Board Briefs

The Vance County Schools Board of Education recognized the District Educators of Excellence, which included: Jozette Broughton of New Hope Elementary as Teacher of the Year, Khris-Tina Stewart-Hendricks of Vance County High as Beginning Teacher of the Year, Facetia Branch of Vance County Middle as Assistant Principal of the Year, and Dr. Nealie Whitt III of Vance County High as Principal of the Year.

The awards were presented at the district’s annual Excellence in Education banquet on Thursday, August 29th, at the Henderson County Club. The banquet honored teachers, staff, and administrators from across the district, representing their respective schools.

2024-2025 Vance County Schools Teacher of the Year Nominees: Nino Robles, AdVance Academy, Stephanie Sewell-Brown, Aycock Elementary, Lillian King, Carver Elementary, Cassandra Chartier, Clarke Elementary, Justin Wrenn, Dabney Elementary, Ebony Watkins, E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy, Christina Welch, E.O. Young Elementary, Estelle Mangum, L.B. Yancey Elementary, Jozette Broughton, New Hope Elementary Laura Brown, Pinkston St. Elementary, Jean Marie Munroe-Criddle, STEM Early High, Eva Jennings, Vance County Early College, Wennie Perez, Vance County High, Deris Mora, Vance County Middle, Cynthia Schlessinger, Vance Virtual Village, Venessa Lalor-Lofters, Zeb Vance Elementary

2024-2025 Vance County Schools Beginning Teacher of the Year Nominees: Dian Bowers, Advance Academy, Sharnakay Plummer, Aycock Elementary, Tressy Person, Carver Elementary, Nordette Givens, Clarke Elementary, Nichole Campbell-Gordon, Dabney Elementary, Danielle Brissett, E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy, Hailey Reavis, E.O. Young Elementary, Keita Kelly Lamay, L.B. Yancey Elementary, Carolina Carraway, New Hope Elementary, Ma Viance Estrosos, Pinkston St. Elementary, Edna Celis, STEM Early High School, Vance County Early College, Angelique Bagagnan, Khris-Tina Stewart Hendricks, Vance County High, Venice Arellano, Vance County Middle School, Raymond Pagayon, Vance Virtual Village, Niya Sneed, Zeb Vance Elementary

2024-2025 Vance County Schools Assistant Principal of the Year Nominees: McShell Edmonds, Vance County High, Facetia Branch, Vance County Middle, LaVonda Williams, Pinkston Street Elementary

2024-2025 Vance County Schools Principal of the Year Nominees: Dr. Shannon Bullock, L.B. Yancey Elementary, Dr. Carnetta Thomas, EM Rollins STEAM Academy, Dr. Nealie Whitt III, Vance County High, Nowell Brooks, Advance Academy

Vance County Schools is proud to be a member of The Innovation Project (TIP), a collaborative of forward-thinking school districts in North Carolina committed to reshaping education. Through TIP, students gain access to programs like SparkNC and District C, which provide real-world learning experiences to prepare them for future careers.

Center for Innovation Director, Kristin Jeffreys, shared information about District C. District C equips high school students with problem-solving skills by having them work in teams to tackle real business challenges. This hands-on experience helps students develop essential skills like teamwork, communication, and critical thinking as they present their solutions to local businesses. To prepare for these challenges, students first participate in SparkNC, which focuses on building skills in high-demand fields like technology, data science, and digital media. SparkNC helps students get ready for careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). By combining the technical knowledge gained through SparkNC with the problem-solving opportunities provided by District C, students are equipped with both the skills and the experiences they need to succeed in today’s workforce. Together, these initiatives empower students to thrive in modern careers.

The Board of Education recognized Danielle Anderson who participated in District C over the summer. She shared her experience with the Board of Education and how it impacted her in a positive way.

Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett shared the following:

• Fiscal Oversight Monthly Report
• Back to School Update
• 5,288 students enrolled (PreK and up)
• 22 vacancies as of September 3 (16 instructional staff)
• Middle and High School athletics are underway
• En-Tech Mobile lab ribbon cutting (engineering and technology mobile opportunities)
• Enhanced Safety & Security
• metal detectors at all schools
• clear bags at all ticketed events
• RAVE app
• Safety cards
• Advanced Teaching Roles expanded through TESOL federal grant ($3.4m)
• Strategic Plan updates this fall
• 2023-2024 Academic Year Data
• 12% exceeded growth
• 64% met growth
• 24% progressing

The Board of Education voted and approved the following:

North Carolina School Board Association Delegates

• Dr. Omega Perry, Gloria J. White, Randy M. Oxendine, Dorothy W. Gooche
• Alternate: Ayana F. Lewis

Personnel

• Personnel Summary

Finance:

• Approval of the 2024-2025 contract for Thomas Transportation
  
• Approval of the contract with Gupton Services to replace the chiller at STEM Early High
• Approval to surplus the list of laptops
• Approval for the use of the sealed bid process for the tiny house with all proceeds going back to the VCHS CTE department to further fund and expand the CTE program
• Approval of Public School Building Repair and Renovation Fund (PSBRRF) and Public School Building Capital Fund (PSBCF) for use to repair and/or replace the roofs at school sites and to resurface parking lots
• Purchase of cafeteria tables for Aycock Elementary, LB Yancey Elementary, Zeb Vance Elementary

Policy

• 2000 series updated as recommended by the North Carolina School Board Association
• Policy 1510/4200/7270: School Safety
• Policy 1710/4020/7230: Discrimination and Harassment Prohibited by Federal Law
• Policy 1720/4030/7235: Title IX Sex Discrimination - Prohibited Conduct and Grievance Procedures
• Policy 7340: Staff Dress Code Revision

The Board of Education approved employment recommendations for 32. We would like to formally welcome the following: Kerry Morrison-Thomas (ASC), Gay Charisse Beran (AA), Devonda Bailey (Aycock), Ma Theresa Yantos (Aycock), Sarah Pelos (Clarke), Taylor Hedgepeth (Dabney), Chastity Judkins (EMR), Chrystal Primiano (EOY), Jeremy Bullock(LBY/Pinkston), JaCari Diggs (NH), Ivett Rivera (Pinkston), Keyana Kelly (Pinkson), Linda Hargrove (Pinkston), Barbara Smith (STEM), Ruth Ongeri (STEM), Matthew Harris (VCEC), Todd Jeffreys (VCHS), Dwaynna Ramsay (VCMS), Justus Baldwin (VCMS), Kyanna Kersey (VCMS), Onique Lawson (VCMS), Sarah Wheeler (VCMS), Tyriek Branch (VCMS), Danielle Coburn (ZV), Chabre' Phillips, Ja-Niya Perry, Laura Hernandez, Remonda Reid, Desmon Richards, Kaylom Crawley, Alicia Pardo-Larmond, and Amber Jones.

The Board accepted resignations for 8 and transfer/promotions for 29 some of which include Davia Wilkins to AP at VCMS, Michelle Wells to AP at Dabney, John Russick to Exceptional Children's Executive Director of Compliance, Dr. Jacqueline Batchelor-Crosson to Executive Director of Elementary Education and Federal Programs and Chelsa Jennings to Chief Human Resources Officer. Contract/Part-Time Employment for 1.

The Vance County Board of Education approved 38 requests to transfer into Vance County Schools and 6 requests to transfer out, totaling 44 transfer requests.

• none

2024 Meeting Schedule

October 14, 2024

November 4, 2024

December 9, 2024

2024 Board Meeting Schedule was adopted by the Board of Education on December 11, 2023.

Vance County Schools, located in Henderson, NC serves students Pre-K through 12th grade, as well as Early College 5th year students. There are 16 schools served in our district.

Website: www.vcs.k12.nc.us
Location: 1724 Graham Avenue, Henderson, NC, USA
Phone: 252-492-2127
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vance-County-Schools-920214704715692
Twitter: @VanceCoSchools