The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education heard an update on Future Ready initiatives during their meeting on Tuesday night.
Five years into its current strategic plan, WS/FCS is prioritizing three key initiatives to foster student success – promotion and prevention strategies, inclusionary practices, and deeper learning. These strategies are being implemented district-wide through a wide variety of measures, including the code of character, conduct, and support, the North Carolina Portrait of a Graduate, programs that facilitate interaction between EC students and their peers in other classes, and numerous professional development opportunities for teachers and staff.
Superintendent Tricia McManus spent time during the update dispelling myths about these initiatives, such as the removal of consequences in disciplinary processes and removal of exceptional students from dedicated classes, and drew attention to positive impacts that she’s observed in classrooms as educators have gotten more comfortable with new standards.
Moving forward, McManus emphasized that the most important factor for the success of Future Ready initiatives will be accountability. She and Executive Director of Systems of Coherence & Strategic Planning Alexandra Hoskins presented plenty of data from resources like the Panorama survey that show progress in these projects. The district will continue to communicate with stakeholders, reevaluate its methods, and make the most of its strategic planning goals.
“75% of initiatives fail due to execution,” McManus said. “This plan is really about making sure we’re providing support, but also accountability. It’s about holding ourselves accountable to doing what we say we’re going to do.”
Also on the board’s agenda for the evening were:
A piano performance by Randy Valverde-Justo of Reynolds High School
Recognition of the board members for earning a Silver Bell Award from the North Carolina School Board Association
Updates on the bell schedule committee and classified market study proposal for county fund use
Approval of a new contract with Research Triangle Institute International, an amendment to the North State Company Police agreement, renaming the Reynolds High School greenhouse as the Glenn Perryman Greenhouse, and several other action items
The Board of Education will meet again on Tuesday, October 22 at 6:30 pm.