Four Schools Still Under Consideration for North Carolina Innovative School District

North Carolina Innovative School District Superintendent Eric Hall updated Board members on the evaluation process currently underway to select up to two schools to join the newly formed school district beginning in the 2018-19 school year.

Based on the evaluation criteria (including data from last school year and trend data from the most recent three years) and meetings with school officials, local leaders and community representatives, the list of schools identified for initial inclusion was narrowed from six to four.

·      Glenn Elementary, Durham Public Schools;

·      Williford Elementary, Nash-Rocky Mount Schools;

·      Willis Hare Elementary, Northampton County Schools; and

·      Southside Ashpole Elementary, Public Schools of Robeson County.

The next step in the process is to analyze the final comprehensive needs assessment reports conducted by DPI staff and continue discussions in each community to finalize a recommendation for the November State Board meeting regarding which schools represent the best opportunities for positive impact through inclusion in the North Carolina Innovative School District.

State Exceeds 300,000 Microsoft Certifications Milestone

North Carolina students and teachers have earned more than 300,000 professional certifications through the state’s Microsoft Imagine Academy, launched seven years ago as the Microsoft IT Academy.

The Microsoft Imagine Academy offers digital access to instructional curriculum and certifications that enable students to learn productivity applications such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access, as well as the fundamental skills necessary in the studies of computer science and information technology infrastructure.

North Carolina’s statewide Microsoft IT Academy was the first in the United States and is still one of the largest in the world. The Department of Public Instruction created the framework for the academy and provided the funding for the implementation so that all public high schools in the state could have access to the content. DPI’s involvement also has ensured that the curriculum materials and supporting resources are aligned with the credential standards and are appropriate for high school students.

In addition to celebrating the 300,000-certification milestone, 36 North Carolina high school students were recognized for placing as the top three finishers in six different categories of the 2017 NC Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) competition.

Principal Bonus Pay Approved

Board members approved performance-based bonuses for principals who qualify based on the Education Value-Added Assessment System (EVAAS) growth index score for the school.

The General Assembly appropriated $7 million for two bonus programs during its 2017 long session (Appropriations Bill 2017-57 Section 8.4).

Principals will receive bonuses if:

• They supervised a school that had a 2016-17 growth score in the top 50 percent of the schools in the state. Bonuses range from $1,000 - $5,000 depending on the school’s statewide growth percentage.
• They supervised a school that either met or did not meet expected growth in 2015-16 but exceeded growth in 2016-17. If the school received a performance grade of A, B or C during 2015-16, the principal will receive a $5,000 bonus. If the school received a D or F school performance grade in 2015-16, the principal will receive a $10,000 bonus. 

Principals in traditional, charter and regional schools are eligible to receive the bonuses if they qualify. They also can receive both bonuses. However, to receive the bonuses they must have been employed prior to July 1, 2017. The bonuses will be paid no later than Oct. 31.

Board members also passed a motion directing the State Board of Education Chairman and State Superintendent to send a letter to the North Carolina General Assembly expressing their appreciation for additional funding for principal pay and stressing the urgency in extending the principal pay hold harmless provision through the 2018-19 school year.

Educators, Students, Staff Recognized

State Board members recognized the following educators, students and staff at their October meeting.

Autumn Lynch, Reaching All Minds Academy Charter School, Durham, Outstanding Participation Recognition in USED 21st Century Community Learning Centers Summer Institute

Carrie Childers, Cumberland County Schools, National 2017 Gifted Coordinator of the Year

Jacqueline Barone, Piedmont Middle School, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, National 2017 Gifted Administrator of the Year

Ryan Catalfu, Green Hope High School, Wake County Schools, 2016 World Champion – 1st Place in MS PowerPoint 2013

Skyler Won, Green Hope High School, Wake County Schools, 2016 Worldwide Top Ten – 2nd Place in MS Excel 2010

Dheya Madhani, Green Hope High School, Wake County Schools, 2017 Worldwide Top Ten – 2nd Place in MS PowerPoint 2016

Forrest Liu, Green Hope High School, Wake County Schools, 2017 Worldwide Top Ten, 4th Place in MS Word 2013

Avi Choksi, Hickory Ridge High School, Cabarrus County Schools, CTE Certiport Winner

Kyle Firman, Green Hope High School, Wake County Schools, CTE Certiport Winner

Sophie Golder, Fuquay-Varina High School, Wake County Schools, CTE Certiport Winner

Arja Kaushal, Green Hope High School, Wake County Schools, CTE Certiport Winner

Ethan Stanley, Harnett Central High School, Harnett County Schools, CTE Certiport Winner

Lane Nickson, Croatan High School, Carteret County Schools, CTE Certiport Winner

Samara Rahman, Croatan High School, Carteret County Schools, CTE Certiport Winner

Board members presented resolutions and crystal apples honoring their dedication and service to State Board of Education Executive Director Martez Hill, Staff Attorney Katie Cornetto and Special Deputy Attorney General Laura Crumpler.