TCS to return fully to in person learning 21/22
The Thomasville City School board opened the June 1 session with no citizens’ requests. The board, led by James Carmichael, welcomed new board member Elizabeth Irizarry de Toro, who was appointed to the Board of Education by the Thomasville City Council at its April meeting.
Agenda items included Superintendent Dr. Cate Gentry, who went on to wish a “Happy Last Week of School Year.” She noted the graduation ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 5. No details were shared about the ceremony at this meeting.
Gentry offered a “special word of congratulations” to the class of 2021. “I think this time last year we were all hopeful our seniors would have a normal senior year,” Gentry reminded. She called the students “model kids as we have gotten through these past few months.”
The system is opting for in-person learning for the 2021/22 school year.
The presentation to the board stated that “in-person for 2021/22 school year 196 completed the survey after two announcements from our office and additional communication at the school level. These small numbers would make it virtually impossible to dedicate teachers specifically to virtual learning given the current allotments and no allotment increase. It would be my recommendation to discontinue a virtual-only program given the low numbers.”
The board approved, as part of the consent agenda, a proposal from Yadkin Valley Career Academy regarding Extracurricular Participation. Noting “All Valley Academy students’ athletic eligibility and ability to participate in high school athletics including cheerleading, shall be governed and determined in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.”
The board approved a quote from PureAir HVAC Assessment, which included an HVAC Hygiene Assessment mandated by the state. While the school will not close for cleaning days, the system will continue health cleanings and PACS Building Health Check Information.
https://thomasville.schoolboard.net/sites/nc.thomasville.schoolboard.net/files/hvac-hygiene-assessment_brochure.pdf
A presentation by Dr. Chris Kennedy addressed learning loss in accordance with the approval of the ESSER III Budget. This third round of COVID funding for the school system focuses on combating learning lost during the pandemic. The proposal included a planning allotment of $9,646,964.00 and a Learning loss minimum allotment of $1,929,392.80.of federal stimulus funds
Additionally, the board approved the 2021/22 Back to School Plan presented by Dr. Kennedy. Kennedy noted that as part of the ESSER III requirements, the system is required to post a plan. Currently, the plan is to return to school five days a week without a virtual option except when remote instruction is mandated as part of state instruction. He noted the system plans to follow any executive order at the time including mask requirements. Transportation will resume regular operation.
The session closed following numerous budget amendments.
