Ruby Byers from the Douglas Chamber of Commerce, along with Dr. Tawyna Bailey from Douglas County High School, presented the spring 2020 graduates of Youth Leadership Douglas (YLD).
YLD is a program created in partnership between the Chamber of Commerce and the Douglas County School System. By participating in the leadership program, high school juniors learn about local government agencies, businesses, and civic activities and also gain experience in social and business etiquette.
To allow for social distancing, half of the class was recognized at the September 21 BOE meeting. The other half was recognized at the October 5 work session.
Pictured above, left to right, are Dr. Tawyna Bailey; Hannah Jackson and Miles Harley from Chapel Hill High School; and Ruby Byers. Not pictured from Chapel Hill High School are Wyatt Griffin, Aidyn Kittrell, Joann Obioma and Kendall Rogers. Not pictured from New Manchester High School are Kelsey Baker, Jerney Jackson, Brian Salters and Domenica Weems.
Work Session Agenda
Superintendent North recommended an instructional plan for the remainder of the fall semester. Students will continue to have the option of in-person learning Monday through Thursday. All students will continue to learn online from home on Fridays. The plan is in accord with the Learning by Design document, which designates a hybrid learning model as long as the community spread of COVID-19 remains in the high range.
Teachers will continue to work remotely on Fridays for the remainder of the semester. Toward the end of the first semester, COVID data and other factors will be analyzed to make plans for the second semester.
The following cabinet members presented information that was considered in determining the instructional plan for the remainder of the semester:
- Nell Boggs presented information on learning options currently in place in Metro RESA districts and surrounding counties.
- Pam Nail presented information on the contact tracing process and the benefits of having students at home one day a week to reduce the spread and limit direct contacts.
- Dr. Michelle Ruble presented feedback from principals and teachers regarding the challenges of providing in-person and online instruction simultaneously.
- Kwame Carr presented information on the challenges of deep cleaning buildings with a custodian fill rate of 91%. In preparation for teachers and students returning to the school on Fridays later in the school year, custodians will begin deep cleaning buildings in sections each day so that all areas are deep cleaned once a week.
- Melanie Manley presented ways that teachers are managing online and in-person instruction simultaneously. Additional technology has been purchased to assist teachers and students with online learning.
Work Session Board Agenda Items
Operations
Recommendation was made to approve at the October 19, 2020, meeting an agreement with Environmental Remedies, LLC for the 2020-2021 school year for grease trap pumping.
Personnel and Policy
The following board policy changes were presented for approval at the October 19, 2020, meeting:
- GAAA: Equal Employment and GAEB: Sexual Harassment of Employees
- JAA: Equal Educational Opportunities and JCAC: Sexual Harassment of Students
Action Agenda
The FY21 Local Board Training Plan was approved as presented.
Present in the meeting were Board Members Tracy Rookard, District III, Chair; Michelle Simmons, District IV, Vice Chair; Devetrion Caldwell, District I; D.T. Jackson, District II; and Rita Fasina-Thomas, District V. Also present were Superintendent Trent North; Assistant Superintendent of District Operations Kwame Carr; Chief Financial Officer Greg Denney; Assistant Superintendent of Student Achievement Melanie Manley; Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Pam Nail; Assistant Superintendent of General Administration Dr. Michelle Ruble; Executive Director of Communications Nell Boggs; and Secretary to the Superintendent Melanie Nicholson.
Upcoming Meetings of the Douglas County Board of Education
Monday, October 19, 7:00 p.m., BOE Meeting
Monday, November 2, 6:00 p.m., BOE Work Session and Meeting
