Minutes 04-26-2022 Business Meeting

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