Choice:

• Q1. I would like to send my child to a Choice program. What do I need to do?

• Q2. What schools offer a Choice Program?

• Q3. What is a Choice Fair?

• Q4. What is the status of my Choice application? 

Cumberland County Board of Education:

• Q5. What board member serves my district?

• Q6. How do I get in touch with the Board Chairman?

• Q7. When are the Board meetings and how do I get an agenda?

Find Your School:

• Q8. If I live at a certain address, which school will my child attend?

• Q9. Where can I find a map that shows the schools by district?

Calendar Questions:

• Q10. When is the graduation ceremony for a school? 

Employment:

• Q11. How do I find out about employment opportunities?

• Q12. Is my application still on file?

Facility Use:

• Q13. I would like to use a school for a community event. How would I do so?

Pre-K Programs:

• Q14. What schools have Pre-K programs? How can I get my child enrolled?

Procedures:

• Q15. How can I get a copy of my transcript?

• Q16. What are the procedures for inclement weather?

• Q17. I am having a problem with my child’s school. How do I handle it?

• Q18. I would like for my child to attend a school other than the one in our attendance area. How would I go about handling this?

Statistics:

• Q19. Where on the CCS Website can I find demographics, the NC Report Card, test scores, etc.?

General Questions:

• Q20. Where on the CCS Website would you find a list of supplies my child will need for the new school year?

• Q21. My child is not home yet. How can I find out if there is a bus problem?

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• Q1. Answer: Research the programs that we offer.  You can find extensive information on the Choice Website (www.choice.ccs.k12.nc.us). If you know which school you prefer, consider contacting the school office and ask to visit the school and meet with the principal. We also have printed information in a Choice Guide that is available in the Communications Office at Central Services. Once you have decided on a program and it has been determined that the school can accept applications, you will need to follow the application process.

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• Q2. Answer: We offer 40 programs in the elementary schools, eight in the middle schools, and 20 in the high schools. You should investigate the program descriptions and locations of different programs on the Choice Website at www.choice.ccs.k12.nc.us

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• Q3. Answer: The Choice Fair is an annual event in late January where each school that offers a Choice Program and is accepting applications comes and shares information about their school and their program. Representatives from the schools are there to answer questions and talk one-on-one with parents and students.

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• Q4. Answer: The application process is handled by our Student Assignment Office. All applications must be mailed to the Student Assignment Office, postmarked no later than February 15. Applications for students who move into the district after February 1 will be accepted until June 1. Questions concerning your application should be directed to the Student Assignment Office at 910.678.2616.

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• Q5. Answer: Visit  the CCS’ Home page and click on Board of Education. You will find information about each Board member and the districts he/she serves. If you need further information, contact the CCS Central Services at 910.678.2300.

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• Q6. Answer: Call the Central Services (910.678.2300) and ask for contact information for the Board members.  You can also contact any member by clicking on “Board of Education” on the CCS Website. There is a direct e-mail link to each member as well as his/her telephone numbers.

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• Q7. Answer: Our Board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Board agendas and minutes are posted on the CCS’ Website. You may access that information by clicking on the Board of Education button.

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• Q8. Answer: Visit the CCS’ Home page and click on a map of Cumberland County titled “Find Your School”. If you click on that map you can enter any street address in Cumberland County and find a listing of the schools to which your child could be assigned.

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• Q9. Answer: If you click on the High School District Map found in “Find Your School”, you will see all the schools that feed into the high school.

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• Q10. Answer: Visit the CCS Homepage. Click on Calendars on the left. You will find the upcoming graduation schedule.

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• Q11. Answer: Vacancies are posted on the Human Resources (HR) Website.

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• Q12. Answer: Our HR Department keeps applications for one year. If you are interested in a specific vacancy, you may want to call the office (910.678.2629) and request that your application be considered.

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• Q13. Answer: We have several schools that are designated as “Community Schools.” This means that our insurance covers the use of a facility for those groups and purposes beyond the normal school setting.  There is a contractual agreement for this process. Anyone interested should contact the Office of Auxiliary Services at 910.678.2305.

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• Q14. Answer: The CCS offers several Pre-K programs. The Federal Programs Department currently supports programs at 32 elementary schools. Our Exceptional Children Department also offers Pre-K opportunities for children who qualify for their services. Please check their Websites for specific information and enrollment procedures or contact the Federal Programs Department at 910.678.2637 or Exceptional Children’s Department at 910.678.2430.

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• Q15. Answer: We have a Central Records Office that keeps all  records of CCS graduates. It is  located at the Operations Center at 810 Gillespie Street. You can also reach them at 910.678.2501.

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• Q16. Answer: In the event of threatening weather, the superintendent will try to make a decision regarding school operations by 5:00 a.m.  If there is a change in the normal school day, a call will go out to all homes as soon as the decision is made. In addition, information will be posted on the CCS’ Website and given to the local newspaper and various television and radio stations.

In the event that weather conditions require an early dismissal of school, notices will be sent to all the media outlets. Calls will be sent to all homes via the emergency message system to announce the change in schedule.

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• Q17. Answer: The first step in our procedure is to discuss your concern with the school administration. In the event that your issue is not resolved, and it concerns instruction or discipline, contact the Executive Director of Elementary Education (910.678.2417) or Executive Director of Secondary Education (910.678.2420),depending on the grade of your child. If they are not able to adequately address your concerns, you would call the Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction (910.678.2407).  Once these possibilities are exhausted, you could contact the Office of  the Superintendent. (910.678.2312).

If your concern is over an area of Operations (safety, transportation, child nutrition, facilities) you would again, contact the school principal first. If you need further discussion or assistance, contact the Associate Superintendent for Auxiliary Services (910.678.2305).

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• Q18. Answer: Students must attend the school in their home attendance area unless they receive special permission to attend a school in another area.  We have a policy (JBCCA-R: Voluntary Transfers within the Cumberland County Schools) which explains the circumstances under which a student may be considered for transfer as well as the process that must be followed. That policy can be found by clicking on the “Policy” link on the left side of the CCS homepage. Specific questions should be directed to the Student Assignment Office at 910.678.2616.

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• Q19. Answer: For the district, click on “Annual Report” on the top navigation under customers groups for Parents, Employees, Community or Military and find much of the demographic information. For testing information, student teacher ratio, ethnicity, you would click on “Links” under Schools on the left side of the site, click on your specific school of interest from the drop down menus and you will see a link to NC Report Card. When you visit that site you will also be able to find information about the district as well as your school.

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• Q20. Answer: We do not post that information on the district web site. Different schools have different approaches to instruction; therefore, the supplies needed may vary. You should be able to find a supply list on the school Website and on the teacher Websites.  If you have trouble finding what you need, contact your school office.

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• Q21. Answer: You should call the school office. An administrator should be on campus and available by phone until the last scheduled stop is made by all buses.