New Hanover County Board of Education Approves Employee Bonus and Pre-K-5 Transition to Plan A
For Immediate Release
December 08, 2020
For additional information contact Brandon Shope, brandon.shope@nhcs.net
Joint Press Conference with County Commissioners Schedule for December 9 at 10 a.m.
At the New Hanover County Board of Education Regular Meeting on December 8, 2020, the Board voted to accept additional funding from the New Hanover County Commissioners, and match county funding to provide a total bonus of $1,500.00 to all district employees in recognition of their continuous dedication and service to the students of New Hanover County Schools during the pandemic. The bonus will be distributed on December 15.
“The district is very appreciative to have the support of the New Hanover County Commissioners,” stated Board of Education Chair Stefanie Adams, “Being able to provide a $1,500.00 bonus to all district employees expresses the gratitude and deep appreciation we feel for our employees. Each and every staff member has gone above and beyond for our students during this pandemic.”
The Board of Education also voted to transition Pre-K- grade 5 students to face-to-face instruction under Plan A for five days a week, effective Monday, January 11. A full remote option will continue to be available for families electing to not return to full face to face instruction at that time. The Board of Education will continue to monitor the decision through updates from administration.
“We know that there is no substitution for face-to-face instruction,” says NHCS Superintendent Dr. Charles Foust. “Our educators have done an outstanding job providing remote and in-person instruction under Plans C and B. Thanks to the support of our county commissioners and continued guidance from the NHC Health Department, we are now in a position to transition our youngest learners back to the classroom five days a week.”
Middle and high school students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and English learners (newcomers) in their first two years of instruction will continue to attend four days per week. Additionally, students with Individualized Accommodation Plans (504s) will have the opportunity to attend four days per week. High school principals will be allowed to extend additional face to face learning opportunities to students who are failing current course work and are in jeopardy of not graduating, dropping out, or losing critical high school course credit.
The Board of Education, in partnership with the New Hanover County Commissioners, will host a joint press conference Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at the Board of Education Center to provide additional information on the employee bonus and transition to Plan A for pre-K through grade 5. The press conference will be streamed on Facebook Live.