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OCS Board News | March 2023

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The Onslow County Board of Education met in special session on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, to hold an election for chairperson and vice-chairperson.  

An election became necessary after the recent resignation of former Board Chairman Bill Lanier.  

After ballots were counted, Ken Reddic was elected chairman, and Bradley Williams was elected vice-chairman.  

Reddic has been a member of the Board since August of 2018, and served as vice-chairman since December 2022. He is a life-long educator, having served Onslow County Schools as a teacher, coach, and administrator for more than 40 years before running for the Board. 

Williams has served on the Board of Education since being sworn in in December 2022. Prior to his time on the Board, Mr. Williams served in the United States Marine Corps. He also currently serves his community as an associate pastor at his church. 

 

The Onslow County Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on March 7 at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. Agenda items included a presentation from Instructional Services on the OCS Parent Academy.  

At the beginning of the meeting, a motion was made to amend the agenda to add an election for a new chairperson and vice-chairperson. After discussion, the motion did not carry, and the agenda moved forward as presented.  

After a Good News Spotlight segment, which celebrated the achievements of OCS students and staff, and a public comment period with 11 speakers, Dr. Chris Barnes, OCS Chief Academic Officer, took to the podium to present an instructional best practice.  

Dr. Barnes, alongside Director of College and Career Readiness Michael Elder and other instructional staff, presented to the Board some of Onslow County Schools’ efforts to inform and engage parents in the educational process. The Parent Academy is a series of information sessions and workshops for students and their families that walk them through some of the more challenging parts of the educational journey, such as college planning.  

The OCS Exceptional Children’s Department has also held Parent Academy sessions to help families of students with disabilities navigate IEPs, plan for their futures, and engage in student schoolwork.  

Beyond the Parent Academy, community engagement is still a top priority, with outreach events occurring across the district. Examples of parent engagement opportunities held so far this year include the Middle School ELA Curriculum Review, an OCS School-Based Enterprise Holiday Craft Fair, System Involvement Team meetings, Magnet School Information Nights, and more.  

Community Engagement events parents can look forward to for the rest of the year include Geography Night on March 15, Trades Day on March 18, a School-Based Enterprise Mother’s Day Sale-a-Bration on May 12, and other information sessions and workshops to come.