Skip To Main Content

OCS Board News | January 2023

Blog App

 

The Onslow County Board of Education held a special meeting on Wednesday, January 25 at 9 a.m. at the OCS Central Services Office.   

The Board went go into closed session pursuant to Open Meetings Law, [G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3)] to consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body; and [G.S. 143- 318.11(a)(8)] to formulate plans by a local board of education relating to emergency response to incidents of school violence. 

This meeting did not have any action items on the agenda, and there were no business items on the agenda for open session.  

 

The Onslow County Board of Education held its first regular monthly meeting of 2023 on January 3 at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. Agenda items included the presentation of the 2023-2024 calendar and an award of contract for upcoming school improvement projects.  

After a Good News Spotlight segment, which celebrated OCS staff and students, and a public comment period with 5 speakers, Brent Anderson, OCS Chief Communications Officer, took to the podium to discuss the school calendar.  

Anderson presented to the Board a brief overview of the calendar creation process and shared that previously presented drafts had been shared with staff and stakeholders for feedback. After discussion of calendar possibilities and the need for more calendar flexibility from the General Assembly, the Board unanimously approved the 2023-2024 calendar as presented.  

In its final item of general business, the Board heard from Dr. Brendan Gartner, OCS Chief of Operations. Dr. Gartner presented to the Board a request to approve an award of contract for HVAC services at Dixon High School.  

OCS will replace eight split system air handlers and associated hot water heating systems at Dixon High School. These HVAC systems have been identified in the Capital Improvement Program as deferred maintenance. Portions of the HVAC systems to be replaced are 52 years old and require complete replacement.  

To find a qualified contractor, an RFQ for the project was advertised in November 2022, but originally only received two bidders. In accordance with North Carolina General Statute, the project was put out to bid for a second time. The bids received during the second bidding process were opened on December 15, 2022, and Central Heating and Air Conditioning of Kinston, Inc. was identified as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder with a bid of $2,024,400. Funding to pay for this project will be provided by ESSER funds. 

The Board approved the request to award the contract.