WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools' Board of Education has approved part of a reentry plan.
The Board of Education voted to phase in reentry for pre-K through first grade beginning on Nov. 2. They will phase in grade levels by staggering reentry weeks.
The board approved the following:
- Exceptional Children and pre-k return in week 1 on Nov. 2
- Kindergarten returns in week 2 on Nov. 9
- First grade returns in week 3 on Nov. 16
Pre-K students were scheduled to return to class Monday under the original plan. That plan was delayed due to the rising COVID-19 infection rate.
The board will make a decision about reentry for other grade levels at their next meeting on Nov. 17.
The board was split on the decision to approve reentry for some students.
The board was expected to also discuss the search for a new superintendent and a budget resolution.
Multiple members of the Winston-Salem community expressed their concerns for the upcoming decision(s) for school reentry.
Some were for, some against school reopening.
Those who signed up for comment were given one minute to speak.
“Parents, teachers, and even students should have the choice to learn in-person,” Amy Grubbs said during public comment. “I realize this virus is real and people are scared.”
Rhonda Mays highlighted the search for a new superintendent during public comment.
“As you get ready to do this search, I would ask that you go and look at your second and third pick from the previous superintendent search,” Rhonda Mays said.
Mays believes any funds that might be used in the search for a new superintendent could be spent on “other things”.
“We don’t need to spend that kind of money on the next search for a superintendent,” she said.
Kelly Easton expressed her concern for school reopening when addressing the board.
“I encourage you to be very considerate when you make decisions for our children,” Easton said.
The board highlighted student assignment priorities for school reentry.
Priorities include balancing utilization, maximizing student proximity to schools, demographic balancing, access to programs, financial impact and more.
The board gave an overview of the selection process for a new superintendent.
The process includes selecting an interim superintendent, gaining feedback from members of the community regarding goals, qualities and qualifications they would look for, establishing a timeline and more.
The board also addressed the idea of having a search committee for upcoming selection and said the overall process could take between 3-6 months for completion.
You can see a full agenda from the meeting on the district’s website.
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