November 2, 2020
A brief summary of the November 2, 2020, 6:00 p.m. Douglas County Board of Education work session and board meeting follows. Meeting agendas for each board meeting and work session are posted online. For an agenda from the November 2 meeting, please click here. To see supporting documents, click on agenda items.

Board Recognition

The Rotary Club of Douglas County presented a donation of $10,000 to cover the technology fees for 400 students in the Douglas County School System.

In August, the school system issued Chromebooks and laptops to students so that they would be ready for online learning on the first day of school, August 17. Part of the One-to-One Technology initiative involved a commitment from parents and students to take care of the electronic devices and to pay a $25 technology fee to cover minor repairs, replacement of batteries and other costs associated with electronic devices. The Rotary Club's donation will help 400 families who were unable to pay the $25 fee.
Making the presentation were Rotary members (front row, left to right): John Baker; Gil Shearouse; Joe Williams; Tekmekia Gilchrist; and James Harper. Pictured in the back row: Superintendent North; Board Chair Tracy Rookard; Board Member Devetrion Caldwell; Vice Chair Michelle Simmons; and Board Members Rita Fasina-Thomas and D.T. Jackson.
Work Session Agenda

Winter Sports Update

Principals from the five traditional high schools gave an update on preparations for winter sports and the COVID-19 protocols that will be in place. Winter sports include: basketball, wrestling, swimming, competitive cheerleading, basketball cheerleading and flag football. For the slide presentation, please click here.

Financial Literacy for High School

Assistant Superintendent of Student Achievement Melanie Manley gave a presentation on the proposed requirement for a Financial Literacy course which would be embedded in the Economics course, a required class for 12th grade students. For a slide presentation which provides details on the proposed requirement, please click here.

DCSS Literacy Bus

Executive Director of Federal Programs Dr. Karen Stoutmire presented plans for the ESOL Literacy Bus. The bus will serve English Learners and their families by providing literacy activities, tutoring and more beginning in the summer of 2021. For details, please click here.

Board Agenda Discussion and Action Items

The following items were discussed and approved:
  • 1:1 nursing contract with Advanced Care Partners
  • Financial reports for July, August and September, 2020
  • Purchase of two special education buses
  • FY2021 facilities grant for Brighten Academy
  • DCSS Literacy Bus customization
  • Certified and classified personnel


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 Operations Kwame Carr; Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Renee Davis; Chief Financial Officer Greg Denney; Assistant Superintendent of Student Achievement Melanie Manley; 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, December 7, 6:00 p.m., BOE Work Session and Meeting
Monday, January 11, 6:00 p.m., BOE Work Session (tentative)
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