II. WORK SESSION ITEMS:

Groups audience:

01. Approval of Agenda

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action	X
Excellent Educators		Information
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

A motion is in order to approve or revise the work session agenda for October 16, 2023.

Groups audience:

School Board

02. Public Comment

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion
Operations and Support	X

The board of education, as an elected representative body of the school system, wishes to provide a forum for citizens to express interests and concerns related to the school system. In order that the board may conduct an orderly meeting while providing an opportunity for input, individuals or groups may be heard by the board in accordance with policy 2310, Public Participation at Board Meetings, or policy 2300, Board Meetings (subsection D.2).

Each month, the first part of at least one regularly scheduled board meeting will be set aside for citizens to address the board through public comment.

A sign-up sheet will be available 30 minutes before the meeting begins for any individual or group to indicate their desire to address the board.

Each speaker will receive 3 minutes to present comments. The public comment session will not exceed 30 minutes total except by majority vote of the board.

The board chair will recognize speakers in the order in which they signed in. Substitute speakers will not be permitted and speakers may not donate any portion of their time to another speaker. If a speaker is unable to present all of his or her information within the specified time limit, the speaker may provide the board with additional information in written form. If an unusually large number of people requests to speak, a majority of the board may decide to reduce the time for each individual or to require the designation of a spokesperson for each group of persons supporting or opposing the same positions. At any time, the board may establish additional procedures to ensure that public comment sessions proceed in an efficient and orderly manner.

Board members will not respond to individuals who address the board except to request clarification of points made by the presenter.

Issues involving individual personnel or student matters are confidential and, therefore, are not appropriate for the public comment session. Concerns related to personnel or student matters should be handled as a complaint and reported to the superintendent or designee.

Except in cases of emergency, information received during presentations will not be acted upon at the time it is received. It will take unanimous vote of the board members present to act on a presentation considered to be of an unusual or emergency nature at the time it is presented.

Disruptions by any person or persons of a public meeting will be subject to action in accordance with G.S. 143-318.17.

No solicitations will be allowed during public comment.

The board may choose to offer a second opportunity for public comment at the end of the meeting. Sign-ups will not be required for the second public comment opportunity.

If the board does not hold a regular meeting during a month, the board will not provide a time for public comment at any other meeting held during that month, unless a majority of the board votes to allow public comment at the meeting or unless the purpose of the meeting is a public hearing.

Groups audience:

School Board

03. Parents' Bill of Rights Policies

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators	X	Information
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students	X	Discussion	X
Operations and Support	X

On September 18, the board accepted as first-read information seven revised policies from the NCSBA Special Custom PLS Update to comply with the “Parents’ Bill of Rights” legislation and add new requirements for schools regarding parental guides and notifications. The new requirements apply with the 2023-2024 school year; however, the General Assembly has extended policy deadlines to the first day of school after January 1, 2024. During the September 18 meeting, board members suggested potential revisions to certain policies (see notes below in green). On October 2, the board heard public comment on the policies. During discussion, the board indicated intent to offer additional changes.

Dr. Lisa Fletcher will give an update on the Parents’ Bill of Rights legislation. The board may discuss the policies and potential revisions. Discussion and first-read acceptance of potential revisions will be scheduled for the November 6 business meeting. Second-read, final approval of the policies will be scheduled for the December 4 business meeting. Dr. Brian Weaver will lead the discussion and answer any questions you may have.

1310/4002, Parental Involvement. Substantially revises the policy to address the new requirements of the Parents’ Bill of Rights (line 81, replace "will" with "shall")

3210, Parental Inspection of and Objection to Instructional Materials. The school system must have a written process for parents to inspect and review all textbooks and supplementary instructional materials that will be used in their child’s classrooms.

3540, Comprehensive Health Education Program. Adds a provision prohibiting instruction on gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality in grades K through 4.

4335, Criminal Behavior. Changes the requirement for reporting to parents when their child is suspected to be the victim of a crime. (line 54, replace “should” with “shall”)

4720, Surveys of Students. Changes parental notification and consent requirements based on new state law requirements. Adds a new section about well-being questionnaires and health screening forms. (create administrative regulations for secure written or electronic consent)

6120, Student Health Services. The new G.S. 90-211.10B contains language that prohibits health care practitioners, which includes school employees authorized under state law to perform health care services as part of their job, from providing, soliciting, or arranging medical procedures or treatments for a minor without first obtaining written or documented consent from the parent. This law goes into effect on December 1, 2023.

7300, Staff Responsibilities. Adds an employee responsibility to support parental involvement and never encourage a student to withhold information from their parents. (line 26, add “or electronic” after “written”)

Public Attachments:

Parent Bill of Rights PP.pdf

Policy 1310-4002_revised.pdf

Policy 3210_revised.pdf

Policy 3540_revised.pdf

Policy 4335_revised.pdf

Policy 4720_revised.pdf

Policy 6120_revised.pdf

Policy 7300_revised.pdf

Groups audience:

School Board

04. District Strategic Plan

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship	X	Action
Excellent Educators	X	Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students	X	Discussion	X
Operations and Support	X

Dr. Lisa Fletcher will discuss the District Strategic Plan and give the board some options for setting goals, updating, and writing the plan.

Groups audience:

School Board

05. Update on Capital Reserve Study

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action
Excellent Educators		Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students		Discussion	X
Operations and Support	X

A meeting of the ad hoc capital reserve study group was held on Thursday, October 12. Dr. Lisa Fletcher will give a report.

Groups audience:

School Board