The photo above is a graph of Bladen County Schools at-risk for failing by grade.
The Bladen County Board of Education heard about hundreds of at-risk students and made some big decisions for Bladen County Students on Monday night. Before the virtual meeting, three board members were sworn into office. Mr. Chris Clark, Mr. Glenn McKoy, and Mr. Tim Benton are the three freshly sworn-in board members. Mr. Clark and Mr. McKoy were both re-elected this past November. They represent Districts 3 and 1 respectively. Tim Benton was elected to represent District 2.
Without a unanimous decision, the board re-elected Mr. Roger Carroll as their board chair and Mr. Glenn McKoy as their vice-chair. The meeting continued with decisions on essential issues.
The board heard from Ms. Cheryl White-Smith, EC Director, with Bladen County Schools, as she gave an update on the at-risk students and the multi-tier system of supports (MTSS). An “at-risk” student is defined by ed.gov, as a student who is likely to fail at school, and failure is typically seen as dropping out of school before high school graduation.
According to data collected on December 9 presented by Ms. White-Smith, attendance and academics are the at-risk factors currently affecting Bladen County Schools students.
“We wanted to show what has happened in the COVID era and how it’s affecting our children. Behavior is not an issue in this data,” White-Smith stated, “We are working on attendance.”
White-Smith added, “The sixth grade is a huge at-risk population.”
View the Bladen County Schools at-risk population by school report below.
Mr. West asked why students are being allowed to submit work for the first half of the year up through mid-January and receiving a 50 on exams even if they do not show up.
Dr. Robert P. Taylor, Bladen County Schools Superintendent, stated, “A lot of students are having trouble engaging. EOC (End of Course) exams are in question and could be delayed until the end of the year.”
Taylor explained; our hope is that the testing will not be required. President-Elect Biden and the new NCDPI will be the deciding factors.
Dr. Jason Atkinson explained the local school districts have the option on how to grade the EOC’s. He said, “The incomplete could be a placeholder until students can retake the exam in January. None of this is ideal.”
Dr. Taylor said, “As a school district, we have a lot of high-risk students. The goal is to continue to see what we have to do to intervene on behalf of these students. We know it is imperative for the school district to do our part.”
Ms. White-Smith explained the strategies to be used to help the at-risk students. The school plans to focus on at least 5% of their At-Risk students. According to Ms. White Smith, Student Support Teams will use the data to determine the students’ needs. The teams, along with parents, will develop an intervention plan, and follow-ups will take place in four to six weeks to review effectiveness and progress.
Low attendance and low grades for students are not the only issues the board needed to address. According to health official reports, there has been a rise in COVID-19 cases with the spike after Thanksgiving. Dr. Teresa (Terri) Duncan, Bladen County Health and Human Services Director, recommended to Bladen County Schools extending the Christmas break due to the rise of the COVID-19, according to Dr. Robert P. Taylor, Bladen County Schools Superintendent.
Dr. Taylor recommended the board return to Phase 1 with Bladen County Schools returning to Plan C, remote learning for all students, after the Christmas break. The board approved the superintendent’s recommendations with a split vote.
Starting on January 4, lasting for three weeks, all grades will return to Plan C, holding remote learning for all students. Then on January 22, students may transition into Phase II, attending in-person learning on A-day/B-day schedules. Phase III may be brought back on Feburary 15 where the students may revert back with the primary schools attending in-person learning four days a week and the high school and middle school students attending on the A-day/B-day schedule.
Board members Rhoda, McKoy, Benton, Clark, Singeltary, and Carroll voted for the recommendation and board members Edwards and West voted against the proposal.
Dr. Heavenridge reported a shortfall for Bladen County Schools’ athletic programs due to the COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions. Dr. Heavenridge requested $60,000 in funds for athletic events. The board voted for the funding unanimously.
The board voted not to release their rights to decide on the athletic participation and attendance for the 2020-2021 school year. Then, board member West motioned to allow Bladen County Students to play basketball with masks on; however, the motion did not pass. Board members Benton, Rhoda, Singletary, McKoy, and Carroll, voted against the motion with Edwards, West, and Clark voting for the motion.
Ms. Harrison, with the finance department of Bladen County Schools, reported sixteen (16) COVID-19 related North Carolina Department of Public Instruction funding accounts, with 13 accounts expiring December 30. According to Harrison, all the funding accounts are for COVID-19 related expenses with funding sent down for personnel computers, student devices, child nutrition, low wealth funding, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
She stated, “As of today, we have around $127,500. We are doing everything we can to spend the money.”
Chairperson Carroll asked if the remaining funds provided for the new roofs would be required to be returned. Ms. Harrison explained the Schools hope they can apply the remaining funds on other remaining repairs, but at this time, she could not say if the money would need to be returned.
Drivers’ Education was also a topic of discussion. Mr. Eddie Jordan addressed the board in reference to the driver’s education program. At this time, the classes are all done online through google classroom. Guidelines are given for safety measures during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Dublin Elementary is used to check students’ vision due to safety guidelines.
“We will be right on track,” Jordan stated regarding the projected 426 students completing the driver’s education program this coming summer.
The board approved the consent agenda with EC Contracts, a Lottery Application, and Budget Amendments.
Former board member Barry Lewis received honorable mentions and a plaque for his four years of service to the Board of Education.
Dr. Robert P. Taylor, Bladen County Schools Superintendent, was presented with a plaque and his nameplate because the December meeting was his last as Bladen County Schools Superintendent. Dr. Taylor has accepted a position at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as a Deputy State Superintendent. After many well wishes and words of admiration from the board, Dr. Taylor closed, saying, “All is well and good in Bladen County.”
Update on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.
Following is a press release from Bladen County Schools:
At its December 14, 2020, monthly meeting, the Bladen County Board of Education approved a learning plan for the second semester. Download a PDF copy of the plan here
Based on a review of COVID-19 cases in the county, with a spike being realized after the Thanksgiving Break and an outlook of soaring cases due to the extended break at Christmas, the following recommendation is being made as it relates to the return of students and staff for the beginning of the second semester. Dr. Terri Duncan, Bladen County Health Director, recommended that we consider an extended break from in-person learning as a result of COVID 19 data and projections. Therefore, the following modifications are being recommended for approval:
Phase 1:
The second semester for all students begins on Monday, January 4. All grade levels (PreK-12) will return to school in Plan C (Remote Learning). Teachers and staff will report to the building for work, practicing social distancing, and following all CDC guidelines. Foodservice will be provided following our previous meal delivery service. Plan C would continue for a period of three weeks, ending on Friday, January 22.
Phase 2 (if conditions are favorable based on COVID-19 data, current executive orders by the Governor, and health officials’ feedback):
On Monday, January 25, all students in grades PreK-12 will transition to Plan B, which allows for students to attend two days per week on an AABB schedule, with Wednesdays being used as remote learning day and cleaning day for schools. Parents will still have the option for their children to remain in remote learning.
Phase 3 (if conditions are favorable based on COVID-19 data, current executive orders by the Governor, and health officials’ feedback):
On Monday, February 15, students in grades K-4 will transition to Plan A, which allows for students to attend four days per week, with Wednesdays being used as a remote learning day and cleaning day for schools. Grades 5-12 will continue with Plan B (which is currently the maximum approved level by the Governor’s Office). Parents will still have the option for their children to remain in remote learning.
**Additional progress and changes, such as increasing days for other grade levels, will be contingent on current executive orders and health conditions.**
Related Opinion article:
https://bladencounty.org/opinion-petition-started-to-give-bladen-county-athletes-and-parents-a-voice/
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