District highlights CTE successes; board approves two-year Carnegie Learning program for fourth-grade math

Caswell County Schools presented Career and Technical Education (CTE) updates to the board and the board approved a two-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Carnegie Learning to provide professional development for fourth-grade math teachers at no cost to the district.

Dr. Medina Jones presented a CTE update that included teacher and student celebrations. He noted Caswell County received a Gold National FFA chapter distinction—a recognition earned by 37 schools in North Carolina—and highlighted culinary arts results where 17 of 19 students achieved the Safe-Serve certification.

Board members asked about credentialing and competitive skills events. Dr. Jones and staff said they are working to increase promotion of competitions and early exposure so students will participate more fully in skills contests.

The MOU with Carnegie Learning would fund professional development for fourth-grade teachers through a program supported by a North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) grant. A staff presenter told the board the opportunity is a two-year cohort, carries no cost to the district, does not require additional assessments or interfere with instructional time, and may lead to stipends and CEU or graduate credit for participating teachers.

The board voted to approve the MOU; speakers noted the district did not itself receive the entire statewide grant but that Carnegie Learning’s program is funded through NCDPI grant funds to support fourth-grade math work statewide. The district said four teachers expressed interest for the next school year but final participation will be set once fourth-grade assignments are confirmed.

The CTE update and the MOU were presented as part of the regular agenda; the CTE report was informational and required no board action, while the Carnegie Learning MOU was approved by vote.