On Thursday, June 27, the Onslow County Board of Education met in special session to adopt the 2024-2025 budget.  

Board member Bradley Williams was absent.  

Leading up to this meeting, the Board and school district underwent a budget process that included collecting information on the needs of schools and departments, narrowing requests to fit available funding, seeking approval from the Onslow County Board of Commissioners, and more.  

The final budget proposal included local, state and federal revenues.  

After a brief discussion, the Board approved the budget as presented in a 6-0 vote.  

The Onslow County Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on June 4 at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. Agenda items included a military Purple Star District recognition, the final adoption of policies in the 2000 series, the 2024-2025 Title I plan, a closed session, and the approval of the personnel report.  

Before the start of the evening’s business, Vice Chairman Bradley Williams asked that Item E of the consent agenda, regarding a Head Start program update, be moved to general business.  

After a Good News Spotlight segment, which highlighted the achievements of our staff and students, and a public comment period with one speaker, Dr. CJ Korenek took to the podium.  

Dr. Korenek, along with military family liaisons Danielle Merrell and Courtney Buzzard, shared with the Board that Onslow County Schools has been named a Purple Star District by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for the second year in a row.  

The Purple Star designation is given to schools that have established military-friendly practices and show commitment to military students and families. Schools earning the Purple Star Award were required to have a staff member as a designated point of contact for military students and families, a designated central administration staff member supporting the point of contact in the school, the provision of annual professional development addressing special considerations for military students and families, and more. 

Next on the agenda, the Board heard from Attorney Katie Cornetto, who walked them through the adoption of policies in the 2000 series. Policy 2120, regarding the BOE Code of Ethics was adopted unanimously. Policy 2130, regarding BOE Compensation and Expenses, was adopted in a 6-1 vote, with Member Louis Rogers opposing. Policy 2220, regarding the District and Board of Education spokesperson, was adopted in a 5-2 vote, with members Rogers and Angie Todd in opposition. Policy 2310, regarding public participation at Board meetings, was adopted in a 5-2 vote, with members Rogers and Todd opposing. Finally, Policy 2342, regarding voting methods, was adopted in a 5-2 vote, with Rogers and Todd in opposition.  

Next, Dwayne Snowden, OCS Title I director, presented the 2024-2025 Title I Plan. The purpose of Title I is to approve the academic achievement of economically disadvantaged students, ensuring all children have access to a high-quality education. Each year, the Onslow County School System is called upon to submit the district Title I Plan. Following board approval, the plan is then forwarded to the Department of Public Instruction. 

Snowden shared with the Board that the planning budget for next school year is $7,068,271.50. Major considerations for the plan include the district needs assessment, continuing support for math professional development and instruction, supporting the OCS Framework, early intervention and remediation, and more.  

The plan was unanimously approved.  

After approving the Title I Plan, the Board went into closed session. Upon their return from closed session, the Board was asked to approve a personnel report outlining non-renewals, re-election, and administrator contracts. The report was unanimously approved. 

Finally, the Board addressed the Head Start Program Update that had been moved from the consent agenda.  

Dr. Chris Barnes, OCS chief academic officer, presented to the Board a series of Head Start Updates.  

On April 10, 2024, the Onslow County Schools Head Start program received the finalized Program Performance Summary Report from the Head Start Focus Area 2 (FA2) monitoring visit which occurred from December 11 to December 15, 2023. The report indicated 22 areas of compliance, with three areas noted as non-compliant. Items that do not meet the full level of compliance require the development, implementation, and approval of a plan for improvement. A plan was developed by staff in consultation with the Regional Head Start Office and Head Start Training and Technical Assistance. The plan was presented to the Head Start Policy Council and approved on May 16, 2024. 

The approved plan, along with required evidence must be submitted to the Office of Head Start by June 11, 2024. 

After discussion amongst the Board and staff, the plan was approved unanimously.