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By BladenOnline Team

Bladen County teacher retention bonuses were approved at the Board of Education meeting held on Monday, September 12, 2022. According to Dr. Jason Atkinson, Superintendent of BCS, full-time teachers will receive $2,000 in bonus funds, and part-time teachers will receive $1,000. The bonuses will be paid to qualified staff members in December 2022 and April 2023. The Board approved the motion unanimously. Read the full plan here: Staff Recruitment and Retention Bonus Plan_Proposed

New Hires and Resignations Announced in Bladen County Board of Education Meetings

Atkinson also announced there are 1.5 million dollars in Hurricane Florence funds Bladen County Schools received after the flooding that needs to be spent. Board member Dennis Edwards asked if the money could be used for tennis courts. Atkinson also brought up the conditions of East Bladen High School’s parking lot, which needs a lot of repairs.

Susan Harrison with BCS financial department explained that the funds were initially earmarked for roof repairs at the high schools. She contacted officials to confirm the money could be spent on other needs.

Harrison also presented a representative from Anderson, Smith & Wike, PLLC, for the yearly financial audit. According to the representative, there were no financial discrepancies or errors. View the report here: Bladen County Schools 2022 Audit Report

No representative was present to give an update on the Tar Heel School Construction Project Update. Board member Edwards said he wants the contracting company to hire Joe Jackson, a local license holder, to oversee the project and provide better communication locally. No motion was made by any of the board members when Edwards made the suggestion.

Kimbrie Esters provided the Board with information on a new 22 Credit Diploma Plan. The Board approved the new plan so BCS students may graduate with 22 credits if needed.

Esters also presented a School Mental Health Plan. She said, “There are no major changes to the plan.” However, a “Screener” has been added for social and emotional learning (SEL) to screen students. Ester added that teachers and staff members will have access to the screener’s services. Atkinson said funding is available for a Psychologist, but no one with the qualifications can be found. More counselors are needed as well.

Esters did say she is meeting with Trillium to provide school-based therapy.

Improvements have been reached in Bladen County Schools Grade Level Proficiencies according to Dr. Hinson’s report to the board. In the school year 2018-2019 the proficiencies for third, fourth and fifth graders was at 47.5. In the 2020-2021 school year the score dropped to 27.3, but now the proficient score has improved to 35.2 for the elementary grades. The high schools produced even better scores according to the report. Atkinson explained the high schools have more areas to earn points for the rating than the elementary grades are allowed. View the report here: BOE School Performance Grades 2022 SY

Before the Board approved the Consent items, Atkinson asked for all the budget items to be moved from the agenda. He stated the Board could address the budget items at a Special Called meeting that would be scheduled next week. The Board approved the changes.

The date and time of the special called meeting were not announced during the meeting and are not found on the district’s website at the time of this publication.

Matters of interest to the Board were all about sports facilities. Board member Alan West stressed the needs at the baseball and softball press boxes and stated funds were approved years ago for air filtration systems at East and West Bladen locker rooms, but they have not been installed. West explained, the air filtration systems are needed as soon as possible to protect students against viruses.

Board members Dennis Edwards and Roger Carroll asked about the tennis courts again and Carroll stressed the need for the Bladenboro Middle’s volleyball court repairs.

Before adjourning, Atkinson reported the total number of student in Bladen County Schools is at 3,829 and when Pre-K students are added to the number the total number of Bladen County Schools students is 3,997.

The next regular scheduled meeting will be held on October 10, 2022, at 6 pm.

All board members were present except Tim Benton. The meeting was live streamed on Bladen Livestream YouTube Channel. View the video link below: