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Orange County Board of Education Member Wins Prestigious Award

Orange County Board of Education Member Wins Prestigious Award

Brenda Stephens of the Orange County Board of Education is the 2020 recipient of the Raleigh Dingman Award for Outstanding Boardsmanship. Given by the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA), this is the highest honor bestowed on a North Carolina school board member.

The Raleigh Dingman Award is named in honor of Dr. Raleigh Dingman, NCSBA’s first full-time executive director, and was first presented at the association’s 1981 annual conference.

“This year’s Raleigh Dingman winner has the characteristics that Dr. Dingman respected immensely — and that’s fortitude, dedication, willingness to do hard work and to be someone that you can count on to conduct the business at hand,” said NCSBA Executive Director Dr. Ed Dunlap during the awards ceremony at the virtual NCSBA Annual Conference for Board Member Development on November 6. Stephens, who is NCSBA’s immediate past president, has been on the Orange County board since 1998 and is the current vice chair. In addition to navigating the COVID-19 pandemic with her local board during 2020, she also led the NCSBA Board of Directors through the search for a new executive director after Dunlap announced his retirement from the association in March. “She has been extremely helpful. She has been extremely dedicated, and she has done a terrific job,” said Dunlap.

In 2002 the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation that provides for the Raleigh Dingman Award winner to serve as an ex officio advisor to the state board of education and to attend meetings and participate in deliberations of the state board. Stephens will serve in this capacity.

North Carolina School Boards AssociationOrange County Board of Education Member Wins Prestigious Award
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McDowell County Wins Excellence in Educational Programs Award

McDowell County Wins Excellence in Educational Programs Award

The McDowell County Board of Education is the 2020 winner of the Excellence in Educational Programs Award. This award, which is given by the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA), recognizes school boards for the development of extraordinary educational programs.

The board was honored for its Public Safety Academy during the awards ceremony at the virtual NCSBA Annual Conference for Board Member Development on November 6. Since the Public Safety Academy began in 2014-2015, it has grown to include firefighting, EMT, and law and justice programs.

Described by NCSBA Immediate Past President Brenda Stephens as a future-focused district committed to helping students become college and career ready, McDowell County Schools has developed partnerships throughout the community that allow students to gain real-life public safety experience through internships and apprenticeships. Students can work toward an associate’s degree in emergency management at the local community college, and the academy’s Teen Court serves as a diversion program for teen offenders while giving students a chance to serve as jurors, bailiffs, prosecution, and defense. Students are also able to test their skills at numerous public safety competitions across the state.

North Carolina School Boards AssociationMcDowell County Wins Excellence in Educational Programs Award
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Gates County Board of Education Member Wins Prestigious Award

Gates County Board of Education Member Wins Prestigious Award

Ray Felton of the Gates County Board of Education is the 2020 recipient of the School Board Member Leadership Award. To receive this esteemed award, which is given by the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA), a board member must be peer-nominated by their local school board. Each year, the award honors a school board member for exemplary leadership during the previous school year.

Felton has been on his board of education for 12 years and is the current chair. “‘I’ll try’ is his motto — one that leads him to do whatever it takes to support students,” said NCSBA Immediate Past President Brenda Stephens during the awards ceremony at the virtual NCSBA Annual Conference for Board Member Development on November 6. Felton recently spearheaded several initiatives, including new technology programs to encourage an innovation mindset, and he took the lead in keeping the Gates County community updated on the district’s new middle school construction. He even put himself in students’ shoes this year by enrolling in classes to get a glimpse of what online learning looks like during the COVID-19 pandemic.

North Carolina School Boards AssociationGates County Board of Education Member Wins Prestigious Award
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Wilson County Board of Education Wins Leadership Award

Wilson County Board of Education Wins Leadership Award

The Wilson County Board of Education is the 2020 recipient of the School Board Leadership Award. This award honors a school board for extraordinary leadership during the 2019-2020 school year.

To receive this esteemed award, which is given by the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA), a board must demonstrate excellent governance skills through commitment to the role of the school board. The Wilson County Board of Education was honored during the awards ceremony at the virtual NCSBA Annual Conference for Board Member Development on November 6.

The board has met nearly every Monday night for the last year to make difficult COVID-related decisions, oversee several construction projects, and completely update their policy manual. Under the leadership of the board and superintendent, the Wilson County Schools saw an impressive increase in student performance from 2016 to 2019, jumping from the 90th LEA in the state to the 58th. They also dropped their low-performing school district status during this time. “The board is committed to improving instruction and ensuring that students always feel safe in their learning environment,” said NCSBA Immediate Past President Brenda Stephens.

North Carolina School Boards AssociationWilson County Board of Education Wins Leadership Award
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Wilson County Commissioners Recognized by NCSBA

Wilson County Commissioners Recognized by NCSBA

The Wilson County Board of County Commissioners has won the 2020 County Commissioners of the Year Award presented by the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA). The award is given to a board of county commissioners that is nominated by the local board of education in recognition of their extraordinary efforts.

Nominated by the Wilson County Board of Education, the board of commissioners were recognized during the awards ceremony of the virtual NCSBA Annual Conference for Board Member Development on November 6. Last year, the commissioners toured the district’s three high schools to examine much needed repairs and immediately took action. They allocated $2 million, in addition to the already allocated $1 million in capital outlay, to improve athletic fields and tennis courts and to build two new tracks. “These county commissioners have a history of thinking outside the box to provide the district with the support it needs to ensure that students are successful,” said NCSBA Immediate Past President Brenda Stephens.

North Carolina School Boards AssociationWilson County Commissioners Recognized by NCSBA
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Caldwell County School Board Achieves Master Board Status

Caldwell County School Board Achieves Master Board Status

The Caldwell County Board of Education has been recognized for earning Level I Master Board status by the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA). The achievement was announced during the awards ceremony at the virtual NCSBA Annual Conference for Board Member Development on November 6.

“Master Board is a knowledge- and skills-based training program that provides school boards with the opportunity to develop governance skills as a full board,” according to Dr. Ed Dunlap, executive director of NCSBA. “What makes Master Board unique from the association’s other training programs is that all board members and the superintendent commit to the training.” School boards can earn two different levels of Master Board status — Master Board Level I requires 20 hours of training, and Master Board Level II requires 40 hours of training. Some course topics include Understanding School Boards in a Democracy, Solving Problems and Making Decisions, and Analyzing Ethical Challenges.

The members of the Caldwell County Board of Education are Board Chair Darrell Pennell, Vice Chair Teresa Branch, Chris Bumgarner, Ann Edwards, Duane Knight, and Joe Sims. The superintendent is Dr. Donald Phipps, and the Master Board trainer for Caldwell County is Dr. Walter Hart.

North Carolina School Boards AssociationCaldwell County School Board Achieves Master Board Status
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Moving Forward

Moving Forward

Across our nation, school communities are facing the most unprecedented time in the 21st Century. There are no district policies or even state statutes that can provide all the answers that are being asked. While there are numerous factors that currently lie beyond our control, there is one element boards can control, and that is how they lead.

Our key work has always been student achievement and community engagement that supports student achievement. This focus is more important than ever before as we work with our families who are feeling anxious, scared, and unsure of what to do. During these times of such uncertainty, our communities need and deserve a high-functioning, high-performing school board team that is operating with a laser-sharp focus on the needs of all learners.

Get back to the basics

  1. Trust one another — This isn’t a time to doubt the decisions of your fellow board members, your superintendent, or staff. You hire good people, and you don’t take on the position of school board member for fun (or the money!), but for the students and your community.
  2. Put away the baggage — We all have times of disagreement. Let’s set it aside and work towards what’s best for all. You don’t have to hold hands and sing songs around the campfire, but decide what is most important right now and focus.
  3. Communicate, communicate, communicate — Keep one another informed and, along with your superintendent, move forward with a consistent message. These times are confusing and uncertain for everyone. Clarity builds trust with your team, staff, and community.

Now is the time for all school board members to work with their superintendents in the most collaborative, supportive, and positive way possible. Let’s be intentional with our work and do the very best for our children.

Ramona PowersMoving Forward
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Award for Educational Excellence

Award for Educational Excellence

Last month, NCSBA gave its 2019 Award for Excellence in Educational Programs to the Cabarrus County Schools (CCS) Board of Education. The district’s forward-thinking approach to student safety and well-being was celebrated during the Association’s annual awards ceremony.

With the help of a $4 million grant, CCS has spent the last five years developing a multi-tiered system of support that includes a focus on the social-emotional and physical safety needs of students. In 2016 the school system adopted the National Association of School Psychologists’ PREPaRE curriculum, which consists of evidence-based resources and consultation related to school crisis prevention, intervention, response, and recovery. This led to a districtwide shift in its approach to student safety.

CCS restructured its service framework and invested in training and development for its mental health professionals on PREPaRE, Mental Health First Aid, QPR Suicide Prevention training, Resources for Resilience, and Trauma Toolkit, to name a few. The result is a highly skilled and collaborative multi-disciplinary mental health team at every school, comprised of counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, and resource officers. These teams assist administrators with conducting threat assessments for students; performing universal screening, providing direct and indirect interventions and progress monitoring to support identified areas of need; and providing training to staff, students, and the community on prevention and intervention around mental health needs.

In addition, the board added a director of student safety and well-being to its leadership team who is responsible for collaborating across departments to ensure the success of this work. CCS board members participate in safety audits, are trained in the PREPaRE curriculum, participate on the CCS Safety Committee, and continuously advocate for the safety of students. The governance team has always emphasized safety as a top priority. When the community and students feel safe in their learning environment, students are able to focus on their studies and excel.

The CCS Safety Committee developed a back-to-school safety video titled, See You Tomorrow, as a helpful tool to spread their message of and interest in creating a positive educational environment for each student.

Ramona PowersAward for Educational Excellence
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NCSBA Legislative Update – December 6, 2019

NCSBA Legislative Update – December 6, 2019

2020 Public Policy Conference

Early bird rate: $250   –   After January 3: $325

CLICK HERE FOR DRAFT AGENDA

2020 Election Landscape – How Races are Shaping Up in the Newly Drawn Districts

Anna Beavon Gravely, NC Free Enterprise

 

Transforming an Education Culture – Tips & Tools to Improve Teacher Recruitment, Retention, Leadership, & Effectiveness

Freebird McKinney & Julie Pittman

 

A Roadmap to Locally Maximize Educational Attainment & Economic Alignment

MyFutureNC & Rowan Education Collaborative

 

State School Superintendent Candidates Forum

Candidates Who Did Not Participate in the Candidates Forum at Annual Conference

 

All We Have to Do is Explain it to Them, Right? A Proven Method to Effective Advocacy

Joe Stewart

 

Competency-Based Learning: “In a Proficiency System, Failure or Poor Performance May Be Part of the Student’s Learning Curve, But it is Not an Outcome.” A NC Principal Shares Successes, Challenges, & Shows How Your District Can Implement this Education Model

Elizabeth MacWilliams, James Aldridge, Carrol Middle School Students

 

Innovative School District (ISD) – Changes You Need to Know

JB Buxton & James Ellerbe

 

What Else is Trending at the NC General Assembly (NCGA):

Various Presenters

✓ Session Update

✓ Clarity Around CBD & Hemp

✓ “Year-Round” Calendar: Trend Making Headlines & Raising Concerns

✓ School Construction Status Report

✓ Other Topics – Suggestions are Welcome

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

 

School Technology Resolution

NCSBA has been hard at work trying to formulate a responsible payment option for the unpaid $730 million that the State still owes to public schools per a 2008 court judgment. The judge ruled that those funds should have been used exclusively for school technology but were instead unconstitutionally diverted by several State agencies to other purposes. For more background on this case, click here.

We would like to thank the 33 school districts (click here to see list) that have already shared and advocated their adopted resolutions, as well as the districts that plan to adopt resolutions at this month’s school board meeting. We encourage each district to consider how these funds could benefit their students. If your district adopted the resolution but you do not see it listed, please email a copy of your resolution to Rebekah Howard at rhoward@ncsba.org. Please let Rebekah know if you need a copy of a sample resolution.

 

K-3 Reading Assessment Update

According to a WRAL media report, DPI and Istation, the new company chosen by DPI to assess the reading skills of North Carolina’s K-3 public school students, filed a joint motion earlier this month for a ruling on the two parties’ October court arguments. Istation’s contract has been on hold for months due to a legal review requested by Istation’s competitor Amplify who was replaced by Istation.

 

State Board of Education Meeting – December 4-5

The State Board of Education met this week to discuss topics including Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) and high school history course requirements. Data presented at the meeting showed that the percentage of teachers passing licensure exams has been decreasing over the past few years, with the passing rate going from 96.0% in 2014 to 80.2% in 2018. The downward trend became noticeable after a 2016 law allowed teachers to begin working without a continuing professional license, as long as they passed their licensure exam within their third year of teaching. Dr. Tomberlin of DPI made the point that although this downward trend is seen as a problem, it could also be viewed as a better alternative than filling classrooms with substitutes. Click here to view the EPP presentation.

HB 924: Teacher Contract Changes (S.L. 2019-82) establishes the completion of an Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) course as a public high school graduation requirement beginning with the freshman class of 2020-21. Board members were presented the revised history course requirements, which would combine the currently required two American history courses into one course in order to add the EPF course to the graduation requirements. The Board will vote on this revision at the January 2020 meeting. Click here to view the history course revision presentation.

Click here to access all Board materials.

 

 

Candidate filing opened on Monday, December 2. Click here to view a list of all candidates who will appear on 2020 ballots in NC.

 

 

Leanne E. Winner
Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
(919) 747-6686

Bruce Mildwurf
Associate Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
(919) 747-6692

Richard Bostic
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
(919) 747-6677

Rebekah Howard
Governmental Relations Research Specialist
N.C. School Boards Association
(919) 747-6688

North Carolina School Boards AssociationNCSBA Legislative Update – December 6, 2019
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2019 Raleigh Dingman Award Winner

2019 Raleigh Dingman Award Winner

Monte Herring of the Columbus County Board of Education is the 2019 recipient of the Raleigh Dingman Award for Outstanding Boardsmanship. To receive this esteemed award, which is given annually by the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA), a board member must be peer-nominated by their local school board.

“The winner of this year’s Raleigh Dingman Award has been instrumental in strengthening accountability measures in his school system, which have resulted in high student achievement despite being a low-wealth district and having been devastated by two hurricanes in the last three years,” said NCSBA Executive Director Ed Dunlap during the announcement. Herring promotes professional learning communities, leading to more open, honest communication among stakeholders, and he challenges all instructional leaders to continuously strive toward innovation. His support has been crucial in securing funds for two new schools, as well as a one-to-one Chromebook initiative for middle school students, and he is dedicated to helping students along their journeys to becoming leaders in a global society.

The Raleigh Dingman Award is the highest honor bestowed on a North Carolina school board member. The award is named in honor of Dr. Raleigh Dingman, the Association’s first full-time executive director, and was first presented at the 1981 annual conference. In 2002 legislation was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly that provides for the Raleigh Dingman Award winner to serve as an ex officio advisor to the state board of education and to attend meetings and participate in deliberations of the state board. Scott will serve in this capacity.

 

Ramona Powers2019 Raleigh Dingman Award Winner
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