Board of Education takes action on design for Rosewood Middle project
The Wayne County Board of Education recognized board member Jennifer Strickland of District 4 for her service to the board and community.
GOLDSBORO — At its meeting Nov. 7, the Wayne County Board of Education heard an update on the Rosewood Middle School project and took action on some design considerations.
Dr. Tim Harrell, assistant superintendent, shared an update about the process that has been underway for the project. Much discussion centered around enrollment and the Facility Committee’s recommendation to change the Rosewood Middle grade configuration to a 5-8 school.
The change would allow for the student capacity in grades K-4 to be increased at Rosewood Elementary, and maximize available space at Rosewood Middle and Rosewood High while also positioning the feeder pattern for any future student growth. Some discussion followed about the need to keep within the budget for this project, and the need to do a more comprehensive study of facilities, campus needs, available seats and district lines.
In a 6-1 vote with board member H. Len Henderson voting against, the Board approved changing the Rosewood Middle grade configuration to grades 5-8 with approximately 520 students with a core capacity of 600 students. This information will now be shared with the architects to help them finalize a design for the project to take to the Board for consideration.
As part of the general session, Dr. Carol H. Artis, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, shared two updates on behalf of her team. The first was the 2022 Healthy Active Children Progress Report/Mental Health Policy Report. Some discussion followed about physical activity, behavior and mental health. The board then viewed a special video about the Dual Language Program at Spring Creek Elementary.
Lisa Tart, curriculum and instruction director, shared information about Elevate K-12, which could provide WCPS support at schools with teacher vacancies. Tart shared that Elevate K-12 could remotely bring a certified teacher to the classroom via live video feed to provide synchronous instruction to students. Superintendent Dr. David Lewis added that this is intended to be a temporary solution to provide classroom instruction using certified teachers in cases where substitute teachers are currently being used. Some discussion followed and the Board later approved Elevate K-12 as part of a group of Purchase Orders and Contracts.
The final update to the Board was the Quarter 1 Budget Report, which was presented by Leslie Rouse, chief finance officer.
Chair Don C. West presented board member Jennifer Strickland with a plaque to recognize her service to District 4. Strickland has served two terms as the District 4 representative, beginning Dec. 1, 2014. She is not seeking re-election and her current term will expire Nov. 30.
Several individuals and groups were recognized with Board Spotlights. WCPS career development coordinators were thanked for their efforts in recognition of the upcoming Career Development Coordinator Day. Carver Heights Elementary, Dillard Middle, Eastern Wayne Elementary, Eastern Wayne Middle, Greenwood Middle, Meadow Lane Elementary, Tommy’s Road Elementary and Wayne School of Engineering were recognized for meeting academic growth in 2021-2022.
Carver Elementary, Grantham Elementary, Norwayne Middle, Northwest Elementary, Rosewood Elementary, Rosewood Middle, Spring Creek Elementary, Spring Creek High and Wayne Early Middle College were recognized for exceeding academic growth in 2021-2022.
Carver Elementary, Carver Heights Elementary, Dillard Middle, Norwayne Middle, Rosewood Elementary and Wayne Early/Middle College High were recognized for placing in the top 50 percent of schools in the state for academic growth. Rosewood Middle and Spring Creek Elementary were recognized for placing in the top 15 percent of schools in the state for academic growth. Grantham Elementary and Spring Creek High were recognized for placing in the top 10 percent of schools in the state for academic growth. Northwest Elementary was recognized for placing in the top 5 percent.
Beth Rose, Mount Olive Middle ELA teacher, was recognized for being named the NCCAT 2023 Beginning Teacher 2 Teacher of the Year for Wayne County Public Schools. Deanna Morris, Eastern Wayne Elementary PE teacher, was recognized for receiving the NC SHAPE Honor Award, the association’s highest honor.
Grace Evans, Wayne School of Engineering senior, was recognized for participating in in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs National Security Language Initiative for Youth program.
Caroline Brown, Title I program specialist, briefly shared information about how valuable partnerships between parents and schools are for building student success. The board then approved a Proclamation to proclaim November as Parent and Family Engagement Month.
Other items approved included an ApprenticeshipNC memorandum of understanding with Wayne Community College, the surplus of a transportation vehicle and several purchase orders and contracts.
During public comment, Jeff Dail, pastor of Mount Olive first Pentecostal Holiness church, addressed the board regarding books on transgender and homosexuality on display at Southern Wayne High School, and parent Pamela Stiles spoke regarding sexually explicit material in school.
— From the Wayne County Public Schools website
