The North Thurston Public Schools’ (NTPS) Board of Directors voted on several policies and personnel changes in its June meeting. The board also approved updates on advanced academics policies and heard an update on Career and Technical Education (CTE).
The meeting was preceded by a closed session to evaluate retiring Superintendent Dr. Debra Clemens.
In the ongoing updates to the district’s Executive Limitations policies, the board voted to approve EL-10.5, Advanced Academic Programs. This policy delineates requirements that the superintendent must uphold for “adopting culturally responsive advanced preparatory program(s) that enable all students to achieve the Board’s Ends policies,” according to the report.
Details include a policy on “Highly Capable Programs,” which provides students in grades K-12 the opportunity to “accelerate learning and enhance instruction.” Another policy states, “The Board recognizes the need for all high school students to have greater access to rigorous advanced courses, including dual credit options.”
Director for CTE Brad Hooper presented the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Skilled and Technical Sciences Curricula Reviews. It included updated curriculum frameworks to ensure teaching to industry standards and updated terminology to reflect ever-changing technology.
Hooper explained that the CTE program reviews courses in a five-year cycle of categories: “skilled & technical sciences, STEM & health sciences, family & consumer sciences, business & marketing, and agriculture.” The Skilled and Technical Sciences offerings range from photography and art to automotive to electronics, construction, and woodworking.
He noted that the district offers 113 CTE dual credit courses. “It’s important that we have a robust program so our students can continue at the next level.”
The board unanimously approved a block of 19 measures, including contractual service agreements, approvals, and authorizations. Clemens and her staff reported to the board that “all measures are in compliance with board policy and state law.”
They also voted to approve a lengthy list of personnel actions, including hires, transfers, resignations, and retirements.
The board gave itself top marks (“in-compliance") on its Self-Monitoring Assessment of the global board/superintendent relationship.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here