OCS Board News

 

The Onslow County Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on June 2 at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. Agenda items included the CTE 2026-2028 Local Application Approval, a presentation on 2026 summer programs, the 2026-2027 Title I Plan, a K-3 assessment data review, results of the NCTWC Survey, and a closed session pursuant to open meeting law.  

After a Good News Spotlight segment, which highlighted the achievements of our students and staff, and a public comment period, during which one person spoke, Executive Director of Secondary Services Will Laine took to the podium to talk about the 2026-2028 CTE application.  

Mr. Laine shared that the application process ensures compliance with requirements in order to secure essential federal funding for Career and Technical Education opportunities. He shared that the district provides a wide range of opportunities for students of all ages to explore career possibilities and plan for their futures. These opportunities include an extensive course catalog, career fairs, events, clubs, and more. The Board unanimously approved the application.  

Mr. Laine also presented to the Board information about programs the district will be hosting to engage and support students this summer. Programs include Read to Achieve summer reading camps, CTE summer internships, gifted services summer camps, the ENCRSC Summer Experience, a Health Careers Explorers Program, Onslow Virtual Summer Accelerator, and credit recovery opportunities.  

Next, Director of Title I and K-8 Literacy Dee Owens presented the 2026-2027 Title I Plan for approval. Currently, 31 OCS schools are served by Title I, which provides funding to schools with poverty rates at or above 35 percent. Funding provides support for additional instructional positions, supplies and materials, professional development, and expanded student opportunities. Next year’s funding for Title I will total $8, 700, 928. The Board unanimously approved the plan.  

Next to the podium was Dr. Mark Bulris, executive director of elementary services, who shared some of last year’s K-3 assessment data. Dr. Bulris shared data that shows Onslow County is performing well and achieving substantial growth in K-3 literacy results. He even shared an article with the Board that highlighted Onslow County Schools as a district on the rise that is “leading the way in reading” in North Carolina.  

Lastly, Superintendent Dr. Christopher Barnes shared the results of the NC Teacher Working conditions survey with the Board. OCS had an exceptionally high response rate of 97.2 percent, with 1,875 of the district’s certified staff responding. This gives the district reliable data with which to assess teacher working conditions at OCS. The results of the survey were overwhelmingly positive, showing that the majority of teachers in Onslow County believe their school is a great place to learn and work.  

The meeting concluded with a closed session pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes 143-318.11 (a)(1), (a)(3), (a)(8) and (c). 

 

The Onslow County Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on May 5 at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. Agenda items included a classified supplement, the approval of the FY2026-2027 Local Current Expense and Capital Outlay Budgets, a presentation on the Beginning Teacher Program Plan, Parent Academy, and a discussion about legal services.  

Immediately preceding the regular meeting was a public hearing regarding the FY2026-2027 Capital Outlay and Local Current Expense budget proposals. No one spoke at the public hearing.   

After a Good News Spotlight segment, which highlighted the achievements of our students and staff, and a public comment period, during six people spoke, OCS Chief Financial Officer Jeff Hollamon took to the podium to ask for approval of a classified salary supplement.  

Mr. Hollamon presented to the Board a proposal for an annual $500 salary supplement for the district’s classified employees. This would represent a $1 million investment in staff and serve as a retention reward recognizing classified staff members’ important role in OCS.  

Board member Susanne Long, whose husband is a classified employee for the district, recused herself from the vote on the supplement. The remaining Board members passed the proposal unanimously.  

Next, Mr. Hollamon asked the Board to approve the FY2025-2026 budget proposals. 

The local current expense budget provides funding for salaries, insurance, academic programming, technology, cultural arts, utilities, exceptional children and more. Hollamon said that the total proposed budget for 2026-2027 equals $109.9 million. The capital outlay budget covers the district’s expenses related to maintenance, transportation, paving, roofing, furniture, safety and security and more. It totals $7,045,744.98.        

The Board unanimously approved the budget as presented.  

Next to the podium was Dr. CJ Korenek, OCS chief of human resources and student services, who asked the Board to approve the 2026 Beginning Teacher Support Program Plan.  

Dr. Korenek discussed recent changes to the plan, made to ensure it aligns appropriately with state policy. She also shared that the program implements systems and structures designed to support new teachers, regardless of licensure pathway, with the mentorship, support, and feedback they need to be successful.  

The Board unanimously approved the plan as presented.  

Will Laine, executive director of secondary services, then gave a presentation on the remaining Parent Academy dates for the year. The final session will be on May 26 and will cover information on competitive scholarships.  

Lastly, the Board voted on whether or not to accept the Letters of Engagement from Poyner Spruill and Erwin Law Firm to continue receiving their legal services. The Board unanimously voted to accept. Board members also discussed the procedures for selecting and evaluating the Board’s hired legal services. The Board expressed a desire to implement an annual process for the evaluation of legal services.  

Before adjourning, the Board went into a closed session, pursuant to open meetings law.  

 

On Thursday, April 23, the Onslow County Board of Education held a workshop meeting at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center to discuss the 2026-2027 budget proposal.  

First, Chief Finance Officer Jeff Hollamon presented the proposed local current expense budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The local current expense budget provides funding for salaries, insurance, academic programming, technology, cultural arts, utilities, exceptional children and more. Hollamon said that the total proposed budget for 2026-2027 equals $109.9 million, with $800,000 coming from fines and forfeitures, $12.2 million coming from the appropriated fund balance, $15 million coming from disaster recovery funds, and $81.9 million coming from the county’s tax revenue. Going into the new fiscal year, the superintendent plans to prioritize effective instruction, upholding a culture of continuous improvement, building internal capacity, leveraging parent and community support, inspiring innovation and opportunities, and creating safe and secure learning environments.        

Budget highlights include expanded Student 2 Student training and marketing expenses; investments in Future Teachers of Onslow, Governor’s School tuition, and professional development; and the implementation of an annual salary supplement of $500 for classified staff.    

Next on the agenda was a presentation from OCS Chief Operations Officer Brendan Gartner, who discussed the 2026-2027 Capital Outlay Budget. The capital outlay budget covers the district’s expenses related to maintenance, transportation, paving, roofing, furniture, safety and security and more. Dr. Gartner began his presentation by sharing with the Board and executive staff that the oldest OCS building was built in 1942, while the newest was built in 2025. He also shared that the district is responsible for maintaining 521 buildings, as well as over 1,550 acres of land. The district’s current assets are valued at more than $850 million.  

Under the current funding agreement with county government, Dr. Gartner said that the district would be receiving $7 million for next year’s capital outlay budget. That funding, along with other revenue sources, would bring the district to a total capital outlay budget of $7,045,744.98.       

This year, Dr. Gartner said the district received more than $56 million worth of capital requests from schools and departments across the county. Requests were prioritized by greatest need, requirements by law, instructional and security needs, and the timeline needed. From there, the requests were filtered until there was $7 million worth of work to be done. Some highlights of the work to be done with next year’s capital outlay budget include paving and roofing projects, modular classrooms, security upgrades, vehicle replacements, and more.       

On May 5, the Board will hold a public hearing to discuss the proposed budget and will vote on the budget later that day. Then, the budget will be sent to the county commissioners for their approval, and the budget will be adopted by the BOE in June.  

 

The Onslow County Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on April 7 at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. Agenda items included a New Bridge Middle School staircase replacement, a Week of the Young Child proclamation, and presentations on consolidated program planning and Parent Academy.  

After a Good News Spotlight that highlighted student and staff accomplishments, and a public comment period with five speakers, the Board addressed its general business.  

Dr. Brendan Gartner, OCS Chief of Operations, shared in his presentation that, in April of 2024, the Board approved the selection of Smith Sinnett Architecture to oversee the replacement of the exterior staircase at New Bridge Middle School. After the design process was complete, the project went to bid for construction. Three bids were received, and the cost of the project was higher than originally anticipated. Smith Sinnett revisited the design of the staircase project and was able to reduce the cost of the replacement from $388,000 to $250,000. The Board unanimously voted to award the contract for the replacement of the staircase to TE Davis Construction Company.  

Next, the Board unanimously voted to adopt a proclamation in recognition of Week of the Young Child. This proclamation acknowledged that the first years of a child’s life are the period of the most rapid brain development and lay the foundation for all future learning. The proclamation also reaffirmed Onslow County Schools’ commitment to providing high-quality early childhood education.  

In the next order of business, Dr. Mark Bulris, OCS Executive Director of Elementary Education, updated the Board on consolidated federal programs grant application planning. He said that Title I, II, III, and IV are submitted together as a consolidated funding application to NCDPI. The process requires the district to develop plans and gather stakeholder feedback. Dr. Bulris shared that the district has already engaged with stakeholders and gathered feedback. From here, the process will continue with the ultimate goal of submitting final plans and grant information to the Board in June of 2026 and to NCDPI by July.  

Last on the agenda was an update on OCS Parent Academy. Dr. Michael Elder, OCS Director of College and Career Readiness, shared with the Board and audience some of the upcoming Parent Academy sessions. These include sessions on what to do after college acceptance, planning for high school, competitive scholarships, and the spring college fair.  

 

The Onslow County Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on March 10 at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. Agenda items included the 2026-2027 calendar proposal, a magnet program overview, and a presentation on Parent Academy.  

After opening the meeting, the Board voted on the consent agenda. The consent agenda was approved in a 6-1 vote, with Board Member Angie Todd casting the dissenting vote.  

After a Good News Spotlight filled with student and staff recognitions, and public comment period with three speakers, the Board addressed is general business.  

First to the podium was Chief Communications Officer Brent Anderson, who presented a draft of the 2026-2027 calendar for Board approval. Anderson shared information about the state’s school calendar legislation, as well as the district’s process for creating a calendar and gathering feedback. The final proposal included two calendars: one for the district’s traditional schools and one for Onslow Early College. Anderson said the final proposed calendar had the correct number of days, followed all state calendar laws, and incorporated some of the feedback received. The Board unanimously approved the 2026-2027 calendars as presented.    

Next, the Board heard from Dr. Cameron Custy, OCS director of student services, who shared information about the district’s magnet school lottery. The Board also heard from each of the district’s four magnet schools, who shared information about their school’s programs and unique offerings. This year, the magnet school application window is open February 23-March 13. The lottery will run on March 25, and families will be notified of their status that day.  

In the meeting’s last order of open business, Dr. Michael Elder, Director of College and Career Readiness, shared with the Board upcoming dates for OCS Parent Academy. On March 26, there will be a session about making good financial choices when planning for college. On April 30, there will be an in-person and virtual session about what to do after being accepted to college. On May 4, there will be a session on transitioning from middle school to high school, and on May 26, there will be a session on competitive scholarships. Dr. Elder also shared information about the district’s ongoing FAFSA drawings, which allow students to submit proof that they have completed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid for a chance to win prizes for their future dorm rooms.    

After the superintendent and Board member comments, the Board went into closed session pursuant to NC General Statutes 143-318.11 (a)(1), (a)(3), and (c). 

After the closed session, the meeting was adjourned.