Dominique Bates

The meeting commenced with the adoption of the agenda, which was subsequently amended to include an introduction of the new County Manager, Colobby Sawer, before the main agenda items. The session included recognitions for the North Carolina Spot Festival for their generous support, including the presentation of $36,000 to be distributed among various school programs and individual schools based on volunteer hours. The Superintendent provided a report marking the start of the second semester, emphasizing the need to avoid complacency and thanking the board members for their service during School Board Appreciation Month. Key dates for upcoming 2026 graduation ceremonies and various district events in January and February were announced. The new County Manager provided an overview of his priorities, expressing a desire to be a strong partner with the schools and committing to touring all school facilities.

The key discussion items for this meeting included the Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation, various recognitions, an accountability update for the 2024-25 school year, and information regarding the Boys and Girls Club partnership. The board received an information presentation on the Draft Financial Audit for the year ending June 30, 2025, which resulted in an unmodified (clean) opinion. Action items included decisions on Attorney Expenses, Fuel and Electric Expenses, Board Minutes, JH Lea Pay App, and associated Change Orders. The Action Agenda also covered the presentation and decision regarding the Pender County Schools 2025-2026 Budget, the JH Lea Project Manager Contract, and the 2026 Graduation Dates.

This document is a 2023-24 Land Use Study and Membership Forecast Report for Pender County Schools. It details a methodology combining historical membership trends with GIS analysis of residential developments to project future student enrollment. The report identifies and classifies residential growth, quantifies student impact, and provides K-13 membership forecasts by level and high school area. It aims to inform long-range planning by highlighting anticipated growth and its implications for facility utilization, particularly addressing crowding in the Topsail area, with projections extending up to ten years.

The key discussion topics for this meeting included updates from the Calendar Committee and the Tutoring Program, as well as an information request regarding electric bus placement at Penderlea. The Consent Agenda covered multiple items, such as the PCS 23-24 Budget and Budget Resolution, and various construction/installation projects at Cape Fear Middle School (bleachers, concrete, parking lot), Surf City Middle School (retaining wall), and plaque installation at THS. Other consent items involved a maintenance service truck purchase, chiller repair, and contracts for tutoring and special education staffing. The Action Agenda included proposals related to a Classroom Library RFP, network switch upgrade request, Design Build Installment, and Star Math Progress Monitoring adoption. The meeting concluded with a Closed Session to discuss Human Resources matters.

The meeting included the adoption of the agenda, followed by a motion for a close session to discuss confidential personnel and student matters, as well as attorney-client privilege. The board then came out of the closed session and approved the HR report. The election of officials was conducted, resulting in the selection of a new board chair and vice chair. The program featured a performance of the national anthem and another song by the Malcus Corner Elementary Chorus, and a video presentation from the Pender Innovative Learning Academy. The agenda also included a presentation on Moors Creek and the First and Freedom Festival, highlighting upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.