Granville County Schools Closing Early 3-12-18 Due To Weather
— submitted by Dr. Stan Winborne, Public Information Officer, Granville County Public Schools
All GCPS schools will be closing 3 hours early today.
Tag Archive for: #granvillecountyschools
Granville County Board of Education Meeting Dec. 4
NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS
The Granville County Board of Education will meet in a Regular Session on Monday, December 04, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at the Board of Education Administrative Offices, 101 Delacroix Street Oxford, North Carolina. The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday January 8, 2017.
Houston Astros Carlos Díaz Visits Granville Central High School
— courtesy Granville County Schools
The Spanish students at Granville Central High School recently had the privilege of listening to Carlos Díaz, Center Fielder of the Houston Astros, talk about Puerto Rico and the current crisis affecting the country. He shared places to visit, typical food, and information about the status of Puerto Rico since Hurricane María and Irma. He also shared information about being well-rounded students who are excelling in the classroom and on the field. He encouraged students that are looking to enter professional sports to make sure that they are well rounded because sports are a part of who you are, but they don’t define who you are.
Right Carlos Diaz, Left, Spanish Teacher Wendy Owens
Granville County Schools names Principal of the Year
On the morning of Thursday, September 14, Superintendent Alisa McLean and senior staff made a surprise visit to Granville Early College High School. It was a secret visit of sorts, except for the fact that all of the students and staff knew about the occasion, except one. An unwitting participant, Principal Jackie Harris had been summoned to her office to have a meeting with Dr. McLean. Meanwhile, students and staff gathered in the hallway, preparing to surprise their school’s leader. With an abrupt knock at the door, Ms. Harris was told to quickly respond to an important incident. Her administrative instincts flung her into action, where she was then promptly startled and surprised by a throng of her students and teachers – all congratulating her for being named the Granville County Public Schools 2017 Principal of the Year!
Ms. Harris is a veteran educator with more than 26 years of experience, having worked as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. She received her undergraduate degree from NCCU and her Master’s degree from NC State University. During her tenure as principal of Granville Early College, the school has consistently set the bar high on state testing criteria. Currently student performance ranks the school letter grade as an “A”, with more than 95% of the students graduating on time.
School districts from across the state choose a Principal of the Year. Principals nominate their colleagues for the honor, and a committee then makes the final decision. District POYs then go on to compete at the regional level, where the winner progresses on to the state level, and eventually the national competition.
When asked why colleagues nominated her for this honor, Principal Harris responded, “Probably because they know how much I love my students and staff. We truly are a team. Nothing makes me prouder to see our students walk across the stage at graduation. It’s a journey that we travel together, and one that I absolutely love.”
GCPS Continues Significant Proficiency Gains and Academic Growth
At their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, September 11, the Granville County Board of Education received a special report on the student achievement results from the 2016-2017 school year. During this presentation, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Michael Myrick presented a series of graphs and charts providing comprehensive data on how the students performed on state tests. The presentation focused on GCPS test score averages over the past three years compared to state and surrounding district averages. Dr. Myrick also shared information about academic growth measures for each school, and school letter grades as assigned by the state.
Data from his presentation revealed an increase in proficiency in 14 of 18 tested areas, with 18 of 19 schools having met or exceeded academic growth. These significant gains in growth and proficiency across grade levels and content areas contribute to a multi-year positive trend for student achievement.
The scores for our district were generally higher than those of Vance, Warren and Person counties, and slightly lower or comparable to those for Franklin County. All five districts in our region were at or below the overall state average in all areas.
In the second set of data, Dr. Myrick displayed the following chart showing how GCPS schools letter grades compared to those of local charter schools:
Letter grades for schools in our district improved compared to the previous year, with no schools reporting an F, fewer schools reporting as a D, and more schools reporting as a B.
School Board Chairman Dr. Thomas Houlihan commented on this set of data, saying, “Three year trends sho tremendous growth over time. It’s very exciting to see this type of progress. We do want to celebrate, but we don’t want to forget the work that remains. We also don’t want to forget the hard work and dedication of all of our talented teachers.”
School letter grades are determined by a state-mandated formula that uses proficiency and growth on a variety of test scores to assign a letter grade. More information about how school letter grades are calculated can be found here:
https://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/accountability/reporting/spgbckgrndpack15.pdf
Vice Chairman Leonard Peace, Sr. offered his remarks, saying “We are definitely headed in the right direction. The teachers certainly deserve all of the credit for their hard work.”
Superintendent Dr. McLean thanked Dr. Myrick for his work in this area, and summarized the presentation with these remarks, “While I can take no credit for these remarkable gains, I am excited that there is established, consistent momentum for our district. If we are to achieve our goals of double digit improvements and 90 percent across the board, then we must use these fine results to help launch us forward. ”
Granville Schools Superintendent Meetings
Granville County Public Schools has scheduled a series of community meetings with its superintendent.
Kitchen Table Conversation Dates:
Parent & Community Meetings 6:00pm – 7:30pm
South Granville High School / Tuesday, September 12
Butner-Stem Middle School / Thursday, September 14
Northern Granville Middle School / Tuesday, September 19
J.F. Webb High School / Thursday, September 21
“For Listening and Learning”
Health Concerns at Creedmoor Elementary
Granville County Public Schools administrative staff are currently addressing concerns with the facilities on the Creedmoor Elementary School campus. On Wednesday, August 16, we received reports from staff about some possible spore growths in two classrooms. On Thursday morning, August 17, we investigated the reports and widened our inspection to other areas of the school. On Friday, August 18, we arranged for a professional laboratory to collect both air and surface samples throughout the school to be tested. We received the preliminary results of these tests on Tuesday, August 22, which indicated the presence of mold. On this same day, we contracted with a professional cleaning company to clean the affected areas in the school building. They began preparations and staging of equipment on Wednesday, August 23. We estimate that their work will be completed by the afternoon of Saturday, August 26. We will conduct additional testing after cleaning is complete to determine if we can safely open the school to staff and students. The safety of our students and staff is an absolute priority to Granville County Public Schools. Our rapid response and immediate action are precautionary measures to protect everyone.
As a result of this intervention, the location of Open House on Thursday, August 24 was moved to the First Baptist Church located in downtown Creedmoor. Also, depending on the pace of the cleaning work, we may find it appropriate to delay the opening of school a day or two. Unfortunately, we will not know for certain until we have the official report late Saturday evening, August 26. We will communicate additional updates no later than Sunday, August 27.
Please direct all inquiries on this matter to Dr. Stan Winborne, Executive Director of Operations, Human Resources, Communications and Safety. winbornes@gcs.k12.nc.us (919) 693-4613
Granville Chamber, Granville Health System and Masonic Home for Children to Host New Teacher Breakfast
The Granville County Chamber of Commerce and Granville Health System are sponsoring the annual New Teacher Breakfast on Friday, August 18th at 7:30 am in the cafeteria at the Masonic Home for Children – Oxford. This event welcomes and recognizes new employees to the Granville County School system and allows them an opportunity to meet local elected officials, as well as business and agency leaders in Granville County.
Presiding will be Kyle Puryear, President of the Chamber, with remarks from Dr. Lee Isley, Chief Executive Officer of Granville Health System, event sponsor.
Granville County Chamber banks, real estate, property management and insurance members are being invited to set up business displays to provide information for the newcomers. Chamber of Commerce member businesses contribute items for gift bags for the 100 new teacher employees. Businesses interested in donating gift bag items should contact either of the Chamber’s offices – Toni Anne Wheeler, 919.528.4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com or Wanda Garrett, 919.693.6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com.
Granville County Board of Education Names New Superintendent
The Granville County Board of Education is pleased to announce the selection and appointment of Dr. Alisa McLean as the next superintendent of the Granville County Public Schools (GCPS). Dr. McLean will take office on July 19.
During the search process, the board carefully reviewed applications from a diverse field of 46 excellent candidates. Although many qualified candidates applied, the board felt that Dr. McLean’s leadership, experience, and dedication to students would best serve GCPS students, staff, and the community for years to come. The board is confident that Dr. McLean will lead the school system to even higher achievement. 
Dr. McLean has enjoyed a successful career in public education spanning over 20 years in North Carolina. Since 2016, she has served as the assistant superintendent for teaching, learning, and leadership for the Durham Public Schools. Prior to her current position, Dr. McLean served as an area superintendent for the Durham Public Schools (2014-2016). Dr. McLean also previously served as a school transformation coach with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (2011-2014) and as an assistant superintendent in the Alamance-Burlington School System (2009-2011). She began her career in public education as an assistant principal and principal in Roxboro and Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Dr. McLean has an impressive academic background as well, including a bachelor’s degree in English education from Elizabeth City State University. She went on to obtain a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from East Carolina University and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also participated in and later served as a consultant and assistant director for the Principals’ Executive Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dr. McLean looks forward to the opportunity to lead the Granville County Public Schools and becoming an active member of the community. Dr. McLean is the daughter of Dr. & Mrs. AC Robinson, Jr. of Elizabeth City, NC. She and her husband, Attorney Frankie McLean are the proud parents of their daughter Imari, who is an ACC scholar track and field athlete and rising Senior at NC State University. Dr. McLean has issued the following statement about the position:
“I am both, excited and honored to join the Granville County Public Schools family and community. Together, I know we will accomplish great things and surpass expectations for all of our students. I truly believe the best is yet to come!”
Please join the board in welcoming Dr. Alisa McLean as the new superintendent of the Granville County Public Schools.
Granville County Board of Education Appoints Acting Superintendent
On Thursday, June 29, the Granville County Board of Education announced several important updates regarding key leadership positions at the district level.
Following the retirement of Dr. Dorwin L. Howard Sr. as Superintendent effective June 30, the Board appointed Dr. Michael A. Myrick, to serve as Acting Superintendent until the new Superintendent search process is finalized. Dr. Myrick serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and Student Services.
During this interim role, Dr. Myrick will assume the responsibilities as Superintendent and also take on the added duties associated with Maintenance & Facilities, Transportation and Safety.
Ms. Beth Day, Assistant Superintendent for Finance, will take on the added duties of Child Nutrition, and Custodial, Recycling/Energy Education and Warehouse Services.
Both Dr. Myrick and Ms.. Beth Day are contractually employed through June 30, 2018.
Ms. Betty Hicks was named Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Clerk to the Board of Education effective July 1. Ms. Hicks has more than 17 years experience working with Granville County Public Schools, having served in school-based support roles, and most recently as the Executive Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Operations.
Board Chairman Thomas Houlihan offered his comments on the changes, “The Board has been working very hard over the past several months to find the best possible candidate to lead our schools as Superintendent. These adjustments in personnel will help ensure continuity of services for our students and the community. Once the new Superintendent is announced, we can continue the progress toward transforming our schools to be the best in the state, and even the nation. Our students deserve nothing less.”
The Granville County Board of Education has scheduled a special called meeting on Thursday, July 6 at 6:00 pm for the purposes of personnel. The meeting will take place at 101 Delacroix St. Oxford, N.C.