Here's a look at the BCS Board Briefing following the September 7, 2023, Board of Education Meeting. Action Items are linked to THIS full YouTube video. Photos are posted HERE.
In our Good New Segment, we recognized several district-level Teachers of the Year and our School Resource Officers.
2023 AIG Teacher of the Year– Jennifer Harmon, Glen Arden Elementary School & BCS Virtual Academy
2023 CTE Teacher of the Year – Justin Gillespie, North Buncombe High School
2023 EC Teacher of the Year– Suzi Hoppes, Enka High School
BCS School Resource Officers Recognition – School Supplies Drive and ongoing partnership
Silver Bell Award- The Board of Education was awarded the Silver Bell from the North Carolina School Boards Association for its commitment to continuous improvement and professional development for our leaders.
CURRICULUM FEATURE
BCS Summer Programs – Dr. Donna Lanahan, Director of Secondary Education
ACTION AGENDA
· North Buncombe Middle School Re-Roofing Project: Approval of Change Order
· Central Services Renovations: Approval of Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) and Architect’s Contracts
CONSENT AGENDA
· Minutes: August 3, 2023 – Regular Meeting Open Session
· Approval of BCS’ Individual School’s Length of Day – Policy 3300 School Calendar and Time for Learning
· Advisory Council Members for Approval
· Advisory Council Members: Request to Add
· Valley Springs Middle School: Easement for Duke Energy Progress, LLC
· Charles C. Bell Elementary School: Approval of MSD Easement
· Special Services Sole Source Procurement Request: N2Y, LLC
· 2023 NCSBA Voting Delegates
SUPERINTENDENT'S COMMENTS
Good evening Parents, Members of the Community, Board Members, and Teammates,
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! We have had an incredible beginning to the school year. It is no exaggeration when I share with you that this has been the strongest start to a school year that I have experienced in my career. Throughout the school system and in every school, I have experienced incredible smiles and joy throughout. Our senior leadership team members also each visited each of our 45 schools. I have heard from principals and teachers how much they appreciate seeing our leaders in the schools. Being present in the schools is key to understanding at a deeper level how we may best serve and support the students, teachers, staff, administrators, and school community.
The new year has brought some exciting changes. In addition to free breakfast and lunch for all students, this year we are launching our Middle School Alternative Program, Eagle Academy, located at Community High School. After hearing this need universally expressed by our middle school administrators when I arrived, a blue ribbon task force of school and district professionals have worked together to birth this new program. Additionally, this year we are also launching our Teacher Advisory Council and our Exceptional Children's Advisory Council.
The recent passage of Session Law 2023-106, formerly known as SB 49, “Parent’s Bill of Rights.” has created a lot of conversation in the community. The Buncombe County School System values parent involvement and indeed, encourages parents to be involved in their child’s education. Some requirements of the new law require further guidance from Raleigh prior to implementation. For now, I’ll simply reiterate our commitment to supporting each and every student in our school system and to following state law.
This week, the State Board of Education received the 2022-2023 State Assessment Results. These will become official when the State Board votes on them at their October meeting. Mr. Earwood will provide detailed assessment results information in his annual report at the October meeting.
For now, some quick take-aways, this year:
1) 20 schools exceeded growth! This is the largest number since 2015 and possibly ever. We are further researching this.
2) 4 schools previously designated as low-performing are no longer low-performing
3) 7 schools improved by an entire letter grade on their School Performance Grade!
4) 77% of our schools met or exceeded growth
We know that we certainly have work to do and areas to improve. We are not satisfied. For now, these results coupled with our highest ever cohort graduation rate and matching our seven year highest ACT county average makes me very excited and enthusiastic for the future. We are well on our way to #GreaterHeights!
To our team and to our Board Members, Thank you for all that you do for the students, families, teachers, and staff of Buncombe County Schools and again, welcome to an incredible new school year.
Madam Chair, this concludes my comments.