Below is the BCS Board Briefing for February 2, 2023.
Photos from the meeting are viewable in Google Drive.
The recording of the meeting can be found on the BCS Communications YouTube page and also timestamped below.
In our Good News segment, we recognized the following:
· Elementary/Intermediate Counselor of the Year: Leah Davidson, West Buncombe Elementary School
· Middle School Counselor of the Year: Buffy Weathington, Owen Middle School
· High School Counselor of the Year: Libby Wicker, Erwin High School
· Social Worker of the Year: Lauren Ward, Reynolds High School
Our curriculum feature was “Blending Educational Strategies Together” (B.E.S.T.), presented by Robert Frisby, Director of Technology and Janet Frazier, Media/Digital Learning Specialist.
Below is the action agenda and links supporting documents.
· Entrance and Lobby Reconfigurations – Accept GMP and Authorize CMAR to Proceed
· Approval of Wide Area Network (WAN) Contract
· North Buncombe High School: Use of Capital Outlay Athletic Allotment
· Cane Creek Middle School: Use of Capital Outlay Athletic Allotment
· T.C. Roberson High School: Use of Capital Outlay Athletic Allotment
Below are the Superintendents Comments:
Good evening Board Members, Teammates, Parents and Members of the Community,
This past Saturday we had the opportunity to celebrate our reason for being as 213 graduates from our 11 high schools crossed the stage in Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, having earned their high school diplomas! This was the largest cohort of mid-year graduates in school system history. I am so proud and appreciative of all of our teachers, administrators, and staff members who poured into the lives of these students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. I spoke with one graduate who had already started her classes as a student at UNC-Charlotte. Another shared that he had already started working in his dream job. Still another was working in a new job before starting her college career in the Fall. Some of the graduates were graduating early. Others had taken a little longer pathway before reaching graduation. Regardless of the pathway to success they are on, we are ready to cheer them on as they go out to make a tremendous difference in this world! I would like to especially thank all of our teammates who worked so very hard to create such a beautiful memory for our graduates and their families.
This week, fourteen students representing each of our districts joined together with Mr. Hough and Mrs. Reed as we relaunched our Student Advisory Council. This group shared their individual and collective thoughts on our school system and how we might continue to improve our service to students.
I would like to offer congratulations to the ten Buncombe County Schools teachers who just earned their initial National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) status and to the 51 teachers across the county successfully renewed their National Board status. According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, “National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students and schools.” We believe, and are working to confirm, that Buncombe County Schools continues to rank #18 in the country in the number of NBCTs employed in the school system. Congratulations again to each of these teachers and to their families and schools who supported them through the process.
“The Buncombe County Schools Foundation is excited to announce that it is Scholarship Season! The Foundation provides over $300,000 in scholarships each year. Information on all scholarships can be found on the Buncombe County Schools Foundation Website. If you know a senior in our school system, please encourage them to apply.
I would like to share with the Board and with the community that Buncombe County Schools is hosting an Educator Career Fair on Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 9am - 12pm, right here. This is an amazing school system and we are looking for incredible and dedicated educators to join our team. If you are interested in attending the Job Fair or in applying for a position, please call the school system or refer to our website.
I am excited to share that this month, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the talents of our youngest student-musicians as our Elementary and Intermediate All-County Chorus will perform on February 28th, at 6pm in Brookstone Church in Weaverville. Please make plans to join us as students from across the county come together in song.
Finally, the Superintendents Listening and Learning Adventure continues as I spend my first 100 days as your superintendent in discovery and exploration. I have now visited all 45 of our schools and have spent a full school day in 18 schools. We have conducted "town hall-style" meetings in four of our six districts and will be in the North Buncombe district next week. I am tremendously enjoying the opportunity to meet parents and community members.
As I share each month, we recognize that we stand on the shoulders of giants. We face the challenges before us. We know that students, families, and the community have never needed a strong, loving, and caring school system as much as they do now. We accept this challenge. We commit to each and every one of our students. We will elevate to new and majestic heights. We will give our all because our students are worthy of our very best efforts.
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.
Madam Chair, this concludes my comments.