🇺🇸 Pledge of Allegiance
A special thank you Adelind, Kevin, Kingston, and Elias from Dublin Primary School for leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
✨ Spotlights and Recognitions ✨
🏀Congratulations to the Boys and Girls Basketball Teams from Baldenboro Middle School, both Waccamaw Conference Basketball Champions.
🏀Congratulations to the East Bladen High School Men’s Varsity Basketball Team—Carolina Conference Tournament Champions.
🎨Art students from East and West Bladen High School were recognized for having their artwork selected to be part of the “From Mountains to Seas: Rising Stars Exhibit” at Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, NC.
💫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.
Congratulations to all of our March honorees.
Bladen Lakes Primary School
Students of the Month: Kinsley Register and Josiah Hoffman
Certified Employee of the Month: Ollie Maultsby
Classified Employee of the Month: Misty Thompson
Bladenboro Primary School
Students of the Month: Heaven Highsmith and Jackson Davis
Certified Employee of the Month: Ashley Benton Davis
Classified Employee of the Month: Autumn Johnson
Dublin Primary School
Students of the Month: Adelind Brisson and Elias Everitte
Certified Employee of the Month: Ashley Vernon
Classified Employee of the Month: Jessica McAllister
East Arcadia School
Students of the Month: Hayden McDaniel and Destiny Long
Certified Employee of the Month: Tracey Schwabacher
Classified Employee of the Month: Wanda Daniels
Elizabethtown Primary School
Students of the Month: Daron Burney and Kennedi Soles
Certified Employee of the Month: Annette Lopez
Classified Employee of the Month: Jacqueline Watson
Tar Heel School
Students of the Month: Mia Velasco Garcia and Carlos Esparza Flores
Certified Employee of the Month: Angie Pait
Classified Employee of the Month: SRO Hernandez
Bladenboro Middle School
Students of the Month: Mary Scott Walters and Alana Campbell
Certified Employee of the Month: Jonathan Lewis
Classified Employee of the Month: Nancy Gibson
Clarkton School of Discovery
Students of the Month: David Orellana Vasquez and Saber Cox
Certified Employee of the Month: Megan Melvin
Classified Employee of the Month: Darneisha Wright
Elizabethtown Middle School
Students of the Month: Joseph Price and Ava Fields
Certified Employee of the Month: Bella Rogers
Classified Employee of the Month: Jane Sykes
Bladen Early College
Students of the Month: Katie Strickland and David Sanchez-Resindez
Certified Employee of the Month: Lauren Young
East Bladen High School
Students of the Month: Jordan Robinson and Sana'a Singletary
Certified Employee of the Month: Stephanie Hester
Classified Employee of the Month: Teffery McKoy
West Bladen High School
Students of the Month: Tylik McCall and Jailynn Russ
Certified Employee of the Month: Salvador Garcia
Classified Employee of the Month: Natasha Cromartie
📋 Information Items
🔍 Fiscal Audit Update
Adam Scepurek of Anderson, Smith, and Wike, PLLC presented an interim audit update. Given that the district is currently between finance directors, the firm is going above and beyond their standard scope by reviewing both local and state balances and examining the general ledger. The review found nothing abnormal. The auditors are scheduled to return after June 30.
🛡️ SRO Contract Update
The district provided an update on the School Resource Officer (SRO) contract, which remains pending while the county’s attorney reviews it. Dr. Atkinson indicated the district cannot in good faith recommend that the Board approve the current contract as written, noting it does not meet requirements tied to certain grant funding.
Action Items
✓ Action Item 9.1 – Closure of East Arcadia School and Consolidation with Clarkton School of Discovery
After extensive discussion, the Board voted to approve the closure of East Arcadia School and its consolidation with Clarkton School of Discovery. However, the Board was unable to reach a majority agreement on a closure date. Multiple attempts were made to settle on either June 30, 2026 or June 30, 2027, and none received the necessary votes.
✓ Action Item 9.2 – Disposition of Plain View School Property
Attorney Sharon Lin of Tharrington Smith joined the meeting to review property disposal options for the Plain View School property following the county commissioners’ decision to decline the property. Ms. Lin outlined the options available to a public school unit (PSU) for disposing of property, including sealed bids, upset bid, public auction, and exchange with another government entity. She noted that her firm typically recommends the upset bid process to school district clients, as it begins with a media release announcing the sale (which may include a minimum asking price) and allows for a “for sale” sign on the property. The Board also discussed obtaining an appraisal and engaging a commercial real estate agent.
The Board voted unanimously to begin by placing a for sale sign on the property. Additional steps will be considered as the process moves forward.
✓ Action Item 9.3 – Approval of 2026–2027 Local Budget Request
The Board approved a local budget request totaling an additional $2,142,000 to be submitted to the county commissioners. The motion passed unanimously.
✓ Action Item 9.4 – Metal Roof Painting, Bladenboro Middle School (Lottery Funds)
Maintenance Director Bennie Lennon presented options for the metal roof painting project at Bladenboro Middle School, including a choice between a 10-year and 15-year warranty and color options with associated price differences. The Board approved proceeding with the blue roof color and a 10-year warranty.
✓ Action Item 9.5 – Policy 3620 – Extracurricular Activities and Student Organizations
The Board considered updates to Policy 3620, which governs extracurricular activities. The current policy does not allow home school students or students attending schools outside of Bladen County to participate in extracurricular activities, and it also restricts Bladen Early College High School (BECHS) students from participating in sports at their home-base school.
The Board unanimously approved to amend policy to include BECHS students, and to waive the second reading — making the policy effective immediately.
🗓️ Action Item 9.6 – Procurement Card Policy 3525 (TABLED)
The Board was not asked to approve Policy 3525 at this meeting. A motion was made to table the policy and bring it back in April for full review and approval. The motion passed.
🗓️ Action Item 9.7 – Clerical Change to Policy 2230 (TABLED)
The Board considered a proposed clerical change to Policy 2230, which would update committee names only — no structural changes to committees are proposed. The Board voted to table this item and bring it back in April for a vote.
🗓️ Action Item 9.8 – HVAC Projects, Clarkton School of Discovery and Bladenboro Middle School Gymnasiums (MOVED TO APRIL)
This item was moved to the April meeting to allow time for a third bid to be obtained before the Board takes action.