Wilkes County Schools Superintendent Mark Byrd said the district has been working to create improvements to schools and safety precautions ahead of the 2023-24 school year. WXII spoke with Byrd about why this school year is different from years past. New Upgrades to SchoolsByrd said the district has been working to renovate and make upgrades across the district. He said the maintenance department has been busy this summer to get things ready for students. “We are finishing renovations at Mount Pleasant Elementary School, and it should open in a couple of weeks,” Byrd said. “We’ve broken ground at building a new gym at Wilkes Central High School, and we’ve had extensive HVAC upgrade projects taken place at eight elementary schools and one high school.”Schools LunchesByrd said students will be able to get free breakfast and lunch each day at school. He said this is the second year of being able to provide for students. “We’re just excited because it makes, it just ensures that every kid is well fed, well nourished, and it will help them to perform to their best academic ability,” Byrd said. Staffing ChallengesEven with these new upgrades, Byrd said the district is experiencing some staffing challenges. He said they have around 30 vacancies, mostly throughout the K-5 level and exceptional children’s teachers. Byrd said the district is working to find new ways to incentivize potential employees by offering signing bonuses. Safety ApproachDespite these staffing shortages, Byrd said the district is super excited about the new changes to its safety protocols. “We’ve added two resource officers at our two largest elementary schools, which brings our total to 14,” Byrd said. “Our staff will have access to the RAVE panic button cell phone app, which will help with communication in the event that we have a concern.”He also said the district will be using the “I Love You Guys” program to help with the overall communication in case of an emergency. Superintendent Byrd’s message to students and families: “Just a message for our students that you’re the reason we’re here, and we’re excited about you being back. We’re going to give you our best every day, our staff will give you our best every day, and you know we’re going to expect you to do the same. And I’m just excited to see what you all accomplish this school year.”
Wilkes County Schools Superintendent Mark Byrd said the district has been working to create improvements to schools and safety precautions ahead of the 2023-24 school year.
WXII spoke with Byrd about why this school year is different from years past.
New Upgrades to Schools
Byrd said the district has been working to renovate and make upgrades across the district.
He said the maintenance department has been busy this summer to get things ready for students.
“We are finishing renovations at Mount Pleasant Elementary School, and it should open in a couple of weeks,” Byrd said. “We’ve broken ground at building a new gym at Wilkes Central High School, and we’ve had extensive HVAC upgrade projects taken place at eight elementary schools and one high school.”
Schools Lunches
Byrd said students will be able to get free breakfast and lunch each day at school. He said this is the second year of being able to provide for students.
“We’re just excited because it makes, it just ensures that every kid is well fed, well nourished, and it will help them to perform to their best academic ability,” Byrd said.
Staffing Challenges
Even with these new upgrades, Byrd said the district is experiencing some staffing challenges.
He said they have around 30 vacancies, mostly throughout the K-5 level and exceptional children’s teachers.
Byrd said the district is working to find new ways to incentivize potential employees by offering signing bonuses.
Safety Approach
Despite these staffing shortages, Byrd said the district is super excited about the new changes to its safety protocols.
“We’ve added two resource officers at our two largest elementary schools, which brings our total to 14,” Byrd said. “Our staff will have access to the RAVE panic button cell phone app, which will help with communication in the event that we have a concern.”
He also said the district will be using the “I Love You Guys” program to help with the overall communication in case of an emergency.
Superintendent Byrd’s message to students and families:
“Just a message for our students that you’re the reason we’re here, and we’re excited about you being back. We’re going to give you our best every day, our staff will give you our best every day, and you know we’re going to expect you to do the same. And I’m just excited to see what you all accomplish this school year.”
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