During a recent government meeting, Lenoir County Public Schools (LCPS) officials reported significant progress in various areas, including transportation, athletics, and academic performance, as the new school year gets underway.

Transportation Director Mr. Williams highlighted the current staffing challenges, noting that there are nine driver vacancies, although four candidates are in the process of completing their driving exams with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. He also announced that online bus classes are available twice a month, with the next in-person course starting on November 18.

In athletics, the report indicated that despite being only the tenth day of school, the high school football season is already in its fourth week, while soccer and volleyball are in their fifth week. Over 1,000 students participated in interscholastic sports last year, showcasing the district's commitment to student engagement in athletics.

Academically, the meeting revealed promising results from the previous school year. Notably, nine schools within the district improved their letter grades, a first for LCPS. Five schools exceeded growth expectations, and all 17 schools reported increases in overall proficiency. The four-year graduation rate has also reached over 90%, marking a significant achievement for the district.

Frances Herring, a board member, presented an overview of the school improvement process for the 2024-2025 school year, inviting board members to attend upcoming presentations detailing each school's strategic plans for enhancing student growth. These presentations are scheduled from September 18 to September 20.

The meeting concluded with a focus on the district's testing data, which showed substantial gains in proficiency across various grades and subjects. For instance, third-grade reading proficiency increased by nearly 15 percentage points, and all schools reported improvements in math scores. The district's efforts in implementing a new phonics program and reading curriculum were credited for these advancements.

Overall, the meeting underscored LCPS's dedication to improving educational outcomes and supporting its students, staff, and community as the new school year progresses.