N.C. schools to open a week earlier; Dare high school graduation plan coming Monday

Manteo High School’s class of 2019 celebrates their graduation at Waterside Theatre on June 17. [photo courtesy DCS/Instagram]

Among the provisions included in a COVID-19 relief legislation that became law this week is the opening of public schools one week earlier than normal. And Dare County high school graduation plans will be formalized this Monday.

In an email to parents on Wednesday, Dare County Schools superintendent John Farrlley also detailed budget shortfalls that the school system will face next fiscal year and that a longtime administrator is leaving the district.

School Calendar: The General Assembly passed two bills over the weekend, House Bill 1043 and Senate Bill 704 related to COVID-19 funding support and educational policy changes. Governor Cooper signed these two bills into law on Monday.

One focal point for public education are requirements related to the 2020-21 school calendar. The first day of school for the fall is August 17. This is mandatory. Additionally, every school district has to add five remote learning days into the calendar. Thus, we have to amend our 2020 – 2021 academic calendar.

I am taking an amended calendar to the Board of Education next week on May 12 (virtual meeting). With board approval, I will share the new calendar next Wednesday morning with staff, parents, and students along with all of the supporting details.

Many of our original agreed upon facets of the calendar (by the calendar committee) will stay in place but we have several adjustments that need to be made based on the new law.

Public School Budget: With the projected significant loss of local revenue due to COVID-19, we are projecting a loss of $600,000 in local funding for the next fiscal year. This is understandable given the economic shortfalls across the country, our state, and in Dare County.

Our local county commissioners and government officials are champions for education in Dare County and we look forward to continuing to collaboratively work together in supporting our schools. Dare County Schools has an incredible 30 percent of the overall budget supported locally- including over 225 positions. In order to make up the projected deficit, I have cut five positions from the Central Office within the past five months to make up $300,000 of the projected shortfall. The remaining deficit will primarily come from pushing out additional planned requests for another year.

Graduation Survey: Graduating seniors and their parents have until 5:00 pm on Friday to take our graduation input survey. We have had over 200 participants to date (Thank you!). DCS will announce our graduation plan next Monday, May 11.

New Appointment: Assistant Superintendent Arty Tillett was named yesterday as the new Superintendent of Schools in Poquoson City Public Schools, Virginia effective July 1.

Mr. Tillett has had a stellar 30-year career in Dare County as a teacher, school building administrator, and central office leader. He will be greatly missed by our school community.

His last day in Dare County Schools will be June 30. Please join me in congratulating Mr. Tillett.

This story originally appeared on OBXToday.com. Read More local stories here.