News from the Board

May 21, 2018 Special Board of Education Meeting

In its Monday, May 21 special meeting, the Board unanimously approved four policy revisions. Three of the revisions, regarding age requirement for initial entry, immunization and health requirements, and school assignment added language to provide more flexibility for students in foster care. The revisions state that there should be no delay in enrollment for students in foster care if they lack appropriate documents and that a foster child would be allowed to remain at their school of origin unless it is not in their best interest to do so. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act was added to the legal references on each policy. The fourth policy revised pertains to staff-student relations. The revision added independent contractors and school safety officers to the definition of employee, while excluding student employees.

The Board met in closed session at the meeting to discuss land acquisition.  When the Board came out of closed session, Board Attorney Alex Erwin shared that property has been donated to the Onslow County School System.  The donation from Mr. W. R. Willis includes approximately 30 acres located at 4821 Richlands Hwy, Richlands, NC.  Mr. Willis has agreed to the terms and donation of the property contingent upon funding from the Onslow County Board of Commissioners.   The Board unanimously agreed to accept the land donation and terms of the agreement from Mr. Willis.  This property would be for construction of a new school in the Richlands/Catherine Lake area.

The Board also heard presentations from executive staff members regarding the OCS budgeting process and school calendar changes to consider.

June 5, 2018 Regular Board of Education Meeting

In its regular meeting on June 5, the Board made several decisions that will prepare the district for moving into next school year. Board members unanimously accepted the resignation of former member Jonathan Merritt and provided information on the process for filling the vacant seat. Applications for the seat can be submitted online and are due June 22. The seat will be filled in a special Board meeting on June 27. The Board also unanimously adopted the district's budget for the 2018-19 school year and unanimously approved the 2018-19 plans for Title I and the Career and Technical Education department. 

In addition to approving those measures, the Board heard updates on construction projects currently happening in the district. Randy Baker, from Pinnacle Architecture, first showed photos of the new Richlands Elementary School, which he said will be ready to open for the new school year in August. Baker then discussed the progress being made on the district's new Regional Skills Center. The center is projected to open in January of 2019 for the second semester of the upcoming school year.

In other business, the Board unanimously nominated Board Member Paul Wiggins to represent OCS on the North Carolina School Boards Association's survey committee and unanimously reappointed Dr. Robert Sheegog to one of OCS' four seats on the Coastal Carolina Community College Board of Trustees.