OCS Board News | January 2022

 

The Onslow County Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on January 4 at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. Agenda items included the 2022-2023 calendar, an instructional technology highlight, a CKLA update, and a closed session regarding a personnel matter.  

After a Good News Spotlight segment full of staff recognitions and 3 speakers during the public comment period, the meeting’s general business opened with a vote on the 2022-2023 school calendar.  

OCS Chief Communications Officer Brent Anderson presented to the Board a brief overview of the calendar creation process and shared that previously presented drafts had been shared with staff and stakeholders for feedback. Notable adjustments include the decision to move Northwoods Elementary School back to a year-round calendar and to keep Clyde Erwin Elementary on the traditional calendar. The Board unanimously approved the calendar as presented.  

Next on the agenda was a presentation from Chief Technology Officer Jeff Pittman. He shared with the Board an overview of the tasks and goals of the IT department as it works to support instruction and business in the district. The OCS IT department consists of three main areas of support: instructional services, technical services and student information services. IT supports more than 30,000 computers/devices, 800+ network switches, 2,000+ wireless access points, 1,800+ phones, intercoms and classroom technology. In the area of instruction, Mr. Pittman said it is the goal of his department to impact accessibility, equity, portability, engagement, and more that can benefit the quality of instruction students receive. In the area of business, he said his department aims to streamline communication, improve efficiency, ensure cybersecurity, and save money. 

After the IT presentation, Instructional Services staff took to the podium to give an update on CKLA, the district’s comprehensive K-5 literacy curriculum. CKLA teaches reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, comprehension, and more, all while building vocabulary and knowledge in literature, history, and the sciences. This curriculum was implemented starting in the 2021-2022 school year and staff and students are already seeing positive outcomes after just a few months.  

Representatives from Richlands Elementary School, including a 3rd grade student, attested to the benefits of CKLA, saying that it has not only helped students make great strides in literacy, but has provided vast vocabulary and background knowledge learning opportunities.  
Next steps in the CKLA implementation process include continuing professional development, analyzing mid-year data, and responding to teacher needs and questions.  

In the meeting’s last order of business, the Board went into closed session to discuss a personnel matter. Upon returning from closed session, the Board unanimously voted to direct the school board attorney to draft a letter of censure against Board member Eric Whitfield by the February 2022 meeting.  

In his closing remarks, OCS Superintendent Barry Collins thanked the Board for their work, in light of January being Board Appreciation Month, and thanked the staff for their continuous dedication.