GCS News Briefs

July 2, 2009

GCS Begins New Budget Year

Our new fiscal year started on Wednesday, and as you are probably aware, North Carolina House and Senate leaders have not yet reached an agreement on the state budget. District business will continue, however, as both chambers have passed interim measures to keep government entities like GCS operating. School districts will operate on 85 percent of last year's funding until a new budget is passed, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI).

The GCS Board of Education anticipated the delay, so it adopted an interim resolution last week that will allow us to keep issuing paychecks and paying our bills while the state continues to wrangle with the budget. At this time, both chambers have agreed to a $900 million tax package for the fiscal year and a $1.3 billion tax package for 2010-2011. Details are still being hammered out about this package and what it will mean for school districts, businesses and individual taxpayers.

The legislature also passed Senate Bill 754, which enables North Carolina school districts to use interest-free bonds for school construction, repair and renovation as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), according to NC DPI. The bill was signed into law on June 19. NC DIP says that GCS is one of five North Carolina counties that will receive money directly from the federal government as a result of the bill.

Next week, we plan to bring a large number of interim contracts to the GCS school board for approval at their regularly scheduled meeting on July 7. Based on information we currently have available, the worst-case scenario for GCS in terms of potential state budget cuts is about $40 million. Changes to the class-size allotment formulas remain "up in the air," according to Guilford County state representatives, with proposals ranging from a one to three student increase.

As always, please know that all of us at GCS appreciate your support. We will continue to inform you as new information becomes available and as decisions regarding the budget are made.

Administrative Interim Appointments

• Chief Human Resources Officer – Shirley Morrison has been named interim Chief Human Resources Officer effective July 1, 2009. She is currently the executive director of human resources. She has also served as the executive director of elementary schools, principal at Lindley Elementary and Frazier Elementary, and assistant principal at Smith High.
  

• Chief Student Services Officer – Gwen Willis has been named interim Chief Student Services Officer effective July 1, 2009. She is currently the executive director of student services. She has also served GCS as the executive director of school/community initiatives, a school support officer for special schools, the director of special programs/COMER facilitator and the director of parent/student outreach.

For more information, please contact Dr. Eric Becoats, chief administrative officer, at 378-8838.

Athletics Policies Open for Public Comment

GCS invites the public to comment on new policies and procedures regarding student participation in athletics and coaches. The Guilford County Board of Education approved the first reading of the documents and now asks for the public to submit comments by July 16.

The following policies and procedures are open for comment:

• JI – Student Participation in Interscholastic Athletics
• JI-P – Student Participation in Interscholastic Athletics
• GBDBA – Interscholastic Athletics Coaches
• GBDBA-P – Interscholastic Athletics Coaches

Principals and athletic directors provided input during the development of the policies and procedures. Based on the rules already established by the N.C. High School Athletic Association, the proposed policies and procedures clarify the district’s position on student eligibility to participate in athletics and the process for choosing coaches.

The policies and procedures are posted on the GCS Web site and in district schools and offices during the public comment period. Comments should be submitted by July 16 through e-mail to policies@gcsnc.com or through U.S. Mail to Policy Development, Guilford County Schools, 712 N. Eugene St., Greensboro, NC  27401.

The documents are available for review on the GCS Web site at http://www.gcsnc.com/comments/comments3.htm.

Individuals who have questions should call 370-8340 for assistance.

Sign Up for Summer Reading

Summer Reading is in full swing at your nearest Greensboro Public Library branch. Your children can sign up, set their reading goals and win prizes. It’s a great way to keep your children reading throughout the summer. Research shows that children who read during the summer perform better in the fall when school resumes. For a listing of exciting events, pick up a copy of the Summer Reading Calendar at any Library branch or visit online at www.greensborolibrary.org
 
The Summer Reading Program is sponsored by the Greensboro Public Library. GCS is a co-sponsor, and major funding is provided by the Greensboro Realtors Association. For more information, call the library at 373-3636 or contact Cecilia Adams, manager of community partnerships, at 370-8355.

NewBridge Bank Kicks off “Stock the Schools” on Monday

For the fourth consecutive summer, NewBridge Bank is helping to stock our schools for the 2009-10 school year. Beginning Monday, July 6, people can drop off purchased school supplies at NewBridge Bank offices and Panera Bread restaurants throughout Guilford County. The program, which runs through Aug. 10, provides Guilford County Schools (GCS) teachers with classroom supplies to help reduce the amount of supplies teachers often pay for themselves.

A wish list made by GCS teachers includes colored pencils, invisible tape, easels or art drawing books, tissues, hand sanitizer, rubber bands, construction paper, loose leaf paper, pencil pouches, small calculators, book bags and more.

All supplies donated to Guilford County locations will be delivered to the Teacher Supply Warehouse, where GCS teachers can shop for free. The Warehouse re-opens Aug. 11. For more information, contact Cecilia Adams, manager of community partnerships, at 370-8355.

GCSTV 2

The Latest News from GCS

GCSTV2 Newsbreak

GCSTV 2- Watch live on the Web

GCS Success Stories

See the stories of GCS seniors whose hard work, dedication and dedication led them to graduation day, sometimes despite the odds.
Watch Now

Graduation Gallery

Highlights of GCS Graduations

Watch Them HERE

GCSTV 2 Media Center

A Library of GCS News
GCS Newsbreaks-Media Center

Newsbreak Update
Health officials address health and environmental concerns at Oak Ridge Elementary

Also on GCSTV 2:

On Stage

Guilford County students show off their many talents in this entertainment showcase sponsored annually by the Guilford Education Alliance.  This program runs nightly at 8 p.m.

Watch GCS Board of Education Meetings On Your Schedule

In addition to live telecasts of GCS Board of Education meetings, the meetings are now available for watching on-line anytime.
Watch Now

Tdap Alert – Vaccinations Required to Attend School:

GCSTV 2 NEWS ALERT-Tdap  These NEWS ALERTS run at 10 a.m., 11:16 a.m., and 7 p.m.  

New Rules for Kindergarten:

Kindergarten Kickoff Newsbreak Video

New Regional Superintendents:

New Regional Superintendents Named

GCSTV 2 Programming Guide

Find out what else is showing on GCSTV 2 here: GCSTV 2 Programming Guide

A Country Star Sings for GCS

American Idol contestant and country music star Kellie Pickler has a special message for GCS students on a recent visit to Oak Ridge Elementary.  This public service announcement can be seen daily at noon and 6 p.m.

NASA 360

NASA explores new frontiers in science, helping to develop and inspire technological innovation.  This program runs daily at 3:35 a.m., 9:02 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Showcase Your Talent on GCSTV 2

GCSTV 2 is now accepting student, faculty, staff or parent produced programming.  See the Details for submissions here or Watch the video.

GCSTV 2 & ABC-45

GCS continues its partnership with ABC-45 television to share current news and feature stories about our district. These Newsbreak segments are broadcast on ABC-45 (Cable Channel 7) during Good Morning America each Wednesday and Friday at 7:25 a.m. and 8:25 a.m.

For more information, please contact Leonard Simpson, GCSTV 2 production manager, at 370-8167.