03/29/2024
Bladen County Schools
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By Joy Warren

Tension was high Monday evening at the standing-room-only (majority CSD parents, students and teachers) Board of Education meeting.  After recognition of the Spotlight Award winners, Chair Munns-Goins recognized those who had signed up for the Citizen Participation portion of the agenda.  She also announced that Chris Clark’s time with the Board had been moved to Closed Session.  Mr. Clark was not pleased with that decision and voiced his opposition as he requested time in open session.  The Board would not allow him to be heard in open session. 

The second speaker during the Citizen Participation was Brenda Brisson who spoke on behalf of Clarkton School of Discovery.  Mrs. Brisson, grandmother of a current CSD student, state she and the CSD community are “overwhelmingly concerned about the rumors of relocating Project Challenge Program and/or moving Booker T. Washington students to CSD”.  According to Brisson, the rumors have had a negative effect on the open application period for students out of district to apply to CSD.  She requested that the application period be extended.  She also stated that the BOE “should not cut programs at the top that are bearing much fruit – locally, state-wide, and nationally.”  This is the 21st year of existence of the CSD Project Challenge Program.  She charged the Board members to “engage the parents, students, teachers and community of CSD for suggestions and input on how CSD can continue to be a viable option for the education of students”.   Mrs. Munns-Goins thanked her for sharing her comments.  The Board made no comments regarding CSD.

The Board went into Closed Session to discuss personnel matters, student transfers and legal issues.  No information was shared once the Board came back into open session.  Several informational items were shared with the Board.  Steve Lear, NCDPI K-3 Formative Assessment Program, gave an overview of the Kindergarten Entry Assessment that is being mandated effective August 2015.  He praised the District for their participation in a Pilot program for the assessment and their plan for implementation.  Ms. Head, Assistant Superintendent/Curriculum, informed the Board that the District would be participating in the NCSU College Advising Corps, at no cost to the district.  An adviser from the program will be assigned to each high school and will work with the School Counselors to help guide students to higher education.  Mr. Jason Atkinson, Director of Technology, gave an update on the E-Rate/RttT Wireless Project.  The current wireless system will be replace in all schools at no cost to the District through this project.

Several Action Items were presented to the Board.  Items approved were Personnel Report, seven fundraiser requests; overnight field trip requests; Articulated Agreement with Bladen Community College; Third Party Administrator Contract for 403(b) Plan; a budget amendment; a Resolution regarding the 175th Anniversary of Public Education; and CEU credit for Board members for Budget Retreat.  Action Items tabled were the 1:1 Laptop Refresh/Renewal Contracted Lease Agreement and the 2015 Spring Policy Updates.

In regards to the Budget Proposal to present to the Commissioners, the Board approved Budget 3 which included additional funds and Capital Outlay of $167,000 for the 1:1 Laptop Program.  No other information was provided to the public as to the items and/or what Budget 3 proposal contained.  Dr. Taylor stated that the Leadership Team and Budget committee is still waiting to hear from the County Commissioners on a date for their joint budget meeting.

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