[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6478421,"mediaKeyId","5709000-60178365d958db9086c27167df7056a5","parentId",5709000,"title","Public raises concerns about inclusion of The Kite Runner and district compliance with HB 805","audioSeconds",866,"startMs",2128000,"endMs",2994000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5709000-60178365d958db9086c27167df7056a5&start=2128&end=2994","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5709000-60178365d958db9086c27167df7056a5/thumbnail_2128000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6478421/North-Carolina/Public-raises-concerns-about-inclusion-of-The-Kite-Runner-and-district-compliance-with-HB-805","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478421-c80f1c54cdc41001dae7acf98e846d7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775727266&Signature=TYFaC1EwvLwtK7-IpsidZpg16klmPiwBl5f~WPLSuQymcU7N3y4Wfx08xUwoIi48nQPmBTLgAsYydKjlDMKZwibxLJU-1HyjsaZa22Nrl-06tt~hyIIYfYBRXid5lGAo22n4uof6~whQNXuhIVdgREDzNy-FCA0Rm~P-Im7lIYDwgbI-s2dPFxmrJdQLrqJrUFAC7PRicUx0r8VKIcCW9~KHXdl~qSL7qFd3hUIvh0JEpoefiJfoXWrkNFRil3V2GaUMNMucrGH44x4YczJgD2f3m~JumsgzPQC83Zb~wmPivTfda7eqLGP5aMOWUbUKSgJ4HLMRl7wsga9-OzTBsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wake County Schools","date","2025-09-02T23:54:07.847Z","article","Public commenters at Tuesday\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s Wake County Board of Education meeting criticized the presence of Khaled Hosseini's novel The Kite Runner in a high school English curriculum and urged the board to adopt policies to comply with recent state law changes, including HB 805.

One speaker read a selection from The Kite Runner and described the excerpt as \"deeply troubling,\" saying the novel's content is too dark for high school students and leaves readers with a \"profound sense of hopelessness.\" The speaker called for the board to adopt alternative, more uplifting titles and said she looked forward to district policies that would allow parental exemptions where assigned readings conflict with personal beliefs.

In a separate comment, Becky Lou Hobbs cited HB 805 and said the district must revise local policies to comply with the law, which she summarized as requiring that (1) parents be given advanced notice about specific classroom instruction, discussions, activities and assigned readings so they may opt students out; (2) online access to library catalogs be available from a school\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s homepage; and (3) private spaces for children be provided on overnight field trips. Hobbs said the policy committee discussed some changes but that \"many critical policies remain untouched\" and the district was not yet fully compliant.

Why it matters: The comments reflect community concern about curriculum content and parental notification. Board members earlier acknowledged the state law changes and said some policy revisions were under way; a speaker cited a recent Wake County Educational Committee decision that denied a parent's request to remove The Kite Runner from a high school curriculum.

Board response and next steps: The transcript records that the policy committee discussed required changes and that some policy revisions will appear on a future board agenda for first reading. No additional board action was taken at this meeting beyond public comment and the committee\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s prior work; the public urged faster, broader compliance with HB 805 and better online access to classroom and library materials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-09-02 Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Members of the public read from The Kite Runner and urged the board to re-evaluate its inclusion in high school curriculum; other commenters said new North Carolina law (HB 805) requires policy changes to classroom library transparency and parental notice.","taxTitle","Wake County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",14083,"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},6478426,"Board approves $611,353.62 appropriation from Altria/Jewel settlements for vaping prevention and cessation programs",1144,3448000,4592000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5709000-60178365d958db9086c27167df7056a5&start=3448&end=4592","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5709000-60178365d958db9086c27167df7056a5/thumbnail_3448000.jpg","/articles/6478426/North-Carolina/Board-approves-61135362-appropriation-from-AltriaJewel-settlements-for-vaping-prevention-and-cessation-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478426-9f55bea5cb060ee36853b2b64afff206/orig.mp4?Expires=1775727266&Signature=RTueTIHT68bQrmDr~DysShky~s3oSjs86EJuYGI~iyUwp7bi0tvwSXReYLj2tgl4XSIzMxBdByRVfEpLwQUz8Z2XYB01Fk03ly2jTJs9uahiPysw3V~nygMiCPlxIEYmtm-shsn5ImPk7SPiDwSG-99raD1aai72EGRwmD~OPOwMm3JJOv6u2CAPuLaZnZsB0aqonAVsVpbOpHDHQNjmJWkejj29GuUDxFdLKIeP8axxvveamdh644g3Zcbp0Vz4b7wim8nHWjHKDwWWYbRxm2~IgwJ9HUUXHn-VZGjknYMIF1faXsEQ8uISjrRYbHmirNeoxHN-RGFxPk4g6hg-sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wake County Board of Education on Tuesday approved a fund balance appropriation of $611,353.62 from settlement proceeds related to lawsuits against Altria and Jewel to support vaping prevention, cessation and related programming for the 2025-26 school year.

Brian Glendening, director of health and physical education, told the board the Wake County Public School System has received settlement proceeds from class-action cases against Altria and Jewel totaling approximately $5,860,000, with several million already received by the district. His presentation outlined a multi-year plan to use settlement funds to address youth vaping through five primary strategies: standards-aligned curriculum beginning in grade three; tiered supports and progress monitoring for students who commit tobacco offenses; cessation treatment and referrals; district infrastructure and temporary staff to lead rollout (including one coordinating teacher and two substance-use specialists, contingent on funding); and a communications and advocacy campaign that would include an advocacy scholarship recognizing student leadership.

The requested appropriation of $611,353.62 will fund personnel and non-personnel activities in 2025-26, including posting and onboarding for the coordinating and specialist positions, curriculum and training for teachers, and the communications campaign. Glendening said the district will provide a program update to the board in January 2026 and that the settlement funds are expected to support district efforts for roughly five to seven years, depending on program choices and inflation.

Board member Edmonds, who serves as the School Health Advisory Committee representative, moved approval of the appropriation; the motion was seconded and carried. Board members praised the plan\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s emphasis on prevention, student leadership and supporting students already dependent on nicotine.

Why it matters: Board members emphasized that vaping\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000is a growing health risk among young people and that the settlement funds provide a targeted opportunity to implement curriculum, support and cessation services across the district.

Program details announced at the meeting:
- Curriculum: Standards-aligned vaping education beginning in grade three and training for teachers who deliver lessons; tiered supports for students with tobacco offenses focused on education rather than only discipline.
- Cessation: Training a counselor from each school and central staff in tobacco treatment strategies plus a referral guide connecting families to local resources.
- Staffing: One coordinating teacher position and two substance-use specialists funded while settlement proceeds last; positions contingent on continued funding.
- Communications and advocacy: Districtwide awareness campaign and an advocacy scholarship to reward student leadership on vaping prevention.

Next steps: Staff will finalize service agreements with partner organizations, post and onboard positions as funding allows, and report implementation progress to the board in January 2026.","Wake County schools will use settlement funds from lawsuits against Altria and Jewel to fund vaping prevention curriculum, cessation support, communications and temporary staff for the 2025-26 school year; the board approved a $611,353.62 fund balance appropriation Tuesday.",{"_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},6478430,"Parents, staff and students urge board to stop displacement practice at Harris Creek Elementary",1841,1003000,2844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5709000-60178365d958db9086c27167df7056a5&start=1003&end=2844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5709000-60178365d958db9086c27167df7056a5/thumbnail_1003000.jpg","/articles/6478430/North-Carolina/Parents-staff-and-students-urge-board-to-stop-displacement-practice-at-Harris-Creek-Elementary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478430-fecd61e118c2de50edc894aa1dbf667e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775727266&Signature=hZXnNulYLi8IswD6TE5VrDExxfF52fceJULMF6eUIHNJOkG~Rdj04BqfXDd0G18TZFxrdtPURLWbl-6Ti2HO1U5fxczjNsG~M1uC0GNqGF78LDPpJi5f6k1fS8gchghsHVfLHB1xTNDqjWMeBLVX2Jt6qG0-101QtTGr0TQDASlJTxJWb8N7ra-t9e94yzLmTotbVROKK9LRjDHlRTok2sgWId1Vzfy~4X8CDvBV~udGYtJZVboGC2NgcbNdbH2f0SuwOKGJXEo8nfFhMNFaZco-iyPuTTcFj5KYRTUk8zBMIXqpZ1SHhxc3et3RMobfChJ7XMOMcws1RlJ1D1U2gQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speakers at Tuesday\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s Wake County Board of Education meeting urged the board to reconsider recent displacement decisions at Harris Creek Elementary and to update district human resources policies that determine staff displacement by hire date.

Fifth grader Luca Chiavali told the board that Harris Creek teacher Miss Woodruff is \"more than just an EL teacher\" and is central to the classroom community, saying, \"She makes learning engaging and accessible\" and asking the board to \"let Miss Woodruff stay.\" Several parents, including Rachel Chavalley, said a displacement policy driven by hire date rather than teacher quality will destabilize multiple classrooms, disrupt students\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s learning and drive teachers away during a statewide retention challenge.

Harris Creek speech-language pathologist Tara Randall described the school as \"a place with a warm empathetic staff\" and urged the board not to \"force us to lose more excellent teachers, colleagues, or friends,\" adding a specific example of a teacher who spent unpaid time to support a selectively mute student.

Why it matters: Commenters said the current displacement practice—selecting the most recently hired staff member without a break in service for displacement—ignores teacher impact and harms student stability. Parents said the displacement will affect several classrooms and that students who began elementary school during the pandemic are especially vulnerable to further upheaval.

What commenters asked: Harris Creek community members asked the board to reconsider displacement decisions at Harris Creek, to update HR staffing policies to weigh teacher quality and student impact rather than strictly hire date, and to consider alternatives that preserve continuity for students.

Board response: During the meeting the board adopted HR recommendations that had been reviewed in closed session earlier; the adoption of those HR recommendations was announced at the start of the meeting and recorded as adopted by voice vote. Commenters asked the board to use policy tools to prevent similar outcomes in the future.

Next steps: Commenters requested that the board revise human resources policy to reflect teacher quality and student impact in staffing decisions and to engage with families and staff in developing alternatives. The meeting record does not show that the board directed staff to open a formal policy review at this session.","Multiple public commenters, including a fifth-grade student and school staff, asked the board to reconsider teacher displacement decisions at Harris Creek Elementary and to revise human resources practices that prioritize hire date over teacher effectiveness.",{"_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},6478434,"Board approves single-track year-round (Track 4) conversion for two northern Wake elementary schools",331,3068000,3399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5709000-60178365d958db9086c27167df7056a5&start=3068&end=3399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5709000-60178365d958db9086c27167df7056a5/thumbnail_3068000.jpg","/articles/6478434/North-Carolina/Board-approves-single-track-year-round-Track-4-conversion-for-two-northern-Wake-elementary-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478434-a3f142544fc47d8d69f9bc0e82f3033b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775727266&Signature=HKWIi9jm5lFO5A62YkDwk9DkxU~FjKoRju2BX54DvWH1x3~sdjJLLfL4t~kpxb-VJzLX6CNMi91nVdsNxxefSPYexuLx~PRAsDoh00DkMSmRx-QLZvDp83l49UkNJRWXHJPZqmM9LdPxp4~1-j9WlFZHZM5dOPwnPJ6VQW51YNc2blWhOCafmAAagG1FvQpNxF2hVQX5jYSUCqBFADVaRt9-5U3Dwu262-yFblAMBd1TBOd-VFCqezldekYg8xXBTBEs6fl6XXL-czqtVYsRPFiPkcAG~ssEjqVQ7APg39WX8aJq5OJT0JcOsNQ6IPvEGzOTMeUTTpLhww73H~LmkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wake County Board of Education on Tuesday approved converting North Forest Pines Elementary and Pleasant Union Elementary to a single-track year-round calendar (Track 4) for the 2027-28 school year after staff had recommended converting both schools to a traditional calendar.

Staff presenter George Carroza (facilities) told the board that calendar conversions are used to address long-term planning and capacity concerns and that operating multi-track year-round schools costs the district additional dollars when the extra seats provided by multitrack calendars are no longer needed in a high-growth area. Carroza said the initial staff recommendation was to move both schools to a traditional calendar.

During public comment earlier in the meeting, multiple parents and staff urged the board to preserve year-round options because of community preference, childcare arrangements and concerns about student stability.

Board member Dr. Ng, the district representative for both schools, moved to amend staff\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s recommendation, proposing conversion to single-track year-round (Track 4) instead of traditional; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.

Board discussion and staff responses clarified that Track 4 carries the same operating savings as converting to a traditional calendar in the district\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s financial model.

Why it matters: The decision changes the school calendars for families, staff and child-care providers who currently plan around multitrack schedules. Board members framed the choice as preserving the year-round option that families requested while realizing the district\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s operational goals.

What was decided: The board approved the motion to convert Pleasant Union and North Forest Pines to single-track year-round (Track 4) instead of the staff-recommended move to a traditional calendar. Staff indicated that a planned future conversion for Oakview Elementary was delayed.

Next steps: Staff will implement the calendar conversion plan, update families and adjust the district\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s enrollment and capital plans as needed. Carroza said calendar conversions are last-resort options in long-term planning and that someone will be impacted regardless of the decision.","Staff recommended converting North Forest Pines and Pleasant Union to a traditional calendar for 2027-28; the board instead approved a motion to convert both schools to single-track year-round (Track 4), a change board members said preserves choice while achieving the district\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s sought operational savings.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6478439,"Wake County board proclaims September 2025 as National Arts and Education Week",451,385000,836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5709000-60178365d958db9086c27167df7056a5&start=385&end=836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5709000-60178365d958db9086c27167df7056a5/thumbnail_385000.jpg","/articles/6478439/North-Carolina/Wake-County-board-proclaims-September-2025-as-National-Arts-and-Education-Week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478439-6d23a0edeea8e594a475cd334ce21e39/orig.mp4?Expires=1775727266&Signature=FgMvaeIerczpeOBasaSua3unowZQYfTapfaugCV1xO6V3zyAhbWFImdPnJsZWloarfgy~KF3B4Kx7rDiAP2gZKKKIkLq21K4LOEjFjerUFNqpkOc7tgdBxrJTYR-GkLKCriCSYq3FMiwvp3Q73o1cOQ8YkTM9kr70TIW2fy8v-V-1TpGLz-76IP5Aa6CPrX-wPOgdyFTdu6cjfGGdFhGp4psLG3RYC9spVHBoSk30MJrVLbfapDRwrD4M4G~dB9sjxRMapYRYJTJbVqEiTjG3VdQoj1Txg6RBXTVPUaNmMYb9F8zyKzKtgOrnOjcXFDPtFSHSag-UleGw06mbVCL9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wake County Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a proclamation recognizing September 2025 as National Arts and Education Week.

The proclamation, presented by Jeremy Tucker of academic achievement staff, affirms Wake County Public School System\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s (WCPSS) arts education framework and the district\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s goal of ensuring students have access to dance, music, theater, media arts, literature, design and visual arts. Vice Chair Swanson moved approval; the motion was seconded and carried without opposition.

Why it matters: Board members described arts education as part of a \"complete and balanced education\" that supports academic skills, creativity and student engagement. The action formalizes the board\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s support for district efforts to expand arts instruction and extracurricular opportunities.

In presenting the proclamation, Tucker told the board that the arts framework seeks to ensure \"equitable access to arts education and extracurricular arts opportunities for all students.\" He said the proclamation reflects the framework\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s vision and urged the board's continued leadership in supporting arts opportunities across the district.

Board members spoke in favor before the vote. Board member Hershey said he \"strongly support[s]\" the language of the proclamation and called arts a \"critical piece\" of the district\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s work. Dr. Wright described art as her own pathway to integration when she arrived in the U.S. as a child. Board member Rice praised Tucker\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s practice of creating participatory spaces that include students and the board.

The proclamation signals the district will celebrate arts programming during the week and continue implementing the arts education framework the board endorsed in April.

Board action: The board adopted the proclamation by voice vote; the meeting minutes record the action as adopted.","The Wake County Board of Education unanimously adopted a proclamation recognizing September 2025 as National Arts and Education Week and reaffirmed the district\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s arts education framework.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public raises concerns about inclusion of The Kite Runner and district compliance with HB 805

Board approves $611,353.62 appropriation from Altria/Jewel settlements for vaping prevention and cessation programs

Parents, staff and students urge board to stop displacement practice at Harris Creek Elementary

Board approves single-track year-round (Track 4) conversion for two northern Wake elementary schools

Wake County board proclaims September 2025 as National Arts and Education Week