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September Board of Education Meeting Highlights

Bladen County Schools

September 23, 2026

✨BOE Meeting Highlights ✨

🇺🇸Thank you, Madison, Ava, Chanel, and Za’Marrie, students from Elizabethtown Middle School who led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Four middle school students stand holding certificates with the superintendent.

✅The Board approved the Consent Agenda which included:

  • Minutes from the August 3 Special Called Meeting

  • Minutes from the August 10 Regular Scheduled Meeting

  • Minutes from the August 24 Special Called Meeting

  • Debarment Certification for Federal Programs

  • Prayer Certification for Federal Programs

  • EC Nursing Services Contracts

💫 Spotlights & Recognitions 💫  

The district welcomed Dr. Brock Womble, NCCAT Executive Director to recognize Ms. Elizabeth Roberson. Roberson, a Business Education teacher at West Bladen High School has been selected as a finalist for the NCCAT 2027 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year Award! 

Adults stand together smiling with one employee holding a certificates of recognition in the middle.

Information Items

  • Overview of the 2025-2026 Accountability Results from Mr. Brendan McCarthy

  • Finance update from Mr. Daniel Nolan

  • Overview of the 2026-2027 School Improvement Plans and the District Support Plan for Low Performing Schools from Dr. Jason Atkinson

Action Items, Approved:

  • 2026-2026 Budget Resolution

  • 2026 NCSBA Delegates for the Annual Conference to be—Anthony Thomas, Aaron Russ, Dennis Edwards, and Harfel Davis

  • 2026-2027 Needs Based Capital Public School Fund Request 

  • Naming the East Bladen Soccer Facility for Dr. Samuel Cross

  • Chromebook Lease Agreement for new devices for our high schools

Action Items, Other

  • SRO Funding Proposal: Bladen County Schools received an offer from the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office regarding funding for School Resource Officers (SROs). Under the proposal, the Sheriff’s Office would fund one SRO, while the school district would be responsible for funding the remaining 10 positions. The superintendent and deputy superintendent recommended that the Board not approve the proposal, citing the significant financial impact on the district. No motion was made, and the proposal did not pass. District administration emphasized that additional support from the Bladen County Board of Commissioners is needed to help ensure the safety of students and staff.

  • Disposal of Surplus Property (East Arcadia School): The proposal was two-fold. First it was recommended that any athletic awards, trophies, and other related items be given to the Town of East Arcadia for display. Second was for items that could not be repurposed or used would be sold through public auction or through Gov Deals online auction. After discussion, it was decided to table the proposed plan until the October board meeting. 

Dates to Remember

  • Happening this week - Going Gold for Childhood Cancer

  • Tuesday, September 29 & Wednesday September 30 - Ag ‘Em Up Days at BCC

  • Friday, October 2 - Tackle Out Cancer at the East and West Bladen football games

  • Thursday, October 8 - Early Release, Required Teacher Workday

  • Friday, October 9 - No School for Students, Optional Teacher Workday