Board Buzz

We provide this recap of our school board meetings as part of our commitment to providing timely updates for students, families, staff, and the community.

Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services Meocha Williams shared the latest about Summer Ignite, a districtwide enrichment program. "We're really focusing on students who have the greatest needs," she said. The targeted ages are PreK through eighth grade, with English Language Arts and Math as the key areas for lessons. Students will attend at hubs, or host school locations. Some are designed for fine arts, and others for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). The second session is a Transition Week to help incoming kindergarten, sixth grade, and ninth grade students acclimate to their new school.

Chairman Tyler Murphy thanked everyone for creating a successful, sustainable program. "It is all-encompassing -- our educators working hand in hand with Transportation and Child Nutrition," he said. "The feedback we've gotten has been positive from students and from families."

Chairman Murphy led the board through approval of the consent agenda, including moves to replace the HVAC systems at Booker T. Washington and Lansdowne elementaries. Under action items, the board unanimously approved an addendum to Superintendent Demetrus Liggins' contract, including a wellness package. "As a board, we recognize the pivotal role the superintendent plays in student success in managing the district on a day to day basis," Murphy said.

Among agenda items coming up at the April 22 regular meeting:

• A contract for curriculum resources called Educators Rising, which our high schools use with students interested in becoming teachers;
• Renewal of the contract with Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, which provides a location for The Stables alternative program housed at the Kentucky Horse Park;
• Design development documents for the construction of a new building for Rise STEM Academy for Girls at the corner of Versailles Road and Mason Headley; and
• Schematic design documents for the construction of an elementary school in the Masterson Station area.

Data Driven: Representatives from Hanover Research presented an update on their work for our district, in particular for our Office of Information & Analytics. Since May 2022, they have worked to create a custom plan to meet our needs using the results of surveys, focus groups, and data analysis. Hanover has also given FCPS access to digital resources, toolkits, info briefs, and more -- covering various areas from Human Resources development to classroom curriculum to students' use of technology. Looking ahead, FCPS is already working on guidelines for use of AI (artificial intelligence). "We know our students will need to have those skills in their future, so our group is working on a guidance document," said Amy Johns, director of Technology. "AI is just the next emerging technology."

The video series “Murphy’s Minute” features Board Chair Tyler Murphy answering frequently asked questions. Topics include the school board’s roles, responsibilities, service to the community, advocacy, meeting schedules, and decisions that affect our students, schools, and families. Students from several of our secondary schools host the biweekly series.

You can find "Murphy’s Minute" here in the Board Buzz, on the main board webpage, and in a YouTube playlist. Here is the latest episode:

The public is welcome to attend planning sessions and action meetings in person at the John D. Price Administration Building, 450 Park Place. The monthly action meetings are also livestreamed on the FCPS YouTube channel and the district's Video on Demand service.

• Review: Skim the April 11 planning agenda or listen to the whole meeting (audio file).
• Online: Read this Board Buzz in the News feed on our homepage (FCPS.net).
• Email: If you do not already receive our recap emails, you can sign up now.
• YouTube: Videos of the board's action meetings are housed in a YouTube playlist.
  
• Archives: The official minutes are posted later, within the agenda of the next board meeting.