The Wake County Board of Education on Nov. 4 approved school improvement plans required by state law for schools classified as low performing. Vice Chair Charity Swanson moved to adopt the plans; Miss Rice seconded, and the motion passed by roll call, 6–1. Miss Caulfield voted no.

The plans were presented by Dr. Clinton Robinson, who said the state statute (cited in the meeting as GS 115C-105.37) requires districts to submit improvement strategies within 30 days of the state identifying schools with an overall grade of D or F and a growth score of met or not met. "Within 30 days, the superintendent must submit a plan outlining strategies for improvement and central office support," Robinson said during his presentation.

Board members asked whether the board can amend individual school plans after submission. Board attorney Rob Malone read the statute for the board and said the statute provides three options: approve, modify, or reject the plan. Superintendent Robert Taylor and Dr. Robinson told the board that, in practice, the district typically reflects required low-performance elements inside a school's two-year school improvement plan and that area superintendents and process managers work with principals on quarterly reviews and implementation.

Several members urged clarity on monitoring and outcomes. Miss Caulfield said she wanted to be sure the vote would lead to measurable changes: "I just wanna know exactly what we are voting for…how is the needle gonna move from what we've been doing in the past?" Dr. Robinson and Superintendent Taylor responded that plans are living documents reviewed quarterly and that the district has supports — including additional budgeted funding referenced during the meeting — to help schools implement actions. Vice Chair Swanson noted the adopted budget includes increased support for low-performing schools and said the intent is to get resources where they are needed.

The board recorded a roll-call vote. Members voting aye: Christina Gordon, Mr. Hershey, Dr. Ng, Chair Hagerty, Vice Chair Charity Swanson and Miss Rice. Miss Caulfield voted no. The board president announced the plans will be submitted to the State Board of Education as required.

Implementation details, quarterly review schedules, and which central supports will be deployed were discussed during the meeting but largely left to area superintendents and district staff to execute; the board was reminded area superintendents will meet with principals to adjust plans as new achievement data arrive. The superintendent said the district uses school improvement plans as the vehicle to address low-performance requirements and that board feedback is welcome during subsequent reviews.