Public Comments

Proposed 2010-2011 Traditional Calendar

At its November 10 meeting, the Board of Education reviewed four calendar options for the 2010-2011 school year. The Board voted to post all four calendar options for a 30-day public comment period. To view these options, click on the following links:

Option 1
Option 2   
Option 3
Option 4

As part of our process and to encourage a productive dialogue within our community, the Board of Education would like to receive feedback from interested individuals before final approval.

Input on this item may be made to gcscomments@gcsnc.com or via courier or U.S. mail to District Relations Department, ATTN: Calendar Options, Guilford County Schools, 712 North Eugene Street, Greensboro, NC 27401. The district will be receiving comments until December 10, 2009.

Proposed Autism Wings from the 2008 School Bond

GCS is considering changes to the proposed autism wings that were part of the 2008 School Bond referendum. The original proposal approved by voters included three autism wings that would serve approximately 48 students each.

The Building Advisory Team, which consists of parent and community representatives, staff members and board members, is recommending reducing the number of autism wings from three to two; increasing the size of each wing to accommodate more children and placing one of the wings at Ragsdale High and the other at a location to be determined.

The recommendations come after the team has reviewed a variety of data, including where students with the most intensive needs live within the county. The team also looked at the costs associated with the autism wings. Highly impacted children have communication, cognitive and behavioral needs that require costly materials and supplies such as augmentative communication devices, sensory equipment and gross motor equipment.

The team also feels that there would be a stronger sense of community for families, staff and support agencies.

Approximately 97 percent of students with disabilities are currently served in traditional schools, either in general education or self-contained classrooms. This includes 95 percent of students with autism.

Over the next several weeks, staff will be out in the community meeting with parents about the proposed autism wings. A joint meeting is scheduled on November 18 at 6 p.m. between the Autism Society, GCS staff and Building Advisory Team members. The meeting will take place in the EC Training Room at 120 Franklin Blvd. in Greensboro.

Community members have 30 days to comment about the Building Advisory Team’s proposal. To make comments, send an e-mail to gcscomments@gcsnc.com or via courier or U.S. mail to District Relations Department, ATTN: Autism Wings Comments, Guilford County Schools, 712 North Eugene Street, Greensboro, NC 27401. The district will be receiving comments until December 10, 2009.

Legislative Agenda

At its November 10 meeting, the Board of Education approved to post the proposed 2009-10 legislative agenda to be posted for a 30-day public comment period. The agenda includes a No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Reauthorization Position Paper, which states that the legislation should be modified.

Other topics outlined in the legislative agenda include critical state funding issues, barriers to Minority Women Business Enterprise (MWBE), support for high-quality employees, the classified pay scale, pre-kindergarten programs and local board operation and authority.

To view the Legislative Agenda, click here.

The view the NCLB position paper, click here.

Input on this item may be made to gcscomments@gcsnc.com or via courier or U.S. mail to District Relations Department, ATTN: Legislative Agenda, Guilford County Schools, 712 North Eugene Street, Greensboro, NC 27401. The district will be receiving comments through December 10, 2009.

Revisions to Policy JCDAD, Student Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination-Free Environment

At its December 10 meeting, the Board of Education approved to place changes made to Policy JCDAD, Student Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination-Free Environment out for a 30-day public comment period.

The policy was adopted by the board in June. The proposed changes are in alignment with the School Violence Prevention Act (S.L. 2009-212), which was adopted by the General Assembly during last year’s legislative session. The Act creates a new Article in Chapter 115C which pertains specifically to bullying in schools.

Attachment #1 - Revised Draft Policy JCDAD, Student Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Free Environment
Attachment #2 - Current Policy JCDAD, Student Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Free Environment
Attachment #3 - Current Procedure JCDAD-P, Student Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Free Environment

Input on this item may be made to gcscomments@gcsnc.com or via courier or U.S. mail to District Relations Department, ATTN: Bullying Policy, Guilford County Schools, 712 North Eugene Street, Greensboro, NC 27401. The district will be receiving comments through December 10, 2009.