From the Boardroom

On January 6, 2025 the Wayne County Board of Education held its regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Upon returning from Closed Session, the Board approved its Meeting Link.

The following students and staff were recognized with a Board Spotlight for the following achievement:

AFJROTC Unit “Exceeds Standards” Inspection Scores

Eastern Wayne High School Air Force JROTC Unit (NC-804)

Southern Wayne High School Air Force JROTC Unit (NC-023)

The following staff member was recognized with a Board Spotlight for the following achievement:

Richard A. Schwartz NCCAT Honored Educator Scholarship
Amanda Holmes - Eastern Wayne Middle School

Executive Director of Accountability/Technology Support Services and Program Evaluation, Robert Yancey presented a draft 2025-2026 Traditional Academic Calendar and then shared guidelines and other considerations that the WCPS Calendar Committee took into account as part of the calendar development process. The Board unanimously approved the calendar.

Board of Education Committees did not meet in December. Staff brought the following recommendations to the full Board for approval:

• C&I Contracts and Purchase Orders

• Finance Contracts and Purchase Orders

• Donation Report - The Board accepted $35,849.00 in monetary donations and $5,770.00 in non-monetary donations, bringing year to date donation totals to $54,282.42 in monetary donations and $30,415.00 in non-monetary donations.

• Support Services Contracts & Purchase Orders

• Activity Bus Surplus

Dr. Tim Harrell, Assistant Superintendent for Support Services presented information about a proposed state of the art facility which would house restrooms and a concession stand at the Charle’s B. Aycock High Football stadium. The project, which the school has been working towards for a number of years, will be funded utilizing the following: $100,000 raised by the school’s booster club, $50,000 through district Capital funds, and $491,250 made available by Rep. John Bell through grant funds. Concerns and questions were raised by some Board members about the project costs. Dr. Harrell explained that the number of restrooms and stalls needed for the facility to meet the school's enrollment, which were based the specifications from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, is what contributed greatly to the cost. Board member West noted that the dollars raised by the booster club, and which were provided by Representative Bell, were done so with the specific intention of completing this project. The Board then approved the following items with a 5-1 vote, with Board member Henderson voting against:

• CBA High Concessions Bid Tabulation

• CBA Concession Stand Contract Approval

The Board approved the following items:

• Education Affiliation Agreement between Wayne County BOE & ECU (School Social Workers) (Pending final legal review)
  

• MOA between Wayne County BOE & Stepping Stones

No individuals signed up to address the Board during its Public Comment period.

Prior to the Board Comment period, the Board approved its Consent Agenda, which included minutes, Student Reassignments, and a General Personnel Report.

The full January 6, 2025 Board Meeting video can be viewed by clicking on the following Board Meeting Video link. The January 6, 2025 Meeting agenda and associated materials presented to the Board can be viewed by clicking on Meeting Link.

DISTRICT 1: Mr. Don Christopher West - christopherwest@wcps.org

DISTRICT 2: Mr. H. Len Henderson - lenhenderson@wcps.org

DISTRICT 3: Ms. Bridgette Cowan - bridgettecowan@wcps.org

DISTRICT 4: Mr. Willie Joyner, II (Chair)

- billjoyner@wcps.org

DISTRICT 5: Mr. Craig Foucht - craigfoucht@wcps.org

DISTRICT 6: Mr. Wade Leatham - daleleatham@wcps.org

AT LARGE: Mr. J. Tommy Sanders III (Vice-Chair) - tommysanders@wcps.org