Three elementary students stand in the center of a boardroom holding certificates of recognition, smiling proudly between two adult men in professional attire. Behind them, a presentation slide on the wall displays the October 2025 Regular Board Meeting agenda and a large Bladen County Schools logo.

October BOE Meeting Highlights

Bladen County Schools

October 28, 2025

October BOE Meeting Highlights

🇺🇸Thank you to Elizabethtown Primary Students, Payton Thomas, Journee Thompson, and Dylan Cowan, for leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

✨Spotlights and Recognitions✨

💯Congratulations to the Cafeteria Teams from Bladenboro Middle School and East Bladen High School on earning a 100% on their most recent health inspection.

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⚽️Congratulations to Bladenboro Middle School Girls and Boys Soccer Teams, both Waccamaw A Conference Champions.

A group of middle school girls stand together with their coach, the superintendent and board chair. white background with flag in the corner a gruop of middle school boys stand together holding certificates along with heir coarch, superintendent, and board chair. there is a white background and american flag in the corner.

⚽️Congratulations to the Tar Heel School Boys Soccer Team—Waccamaw AA Conference Champions.

group of middle school boys stand together holding certificates with their coach, superintendent and board chair

🌟The BOE recognized the life-saving efforts of West Bladen High School Coaches Nora Bryant and Darryl Rutland, who acted quickly to respond to a volleyball player in distress during a practice, performing the Heimlich maneuver. 

Two staff members stand between school leaders holding plaques of recognition during a Bladen County Schools board meeting. The woman wears a patterned dress, and the man beside her wears a gray West Bladen polo. Behind them, a presentation slide is displayed on a large screen.

💫Students and Employees of the Month💫

Each month, Bladen County Schools is proud to recognize students and employees from across our district who exemplify what it means to be Learners and Leaders.

At each of our schools, two students, along with one certified and one classified employee, are nominated by their peers and school leaders for their character, leadership, and dedication to our district’s mission.

Our Students of the Month represent the very best of their schools—students who show kindness, responsibility, academic effort, and a commitment to personal growth. They model the Leader in Me habits in and out of the classroom and make their schools better places to learn and grow.

Our Employees of the Month demonstrate outstanding professionalism, teamwork, and care for others. Whether in the classroom, on a bus, in the cafeteria, or supporting students behind the scenes, these individuals lead with heart and exemplify service and excellence every day.

We celebrate each of these honorees for the positive impact they make in our schools and community. 

Students of the Month

  • Phoenix Nickol, Bladen Early College

  • Madison Williamson, Bladen Early College

  • Ximena Bernal Flores, Bladen Lakes

  • Hayden Carr, Bladen Lakes

  • Leonel Lopez-Martinez, Bladenboro Middle

  • Haidyn Nance, Bladenboro Middle

  • Caradey-Belle Singletary, Bladenboro Primary

  • Britton Christian, Bladenboro Primary

  • Jay’Cion Bonds, Clarkton School of Discovery

  • Madison Caballero Salinas, Clarkton School of Discovery

  • Kali Cromartie, Dublin Primary

  • Kevin Dove, Dublin Primary

  • Aileen Caballero, East Arcadia

  • Sacred Blanks, East Arcadia

  • Gregory Banks, East Bladen

  • Arrabella Horne, East Bladen

  • Bentley King, Elizabethtown Middle

  • Zoe Skinner, Elizabethtown Middle

  • Leah Campos-Almazo, Elizabethtown Primary

  • Camden Wooten, Elizabethtown Primary

  • Josiah McKeithan, Elizabethtown Primary

  • Giara Cruz Bravo, Tar Heel

  • Elias Hinnant, Tar Heel

  • Charlotte Cookson, West Bladen

  • Jeremiah Bryan, West Bladen

Certified Employees of the Month

  • Sharon Baxley, Bladen Early College

  • Megan Kirby, Bladen Lakes

  • Marlena Walters, Bladenboro Middle

  • Robin Taylor, Bladenboro Primary

  • Melissa Singletary, Clarkton School of Discovery

  • Alexis Cox, Dublin Primary

  • Deanna Ratliff, East Arcadia

  • Maria Segovia, East Bladen

  • Christin McKiver, Elizabethtown Middle

  • James Daly, Elizabethtown Primary

  • Roberta Graham-McMillan, Tar Heel

  • Kim Jones, West Bladen

Classified Employees of the Month

  • Deanna Lacewell, Bladen Early College

  • Rose Burgess, Bladen Lakes

  • Lynn Ransom, Baldenboro Middle

  • Amanda Anderson, Bladenboro Primary

  • Greg High, Clarkton School of Discovery

  • Brenda McDowell, Dublin Primary

  • Constance Decosta, East Arcadia

  • Mary Addison, East Bladen

  • Iris Martin, Elizabethtown Middle

  • Barbara Keaton, Elizabethtown Primary

  • Alexander Glover, Tar Heel

  • Darryl Rutland, West Bladen

1 staff member and two students stand holding certificates between the superintendent and board chair. two employees and two staffs stand between the superintendent and board chair while holding certificates of recognition.

2 staff members standing holidng certificicates between the superintendent and board chair 2 students and 1 staff member stand holding certificates between the superintendent and board chair. one student stand between the superintendent and board chair. the student is holding a certificate of recognition. two students stand holding certificates between the superintendnet and board chairtwo staff members stand holding certificates between the superintendent and board chair two students and two staff members stand holding certificates between the superintendent and board chair. one staff member also has a young child with her.three students and one staff member stand holding certificates between the superintendnet and board chair two staff members and a student stand together holding certificates between the superintendent and board chairtwo employees and two staff members stand together holding certificates between the superintendent and board chair

Information Items

📍The BOE heard an overview of the Fiscal Year 24-25 Audit Report.

📍Mrs. Cheryl White-Smith and Mrs. Susan Harrison presented a review of Exceptional Children (EC) Services and Budgetary Challenges. The district has seen significant growth in the EC program with no increase in funding presenting a 1.47 million dollar deficit.

📍Mrs. Ann Brown provided an update regarding the contract for our SROs. At this time there is a disagreement over the previously presented contract and the Sheriff is recommending the respective attorneys meet. The district currently has 9 SROs. Additionally, it was brought up that at the recent Student Advisory Council meeting, students remarked wanting a permanent SRO at their school because it's important for students to be able to build a relationship with their SRO.  

Action Items

✓The BOE approved the Social Media Litigation Retainer Agreement. At no cost to the district, we will join school districts across the country in a lawsuit against 4 major social media companies. The lawsuit centers around there being no real safeguards for children and use can lead to bullying and phone addiction. 

✓The BOE voted to table Board Policy 4318—Use of Wireless Communication Devices. This policy aligns with the current Code of Conduct. New policies must be tabled for 30 days before being brought before the board for a vote. 

BOE Comments

  • Thomas was excited about the monthly spotlights and the opportunity to recognize students and staff for their daily efforts.

  • Davis congratulated the maintenance staff.

Chair Report

  • Singletary made a point to thank everyone for their efforts. He’s following all of the schools on social media and sees all of the good that is happening in our buildings.

Superintendent’s Report

  • Spoke about current budget challenges and how with a new county manager it may be the right time to plan a joint meeting with the county commissioners. 

  • Highlighted Student Advisory Council meetings and appreciated the leadership they exhibited. He shared that he encouraged the students to schedule meetings with their respective principals to discuss ongoing challenges and celebrations in their buildings.

  • Additionally he shared how one student at the Secondary Student Advisory Council meeting (middle and high school students) spoke about coming into the Bladen County Schools in 9th grade and how they were not prepared academically for high school classes compared to classmates who’d been in the district. This student also spoke about their teachers and their willingness to help close the gap and provide extra support.

📆Key Dates

  • Red Ribbon Week is October 27 - 31

  • November Board Meeting is November 10

  • No School on Tuesday, November 11 (Veterans Day)