Orange County NC Website
2 <br /> 1 approval, under the guise of closing the achievement gap when we all know it is just a lever for <br /> 2 the failing equity agenda. How many teachers want to endure more SEL training to their already <br /> 3 heavy workload. Is that one million dollars going to be well spent, ask yourself is that investment <br /> 4 going to retain teachers, is that money going to directly impact our student's achievement and <br /> 5 mental health? Are these Band-Aids or working at the root of the problem? Let's face the facts <br /> 6 that with a 19% attrition rate some things will have to wait until these priorities are addressed. <br /> 7 So we need you to work with the district and come up with a real plan? Year 1 of the OCS <br /> 8 strategic plan has a goal at Cedar Ridge to go from 12% proficiency in Math 1 to 50%, will that <br /> 9 goal will be reached with the loses we are seeing? <br /> 10 All these issues happened under your watch, from decisions you helped make, policies and <br /> 11 contracts you all voted for, money that you spent. We need change, the pandemic is over, that <br /> 12 is not a scapegoat anymore. We can't deny there is an increase in mental health issues this <br /> 13 year including self harm and suicide ideation, compare the numbers to last year when kids were <br /> 14 locked down, now they are back to school and mental health is worse. The constant barrage <br /> 15 that kids will die or cause someone else to die from covid, instilling fear of wearing a mask to be <br /> 16 safe, bullying those that don't wear one coming from teachers and students, the propaganda on <br /> 17 walls, doors and floors to vaccinate, keep a distance is harmful to everyone's mental health, it's <br /> 18 all part of the problem. You are going to see mental health data at the joint meeting this week, <br /> 19 it's unacceptable. Why? What is going on? Is it coming from the climate at schools, COVID <br /> 20 polices and protocols the school board has implemented or the loss of amazing teachers? What <br /> 21 can we do to help address these tough issues, our children are failing, their mental health is <br /> 22 declining, teachers are getting out. This is not just a school issue it is a community issue. It's <br /> 23 past time to have open adult conversations with the community immediately. My kids have been <br /> 24 in OCS schools since K, I have seen the changes over the years, why are we off the rails? We <br /> 25 are counting the days til graduation." <br /> 26 <br /> 27 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br /> 28 (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) <br /> 29 <br /> 30 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members <br /> 31 Commissioners Richards, McKee, Bedford, Hamilton, and Greene had no comments. <br /> 32 Commissioner Fowler gave updates on three meetings that she recently attended. She <br /> 33 said the ABC board is doing well and there are two new stores coming online: one in Southern <br /> 34 Village and one in Mebane. She said the stores have been slightly delayed due to supply chain <br /> 35 issues. She said regarding TARPO, she learned that the National Electric Vehicle Charging <br /> 36 Station's goal is to put one every fifteen miles along interstates. She said she serves on the <br /> 37 Library Taskforce and that they just had their first meeting. She said the goal of the task force is <br /> 38 to develop a Memorandum of Understanding with Chapel Hill Public Library for interoperability <br /> 39 with the county's library. <br /> 40 Chair Price said the groundbreaking for the 203 Project is set for 4 pm on May 5, 2022. <br /> 41 She said she attended the Occoneechee Village rededication on Saturday and that it was a very <br /> 42 nice celebration. She said there are two transportation related items on the meeting agenda. <br /> 43 She said the draft FY23 Orange County transit work program proposal is available for public <br /> 44 comment through May 11, 2022. She asked that this be incorporated with the transit items for <br /> 45 how it all fits together. <br /> 46 <br /> 47 <br />