OCS Board News | March 2024
News from the Board -- March 12, 2024
Posted by Jessica Wells on 3/14/2024 11:30:00 AM
The Onslow County Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on March 12 at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. Agenda items included an update from Instructional Services and a Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation.
After a Good News Spotlight, which highlighted the accomplishments of OCS students and staff, and a public comment period with 8 speakers, the meeting’s general business was discussed.
Dr. Chris Barnes, OCS chief academic officer, accompanied by Will Laine, executive director of secondary education, and Dr. Mark Bulris, executive director of elementary education, presented to the Board information on the district’s accreditation process.
The current accreditation process started in the spring/summer of 2023 with orientation and training. In the fall, staff completed a self-assessment, conducted learning environment observations, administered stakeholder surveys, and collected student performance data. From October 2023 to January 2024, staff analyzed their findings, and a report was submitted to the reviewing company, Cognia, in February. Final reports from Cognia on the accreditation status and findings on OCS will be shared with the district by July 2024. The key characteristics analyzed include Culture of Learning, Leadership for Learning, Engagement of Learning, and Growth in Learning.
In its final order of business, the Board issued a proclamation, recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
In his comments at the end of the meeting, Chairman Ken Reddic tasked the Policy Committee with reexamining Policy 2310, regarding the public comment period, to better conduct public business.
News from the Board -- March 6, 2024
Posted by Jessica Wells on 3/7/2024 12:55:00 PM
The Onslow County Board of Education met in special session on Wednesday, March 6, to discuss the purpose, membership and structure of the proposed District Community Advisory Council.
Chairman Ken Reddic led the meeting, asking Board members for their thoughts on creating such a council and what purpose the council will serve.
The discussion started with one Board member’s idea of creating a new council, made up of community members, parents, and staff, which would meet regularly to discuss big-picture topics and provide feedback on information shared by the district.
Other Board members voiced concerns about creating an all-new council when there are committees and community groups already in place that serve much of the same purpose.
Chairman Reddic shared that some of the Board’s options moving forward include joining existing community councils outside of the district, gathering input from the community on this type of council, modifying existing councils the district already has, and other options shared by Board members.
After discussion, Board member Louis Rogers made a motion to meet at a future date to continue the discussion to establish the purpose, membership and structure of such a council. The motion passed 4-3, with members Lanier, Williams and Reddic in opposition.