NHC Board of Education moves attendance policy discussion to July, clarifies graduation policy

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The New Hanover County Board of Education met on Tuesday, June 7 at 5 p.m. to discuss graduation policies, the budget and other issues.

An updated attendance policy would allow for any high school student who misses class to do makeup work. Currently, high school students are only guaranteed the opportunity to make up missed work for excused absences and other specific circumstances. Most makeup work is also limited to a specified time period defined by the teacher, and only at-risk students can make up missed classes during non-school hours.

The updated policy outlines the Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS), created to intervene when students miss class and get them back on track. Teachers would be able to assign makeup work to students and set deadlines, and parents will continue to be notified of excessive absences.

However, this policy was moved to the July meeting since it had just been discussed at a policy meeting earlier that day.

As for other new business, the board reviewed and approved the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Local Application for the next fiscal year. The NHCS CTE offers career programs for students and currently serves over 6,000 middle school students and 9,000 high school students in the county according to the presentation.

The graduation requirements policy was updated to more clearly mention the six additional credits required locally to graduate. The updated policy also outlines how middle school students can earn high school credit, and the credits required to advance from each grade to the next in high school.

The board approved the updated Academically/Intellectually Gifted program plan for 2022-2025 with the goal of reducing inequities in the system. NHCS has set out to reach this goal through more collaboration with English Language Learner staff, training on development of underrepresented populations and adjusting the nomination process for the AIG program.

The board also approved the reformation of the AIG program board, which had stopped meeting following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Hanover County Board of Education meetings can be watched live in-person at 1805 S 13th Street or online at NHCSTV. You can watch the full recording of this meeting on YouTube, and eventually on the NHCS website.

Copyright 2022 WECT. All rights reserved.