UPDATE: Staffing, COVID Leave, and Wit & Wisdom

What is the status of staffing?

According to the district, as of August 9, there were approximately 100 full time certificated vacancies (approx. 2% of the teaching staff). The district has a multi-pronged approach to filling vacancies including principals adjusting class schedules and balancing classes. Principals will need to ensure they are following state law regarding average and maximum class sizes.

What is the status of COVID leave?

According to the district, the COVID-19 staff leave policy that allowed staff to work remotely during their five-day isolation period instead of taking sick leave will no longer be in effect after Labor Day. The district stated this is to align with the state rule that disallows students to participate in virtual learning during while in isolation. Board members asked what would trigger the policy to be reinstated. The district replied they will continue to monitor the metrics available to them, including the CDC metrics, to determine if changes are needed. Currently, the CDC COVID-19 Community Level in Davidson County is high.

What is happening with Wit & Wisdom?

The MNPS Board of Education voted to extend the adoption of Wit and Wisdom (W&W), the K-5 Literacy Instructional Materials. Board members asked if there will be more teacher autonomy for this school year, what that will look like and how it will be communicated. The district stated the following will continue:

·         90-minute ELA block for Wit & Wisdom and a 45-minute block for foundational skills,

·         to all complex text included in the curriculum,

·         assessments that are part of the curriculum,

·         lesson components,

·         sequence

Teachers will have autonomy in instructional routines, ex. swap think-pair-share with a mix-and-mingle and can adjust from partners to small group.