Hershey. Miss Evans. Yeah. Um, so a couple things. I like having removed the quote of policy 2220.
105Um, and I think it's very clear the the the way it's rewarded here. Um, I was going to suggest the hyperlink for policy 7300 as well. And with regard to the volunteer service, um, I hope that I didn't in any way imply that we should have that discussion tonight. I was just letting the board know that there are two policies um governing school volunteers that if we wanted to address campaign activity by school volunteers, there was in my view other policies we should look to to do that. It was not my intention to have that discussion tonight. However, I do support removing the or volunteer service in 7720. Does that >> that clarifies? I do appreciate that. Thank you. All right. Further comments, any other discussion? Um, >> yes, ma'am. Miss Edmonds, >> I I
106did have a question for um Dr. Matillo. Subs are they they're considered employees. Yes. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. So, that >> All right. >> Yep. And we'll come back. Vice Chair Swanson, >> I was solely speaking on the PTA roles. Um because again, PTA roles are different. Some of them I have had experience where they are subbing in buildings and wearing the PTA hats. So making sure that it's clear in policy that whether it's in this policy or the policy that you've referenced that the same rule should apply while they're within the bill. So that's the piece that I'm referencing and would love to see a future discussion on if it's not in this policy in an upcoming uh whether we want to tighten the language in the policy the two policies you referenced.
107I'm okay with that. >> Okay. Miss Cfield. >> Yes. Thank you. Um, I actually, uh, Chair Hagerty, I like your idea of putting the employee actually in the title only because it actually will direct somebody right there because I feel like if somebody's, uh, like volunteering, they're kind of acting as an employee in in certain roles. So, it would just be um, pretty clear um, if the board would consider that. And I did actually have a note of where I would add um, for the impartial part. >> Okay, let's go to that. if you would go down to the last paragraph after the sentence right before it says however I and and I know that you're much better at word smithing than than we are but I just had a note that um we could
108add instructional content and methods that are impartially executed just that it made it clear I think it's great to have the mock trials I think it's it's a really good lesson for our students to actually execute that um I just want I just thought it would be good to be clear to have both sides and see that actually play out in real life. >> Okay. So, I'm looking at that last paragraph after however. Can you give me that wording one more time? >> It's actually before however. Yeah. So, instructional content and methods that are impartially executed. >> Okay. >> Ju just a note that the word impartial is is in the first sentence in that paragraph already. Um not saying that you couldn't add it again, but it already says this policy should not be
109constru as prohibiting the impartial study and discussion of political issues in the classroom setting. >> Okay. What about just adding um um improperly executed after impartial study there? >> You could do that. That's fine. >> Okay. I mean I I don't know what the rest of the board thinks. Do you want to propose that as an amendment or >> uh chair? Yeah. What's your phrasing? >> Um so I was taking the words wording that Mr. Remy had pointed out that we had impartial study already in the um actually at the beginning of that sentence um um because if you follow that sentence all the way to the end that's where we were going to where we would have added the new language. So since we have it at the beginning, it was just you adding
110that extra clause that Miss Cfield had suggested I think about um either before we said I think you said either impartially executed or impartially properly executed. >> Improperly. So here we could just add the policy should not be construed as prohibiting the impartial study um impartial study and discussion of political issues properly executed or impartial study properly executed and discussion of political I'm I was just suggesting that you could put that up there at the beginning of the sentence. >> I had tried to figure out how to reward it but then it changed the meaning of the rest of the sentence. That's why I stuck it at the end. >> Okay. Yeah, I think I think at the end would work actually if but I was just pointing out it would be a redundancy in
111impartiality. You could just say uh it's a long sentence but I'll just read the whole thing. This policy should not be construed as prohibiting the impartial study and discussion of political issues in the classroom setting when such study and discussion is consistent with the approved curriculum and guidance from supervisors on instructional content and methods and is properly executed. >> What if you said is properly executed and consistent >> or Yep. Absolutely. They just put it there. >> Yep. >> All right. >> Yep. >> Does anyone have any objection to that? All right. Um, can we I guess we'll do that as a formal motion then. Uh, Miss Cfield. >> Yeah. Do you want me to read that whole sentence all over again or just >> just the the specific words to add um after and
112>> Okay. So, I'd like to make a motion to amend the policy that it reads instructional content and methods that are and is impartially executed. Is that how you worded it? >> Uh, I'm not sure where we were placing it. >> Oh, I missed the first part of that. I just had the properly executed part. Let's let's see let's hear the language again. As I understood it, your refinement of it, Chair Hagerty, would be uh when such study and discussion is properly executed and consistent with the approved curriculum and guidance from supervisors on instructional content and methods. >> Yeah, >> that is that that would be the insertion point for the proper properly executed. >> So after discussion, >> uh yes, when such study and discussion is properly executed and consistent with the approved curriculum
113and guidance etc etc. So removing political issues in the classroom setting. >> Oh no, that's still >> say, you know. >> Yeah. >> Because you want to make sure that the political issues are in the classroom setting are properly executed to your point, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. I guess I'm missing the wording because for me it reads the impartial study and discussion is properly executed and then we >> sorry there keep reading the impartial study and discussion of political issues in the classroom setting when such study >> oh and discussion is properly yes and consistent with the approved curriculum. >> It throws you off because they they have the same phrase twice. >> Okay. just writing it down. Hold on. So, I'd like to make a motion to amend the policy to read this
114policy should not be construed as prohibiting the impartial study and discussion of political issues in the classroom setting when such study and discussion is impartially executed. properly >> properly sorry properly and I did write that too as properly executed and the rest of the sentence would remain >> all right is there a second >> second from Mr. Hershey all in favor of the amendment >> I >> any opposed >> all right the amendment is incorporated into the proposed policy now there's been some discussion about the changes that Mr. Hershey has proposed that have been presented tonight by Dr. util there's been some change you know discussion about whether to keep them as is whether to oppose them whether to amend them currently we only we just have the policy as amended so are there any
115like formal proposed changes or do we want to go ahead and vote on the proposal as it is Mr. Hershey, >> do I need an amendment to remove the or volunteer service? >> I would uh move that we amend the language by striking or volunteer service. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion to remove the phrase or volunteer service from the first sentence in the policy. Is that correct? All right. And there's no other appearances of that in the policy. All right. Um, any further discussion on that amendment, Vice Chair Swanson? >> So, if the language is going to be removed, where will the new language fall? Is it going to be a new policy? I'm need to know what the next step so I can determine how I'm going to vote on
116this. >> Uh, Miss Evans, because you mentioned something to this effect. >> Yeah. So, I believe that we would look at putting that language in 50/20 visitors to the schools or 5015 school volunteers. Um 50-15 the title of the policy is school volunteers, but 50/20 visitors to the schools has numerous references um governing language related to volunteer activity. So I would yield to um the staff and to our legal um council to you know advise us which place would be the better fit. But we could certainly bring this to policy committee so that we can address you know the content concerns of 7720 related to volunteers. >> Okay. >> Does that help? >> All right. Any other comment? >> I just have a question. Um uh so the intention of removing the volunteer service I
117just wanted to understand a little bit more. I know we could put it somewhere else but just having the clarity when we're talking about campaign activities political if yeah >> anyone Mr. that this policy is very specific just about employees and then that this part will be very in a different policy very specific about volunteers and I think to the other point of any visitors to the school as far as that goes but just to keep it them separate >> okay >> it is in the 7000 series which is all personnel policies okay as another point of reference you know I'll say just speaking for myself I'll probably vote against the amendment just because I think if it can be changed, but I' when you make a change like that, I'd rather do it at
118the same time concurrently so you don't take it out of one place and then have like a delay before it gets to come up and then in another place. I'm happy to make the change, but what I'd rather do is hold off on that part until we have a proposal ready and then we just change both at once. So there's no gap in the coverage, but that's just me. >> Miss Gordon and Vice Swanson. Well, to that point, is is there any reason why we can't just change the title of the policy to include volunteers? >> I don't think there's a reason why we couldn't. >> And then you could change it back if you update one of the other policies. I was going to suggest that actually that as an interim thing, it seems
119there's a consensus you want the policy to apply that language to apply both to volunteers and employees. So, for now, it could be employee um and volunteer political campaign activities in the title. leave the reference to volunteer service. Then once we we'll go to policy committee, we come back with revisions to remove it from this policy and add the language to the to another policy. Just another option. >> Vice Chair Swanson, >> that that works. I just didn't want there to be a gap as the chair stated. And again, if we're trying to move this, I guess before political campaigns kick off, >> we don't want there be a governing document for one group and not having language consistent with another group. So just for the consistency purposes, if that is the amendment that is
120there, I will not be supporting. >> Okay. Well, it has been seconded. Um, so at this point, we probably would need to take >> Actually, as long as it hasn't been called for a vote, it can be withdrawn. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Hershey. The amendment's been withdrawn. Is are there any further amendments such as including volunteer in the title as suggested by Miss Gordon? >> Okay. Uh, I motion that we change the title to reflect employee and volunteer. >> There's a there's a motion from Miss Gordon to change the title to um 7720 employee and volunteer political campaign activities. Second from Mr. Hershey. Any discussion or can we move to a vote? Miss Edmonds, >> is that something we can do? >> Yes. I mean with with all the
121language that's here, I'm not talking about the title. I'm talking about everything below the title. >> Can that be a directive to >> volunteers? >> Yes, I I think so. It's not >> all that content. >> It's the state statute that this policy largely implements would not apply to volunteers. Just to be clear, that state statute, the the problem is you can't spend public funds on political campaigns. Employee volunteers obviously are not paid with public funds. They're not paid. Um, but you as a board can regulate the activities of your volunteers and you can say we don't want you to be, you know, stumping for candidates while you're in our schools volunteering. So, I have no trouble with uh the language as is. And of course, this would be an interim this whole proposal is
122it's an interim approach until you go through a policy committee to to move this language into another policy. >> I I understand that part, the interim piece. Um, but I just want to make sure that that's something we can >> Yeah. legally do for >> and it's in the original. policy. So, yes, you wouldn't be the only school district with this language. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. All right. Any further questions? >> Move to call the question. >> All right. Uh there's Well, I mean, even seeing like a readiness to vote, we can assue that motion if you'd like and just move straight to the vote. >> All right. All in favor of Miss Gordon's amended language, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. The amendment has been incorporated. Now
123seeing the the remainder of the language written as is, are we ready to vote on the amended the now twice amended policy? Any further discussion? Miss Gordon, question. >> Okay, so I do have a question. Um, does that mean as a parent, as a volunteer, I can't come into my child's school with wearing like anything politically affiliated? I'll refer that to uh Mr. Ramy. >> Uh let's see. I don't think so. It it would mean let's see it. Okay. The it so the the it's it's a little confusing to apply to volunteers. I will say that because the second sentence in the first paragraph says however said the starting point is political activity is okay. You don't forfeit your rights to engage in political activity by being an employee or a volunteer. However, such campaign
124activities may not take place during work hours. Does a volunteer have work hours is the first question. Involve expenditure of school system funds or resources. So, to your hypothetical, if the volunteer came in and said, "I'd like to use the school copier to run off some flyers for this political candidate," the answer would have to be no. That's expenditure of public funds or or use of public resources. Um, and then and then I think where the rubber hits the road is probably number three. encourage or coers students, employees, or others to support a political issue or candidate. And that's exactly what you want to prohibit. >> Well, actually, Mr. Remy, if I might, I can I'd ask you to read the rest of that sentence. >> Uh, a political issue party or candidate while acting
125in Oh, yes, good point. While acting in official capacity as a school system employee. So, that again does not apply to the volunteers. Um, and then finally, violate any laws or policies. Um, so that's going to apply anyway. >> So, given those conditions, it sounds like the policy would not prohibit from showing up as a volunteer with her campaign. >> Correct. Correct. >> Okay. >> And and this is a good reason why to in policy committee we can address this more >> specifically to volunteers in a separate policy >> and I think Miss Edmonds has raised that point and I think we have that on our >> agenda now Mr. Hershey. >> So for clarification what in here can a what in here applies to a volunteer in >> number two in that list would
126so in expenditure of public funds or use of public resources. So, a volunteer in the schools again can't uh use school funds or school resources, a copy machine, the you know um whatever resources to to engage in political campaign activity, but wearing a button would not be prohibited. >> And I believe number four would apply as well. >> And number four, of course, not violating any laws or policies. >> Well, yeah. Okay. >> That's by the way, the mess in the language is one of the reasons that I had initially wanted to just take it out, but I'm fine changing it later. >> Y >> I'm more appreciative of that argument. Yeah. >> All right. So, are we ready for a vote then? All right. All in favor of the amended policy 7720 employee and
127volunteer political campaign activities on second reading, please say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> All right. The motion passes on second reading. Thank you, Dr. Matello. >> May I just have a moment to clarify a couple things, >> please? So this is approved on second reading. So we are going to add this to the policy manual. We will as quick as we can bring back the other policies see where we might include the volunteer language in policy committee and then once that comes about we may come back and once again do an edit to set technical changes required but this way there won't be what we'd call the gap in coverage. >> Got it. Thank you all very much for the discussion. >> Thank you Dr. Mutillo and thank everyone for their patience as we
128work through that. All right, the next item we have on action is uh school improvement plans in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 115C-10537. And for that we'll the presentation will be by Dr. Clinton Robinson, Chair Hargy, Vice Chair Swanson, board members, and Superintendent Taylor. My intent this afternoon is to provide uh clarity on the distinction between school improvement plans and plans for improvement of low performing schools. Also to review the uh approval process for plans associated with low performing schools and offer a highle overview of our overall school improvement planning process. At this time, I want to take a moment to clarify the distinction between two processes that are often discussed together, but serve very different purposes. School improvement plans outlined in GS15C-105.27 and plans for improvement of low performing schools outlined in GS15C-105.37.
129Understanding the difference between these two helps ensure transparency and consistency in how we support all schools versus those specifically identified as low performing by the state board of education. First, the purpose of these plans uh differs. School improvement plans are designed to improve student performances and guide overall school improvement across every school in the district. Plans for improvement, on the other hand, are targeted and corrective. They address specific performance deficiencies in schools that have been formally designated as low performing by the state board. In other words, school improvement plans drive continuous improvement for all schools, while plans for improvement focus on urgent intervention where performance has fallen below expectations. The applicability also differs. Every public school in North Carolina must have a school improvement plan developed on a two-year cycle and reviewed annually. Plans for
130improvement are required only for those schools that have received D or an F performance grade from the state and are formally identified as low performing. This ensures that while every school engages in improvement work, our lowest performing schools receive an additional layer of oversight, monitoring, and support. The leadership structure for these plans is also distinct. School improvement plans are school-based and collaborative. They're developed by a school improvement team, including the principal, teachers, instructional support staff, and parents, ensuring multiple voices shapes the plan. Plans for improvement are district-led. They're developed by the superintendent and district leadership team for each low performing school, ensuring that central office expertise and resources are aligned to address the specific issues identified by the state board. This dual approach allows for both grassroots ownership of the school at the school level
131and strategic accountability at the district level. So in summary, both processes are essential, but they serve different purposes. School improvement plans drive systemwide progress, and plans for improvement drive targeted recovery and acceleration. Together, they reflect our district's commitment to ensuring that every school is improving and every student is grown, consistent with our strategic plan, Pathways to Excellence and Equity. So, at this time, I'd like to talk about the plans for the process for plans for improvement of low performing schools. At its last meeting, the state board of education formally approved the list of North Carolina schools that have been designated as low performing. The schools in that district that have this designation this year are listed in your board materials. GS115C-105.37 requires public school districts to take certain steps when schools are designated as low
132performing. While some items may be addressed in close session, this presentation addresses only the open session and other public actions that are required to implement the statutory requirements. Here are the next steps that our districts will engage in. The first step is for the superintendent and staff to develop an individualized plan for improvement for each low-performing school. This is not the same as a school improvement plan developed by the school improvement teams, though there certainly can be overlapping similarities in the plan. One thing that I would like to note is that currently and historically, those plans have been captured within NC Star alongside the rest of the school improvement plans. The next step is to provide parents with written notice of each school's low performing status, the school performance and growth scores, information about the
133proposed plan for improvement developed by the superintendent, the meeting date for when that plan will be presented to the board, and a description of any additional steps the school is taking to improve performance. In the next step, the superintendent will submit the proposed plans for improvement for low performing schools to the board of education by October the 31st, 2025. To ensure adequate time for review, the plans will be shared with the board well in advance of meeting at which they will be formally presented following submission. The board must take action within 30 days with the authority to approve, reject, or modify each plan as outlined in statute. Following board approval, the plans for improvement will be submitted to the state board of education within 5 days of the board meeting. The state board may provide
134recommendations for modification, which the local board must formally consider, and if any changes are made, approved through a vote. Once finalized, all approved plans will be publicly posted on the district's website to ensure transparency and accessibility. Again, the purpose of this agenda item is to give you heads up on the process and the opportunity to ask questions. The relevant statue is included in the board materials as well as a template letter that staff will use to modify, excuse me, to notify parents of low performing school status. The only action I am seeking at this time is the approval to move forward with parental notifications of plans of improvement. At this time, I'm happy to answer any questions about the process and our attorney, Neil Ramy, will be more than willing to answer any questions about
135the statutory requirements. >> Right. Thank you, Dr. Robinson. And just as a reminder to board members, you should have a blue folder that was provided that should have the same documentation which you just saw up on the screen. So, if you have questions, please refer to those hard copy documents. We can, of course, put things back up on the screen, but it might just be easy for everyone to look at the hard copy. Uh, Vice Chair Swanson, did you >> Yes. Um, I move that we uh Dr. Robson, remind me of what your motion, your request was. >> Absolutely, sir. My motion is to request the approval in support of the parent notifications to be submitted and shared as such. >> So, Mr. Chair, my motion is to uh honor that request uh so we
136can notify the families um of the Sorry, my words aren't quite working. It took everything out of me with that last policy. So, I've got to be sharp for this discussion. So, that's that is the motion. >> All right. So, we have a motion from Vice Chair Swanson to approve the parent notification required as part of the process. Uh we have a second from Mr. Hershey. Are there any questions about what we are doing? Um and then any further discussion? It looks like we do. I'll turn it first to Vice Chair Swanson and then I'll uh go to Miss Cfield. >> Great. So I just want to first commend and thank you Dr. Robson and Dr. Mutillo and Dr. Alfred Keith for the work that went into this request. Um I thought it was very
137important for the public to see that we just don't rubber stamp items when it comes to teaching and learning in the buildings. um our school improvement plans, the low performing plans are the meat and potatoes of the work that happens in these schools. Um you can go to your your students website, your child's website to see what are those indicators that are in those school improvement plans and or uh the low performing plans because again just because there is a a grade level that is indicated by the state does not indicate that teaching and learning does not take place. And so I can't I don't see the young man that had made the comment about our low performing schools, but the work still takes place. What we have to do as a board is to
138determine what resources needs to be allocated to ensure that all kids can learn, that all kids have the ability to master content. And so I I think that this is this is really a way for us to be transparent to the public to talk about what goes into these plans and whatnot. So that's my statement. My question is as we talk about the, you know, you laid out the difference between the school improvement plans and the low performing school plans, do these plans often intersect? Um, can you see certain indicators replicated in both of these plans? Um, >> absolutely. There is an intersection. Um, I have a resident specialist here with me today that will be able to talk about that and discuss that as we dive into the uh school improvement plan overview. But
139yes, there can be some overlapping and intersections with regards to the indicator as noted in NC star as far as the expectations are concerned. >> Great. I'll reserve the rest of my question. I don't want to monopolize the time, but I do have some others. But again, thank you for this and hopefully this is allows board members to see what's taking place in schools that you represent and finding ways to support the work that's being that's taking place. So, um I'll stop there, chair. >> All right. Thank you. Um, I have some questions and comments too, but we'll go to Miss Cfield first. >> Um, thank you. I just wanted to be just to clarify what we're voting on at this point if I just make sure I understand it correctly. >> So, we have
140two different plans. One is our school improve improvement plans like how our schools are going to grow and improve in general. And then we have the low performance >> plans for improvement. >> Thank you. Um, so that's not what we're approving right now. We're just approving the the growth the >> the improvement plans in general right now. >> We're not we're not doing the improvement plans at all. And when we're going to bring the improvement plans back to the board, you will have ample time to review all of the school improvement plans within your particular district. What we are proving this evening and what I'm asking for support is is that we can move forward with the parental notification as as dictated by state statute. And that's what I'm asking for. That's the only thing
141the intent and purpose for sharing the additional information was the division between the two is to be clear about which is what. So when we think about school improvement plans, school improvement plans, all schools do school improvement plans as mandated. When we think about the plans for school improvement of low performing schools, that is something that is distinctly different that is done at the district level based upon the guise and the guidance of the superintendent. And so we're not improving any of those things at all. I just wanted to make you aware of the process. So once you get the information, you will make the delineation delineation and the distinction between the two. >> Okay. So we just notifying parents that it is this is where they stand. >> Correct. We're notifying parents of the
142local performing school status and the plans for school improvement of those particular schools. >> Okay. Just wanted to be clear. >> Absolutely. Thank you, ma'am. >> All right. Thank you. So we are all clear, right? We will receive the low performing school plans before October 31st. Board members, you'll have an obligation to review these and then within 30 days of receipt, it'll come back before the board where we'll have a vote on those plans. >> And and Chair Hagerty, just so that you're aware, after this presentation, I will be sending the plans to each of you um by first thing 0900 tomorrow morning. >> All right. >> We're going to set our watch by that. >> So, Mr. Chair, um >> Yes, sir. >> What I would ask Dr. Robertson to do is discuss uh
143how this has been addressed by the board in the past because I think this is the first time that we've had this discussion. Uh and so we do know that um this process has been done through school improvement uh as an addition. Uh but I do want to be clear that this is what we'll be doing this time will be presenting plans that has been different from what has been done in the past. >> Correct. So when you think about what was done in the past and through my research and um pulling the documents, it's always been on consent and so when it goes on consent, of course, it is already approved by the board. We have not really engaged in the conversation from this latitude to understand the differences between the two. Now, in
144speaking with several of area superintendent, senior administrators talking about the initial process, what I was able to ascertain that we do have plans for um low performing school which is captured in NC Star and those are the additional indicators that they pulled down. But when we talk about it from a different platitude and really engaging with Superintendent Taylor, what are we doing as a district to really allocate resources from that perspective to have something specific to help improve low performing schools? One of the examples that we talked about and discussed was that if I have teachers at a particular low performing school, um they're able to transfer at a particular time. Well, as a district, what support structures do we have in place to make sure that those teachers in that particular school don't continue
145to go to other schools when we're trying to build u the capacity about everybody in that school to ensure that every student has a highly qualified teacher. And so that's just um just part of the conversations, but it comes a little bit more in depth. But as we move forward for this particular year, we will continue to use the process that's already in place. However, we plan on making significant changes based upon the guidance in the directive from Dr. Taylor of how we want to move forward. >> Thank you, Dr. Robinson. So, you know, as we are focused right now just on the parental notification, I do want to address an issue that comes up with our performance grades that are issued and how we categorize schools this way >> because I think the motivation
146for assigning school grades is to try to come up with an evaluation system that is relatable to parents that parents might understand. But and if board members you can see this in the sample letters we do explain the formula is 80% achievement 20% growth and that's set by state law. But what I wonder is in the parental notification if it's appropriate to share what the individual school proficiency and growth numbers might be. And the reason I bring that up is that in some cases, you can have a school with a principal who has come in to a very low performing school and has had tremendous growth year after year, but still hasn't moved it quite to that 80% proficiency rating, right? Um or to where the 80% proficiency scoring would then move it into that
147passing grade or out of the D or F. Just like on the other hand, you could have a school that has high performance but actually has been slipping on growth. And as we look to evaluate our administrators, it's important to see the total picture. And I'm just wondering if there's any more explanation or any more data you could provide parents so that they understand these performance grades and they can either see not just where there has been growth and it should be recognized but then especially if there hasn't been growth as well or or or backsliding. I mean I think that's equally important too. Just anything else that you might consider adding to provide more context to parents. >> Absolutely. and I can meet with the area superintendents and the senior administrators and we can
148meet as a collective group to see exactly what we can include that might be more beneficial as well. >> I appreciate that. >> And so, Mr. Chair, I'll add to that that what you see in the letter is a statutory requirement of the minimum that's required. And so, uh, the chair is absolutely correct that you can add any additional information, uh, about school performance, talking more about growth, um, talk about bouncing houses, whatever you want to do, but it is the opportunity to add additional information beyond uh, what is in in the required letter. So, you can do that. Absolutely. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Ing. Then, Miss Edmonds. >> Um, yeah. Um I had the very same thought about the emphasis on the growth um and if there was any kind of granularity
149of information that we can give uh not just numbers but also you know opportunity to brag about what's going on in the school. I think that's a very important you have a a little um blank there to do just that it seems like. So I think uh that's a great opportunity to to brag about some of the you know the new uh um uh uh projects or things that the you know the principles are are working on and and I think that's uh that's um helps the to uh for the parents to understand that you know they can still be proud of their child going to that school. >> Thank you Dr. Ring Miss Evans and Miss Gordon. Um, talk about hills to die on. That's my uh just disdain for these school letter grades
150and this atrocious formula that is dictated by the state unless something has changed in the last two to three years. I believe North Carolina is the only state that has that 20 80% split. Um, but having said that, I believe that we already produce our own school progress reports that we put together and release when the school letter the state issued letter grades come out. We take a deeper dive um, and present for the public uh, school profiles, school progress reports, whatever we call them, that already happens. So, can we link to those as well? Don't they don't they share a lot more? >> Yeah. >> Nuance. >> Yeah, they share a lot more nuances with respect to some of the great things that are going on in buildings. One of the things I can
151also do is I can touch base with Dr. McMillan to make sure that those um school progress reports can be attached to the parental notification that will give them additional data metrics that can look they can look at and be very proud of. We can do that. Absolutely. >> Thank you, Miss Ev. >> I think that's a great point, >> Miss Gordon. >> Yeah. I just wanted to um to Vice Chair Swanson's point um I think this is a this is a great way for um not only to be transparent but also to hold us as a board accountable because as he stated this is an accountability piece for us to show how we are allocating resources to these schools to make sure that they are succeeding. Um and you know when um Mr. Hershey
152and I um and Dr. Taylor were able to sit with the um with the mayors and the city managers. That was one of the things that came up around schools um you know certain areas were you know the stigma attached to low performing schools in their area and people not wanting to move to that area which we saw tonight. Um and so I think this starts to shift the narrative. Um but my question is as it pertains to um informing parents, is it just a letter? Can it be something in person? Can it be something um interactive so parents are able to actually like join the conversation and have questions? >> I'm pretty sure it can be. Um I will defer to Dr. Taylor to make sure I don't say anything. uh you could uh
153have any kind of community meeting. Uh I know uh title one schools will have parental meetings at the beginning that they talk about but in terms of the notification this is the statutory requirement that you have to do. Okay. >> But uh we would certainly encourage a school to take those opportunities uh to not only send this notification but to engage in real conversations with their uh parents and community about what makes their school great. Um I I think obviously we've heard the the conversation about the 8020 um we being the only state that still uh does this. Uh and so it is I think a great opportunity to be able to explain to a parent what that means uh and what growth versus um achievement really mean. And so I can tell you, I've
154been in a state before where you could have um achievement uh proficiency at 20% and you're at a school because growth has that much weight. But you know, I'll leave it at that. >> Right. And I'll just I'll just add to that. Um this reminds me of state superintendent um Mo Green's uh his um work around, you know, excellence in education and how he specifically stated that while we have these A schools, B schools, that's great, but we're going to pull back a little bit from celebrating them so much and more so celebrate the growth that's happening with our other schools. All right, Dr. Robinson, having been provided this board input and noting that you have um I believe statutory authority to go up until October 31st, >> we will give you beyond 0900 tomorrow
155to incorporate any changes and then make these letters available to the parents. >> Absolutely. And I appreciate that. >> All right. Thank you. All right. Are there any other questions or are we ready for uh ready to um proceed with the motion? All right. Do you remember who seconded? >> Uh Mr. Hershey. >> Okay. The motion had been made by Vice Chair Swanson, seconded by Mr. Hershey. All in favor of the motion to authorize the parental notification, please say I. >> I. I. >> Any opposed? All right. Thank you, Dr. Robinson. And again, I do want to um just give a special recognition to Vice Chair Swanson for really elevating this issue. You know, we talk all the time about transparency and accountability. And as you heard, this is something where in the past in
156past years, this might have simply just breezed through on a consent agenda item. And this will give you all an opportunity to review these plans, dive into the work, and really understand the issue so that when parents come to you and have questions about this, you can speak from a very informed point of view as to what the schools systems plans are for each of these schools. So, I really want to thank you and commend you for bringing this to our attention. >> All right. So, uh, Chair Hagerty, um, I was given a directive by Vice Chair Swanson to also be prepared to provide a presentation about the, uh, school improvement cycle and what it looks like. We're prepared to to show that to you now, but if you would rather defer it to a
157different date, probably a board work session. We're prepared to do that as well, but I just wanted to make sure that you guys knew we were prepared. But if we want to push it later, we can do that. >> I'll defer to Vice Chair Swanson. Are we focused on this issue enough to proceed or do you want >> I think we should just proceed with this since they've done the work and Dr. Robson and I have stayed on the phone many hours about this. So I don't want that good work not to be seen by the public. So >> absolutely. Thank you sir. Uh if you guys can go ahead and put the uh presentation up on the board. It'd be greatly appreciated. So we can use that slide deck. Thank you. So um this
158is the presentation that's going to be a high level overview of the school improvement planning process and this is just built just directly for today. Um and so the one thing that I will share with you the school improvement plan process in WCPS WCPSS is a continuous uh systemwide cycle of reflection, planning, implementation and learning designed to improve achievement and outcomes for every student. It intentionally aligns with the 2023 2028 strategic plan, pathways to excellence and equity and the board's equity policy, ensuring that improvement efforts are both strategic and equitydriven. The process embeds the WCPSS learning model and equity framework across every stage of improvement to ensure coherence and alignment from the classroom to the district level. As you review the overview of the WCPSS SIP process document, please do not hesitate to reach out
159to me if you have any clarifying questions uh with the information that you have received. As board member Gordon stated about celebrating different things, I want to take the opportunity to uplift and recognize our area superintendents and senior administrators uh for their unwavering leadership in guiding the school improvement planning process across the district. I know that each of you are watching and so I hope you hear my words of affirmation because I appreciate the work that you do. These people are at the forefront of this work, coaching principles, supporting process managers, and helping schools transform data into meaningful strategies that drive student learning. Their partnership ensures that the planning process remains focused, equity centered, and aligned to our district's strategic priorities. Uh because of their dedication, schools are building stronger systems for collaboration, reflection, and
160continuous growth. And while we acknowledge that there is still more work to be done, it is clear that we are trending in the right direction. So, as you may be aware, Dr. Aler Keefe has served as a senior administrator for some time within our district, working directly with schools to guide and support their school improvement planning efforts. Given her depth of expertise and her hands-on experience in this area, I have personally asked her uh to provide a high level overview of the school improvement planning process, offering insight into how schools engage in continuous reflection, datadriven decision-m and alignment with our district's strategic priorities. There you go. >> Thank you, Dr. Robinson and Chair Hagy, Vice Chair Swanson, Dr. Taylor, and board members. I'm glad to be here with you tonight to share an overview of
161the broader school improvement planning process. So, in reference to Miss Caulfield's question earlier, we are now transitioning from what is specific to low performing school improvement uh plans to overall school improvement plans. Our school improvement plans in WCPSS follow a 2-year cycle, usually approved in even numbered years. And so they were approved last school year, but schools do make annual updates that I will share with you today. These processes are focused on continuous improvement and have strong alignment to our strategic plan. Uh we are highlighting here core beliefs two and four which really do show the purpose of school improvement overall which is designed to eliminate that predictability of achievement and to be the vehicle through which schools are able to continuously pursue what is best for their students. There is also tight alignment to
162our strategic plan framework to our priorities and to our pillars. The uh statement that you see here as the purpose of school improvement was originally created in 2018 as we were transitioning school improvement plans to align with MTSS and into the NC Star framework with the guidance of NCDPI. And I am really proud to say that even as those were created prior to the strategic plan framework, you can see such a tight connection there. um which really shows that we were all working from that stakeholder input um and seeing the same things you all as you were developing that strategic plan framework and the area superintendent, senior administrators and their teams as well in creating the purpose of school improvement. Here you see a capture of the school improvement plan workbook that the area senior
163administrators have created to guide our school improvement process managers and principles through that process. You will hear two terms used interchangeably, process managers and school improvement team chairs. Those are the same people. NC star designates them as process managers and our historical language was school improvement team chair. So you will hear us say those same things. It is the same teacher leadership role in a school. Every school engages each year in an annual data review that allows them to have a comprehensive needs assessment. They look at their outcome data, but they also look at all of their process data and their perception data as well. They look at all of the metrics that are part of our strategic plan as well as the higher level goals, but those individual metrics um alongside them and are
164able to analyze root causes and determine their focus of improvement for the year. There are sometimes adjustments made mid cycle to a plan and so you will see those reflected in school improvement plans as well as the data might have changed and they might have made adjustments to goals or action steps following that data review. And of course they can update their goals in any year but they definitely update them at least two years as I was saying before in alignment with the cycle. Here you see how the areas have guided schools to align their goals to the strategic plan framework as well as to the levers that are part of our learning model and to the equity roadmap also. So all of this is tied in that every school will have their first goal
165about student knowledge and skills priority one. Then schools can have a second goal that is about any of our priorities. Whatever their data would indicate is the biggest need there. And schools can have a third goal as well. That third goal is optional and can also align with any priority. Dr. Robinson already shouted out the team. They are the creators of all of these resources um and and brilliant and I believe you will have the opportunity to dig in with them in an upcoming session as well. Just like the requirements for low performing schools do come from legislation and policy. So do uh many of the requirements that you will find in a school improvement plan as well. Some of the topics that are addressed by legislation are listed here. The first is distributive team
166membership. It is a legal requirement that parents are part of the school improvement team and also that all staff are part of the school improvement team. That is representation of grade levels or departments in addition to ensuring that non-certified staff are represented as well. School improvement team meetings are subject to open meetings law and have to publish minutes as public records as they are open meetings. Also, professional learning must be addressed in the school improvement plan and aligned to the school improvement plan. And the school improvement plan must be voted on in a confidential ballot by the majority of the staff at least two years. That's actually where we get the source of the two-year cycle from. NC Star, which is our current platform for school improvement, is centered around indicators of best practice. These
167are researchbased best practices and these are the things that schools assess their progress towards. In 2018, as we were transitioning into this platform and aligning with MTSS, we did choose through a collaborative input process a district five indicators that you will still see in most of our school improvement plans. Typically, a school would be focusing on three of those five in any given year. And just as a point of language of what happens within the platform, when a school does assess an indicator, it then becomes an objective instead of an indicator. So that's another place where you'll hear people say different things, indicator and objective. They are actually the same thing. Uh but it just depends on where you are within the NCAR platform which one you will see. When you read a plan, it
168will be listed as an objective. When a school reaches full implementation of an objective, then they are able to choose from a bank that the area senior administrators coach them on that are also aligned to other aspects of the strategic plan priorities and pillars. And um you will also see those additional indicators from NC star represented in that alignment of low performing plans as Dr. Robinson was discussing earlier. The graphic you see here on the left hand side shows how the school improvement alignment is modeled for school leaders and staff. Um this has been socialized over the last two years by the area superintendent and their teams. And so you can see that the strategic plan grounds all of that work which is then seen in a school improvement plan then into the principal's goal
169setting and their PLC problems of practice and to the staff PLC's and goal settings as well so we can culminate with student success. On the right hand side, you will see those district five indicators organized by where they align al align with strategic plan priorities. So you can see standards align instruction, tiered instruction, positive behavior management, social emotional learning, and family engagement. And when you access a SIP in NCAR, as Mr. Swanson said, you will go to a school website. We worked very closely with the comm's team a few years back to make sure that these are all standardized on all school websites. From the school website, you will click our school and then school improvement. When you get there, it will show you login information to access the plan within NCAR. Finally, these are
170just some resources for anyone who would be interested in digging digging deeper into either the process or the planning tools that are available for school improvement plans. Thanks for the opportunity to share today. Dr. Robinson and I will be happy to answer any questions that you may have about school improvement planning broadly. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Keith Alford. Board members, do you have any questions for staff at this time? I will say this, you know, we do have 200 plus schools. >> Yes, >> that's a lot of plans. >> So, talk to us a little bit about the review process for these plans. How do we know if a school is following a plan? How do we know if a plan is appropriate? It's great to have a team. So today is my
171birthday. So he says, "Hey, if you need me for anything, just call me. I got your back." >> Happy birthday. >> Hello, Mr. McCabe. >> Hey, Mr. Haggardy. How are you? >> Good. And the question just was about monitoring kind of the progress of the plan. >> Yeah. If when a when a school adopts one of these plans, for example, there are so many of them, how do >> you know, how do we as the board or the public know that the plan is proper, that it has the right components, that the school is following it? >> Yeah. Well, I'm going to flip it a little bit and go from the bottom up, right? Because when the school is uh once the school has developed a plan, there's a quarterly review process that's in place
172at all the schools. And so they're meeting to um to track their own plan. Often area superintendents or senior administrators are there um at quarterly reviews um at the school building. It's done as a leadership team. Sometimes it's done even as a full school and they monitor their action steps um according to collecting the data um uh on the progress towards those action steps. Um and then plans are always uh available to be adjusted. They're designed to be fluid, right? We we work with kids and conditions on the ground change and so our improvement plans need to be flexible based on those as well. So we encourage schools when they review the data to look carefully at that to see is there any modifications, changes, additions, did you complete something and you need to take
173it out? So the plan is not just some long list of things. It's key strategic moves that they're making. And so the quarterly review process is really the key part that does um uh how schools monitor that and then districtwide we support uh that quarterly review process. Does that answer your question? >> I think it does. I appreciate that. I just want to just add like one thing is I understood the presentation when it's talking about the goals and how the goals are set. >> If at least one of the goals, you have multiple goals, but one of the goals has to be related to priority one in the strategic plan. >> Right. And so do you interpret that to mean that every school should every school improvement plan should have at least one goal
174related to student performance or academic performance? >> Correct. >> Yep. >> Student knowledge and skills priority one academic performance for sure. >> Okay. And then Vice Chair Swanson has alerted me as well and I want to make sure I read it accurately that we will take a deeper dive into this during the December retreat with the area superintendent. So board members, if you have any lingering questions, we can prepare those. we can submit them in advance and that way everyone will be prepared and they won't just be ambushed by my own questions. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. >> Yes, sir. Thank you. >> All right. >> And Mr. Chair, I want to add one comment to that that um um Mr. McCabe talked about the quarterly reviews. Uh this is something that we also
175want to make available to to board members. So, there will be an opportunity if you so desire to be able to attend a quarterly review uh and be a part of that review. Um, as the chair has talked about, being a large district with 200 schools, it is uh I don't want to say impossible, but really difficult to have 200 plus plans brought to the board for approval. Uh, so that's a process that you see in medium and smallsiz districts, but that opportunity is there. Uh, but this is the one thing that we talked about that would provide that for the board if they desire to desire to see uh plans in the schools that they represent, be able to ask questions. Thank you, Taylor. >> And Superintendent Taylor and um Chair Hacky, one thing
176that I do want to add that uh Mr. McCabe didn't add. He really didn't dive into the evaluative process that they take ownership of as area superintendent. As uh Vice Chair Swanson shared, we are ready um for the deep dive in which they will be able to explain it and be alongside each of you one by one to give you the information and answer any clarifying questions that you have. Vice Chair Swanson, >> I had a conversation with our former colleague, now Representative Johnson Hustler, who was grateful that someone was taking up the school improvement fight because when she was on the board, she led this and continue. So, I told her I would keep up this fight um because that's really where the work is. And there's one thing I did want to clarify.
177I know there was a comment about from the public comment commenters regarding lack of student voices. Um I do know at the high school level there are student voices and student representation um which is there also is parent engagement as well that's a part of that. So um perhaps there could be a way that we can include some student voices at the lower you know at elementary and potential maybe um elementary and middle school level in the near future to ensure that those voices are being heard. But I do want to make sure that that was lifted up and, you know, maybe it's an opportunity for students to take a dive into this as well to see the work that's taking place at their school and how it incorporates what they're learning on a day-to-day
178basis. So again, thank you all for doing this deep dive with us. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> And to that point, just for the board members, you know, I do want to give credit where credit is due. You know, a district as large as Wake has a lot of policies, procedures, practices, and customs that get ingrained over time, and sometimes change can be hard. But, you know, as we talk about accountability and transparency, um, it really requires a more thorough look into things like our school improvement plans. And sometimes, you know, you don't always like what you find, but it's important to take that look. And so, I want to commend Dr. Taylor because when we've come to him and talked to him about these concerns, he's been very
179open to it. He's investigated individual school improvement plans and he's talked about the process. And you know, I feel really confident that he's going to take all of these very seriously as we go through this evaluative process. And again, we might uncover some things we may or may not like, but the fact is that we are looking and we are conducting that search and that that takes a lot. So, I just uh wanted to lift that up and commend you for that commitment. All right. So, we have one last agenda item uh before we move into board and superintendent comment and that is the NCSBA annual meeting voting delegates. If you remember, we discussed this at our last meeting. Under the North Carolina School Board Association bylaws, each participating board member or each participating board
180must elect their delegates, name their voting delegates to their the association's general convention as an official board action all before October 31st. And as this is our last board meeting before October 31st, today is our day to name those delegates. Um I'd ask board members um the who who may may or may not be attending the convention and who may or may not be um interested in serving as a delegate. And so based on that polling, what I have found is that we have four board members who will be attending the convention. And so what I would like to do is put into nomination the names of those four board members as our voting delegates. Miss Caulfield, Miss Rice, Miss Edmonds, and myself, Mr. Hagerty. And as I did not have any other board members
181indicating they were attending, I would not put any names up as alternates because we don't have anyone going. So what's the point of it an alternate? So with that, I uh put that slate out to you and I would entertain any motion at this time. >> Chair, I move for the adoption of the slate of names that you presented. >> We have a motion from Vice Chair Swanson for adoption of the slate of voting delegates. >> Second. >> We have a second from Miss Edmonds. Is there any debate or any other comment? Thank you for that. No, no, no. Um, so with that, um, we'll move seeing a readiness to vote. All in favor of adoption of the slate, please say I. >> I. >> Are there any opposed? All right. By, um, by the
182unanimous vote, the slate has been adopted and will be conveyed to the North Carolina School Boards Association. Thank you very much. All right. So, that concludes our action items on our agenda tonight. So, the next item on our agenda will be our comments from our superintendent, Dr. Robert Taylor. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. And I will uh say to the uh board delegates, and I do look forward to attending the school board conference with you guys. So, uh you all will miss out on a lot of policy work uh for those that are not in attendance. Uh this school year, our district celebrated the opening of four new schools, bringing the Wake County Public School System to a total of 203 schools serving more than 161,000 students. I me and my colleagues have had the
183pleasure of attending some of some or all of the uh ribbon cutting events uh we have hosted at each school. Each new school, Rex Road Elementary in Holly Springs, Pleasant Plains Elementary in Apex, Bowling Road Elementary in Fugquway Verina, and Felton Grove High School in Apex were thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of today's learners through flexible, modern, and welcoming spaces. These buildings represent more than just growth. They represent opportunity, new places for students to learn close to home, and communities built around shared values of education and excellence. Opening a new school in the community ef is a community effort requiring collaboration among families, educators, contractors, and countless support staff. Most importantly, it reflects the steadfast commitment of our Wake County Board of Commissioners and the citizens of Wake County, whose investment in public education
184makes these projects possible. The commissioner's consistent partnership and responsible long-term planning allow us to keep pace with population growth while ensuring that every community has access to highquality, safe, and modern learning environments. The support of the Wake County voters who have approved school bond referendums by wide margins continues to provide the critical funding needed for both new school construction and renovation of aging facilities. These new campuses stand as proof of our community's belief in the strategic plan core belief that public education is a shared responsibility and that community support is essential to student success. We are deeply grateful to our commissioners and our county staff and the citizens of Wake County for their continued confidence in our mission and their commitment to our students future. Now, last week, teachers at Brooks Magnet Elementary and Green
185Magnet Elementary received wonderful surprise that further reflects our community's generosity and belief in public education. The fashion retailer retailer Altered State, how many of you all are uh familiar with that? Oh, there's a lot of shopping there. Okay. Uh which is opening soon in North Hills, donated $20,000 through adoptroom.org or to support teachers at both schools. The the don the donation was announced during a schoolwide assembly at Brooks, which was also live streamed to Green Magnet, creating a shared moment of excitement for students and staff alike. Each teacher at the two new schools will receive several hundreds of dollars to purchase classroom materials and supplies through adoptroom.org. This donation means teachers can buy what they need for students without having to reach into their own pockets. They plan to use these funds to purchase manipulatives,
186classroom subscriptions, and other create other creative resources that bring learning to life. Uh this partnership shows what happens when local businesses, schools, and nonprofits work together to support educators and students in meaningful ways. So, we're deeply uh grateful to altered state and adoptroom.org or for their generosity and for choosing to make such a positive impact in public schools. And so while I will be visiting altered states, I have never been there before. So I'll be checking it out. Uh finally, this week marks educational and aiology awareness week, a great opportunity to recognize the dedicated professionals who help ensure every student has access to learning no matter their hearing ability. In Wake County, we uh we're fortunate to have 14 licensed aiologists and two support staff who serve students across our schools. Last school year along,
187this team served about 650 students and completed thousands of hearing assessments for school and preschool children. Aiologists identify hearing challenges, fit assisted devices, and work closely with families and teachers to make sure students stay connected and confident in the classroom. Their impact can be life-changing as you'll see in this story from ABC11 which features two sisters at Oak View Elementary who were first um who were the first children in the c in in the country to receive a new type of hearing implant called bone bridge. Uh with the support of a aologist Dr. Meg Gutner, I probably sliced that name up. uh and their understanding and accommodating teachers. These students are thriving both academically and socially. So, check out the video that we prepared. >> I like recess and lots. >> Second grader Lily Ferguson
188and her third grade sister Kenzie enjoy school as much as any other kids their age. And their normal school experience is all thanks to doctors, advanced technology, and attentive parents. When Kenzie was about 18 months old, I just felt like she wasn't really like hitting her um communication milestones. >> Their mom, Jill, happens to be a speech pathologist. With concerns about her daughter's hearing, she took them to a doctor, ultimately identifying a unique type of hearing loss. >> Both girls um their ear canals narrow to the point um that they are closed. Um and in that situation, a traditional hearing aid isn't really effective because it doesn't matter how loud we make it. that ear canal is not open um and the sound would always be dampened. >> Dr. Meg Gunther is one of 14
189aiologists in Wake County schools. She helps make sure Kenzie and Lily have everything they need to succeed in the classroom. And recently, she's helped them use a new kind of implanted technology called bone bridge using bone conduction hearing. Because their ear canals are not open, the bone conduction hearing aid vibrates their skull, delivering sound to their inner ear. and it's a remarkably efficient way of of hearing. >> Adults have used Bone Bridge for years, but as part of a clinical trial at UNCC, Kenzie is actually the first child in the United States to try it. >> They did very well when when they got these new devices. Um, Kenzie got one first and then a few months later, Lily was implanted with the bone bridge as well. Um, we we really saw a significant improvement
190in their confidence, um, in their ability to answer questions. Just seeing them become more independent has been amazing. >> Despite learning delays before, the girls are now thriving, learning at or above their grade levels. Their mom notices they're more active socially now, too. With Kenzie telling us her favorite thing to hear with her bone bridge. >> My friends talking to me. >> Both girls are excited to be a part of this study that will help other kids have access to this life-changing technology. And as for how school is going now, >> really good. It's a big thumb shock >> in Wake County. Sydney Scoffield, ABC11 Eyewitness News. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Taylor. Uh, we'll now hear from our board members. I will start tonight with Miss Edmonds. >>
191Thank you. Happy birthday, Dr. Robinson. >> You're welcome. Um, congratulations to Dr. Mariah Walker and Jose Espanol. Mhm. got his last name right for being named principal and assistant principal of the year. Uh shout out to I'm going to try to do rapid fire here. Shout out to staff on the launch of the new website. Um we know there's some bugs to still be worked out, but I wanted to um celebrate one feature. So today when I was on the website for another reason, I love the popup of the the meetings that are happening today. it popped up on the screen um for families and and community members to click on the agenda and the uh live stream. So, I really like that feature. So, thank you for everybody, the whole team that worked um
192to make that happen. And last Thursday, I was honored to join Miss Rice and Dr. Taylor at the superintendent CTE breakfast, the 30th one. Um I've seen different names for it, the 30th anniversary superintendent volunteer celebration breakfast. Anyway, it's um I went to it I think the last two years as well and it's a real celebration of CTE programs and the business partners that we have in the community and I can't say um you know I I I repeat this at times that it's just uh sad to me that not enough people in community realize how incredible our CTE programs are in Wake County and these are career paths that are incredibly important. So, I hope we'll continue to work hard to bring more awareness about CTE in Wake County public schools. I had an
193opportunity to attend a screening of the film The Librarians. This is a documentary about librarians in schools and in public libraries that have faced vicious attacks in recent years. And it's also a film about the general attacks on the freedom to read and censorship. I highly recommend it. It's showing at the Kerry Theater in downtown Kerry beginning on November 1st. The personal stories of librarians featured in this film are compelling, and several of them asked that their faces be blacked out on camera and their names not shown because of threats of violence they faced, which is outrageous to me. Um, and I know many of you other librarians featured are very public and visible about their experiences and are fighting to protect the freedom to to read and against book bans. So, I encourage everyone
194to go see it if you can, and I hope it strengthens our resolve to support all librarians, those in and outside our schools, for the very important work that they do. And the last thing I'd like to um lift up the so tonight during public comment specific to the reassignment plan uh some speakers insinuated that we have schools that they may be going um that in the plan they're being sent to that are somehow less than. And I just want to lift up those schools as and the and the people that are in those buildings, the administrators and the educators that work hard every day for every student that comes through their doors. And um it diminishes in my view and really is disrespectful to the hard work that they do and is dismissive of
195the student success that happens in those schools. And that's not to ignore the work that needs to be needs to be done that we know needs to be done um across the district, not in any one particular area. We need to help all students be successful, but I in particular wanted to lift up those receiving schools um as perfectly um legitimate choices for families. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Miss Edmonds, Dr. Good evening. Um, I'll make it quick. Um, our next BAC meeting will be November 17th at Abbottz Creek Elementary School. Uh, still working on some plans, but um, uh, as usual, we will be inviting the community out there to, uh, listen in on some interesting topics. So, more to come on that. Um, and, uh, I also wanted to thank all
196the people who came out to make comments regarding the enrollment plan and and, uh, I've taken quite a number of notes. Uh hopefully we can um uh get some feedback from our staff about some of those um um uh points that were made. Um and I also uh appreciate the parent who came out to uh uh ask about um their homeschooled child um participation in u um public school um uh sports or arts or whatever. Um, and I I think it's um uh something that we have an opportunity to actually look at. Um I think it's a good thing to to look at in terms of our outreach to the community and um if it's not too cost prohibitive um certainly it's something that um uh would be helpful to um um help the those
197parents who are um currently um doing homeschooling to see what good things are being done at the public school. So, um if you know there are um a number of of families out there who are homeschooling out of necessity um and that um so it's not so not some for some people it's not a matter of a choice. So uh but if there is a way for them to see what is um um available for um for their for their child in uh public school uh perhaps that that will change their um uh their um life so that they can accommodate um uh their child in the public school. So um so I I'd like to see more um in the future discussions in in our um uh work session. Thank you. Thank you. >>
198Thank you, Chair Hagerty. Uh just um for information purposes, I did just forward an email from uh birthday boy, birthday man, sorry, Dr. Robinson, uh from February 4th of this year when we had some conversations around uh dual enrollment as it related to athletics. Um, just for awareness, uh, district 6 will have their BAC meeting at Stout Elementary this next Monday on the 27th from 12 to 1. Um, if if I may just, uh, confirm something with the chair that uh, the state budget is due is required July 1st. Is that by state law? Do I have that right, Mr. Ramy? I just state state law says the state budget is supposed to be done by July 1st. >> That sounds right. >> The state fiscal year begins July 1 and the budget process is
199oriented such that the state should have a budget. >> Got it. Yeah. >> I just want to make sure I I'm I'm clear because it's been approximately and people can check my math 113 days since July 1st. Um and that means that school systems including Wake County and others across the state are operating without uh knowing what possible raises teachers will get and teachers are and staff members are in our buildings doing great work and just not having any sense of what the state is going to do. Um remarkably uh the the state general the North Carolina general assembly did manage to come back into session this week. Of course, it's to continue to gerrymander our state at the uh congressional level, at the US level. Um, which doesn't help our teachers and it doesn't
200help our staff and it doesn't help our schools. And it's really unfortunate that the talk out of the general assembly now is maybe some small bill. And uh before anyone, you know, thinks, well, maybe maybe the state just can't afford it. Maybe, you know, there's just not enough money for teachers. these days. Uh our local news and observer recently reported that th so far this year, and this is again despite not having a state budget, so our teachers not knowing if they're going to get any raises really this year or anything significant for sure, uh the state has awarded um $279.9 million this semester to their voucher program. That means they're on pace to give private schools 500 and we'll just round up $560 million to private schools. I know I said private schools multiple
201times, but I wanted to be clear that uh this almost this 560 million is going to uh largely the vast majority I would bet over 90% of families who do not need that extra financial help. Um, in the meantime, I think I've said it a couple times that our teachers continue to uh go to work and our staff members, I shouldn't just say teachers, our staff members continue to go to work uh without knowing if they're going to get any substantial raises. And I think the days I think I said it's been 113 days since July 1st. And it would be nice if our state government did their job for the people of this state and for our educators and for our public schools that uh they are supposed to be properly funding. Thank you,
202Chair. >> Thank you, Mr. Hershey. Miss Gordon, >> um thank you. Before I begin, I I just want to echo what Miss Edmonds has um stated about about the schools and um our talk about low performance. um um it does diminish the work that the educators do in those buildings every single day and I understand that and I feel and I felt that. Um last week I was able to visit more schools in the district 2 area at East Garner Magnet School. Principal Finel sh um shared with me the amazing history of their school building and the outstanding amount of dedicated male educators of color that um that serve our students in that school. Um, at Garner Magnet High School, Principal Price not only shared his thoughts about the success of the IB program at
203Garner, but I had the chance to talk to students in an IB class and heard from them firsthand on the benefits of their program. Um, at Vendor Springs Elementary School, Principal Curtis eagerly showcased student learning environments, and Mr. Overberman and I even got a treat and enjoyed some authentic foods from Colombia. So, that was fun. Um and then at Smith Magnet Elementary School, um an international bachelor and Spanish immersion program, Principal Smith celebrated how her school community is working to raise bilingual and biiterate scholars and citizens. And tonight I'm wearing their swag. Um and so I've been really busy this past week. Um, I was also able to meet with various uh leaders like local mayors and city managers and we discussed how we are building our working relationship to make a greater impact. Um,
204I especially appreciated our conversation about changing the narrative of school performance. Um, thank you to Garner Magnet High for hosting the successful district 2 board advisory council meeting last week. Um this meeting had strong participation from staff um and a few parents who brought valuable perspectives to the table. We ran it a little differently. Um we introduced a new more participant-driven format this time which allowed attendees to actively share ideas and help shape the conversation um about the district learning model. See me, know me, challenge me, engage me. Have you heard of it? Okay. The energy in the room was incredible. um educator, staff, and families all engaging together around the issues that matter most to our schools. Um and so I did want to say I want to encourage more families and community members
205to join us at these meetings. Um our advisory council meetings are one of the most direct ways for the public to share feedback um and ask questions and help inform the decisions that we make as your board representatives. Um, and um, just to remind everyone that meetings are open to the public. And lastly, I want to take a moment to recognize Chris Clark, a dedicated father, principal, and member of our Wake County Education Community, whose courage and quick action helped save his son's life during last Friday's football game between Cleveland High and Southeast Raleigh. In the unimaginable fear, Mr. Clark responded not only as a parent, but as an educator and leader who embodies calm, strength, and faith. His family story reminds us of the critical importance of being prepared, including the need for continued
206discussion around having ambulances or immediate uh emergency response on standby athletic events. We are grateful that his son Christian John, I think I'm saying it right, is recovering and that his story sheds light on how preparation, teamwork, and compassion can truly save lives. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Gordon. Coming back around the table, Miss Caulfield. >> Thank you. Oops. Um, I wanted to remind everyone that our municipal elections are coming up on November 4th. Early voting is currently available only at the board of elections. Unfortunately, our municipal races are the least amount of attendance, although it directly affects us in our communities the most. I mention this because being on the school board, we are aware of how important it is for us to communicate and collaborate with our local municipalities as well as
207our general assembly. They do work specifically on changes and needs that directly affect our schools. as we saw tonight in public comments. How the growth has affected us in very good aspects but also in strains in others. So as a board member knowing the importance of good leadership that starts with you um your voice and your vote. So I hope to see everyone out on November 4th. And I wanted to also mentioned that the polls have changed uh the polling places. So, um, and, uh, for you to go out and check on your board of through the board of elections, you could find out if your poll location has changed. So, know before you go. Um, as for the public comment today, and someone who has sat on the other side of the table for
208many years here in Wake County schools as a parent, um, and was affected by school reassignment, I am sensitive to the changes it puts on our families and what is involved. I say this to let you know that we hear you and we are asking a lot of questions of staff and I really wanted to address um Miss Susan Pullium and Glenn Carzo for really going through great lengths to give us the feedback from public and to allow our families to that that space to actually speak to us. It is never easy to make these changes but it is very helpful to have these conversations and to hear from you. So we appreciate your feedback and your insight as we try to figure out how to work through the growth in our communities. I wanted
209to address our student who came up today to speak about student voices and I agree it is very important. We spoke about the students who came up came out in the past advocating about the Nika and the skate clubs and today here we were in work session talking about that very subject that they brought up. We have student advisory committees. I've sat on some of them in our meetings. Um, and the students are really great. They have awesome input. They get very involved. So, it's actually great to have folks come out into public comment because it also allows us to see what they know and what they're aware of and how we can grow, but also to highlight some of the things that are available like our student advisory committee meetings. um so that our
210students also have a way to share their voice and that parents and family members in our community know what is available. Um that's all I have for tonight. >> All right. Thank you, Miss Cfield, Vice Chair Swanson. >> Thank you, Chair Hagerty. Um and I want to start by saying thanks to Dr. Davis, who's the proud principal of East Kerry Magnet Middle School, for welcoming and allowing Dr. Chavis and I to tour her beautiful campus this morning. Um, also want to, you know, thank those who participated in the walk to school day. It was quite a few that happened in my district that I couldn't get to, but I spent uh the day with Laurel Park um Laurel Park um watching families walk to school. Um I know the mayor of Morrisville, Mayor Collie participated
211in the Morrisville Elementary and Councilwoman Craig from Kerry Town Council walked with students at the um Kerry Elementary uh walk to school day. So, it's important to have those collaborations. And I also want to thank the town of Kerry for their collaboration with the um crosswalk that's been taking place in front of uh West Kerry Middle School and to Dr. Savage for his um uh advocacy on this and it's it's been a great collaboration. School boards do not necessarily work on board on roads, which was our running joke that we have had with um the assistant town manager. Um, so I'm grateful for all the collaboration that has taken place and for the community who has advocated around this and bringing this to our attention. So it is great to have great working relationships at
212the local level and so grateful that the mayor's round table was able to take place in my absence and so grateful for those conversations and looking forward to more of those taking place. I also want to give a congratulations to the Carrie High band um for their participation and awards that they won the 2025 C colt classic. They took second place in percussion in the 5A class, second place in the drone effect in the 5A class, first place in the visuals in the 5A class, first place in the music in the 5A class, and first place overall. Also, congratulations to the Apex High School band for their for comp for for competing in the 36th annual Festival of Bands in Pqua Verina. Um, they took the following awards. Second place in the percussion, second place
213in color guard, second place in music performance, second place in the visual uh performance, um second place in journal effects, and second place in the overall um class. And so, um, finally, I just want to thank the Kerry Rotary Club, which I'm a part of, who has under the leadership of Bill Fletcher, um, has over the last 10 weeks has, well, 10 weeks in counting, I guess we can say, is participating in the read a book, Get a Book at Ready Creek Elementary School. And so, I've had the honor of uh, reading with them for the past two weeks, which takes place every Monday, but due to the teacher work days these past two weeks, uh, we have not been able to get there. But really seeing the students light up about getting books and
214being able to take them home and read has been such a eyeopening experience and a a great connection point. And so I just want to thank um Mr. Fletcher for the work that he does uh advocating for kids to ensure that every kid can read on grade level and not just talking about it but doing the work as well. So grateful for the Rotary Club for taking that on. And that concludes my board comments. So thank you Mr. Chair. >> Thank you. Fletcher you say? >> Yes. Bill Fletcher. >> That name sounds familiar somehow. >> We are always thankful for our former board members and their commitment to our district, Mr. Bill Fletcher and his philanthropic um you know works that he does for our schools. Miss Edmonds mentioned the CTE perform the CTE uh
215round table we had with former board member Tom Oxholm and then our great superintendent Bill McNeel who had been there. Um it really is great to see so many people invested in the district still giving back. Um so you heard a couple people reference the mayor's roundt. I did want to tell you a little bit about that. That was an idea that uh was pioneered by your vice chair who developed this idea and uh the first one we had in some of our central a central central municipalities. We had Miss Gordon and Mr. Hershey there representing um uh representing WCPSS with our superintendent with mayors from Raleigh uh staff from Kerry. Uh we had Garner and Zebulon. I believe Mayor Day was there. >> Nightdale. Nightdale. Uh Nightdale was there. And so we'd like to
216continue this. It sounds like it was it was wellreceived and a great success. So we'll have one for Eastern Wake and our Eastern Wake municipalities and one from our Western Wake and our Southern Wake municipalities. and I hope if you have the opportunity as board members, you'll participate as well. I thought it was a really great exchange and a great way to kind of foster that local government cooperation. Um, I want to we've had some board members talk about their BAC's. I want to both extend some compliments and recommend to all of you. I had a wonderful BAC presentation from Miss Allison Reid and Dr. Julie Crane about AI. you know, we've been having these AI board sessions ourselves. Um, but Miss Reed and Dr. Crane really condensed a lot of information into a very
217understandable and digestible public presentation that was I mean, we had a lot of interest from our community about it. So, if you're looking for other BAC topics, I would recommend their presentation to you. It was very wellreceived by the folks in District 7. Um, we heard speakers tonight and I know board members have received email again uh related to the proposed Ligan Middle School renovation and I know there will be a lot of people with a lot of opinions about this, a lot of passion. You've heard my opinions on this and I'm going to continue to advocate that I think a historical site in the city of Raleigh in our in our county deserves, you know, appropriate historical preservation. I'm not an expert enough to know exactly what form that takes, but I'm appreciative of
218all of the efforts that we can make to preserve that rich history. members of the community who've come out here to speak to us at as in public comment. Uh others have emailed us. There will continue to be more public comment, more public feedback that will be collected. Talked with Superintendent Taylor about this. I know that he intends to have a number of feedback sessions across the city and across the district. So, we enjoy having you here at our board comments, but there'll be other com opportunities maybe throughout the district, perhaps closer to some of the those communities around the Lian Middle School as well. Um, I am the parent of two Lian alumni. I will tell you, you know, as this was my own flesh and blood, I am invested, you know, but as
219you heard from even the most devoted alumni, the school needs some help. You know, my daughter was evacuated due to toxic smoke from the theater curtains catching fire a couple years ago, right? So, we know that work needs to be done. There are serious improvements that need to be made, but I think we can do that while honoring and respecting that history. Uh, Miss Rice was unable to join us tonight, but she is hosting her own community meeting that I promised I would make everyone aware of. It will be held on November 24th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Southeast Raleigh YMCA. That's the Rock Corey Road location and uh, Miss Rice and I believe Superintendent Taylor will be participating as well. And so that'll be another opportunity to come out and provide feedback
220um, at you know at that event as well. Well, and there's more information available at Miss Rice's website that you can go to for more details and to sign up. So, that'll conclude my board comments. Oh, no, wait. It should conclude my board comments, but it doesn't. I I do want to go back and um touch on some comments from Mr. Hershey about the state budget. And you know, it it's it's it's it's one thing for people to see us up here and see us frustrated and, you know, but but but I really want everyone to understand why having a state budget is so important. You know, we know that that July one date is is is I don't think it's been met in my lifetime, but the sooner we get it, typically it's a
221late summer. Typically, it's you at worst the fall. Used to be, but we've seen now it going on longer and longer. And why this is so important now is that we are as a state and all of the states in the nation facing important and impactful cuts to federal funding. And in order to provide essential educational services, we need to know is this something that if the state values these services as well, will they be able to step in particular around issues like, you know, um special education, the the lack of federal funding, the cost of federal funding is compounded by the government shutdown, which is impairing even those funded federal government services from operating efficiently. And so again, if there are gaps in educational services, you know, will our state step in and help
222to fill that gap? These are important questions that parents and teachers and our communities care about. And as we have new mandates, new programs that the general assembly has passed and enacted as a matter of law, we need to make sure that we have adequate resources to carry out those programs. So, you know, I I don't want anyone to think that we're just taking shots because we're not. We really are trying to elevate this issue because having that budget and knowing the resources that are available is incredibly important to our ability to plan, to react, and to continue providing educational services in our district here in Wake County and around the state. So, I would just implore those members that are in town back in session for special business today. You know, I know our
223Wake County delegation has worked hard on our state budget. Um, you know, again, I'm I will indicate my preference for the the House budget as opposed to the alternative we saw in the state budget. But really any budget, any agreement that they can come to that addresses these educational needs. I don't I I don't care who gets the credit, just please provide the funding for our schools that we need to move forward. And so with that, um I will entertain any motions. >> Mr. Chair, I move that we go into close session to consider confidential personnel information considered under GS143-318.11 A6 and 115C 319 and to consult with the board of education and to preserve the attorney client privilege as provided in GS143 318.1183 and finally to consult with the board of education attorney to
224consult sorry to consult with the board of education attorney to preserve the attorney client and privilege as provided in GS uh 143-318.1183 due to current litigation. T T Schmidz v. Way County Board of Education, US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Uh and Wake County Board of Education Ves. >> All right, we have a motion from Vice Chair Swanson to move into close session. Seconded by Mr. Hershey. All in favor of the motion say I. Any opposed? All right. Thank. >> Yeah.