Work Session Agenda
Reopening of School for 2020-2021
Assistant Superintendent of Student Achievement Melanie Manley gave an overview of the results of the parent survey regarding digital learning which was conducted in May 2020. The results indicated a need to focus on the following areas: structure and scheduling; professional learning for teachers and parents; communication; and grading policies.
Director of Data Strategy Kristen Carroll gave an overview of the parent survey regarding the reopening of school for 2020-2021. For results from the survey that was conducted the week of June 9, please click
here
.
Superintendent North and committee chairs gave an update on planning for the 2020-2021 school year. The preliminary plans, which are subject to change, are to:
- Open school as scheduled on August 5, 2020. The approved calendar will be followed.
- Offer two options for instruction for 2020-2021.
- The first option is for children to attend class in the school building with traditional, in-person instruction. If the spread of COVID-19 becomes substantial, buildings will be closed and instruction will move to digital learning. Currently, the spread of COVID-19 in Douglas County is minimal/moderate. Assuming this continues, schools in Douglas County will be open for students on August 5.
- The second option is the FLEX Academy, a new online option for students in grades K-12. Teachers who are dedicated to the online option will teach the classes. Students may learn in the FLEX Academy all year or transition back to their home school after the first or second nine-week period. The FLEX Academy will continue to operate as an option for students after the COVID-19 crisis is over.
- Students will have the option of bus transportation. Procedures will be established that will minimize the spread of COVID-19.
The school system will continue to refine plans and will share details with the public by June 30.
Board Agenda Discussion and Action Items
The following items were discussed and approved:
Student Achievement and Leadership
- Purchase of Google GSuite for Education Enterprise licensing for all staff and students
Finance
- Spending resolution that will allow the superintendent the ability to keep the school system in operation until the FY 2021 budget is approved after June 30, 2020. The school system is awaiting budget information from the state.
- Financial report for April 2020
Operations
- Resolution to request revision to Douglas County's FY17 application for capital outlay funding
- Douglas County High School sports complex reconstruction project
- 2020-2021 tiered start and end times for schools. The new times are: Elementary School 7:40-2:25; High School 8:20-3:25; Middle School 9:00-4:10.
Technology
- Purchase of CloudReady software licensing for the district, which will allow for existing laptops to be converted to Chromebooks. This will assist with the district’s move to a one-to-one technology environment for students.
Police Department
- Purchase of vehicles and radios for the Douglas County School System Police Department
Personnel and Policy
- Certified and classified personnel
Present in the virtual 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, July 20, 2020, 6:00 pm, BOE Work Session and Meeting
Monday, August 3, 2020, 6:00 pm, BOE Work Session
