OCS Board News | August 2024
News from the Board - August 12, 2024
The Onslow County Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on August 13 at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. Agenda items included an instruction update, the final adoption of policies, a construction update, and a closed session.
Before the meeting’s general business began, the Board heard a Good News Spotlight segment, which highlighted a recent award received by a longtime OCS employee. There was also a public comment period with one speaker.
The first item of general business was an Instructional Services update, during which Chief Academic Officer Chris Barnes presented information regarding the district’s graduation report for this past school year. Dr. Barnes shared information regarding the district’s most recent graduates, from the 2023-2024 school year, but said more time would be needed for data to be gathered to create the final report.
Dr. Barnes started by saying that the graduation rate is an important piece of data, as it is the district’s final measure of success for any given class or cohort of students. The state has set a statewide goal of a 95 percent graduation rate by the end of the 2028-2029 school year, which Dr. Barnes said he believes OCS is on track to achieve.
Beyond graduation rate projections, Dr. Barnes shared with the Board that, last year, OCS had 1,878 graduates. Of those graduates, 69.8 percent will be pursuing postsecondary education, 7.1 percent will enlist in the military, and 21.2 percent will join the workforce.
Next to the podium was Chief Communications Officer Brent Anderson, who asked the Board to approve and adopt the policies discussed recently in policy committee meetings. Policies on the list included 1310, 1760, 3420, 3460, 4270, 5071, and 6125.
In their discussion, the Board raised questions about the final draft of Policy 1310/4002, regarding parental involvement. They were unclear on which parts of the policy had been struck through and which parts would remain. The Board voted to send all the policies back to committee for another review before adoption.
Next, Chief of Operations Brendan Gartner presented a construction update to the Board. Dr. Gartner shared updates on the construction projects at Trexler and Northwoods Park middle schools and on the progress of the new Woodland Elementary School.
At Trexler, the district is renovating the remaining wing of the old Richlands Elementary School to suit the needs of the middle school. Once the project is completed, Trexler will have 7 new classrooms, new boys' and girls' bathrooms, and a new teacher workroom. The project will increase the capacity of the school by approximately 182 students.
Crews are working on a 2-phase project at Northwoods Park Middle. First, a new gymnasium and parking area will be built. That phase has a projected completion date of July 2025. In phase 2, the old gymnasium and locker rooms will be converted into classrooms to better suit the school’s needs.
Dr. Gartner also shared photos of the progress at the Woodland Elementary School site, which he said is coming along on time and on budget. The school is scheduled to open to students in August 2025.
Lastly, the Board met in closed session to consult with the Board attorney to preserve the Board’s attorney-client privilege; to consider confidential personnel matters; and to discuss the handling of the following cases: AMS (minor) by parents RAS & SW Petitioner v. Onslow County Board of Education, Case Number 23 EDC 03873; and, LA (minor) by parent or guardian BM v. Onslow County Board of Education, Case Number 24 EDC 02791.
Before the meeting concluded, Superintendent Barry Collins shared his plans and well wishes for the upcoming school year, saying the district will continue the Raising the Bar initiative. Dr. Collins said the district will focus this year on instruction, safety and wellness.
He shared that his vision for “Raising the Bar” means that staff will set high expectations for students and build strong relationships with families, parents will ensure children attend school ready to learn each day, and students will come to school every day prepared to produce quality work.