[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6361835,"mediaKeyId","2169641-0d31e5833509147a462610270aef377f","parentId",2169641,"title","Votes at a glance: Board approves makeup days and several calendar/policy items; drug‑policy change fails","audioSeconds",363,"startMs",6613000,"endMs",6976000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2169641-0d31e5833509147a462610270aef377f&start=6613&end=6976","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2169641-0d31e5833509147a462610270aef377f/thumbnail_6613000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6361835/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Board-approves-makeup-days-and-several-calendarpolicy-items-drugpolicy-change-fails","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361835-ed90ae7501b2420b3a33269e2f7b1733/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152448&Signature=Z~RYNBuTvjgPx-cMQFam3gJSbKybhsQQPSpD8fWbmKuhZLOSBZTo06NVVZ2gRfd~X9sbRlNeh0O-Qon0CKlCQC7O9E14pdyhXGmPp0i5XUMRv0OraTMESl94tOKkAZwkDf0DF0dYkYexo3o7dEOlvAjH~e3yfkQQofQ9uQm6Cx7KM0otyirw-q1NGaoRf4~TUGo707II6e6iyrFpty9aenbJ08gUa04EXQY9giPJIkLK9NjrhVrR2OXG~Pa0UfBGQBrGGcsBbnkCjUhqZasSAuc3JrhM65whF0xeTxiROwvkiQIB4Om1sjh9arIReLyziZ0wnUEUCUDTjUpbHIpiqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools, NC","date","2025-01-29T14:54:21Z","article","At its Jan. 28 meeting the Winston‑Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education recorded the following formal actions and outcomes.

Votes at a glance

- Naming of Glenn High School softball scoreboard after Barbara Stanley Volcan(o/Volcano): Motion by Board Member Crowley, second by Board Member Brown Gaither; passed unanimously. Public introduction and supporter testimony reported Mrs. Stanley funded several scoreboards and facility improvements at Glenn; the board approved the naming.

- Plan to make up instructional hours for the 2024–25 school year (choose end‑of‑year makeup days rather than adding 15 minutes to every day): Motion to keep makeup days at the end of the year (rather than add 15 minutes daily). Motion moved and seconded; outcome: passed 8–1. The adopted approach keeps the three makeup days at the end of the school year rather than extending daily schedules and preserves current testing and graduation scheduling with the reteaching/retesting plan to be handled in follow‑up implementation details.

- Amended Early Middle College academic calendar for 2025–26 (substitute motion removing August 12 start date): Substitute motion by Board Member Crowley to approve the amended calendar but remove the August 12, 2025 start date; seconded; outcome: passed 7–2. The board voted to add the December 19 and May 22 student days but not the August 12 start.

- Policy 6145 (sponsored extra‑class activities): Motion to approve proposed changes; passed unanimously. Board meeting minutes note the change primarily aligns district practice with state requirements for sponsored extra‑class activities.

- Policy 4116.3 (Staff rights and responsibilities / drug‑free workplace): Motion to approve proposed changes to allow conditional hiring for some pre‑employment THC positives was moved and seconded; after extended public comment and board discussion, the motion failed (vote count not specified in the transcript). The district’s existing practice (applicants who test positive are ineligible for six months) remains in effect.

- Policy 5127.7/5127.1 (early graduation): Motion and second; passed unanimously.

Other items: The board approved the general personnel report and consent agenda items without recorded objection. Several informational presentations (Open Gate pilot, RIDES bus expectations, superintendent’s update) were given; no procurement action for Open Gate units was taken at this meeting.

The board asked staff to return at the next meeting with final audit numbers and grant award status related to Open Gate procurement, and several members requested clarified AR language, numeric thresholds and follow‑up test timing should the drug‑testing policy be reconsidered.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting 1-28-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved several agenda items on Jan. 28, including end‑of‑year makeup days and several calendar and policy adjustments; a proposed change to the district’s drug‑testing policy failed after public comment.","taxTitle","Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",46520,"location","North Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361840,"WSFCS unveils 'RIDES' bus expectations, formalizes driver‑to‑administrator discipline loop",226,3768000,3994000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2169641-0d31e5833509147a462610270aef377f&start=3768&end=3994","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2169641-0d31e5833509147a462610270aef377f/thumbnail_3768000.jpg","/articles/6361840/North-Carolina/WSFCS-unveils-RIDES-bus-expectations-formalizes-drivertoadministrator-discipline-loop","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361840-420a77f9de0ea43a2792cae42f2b6e4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152448&Signature=neqOhkfLO6Srupo8yNwhKEwdD2SoKyoeAIhl4kd6c87vCDyv-L6VAg758JUcMernm4ORSzgJgHY3cdydezZCEMALQC0VZc5VenS71USAcyha7gSHTniwEOEnEmB9Z~gP5XtcmggMlupKfRwic4vxAfhK92onfFeicicrJNM-xnUcA9ysT4NU~j15MgU2~gCUifFmd7Irthha3dUG76bbjZx-EdeaI28FVQkd6KHdjeF-ZrrzQUNqW8BXqWl~UQjOpJY-ddeU6HHaCSAAnolz7I27G1~go~QdA9Jpx4bFOMFZUF28eSPO7G0-qFm4j08F9Ek58FXVJ3wJZmgzfnVqPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assistant Superintendent Frederica Stokes and Shannon Dobson, director of Behavior Intervention and Support, presented the district’s new bus expectations framework — called RIDES (Responsibility, Integrity, Discipline, Excellence, Safety) — developed with transportation staff since September.

Dobson said lesson plans and student videos were created and rolled out to families and staff, and that schools completed classroom lessons and driver professional development; a media event preceded a Feb. 3 full launch. The initiative pairs a bus‑specific discipline matrix with the district’s Code of Character, Conduct and Support and adds a short merit form that drivers can use weekly to mark students demonstrating RIDES behaviors. \"What gets recognized gets repeated,\" Dobson told the board.

The program formalizes how drivers report incidents to school administrators and how administrators return feedback to drivers. Staff described steps to \"close the discipline loop\": drivers submit a discipline write‑up, administrators log incidents in the schoolwide tracking system (Educators Handbook) and administrators notify families and drivers of outcomes. The district said supervisors will monitor the data to identify trends and positive recognition opportunities.

Board members asked how drivers were included in developing the program; Dobson said drivers participated in virtual sessions, surveys and calibration meetings and that ongoing professional development continues. Several members questioned whether the discipline‑matrix escalations were appropriate for bus settings, noting drivers have fewer behavioral management tools than classroom teachers. Dobson acknowledged that bus settings are a \"moving classroom\" and said the escalation framework was designed with that constraint in mind.

Staff emphasized the program is not separate from the Code of Conduct but rather an application of district discipline expectations to the bus environment. Implementation steps include driver professional development, student lessons, family communication and weekly merit collection; staff said these recording practices will begin immediately with a formal monitoring cadence after Feb. 3.","District staff described a new bus conduct framework (R.I.D.E.S.: Responsibility, Integrity, Discipline, Excellence, Safety), discipline matrix integration with school systems, merits for positive behavior and training for drivers; implementation scheduled Feb. 3.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361845,"WSFCS presents Open Gate weapons‑detection pilot; board weighs grant and fund‑balance options",580,4533000,5113000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2169641-0d31e5833509147a462610270aef377f&start=4533&end=5113","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2169641-0d31e5833509147a462610270aef377f/thumbnail_4533000.jpg","/articles/6361845/North-Carolina/WSFCS-presents-Open-Gate-weaponsdetection-pilot-board-weighs-grant-and-fundbalance-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361845-28be154912f13d7f4de1cb63aa5dbd2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152448&Signature=GD55E8NxJlWrVdk3yLVGH1rrms9AnyxRq25dN8qIQgUVosRyFByMsI71ScH2EL2n1voVhQLEVTx27xXyk4JWRv9VF45GCoNp4H5Q3zgsiLbtzgX9wLUSvCX1SK3w5bNO-DQYgG4J5MP9YJMcSS4K~UAWlEWj3sxcIkGUFLafvQkj8Q4D-RMRRrWXhZ~zkOHaqinpdm3~odKfUDzm7kIuf-k2ovWWhizCZMOQehRRfn3c1yjT0rmy-ygzd8fNX94ZUlh6XJ18LjzUx0m0EKFfv6N7UzRyjGcDgpaoscxbtYK3~XiaIgMnkah6R-ZFkkpFkqX~6On15ZK93cFMFQ8nkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Winston‑Salem/Forsyth County Schools staff returned to the board on Jan. 28 to expand on last year’s pilot of an Open Gate weapons‑detection system intended as a less intrusive alternative to traditional metal detectors.

Security Director Chad Williams and technical partner Brent Cook described the system’s capabilities: two lightweight towers that screen people without requiring backpacks or purses to be divested, battery operation, fast setup and an average throughput of about 300 students per 15 minutes per unit. \"They don't have to take their backpacks off. They don't have to lay their purses down,\" Williams said. Brent Cook added the units are roughly 90% faster than traditional metal detectors in their pilot experience and carry a two‑year manufacturer warranty.

Staff presented rough cost and deployment estimates. Brent Cook gave a consolidated figure for the proposed purchase and installation as about $1.881 million (tax and installation included) for a larger rollout discussed during the meeting; Williams said there are no recurring subscription fees for the units. Superintendent Tricia McManus told the board that the district applied for a state safer‑schools equipment grant (the district sought about $500,000 under that application) and that the district’s draft audit shows an available fund balance around $11,000,000 — a number the board said it wants to preserve but could use in part for security purchases if the grant does not cover the full cost.

Board members raised operational questions. Several members said Open Gate performs better than traditional detectors in speed and student experience; others asked about open campus high schools where perimeter control and multiple access points complicate single‑entry screening. Williams said Open Gate is one layer of a multi‑layer strategy that includes cameras, keypads and community programs; he said open campuses may require additional measures such as keypad scheduling or fencing where feasible.

Board members also asked about procurement and timeline. Vice Chair Bohannon and others said the district initially purchased traditional detectors with state grant money because Open Gate units were cost‑lier at the time; the board discussed whether combining grant funding and fund balance would permit a faster system‑wide deployment. Staff explained the grant — if awarded — would cover an estimated portion and was limited by the grant terms (the state grant as applied would allow purchase of equipment for middle schools under the current grant structure). Members asked for the final audit to appear at the next meeting so the board can consider action promptly rather than wait for an uncertain grant schedule.

No formal board action on purchasing Open Gate units occurred at the meeting; staff characterized the presentation as informational and said they would return with award results and final cost breakdowns once the audit and grant awards are confirmed.","District security staff showed results from an Open Gate weapons‑detection pilot, describing throughput, portability and costs. Staff and board members discussed grant timing, fund balance and challenges at open campuses.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361847,"Winston‑Salem/Forsyth board rejects change to pre‑hire THC policy after heated public comment",5833,2125000,7958000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2169641-0d31e5833509147a462610270aef377f&start=2125&end=7958","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2169641-0d31e5833509147a462610270aef377f/thumbnail_2125000.jpg","/articles/6361847/North-Carolina/WinstonSalemForsyth-board-rejects-change-to-prehire-THC-policy-after-heated-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361847-53248f29d72929f16b5b1edfb958d87a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152448&Signature=awn0cj3yZ27bVnu38Oiy95ZssF82i18pIQ1cdCFpmT-8s0zdWWjDLZgEHYJmrl1cm9kyGU7jmDnJvN77NeE7XM1jUD4H8ZPOibaDJ-7Q4c3clTdXmTdyP~mvzTTK4KqYKrF0hka1oKi8MyjbneCZtApM5QVhldJirg5388mlurqbDoleFbOydmsX4E9zcQ4xoWvw~8NcvLudIcJ10qRWIZ6ncE3XNPxUavx9l4DzXVOhBMxxMcoxrq3u8YM29Rr6G18oK-62E9rkHEdASy1ps~h42oRw0en0IbUtTQh6v19cynmu8FuM7HQEkYeTUPLDR1Nm5eZSmylnDsKocyZiyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Winston‑Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education debated proposed changes to Policy 4116.3 (Staff Rights and Responsibilities) that would allow the superintendent or designee to authorize employment for applicants who test positive for cannabis on a pre‑employment drug screen if they agree to conditions including four random drug tests during their first year.

The proposal, introduced by Chief Human Resources Officer Chris Weichart, would have replaced the district’s current six‑month ineligibility period with a conditional‑employment pathway for non‑CDL hires. Weichart said the conditions would include signing an acknowledgement of the district’s drug‑free workplace policy and that the employee would pay for follow‑up testing. \"They'd also have to sign a paper saying they understand our board policy that we are a drug free environment,\" Weichart said.

The draft policy drew extended public comment and technical testimony. Several speakers urged the board to reject the change, arguing it would lower standards for people responsible for students. Public commenter Jason Lucero told the board: \"We should never compromise in allowing competent people to be responsible for our children. Lowering our hiring standards to allow people that fail drug tests is not the answer.\" Myra Bumgarner asked the board to define numerical THC thresholds and warned that contaminated CBD products can cause positive results: \"If it is indeed CBD, the level should be defined medically accepted THC levels found in CBD.\" Teacher and community members said retention and workplace conditions, not relaxed testing, should be the focus.

Medical and treatment perspectives were also offered. A speaker who identified his background in neuroscience and addiction treatment urged the board to consider each case and, when applicable, seek medical verification of prescribed medications rather than impose a blanket rule. Other commenters argued for flexibility for candidates who unknowingly use mislabeled CBD products.

Board members questioned operational details the policy would require: timing and number of follow‑up tests, who would make the authorization decision, and how the district would handle positive follow‑ups. Weichart told the board follow‑up testing would be randomized and noted the district receives numeric lab results that indicate concentrations above the typical 50 ng/mL cutoff. The board also discussed whether the superintendent or the chief human resources officer (or a designee) should hold authority to approve conditional hires.

After debate, a motion to approve the proposed changes to Policy 4116.3 was called and seconded. The board voted; the motion did not pass. The board did not adopt the conditional‑employment language as presented.

The discussion left several open operational questions the board referenced repeatedly: a precise numeric cutoff for THC that would trigger a positive result, the timing of follow‑up tests, and whether the decision to authorize conditional hires should rest exclusively with the superintendent. Several board members asked staff to return with clarified language and enforcement procedures if the board wishes to revisit the issue.

The board’s decision preserves the district’s existing process (applicants who test positive are ineligible for six months under current practice) while signaling interest from some members in further detail on how to distinguish medicinal/prescription positives from recreational use and how to structure a defensible conditional process.

Ending note: the item drew the largest single block of public comment during the meeting and prompted requests from board members for additional analysis and legal review if staff returns a revised proposal.","The Board considered revisions to Policy 4116.3 that would allow some applicants who test positive for THC to be hired under conditions. After public testimony and extended debate, the board voted not to adopt the change.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Board approves makeup days and several calendar/policy items; drug‑policy change fails

WSFCS unveils 'RIDES' bus expectations, formalizes driver‑to‑administrator discipline loop

WSFCS presents Open Gate weapons‑detection pilot; board weighs grant and fund‑balance options

Winston‑Salem/Forsyth board rejects change to pre‑hire THC policy after heated public comment