The Chalkboard
BOE Fall Retreat (or how I spent my Saturday)
8:11 a.m. - I'm here at the central office belly full of eggs and sausage and desktop full of paperwork. A few scheduling changes have been made to the agenda but we'll start off with personnel allotments. This is directly impacted by enrollment numbers and many of you have stated concerns about crowding at schools so stay tuned for info on that.
9:03 - Lots of questions from the board about why positions were taken from some schools and given to others with similar rolls. Staff explain there is a set formula they have to work with and a set number of positions to work with.
Several questions also about why schools are opting to trade teacher assistant positions for other position types (technology specialist is a popular one) when they've heard again and again about the need for teachers' assistants from the schools.
Finally there were several complaints that the figures given were based on the projected enrollment numbers. Board members were disappointed staff did not present even the 10-day count in their presentation, let alone numbers from Friday. The staff rebut they don't have those numbers. There's debate about that.
9:42 a.m. — After a long and at points baffling presentation on Magnet school evaluations the final prognosis from Dr. Gongshu Zhang is that the programs are working when it comes to math and reading scores.
From his conclusions "Overall, all students, as well as (African American) students, in GCS Magnet programs performed at least equal to or significantly better than corresponding control group students in reading and math of 2007 EOG, especially Math."
10:55 a.m. — Green is presenting his portion of the day's undertakings. First up is tackling the system's mission statement. The board approved one two years ago but many members who were there say they didn't like it and still don't. Green says he needs a clear statement with board approved core values so he can develop a strategic plan that will guide his leadership over the next four years.
Lots of conversation about how to change the statement. Board member Nancy Routh notes some core values are little redundant — Diversity and Equality — and member Anita Sharpe talks at length about how the rural residents of the county feel disenfranchised.
Conversation now shifts to why improvement doesn't occur more at with top student performers as well as the bottom.
11:05 a.m. — I should back up and say there was a great deal of discussion about Magnet schools, mostly about why some schools are crowded while the sytem is paying into Magnet programs that are well below enrollment capacity. Sharpe spoke passionately about this, condemning the 1999 redistricting vote.
Expect to see some additional reporting on Magnet school programs in the coming months.
11:45 a.m. - Board members seemed please overall with High School Ahead Academy Principal Michelle Hayes' report on progress at the school. The school works with underachieving and excessively absent middle schoolers to prep them for high school. This year 125 students were recommended to the program and 102 committed to it.
The school posts homework assignments online. Hayes answers questions about how well that's been received, especially among lower income families. She says no complaints, those that don't have computers at home can get to a library to access one. Kris Cooke asks Green to look into the feasibility of having a computer at the schools accessible to parents. Sharpe notes not enough libraries in the county. Green says he's heard the complaint out in the community and is looking into some options for computer access.
12:21 p.m. — Twilight Academy gets high marks from the board as well. One big question loomed, how can the system find more room? Pandora Bell, principal at Twilight, said with 88 students on rolls currently and another seven due next week the program is bursting at the seams. She described a pre-calculus course being taught in an office.
"I can't tell you what would happen if the fire marshal came," Bell said.
The program helps students with 1-9 credit hours left to complete to graduate obtain the credits. The program is housed in a cramp wing of Smith High School.
Most of the board appeared concerned about the crowding and want to see a resolution found.
12:55 p.m. - I realized I've not mentioned attendance. Deena Hayes (District 8) is the only board member yet to show up. Walter Childs (District 1) was here this morning but left after about the first hour. Garth Hebert (District 2) showed up about 30 minutes late. Dot Kearns (At-Large) ducked out around 11 a.m. but was back by 12:50 p.m. Amos Quick (District 9) slipped out shortly before noon or so.
Also the board voted 7-0 approve an amendment to the school assignment policy, changing only some minor wording to accommodate for the High School Ahead and Twilight School programs. Kearns was present but walked in right at the vote so abstained.
1:19 p.m. - Preschool programs got a talking about. Key among the discussion is how to track the kids enrolled in both public and private Pre-K programs. Suggestions include creating a central database so vacancies can be quickly filled with eligible students and common screening and assessment tools. Kearns requested the report be placed on the agenda.
2:03 p.m. - The school board agreed to have the staff come up with options and recommendations for addressing the overcrowding at Northern Guilford Elementary. The school is at 830 students as of Friday.
Among the options to review — breaking the school board's policy of a minimum four years between redistricting. The board could vote to dismiss the policy, giving them the needed authority to redistrict the area, breaking up the school.
Three trailers will be added to the school by December.
2:43 p.m. - Participation in bond projects among minority and women owned businesses is performing better than the goals set. However, board member Amos Quick raises some concerns about the lack of more minority owned businesses taking part.
Women owned business only include white women owned, according to staff.
3 p.m. - Board member Deena Hayes arrives.
6:50 p.m. - The board wrapped up about an hour ago. Sorry for so much time between posts, I got busy with...well reporting. The board closed with all but Anita Sharpe in attendance - she left around 2:30 or so. There was some discussion about how the board might support the sales tax increase referendum proposed by the County Commissioners. Mo and Kearns seemed the most interested. Jill Wilson, the board's attorney, noted that while the board itself could not come out in support of the referendum they could individually support it and talk it up.
Tomorrow's paper will have more in-depth coverage. Thanks for following along.
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