November BOE Meeting Highlights

November BOE Meeting Highlights

🇺🇸A specialthank you to Angel Nava Navarrete, Coy Wilkins, Jackson Davis, Zy’niyah Canty, Kathleen Merritt, and Adrean Harris, from Bladenboro Primary School for leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

✨Spotlights and Recognitions✨

🏃 Congratulations to East Bladen High School Cross Country runner Aliah Jacobs who qualified to compete at this year’s 2A State Championship. Pictured with EBHS Cross Country Coach Wilson Bolden.
Two students hold certificates while standing between two adult administrators during a recognition at a Bladen County Schools meeting.

🎓 Congratulations to Gwendolyn Hines, Anni Edge, Tyler Crilley, Sasha Coe, and Nichole McCree who earned their NCASBO School Treasurer Certification; Joy Rouse who earned her NCASBO School Business Manager Certification; and Marietta Bethea who earned her NCASBO School Business Director Certification, demonstrating their commitment to professional excellence.
Six staff members stand in a row holding certificates at a Bladen County Schools board meeting, flanked by two administrators.

💫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.

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 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.

At the BOE meeting, we celebrated the November honorees for the positive impact they make in our schools and community. We are grateful for the example they set and for living out the values that make Bladen County Schools a special place to learn and work.

Congratulations to all of our Students and Employees of the Month!

Bladen Lakes Primary School

Students of the Month:Serenity Carr and Stephen Lopez-Ureta
Certified Employee of the Month: Melissa Todd
Classified Employee of the Month: Gwendolyn Hines
Two staff members and two students hold certificates alongside two administrators during a recognition at a board meeting.

Bladenboro Primary School

Students of the Month: DaQuan Curtis and Paitlynn Wilkins
Certified Employee of the Month: Pamela Dyson-Little
Classified Employe of the Month: Lisa Parnell
Two staff members and two students stand with certificates between two administrators at a Bladen County Schools board meeting.

Dublin Primary School

Students of the Month: Ezra Prestona and Miles Taylor
Certified Employee of the Month: Lucille Hrib
Classified Employee of the Month: LaQuana Montgomery
A young student stands holding a certificate between two administrators during a recognition at a Bladen County Schools board meeting.

East Arcadia School

Students of the Month: Lilly Arias and Juan Caballero
Certified Employee of the Month: Christopher Wagoner
Classified Employee of the Month: Wanda Daniels
A student holds a certificate while standing between two administrators during a recognition at a Bladen County Schools meeting.

Elizabethtown Primary School

Students of the Month: Jase High and Makayla Carroll
Certified Employee of the Month: Linda Hayes
Classified Employee of the Month: Nikita Wooten-Smith
Two staff members and a student stand holding certificates with two administrators during a recognition at a Bladen County Schools meeting.

Tar Heel School

Students of the Month: Jewel Drye and Jakhi Moody
Certified Employee of the Month: Patricia Beasley
Classified Employee of the Month: Selina Nino
A young student, an older student, and a staff member hold certificates and stand with two administrators at a Bladen County Schools meeting.

Bladenboro Middle School
Students of the Month: Emmitt Brown and Jasmine Lopez

Certified Employee of the Month: Shyla Young
Classified Employee of the Month: Tyler Crilley
A staff member and a student hold certificates while standing between two administrators at a Bladen County Schools board meeting.

Clarkton School of Discovery

Students of the Month: Sarai Gomez-Bonilla
Certified Employee of the Month: Luke Schrepfer
Classified Employee of the Month: Carlie West
Two high school students hold certificates beside two administrators during a recognition at a Bladen County Schools meeting.

Elizabethtown Middle School

Students of the Month: Olivia Burton and Gavin Wu
Certified Employee of the Month: Beverly Vann
Classified Employee of the Month: Aurora Jimenez
Two students and a staff member stand holding certificates with two administrators at a Bladen County Schools board meeting.

Bladen Early College High School

Students of the Month: Taylor Collins and Norman Ramos George
Certified Employee of the Month: Nick Loscalzo
Classified Employee of the Month: Jeanette Lucas
An adult and two students hold certificates while standing with two administrators during a recognition ceremony.

East Bladen High School

Students of the Month: Jayden Hawkins and Jamiya Peterson
Certified Employee of the Month: Sabra Ludlum
Classified Employee of the Month: Ramonia Murphy
Two students and a staff member hold certificates and stand between two administrators at a Bladen County Schools meeting.

West Bladen High School
Students of the Month: Kali Allen and Omarion Brown
Certified Employee of the Month: Jill Smith
Classified Employee of the Month: Melony Edwards
Two students and a staff member hold certificates and stand between two administrators at a Bladen County Schools meeting.

👥Citizen Participation

The BOE heard from community members during the citizen participation segment:

Mr. Smith thanked the BOE for allowing the alumni organization to use Plain View Primary for a recent cookout event. He also shared thoughts about potential community uses for vacant buildings.
Laura Johnson, a former bus driver of 20 years, raised questions regarding transportation services.

🏗️Facilities Presentation

Representatives from Centrix presented on maintenance projects and design-build opportunities across the district. Priority projects identified include:

Drainage problems at East Bladen High School
Bladenboro Middle School band room improvements
Gymnasium renovations at Bladenboro Middle and Clarkton School of Discovery, specifically HVAC improvements
Auditorium restoration at Bladenboro Middle School

The presenters emphasized the positive impact comfortable learning environments have on student engagement and success.

Information Items

📍 The BOE reviewed Budget Amendments addressing the district's financial needs.

📍 The board discussed the projected shortfall in Exceptional Children (EC) services. Mrs. White-Smith reported that she has written and received two grants thus far and continues to pursue additional grant funding to address the deficit.

📍 Discussion regarding the retirement of Mrs. Susan Harrison and planning for internal audit processes.

Action Items

✓ Action Item 9.1: The BOE authorized a study for the potential closing and consolidation of East Arcadia School with Clarkton School of Discovery, following general statute requirements. This is a hypothetical study at this time and would include converting CSD to a K-8 school.

✓ Action Item 9.3: The BOE approved moving forward with retesting options for EOGs and EOCs. A key change is that parents must now give advance permission for retesting. For 3rd grade reading, the EOG will be the primary retest, with the Read to Achieve test becoming secondary. This change aims to increase test scores and allow students to demonstrate growth and proficiency.

✓ Action Item 9.4: The BOE approved the NC Education Lottery Applications for roof projects at Elizabethtown Middle and Primary Schools. These projects are completed, and this is a formality to request reimbursement funding.

✓ Action Item 9.5: The BOE approved:

Budget Amendments from the consent agenda
Declaration of Surplus Property for four activity buses, which will be sold through sealed bid with proceeds returning to the local fund
NCSBA Delegates

📆Key Dates

No School on Wednesday, November 26 - Friday, November 28 for Thanksgiving
- Wednesday, November 26 is an Optional Teacher Workday
December Board Meeting is Monday, December 8