🇺🇸 A special thank you to Victoria Baiza Rivon and Paisley Singletary from Bladenboro Middle School for leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
✨Spotlights and Recognitions✨
📝 VFW Essay Contest Winners: Mr. Dixon from the local VFW presented an award to Jackson Bridgers from East Bladen High School. Not present was Alayah Turner from Elizabethtown Middle School.
🍳 National Restaurant Association ServSafe Food Manager Credential
Congratulations to the following students who earned their ServSafe Food Manager Certification:
East Bladen High School: Sheyla Majera, Joanna Rodriguez, and Jania Leach
West Bladen High School: Kali Allen, Charlotte Cookson, Haley Taylor, Vera Valentiner, and Armando Reyna-Vicencio
⚽ North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association Awards
West Bladen High School
Jonah Bryan: All-Region
East Bladen High School
Jayce Hatcher: All-Region
Ishaq Algozy: All-State
Davion Lewis: All-State
Jay Raynor: Regional Coach of the Year
Eric Sandoval: Regional Assistant Coach of the Year
🏈 East Bladen High School JV Football - Carolina Conference Co-Champions
Congratulations to the EBHS JV Football team and coaching staff on being named Carolina Conference Co-Champions: Ryne Priest, Ethan Burden, Damian Maynor, Prince McKoy, Omar Powell, Joel Lewis, Avery McKinley, Darnell Rouse, Anthony Jones, Prince Powell, Marley Whitaker-Vaughan, Lakota Schmale, ZahMarion Pone, Chase Moultrie, Khyrin Hairston, Chandler Wall, Cayden Morton, Deunta Travis, Kenley Parks, Hysiah Baldwin, Kwesi Holloway, Mason Sanford, Kanye Smith, Elijah Smith, Mason Durden, Tryone Freeman, Jemel Carter, Coach Teffrey McKoy, Asst. Coach Cory Corbett, and Asst. Coach Alex Barbour.
💫Students and Employees of the Month💫
Each month, Bladen County Schools recognizes students and employees who exemplify what it means to be learners and leaders in our district.
Our Students of the Month demonstrate kindness, responsibility, academic effort, and a commitment to growth—modeling Leader in Me habits that make their schools better places to learn.
Our Employees of the Month show outstanding professionalism, teamwork, and care—leading with heart whether in the classroom, on a bus, in the cafeteria, or behind the scenes.
Tonight we celebrate our December honorees for the positive impact they make every day. Congratulations to all!
Bladen Lakes Primary School Students of the Month: Liam Serrano Hernandez and Esmeralda Sandoval Barrios Certified Employee of the Month: Marajo Kellihan Classified Employee of the Month: Diane Owens
Bladenboro Primary School Students of the Month: Gabriel Stephens and Valeria Rojo Sandoval Certified Employee of the Month: Kelly Durden Classified Employee of the Month: Revonda Rouse
Dublin Primary School Students of the Month: Myra Bernhardt and Jordan Lee Certified Employee of the Month: Gabriel Ann Corbett Classified Employee of the Month: Angel Thompson
East Arcadia School Students of the Month: Emily Cruz and Jabari Ward Certified Employee of the Month: Angela Dowless Classified Employee of the Month: Renatha Gibbs
Elizabethtown Primary School Students of the Month: Landon Orellana and Jiselle Hines Certified Employee of the Month: Christine Harriger Classified Employee of the Month: Gayla Collins
Tar Heel School Students of the Month: Adriana Lopez Perez and Juan Martinez Solano Certified Employee of the Month: Stephanie Nance Classified Employee of the Month: Antonia Owens
Bladenboro Middle School Students of the Month: Alaina Simmons and Michael Edwards Certified Employee of the Month: Hayley Baxley Classified Employee of the Month: Keri-Ana Bartley
Clarkton School of Discovery Students of the Month: Nora Bridgers and Joshua Williams Certified Employee of the Month: Elizabeth Priest Classified Employee of the Month: Brenda Williams
Elizabethtown Middle School Students of the Month: Carlos Ruiz Dominguez and Brook Olsen Certified Employee of the Month: Melissa Freeman Classified Employee of the Month: Katrina Wright
Bladen Early College Students of the Month: Jose Teran and Savanna Wooten Employee of the Month: Lenise Stewart
East Bladen High School Students of the Month: Xavier Potts and Makaliah Henry Certified Employee of the Month: Doll Priest Classified Employee of the Month: Deborah Highsmith
West Bladen High School Students of the Month: Carolina Martinez and Matthew Parker Certified Employee of the Month: Alistair Naidu Classified Employee of the Month: Phyllis Powers
👥Board Organization
The Board of Education elected Mackie Singletary as Board Chair and Tim Benton as Vice Chair for the upcoming year.
📋Information Items
🏗️ Facilities Update: Bennine Lennon, Director of Maintenance, provided a comprehensive breakdown of major projects he and his team have completed across the district, including bathroom renovations, HVAC replacements, and infrastructure improvements at schools throughout the county.
🍽️ School Nutrition Equipment Update: Crystal O'Briant, Director of School Nutrition and Homeless Services, provided an update on kitchen equipment needs across the district and shared that the department is pursuing grant funding to address equipment repairs and replacements.
📋 Board Committees Policy Review: Dr. Atkinson reviewed the board committees policy. The Board Chair will create committee assignments effective January 1, 2025. Board members were asked to submit their committee preferences by December 15th.
Action Items
✓ Action Item 10.1 - East Arcadia School Consolidation Study: The BOE approved moving forward with scheduling public hearings on the potential consolidation of East Arcadia School with Clarkton School of Discovery. Important Note: This action authorizes public hearings only—no decision has been made regarding school closure. Public hearings will be held at both East Arcadia School and Clarkton School of Discovery, with dates to be determined and announced. The public hearings will follow board meeting public comment guidelines, with the exception of the 30-minute time limit. Additional information will be forthcoming. A copy of the study as well as the presentation from the board meeting are available on our website.
✓ Action Item 10.2 - Use of Wireless Communication Devices Policy: The BOE approved the Use of Wireless Communication Devices Policy. This policy aligns with our Code of Conduct.
✓ Action Item 10.3 - Custom Policy Updates: The BOE approved placing custom policy updates on the table for review at a future meeting.
✓ Personnel Action Items: The BOE approved personnel action items following a closed session.
📆Key Dates and Reminders
All schools will have early release during the final week before winter break
Friday, December 20 is the last day before break—all buildings close at 1 PM.
Required teacher workday on January 2, 2026
Students return to school on Monday, January 5, 2026.
📊Superintendent's Report Highlights
🔍 Financial Audit: Dr. Atkinson has engaged with an auditing firm to conduct a comprehensive financial audit. The firm is scheduled to return in February with their findings.
📈 Strategic Plan: The district will begin the process of overhauling its strategic plan to align with State Superintendent Green's updated state plan. The process is expected to take 4-6 months, with the goal of having a new strategic plan in place by July 1, 2026. The process will include input from students, staff, and the community.
🙏 Community Thanks: Dr. Atkinson extended thanks to Baldwin Branch Church for their support of the district.
🤝 County Commissioner Meeting: The superintendent is working to schedule a meeting with the new county commissioner leadership in January to discuss district needs and priorities.