[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6061463,"mediaKeyId","3281570-68a7b7de108a24e1f99a1a3d9a23863b","parentId",3281570,"title","Board approves procurement waivers; staff to negotiate facility study contract, trustees question $355,000 summer‑learning purchase","audioSeconds",1472,"startMs",6333000,"endMs",7805000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281570-68a7b7de108a24e1f99a1a3d9a23863b&start=6333&end=7805","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281570-68a7b7de108a24e1f99a1a3d9a23863b/thumbnail_6333000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6061463/North-Carolina/Board-approves-procurement-waivers-staff-to-negotiate-facility-study-contract-trustees-question-355000-summerlearning-purchase","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061463-6f82d5f23f60347e7780c3238f8c6e15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135445&Signature=PMQo6n4Hw4QdQHHj2-Wj6jVdJQpUQjBbbRZCFTITMtnTxf6PwA3hRQWyDb82NOQa0bAfcqplclkGVxX5YudYcFvN2Cves9Vpsbsx0YrHYTP48LK-Yhmnb~V-imMrd-WCKCOLaPk-tTyG1xj8-8GKcrvesBd8x9ia~R1f5Fe0OnekiZ7NaAInFUsIcGa1gNUHewDoqHuJ~2cmjoDldaBt3oz6WuOdjIplL0txFZGD1LoxDxmTJ9qHGZsxeM5FQrj39Ekpa7keRRGBO~3C2BRfKmETaMwtRAN5bhaHAmHA1bbq2V-bec3dCtovYyySFLHueZah8b0q2XgDdVn6dnbD8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Henderson County Schools","date","2025-05-13T00:14:27Z","article","The Henderson County board approved a package of procurement waivers and vendor renewals the district presented for continuity of service and purchased instructional subscriptions. Trustees also authorized staff to enter negotiations with LS3P to perform a districtwide facility study; a final negotiated contract will be returned to the board for approval.

Several sole‑source and high‑cost renewals were part of the waiver list, including a longstanding Medicaid billing vendor (PCG), I‑Ready diagnostic subscriptions, literacy and evaluation tools, and curriculum products used in multiple schools. The board approved the procurement waivers by voice vote.

Board members focused substantial attention on one large, one‑time purchase: $355,000 for Emerald Education kits and digital materials to support a summer learning program funded with state hurricane‑recovery dollars. Dr. Marlow explained the Emerald materials are hands‑on math kits for grades 4–8, plus teacher digital resources for 250 teachers. Staff said the state funds are restricted to summer learning uses and must be expended in the current cycle. Trustees asked for samples and stronger pre‑purchase review in future cases before approving large, new vendors.

On the facility study, the board approved negotiating with LS3P after a request‑for‑qualifications process that drew four firms; staff said LS3P was their recommended top choice and that negotiations will seek a timely completion schedule and a local estimator for construction pricing. The board also confirmed a list of other procurement waivers for curriculum continuity and special‑education evaluation software.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting 05/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved annual procurement waivers and instructed staff to negotiate a contract for a district facility study with LS3P. Trustees pressed staff about a $355,000 purchase of Emerald Education summer‑learning kits under state hurricane relief funds and asked for more product detail before future approvals.","taxTitle","Henderson County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",14094,"location","North Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6061468,"Child‑nutrition program faces shortfall; board weighs ending universal breakfast or raising lunch prices",799,11681000,12480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281570-68a7b7de108a24e1f99a1a3d9a23863b&start=11681&end=12480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281570-68a7b7de108a24e1f99a1a3d9a23863b/thumbnail_11681000.jpg","/articles/6061468/North-Carolina/Childnutrition-program-faces-shortfall-board-weighs-ending-universal-breakfast-or-raising-lunch-prices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061468-bbf68273511c4547c5287ccb85eaf677/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135445&Signature=T0kVGuMNytdmTyVWzxvo0Dx1gmDjnIioW4t8Vj-WN77h6-DkYYT-TKI-gkMFUhf1Zw99ut1~E-UJNo7EXSuRHgnZNUAUWLK9TMS5ZfHN2Yd9ZgbEBZ2gqAg~T1BTarkyYP4M5TnhRkkAfOPhgDITDcEkyhSdSvC9x-5sw8Y8yBy6ZkhDR8W2lTB1vazB3TnpKomctcczT6KZWRsOy0sRCbjzYMRJ6T5u3T5iJMrndAT36SNAlm9SSyEXyA3Qp7ryh~P3QrNvp3dnLTYIK-jVWzzsGib7VQ9G1A7iwCR5WwuiFHtvExwC6LBjYnyb9HZqR8fMaC5V~Six6EaJEtJY2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Henderson County Public Schools’ child‑nutrition program reported a multi‑thousand‑dollar monthly shortfall driven by higher labor costs and food‑price inflation while federal USDA reimbursements have not kept pace with those increases.

Child‑nutrition staff reported per‑plate costs for breakfast at approximately $2.52 and a reimbursement for paid breakfast of $0.39, producing a subsidy gap for paid breakfasts. For lunch, the per‑plate cost was reported at about $5.04 with a free‑lunch reimbursement around $4.54 — a 50‑cent loss for each free lunch served.

At current participation levels staff estimated the program’s net monthly loss at roughly $24,800 (including breakfast and lunch lines) before accounting for adult and supplemental sales. Supplemental sales (snacks, a la carte, adult meals) contribute about $70,000 a month toward the enterprise fund but do not fully close the gap.

Administrators presented three operational options to reduce the deficit: raise student lunch prices (staff modeled 25‑cent and 50‑cent increases), pause or limit universal breakfast to elementary schools or end universal breakfast districtwide, and expand second‑chance or classroom breakfast programs at high‑need schools where federal CEP (Community Eligibility Provision) reimbursement helps cover costs.

Child‑nutrition staff recommended the board consider a 25‑cent lunch price increase and asked the board to weigh whether to keep universal breakfast at elementary schools while modifying secondary services. Board members asked staff to model the financial impact of: (1) keeping universal breakfast in elementary only; (2) eliminating universal breakfast K–12; and (3) keeping universal breakfast and raising lunch prices 25 cents. The board did not adopt a price change at the meeting and asked staff to return with estimated impacts and community notice language before a June vote.","District staff told the board the child nutrition enterprise is running a monthly deficit driven by rising labor and food costs and static federal reimbursements; trustees discussed options including ending universal breakfast, raising lunch prices by 25–50 cents, or pursuing second‑chance/Breakfast‑in‑the‑Classroom models.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6061471,"Henderson County high-school students urge board to adopt medical kits, training in every classroom",366,4464000,4830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281570-68a7b7de108a24e1f99a1a3d9a23863b&start=4464&end=4830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281570-68a7b7de108a24e1f99a1a3d9a23863b/thumbnail_4464000.jpg","/articles/6061471/North-Carolina/Henderson-County-high-school-students-urge-board-to-adopt-medical-kits-training-in-every-classroom","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061471-6aab91381f0e863c5cc454d5eb54dc0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135445&Signature=R8WfOBTw-gXbMeFY3VRzZ23ZZGX1hzofTEZLXsV7TfFgHn4KGny-3MdLuKM8pLSLLhyUlhqz~VvpDKaz8lSs~U~O-x42QCvfLSbMnIgzEuyruibY1bxEHsKjN0BDHDDNqzDnZB0x0FUmzxXAyu1FiwmX~6iX834gj~NyMKdKJqxfAlxdW4ltPM8V1gFcpnwC2nmdnxQnJIwCtbmzijaFFXijEQBIAcusAC38JPdzVkaDkFP7bX2Vof5KHnJhjCoHXNpoPOXfXbPSVInBwBZ61LW4TXm0z-tnt5qOPlybdQHks-PxHJi6Myiz7EwpOCIYsUG0HVfm2-PenXUeY63PxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two students representing the student‑led Henderson County Student Safety Association asked the board during public comment to implement medical emergency kits and training in every classroom across Henderson County Public Schools.

Braden Ross and Michael Strange described a volunteer project that began as a class assignment and expanded with a small grant from the Henderson County Education Foundation. They asked the board for four forms of support: commit to placing a kit in every classroom, assist with logistics and funding, require staff training in CPR and Stop the Bleed, and adopt board policy to sustain the effort.

Ross said the students researched suppliers and proposed two kit options: a lower-cost “demo” kit (about $37 each) and a more comprehensive “dream” kit (about $85 each). He asked the board to help determine how many classrooms exist across the district and to consider using an existing $200,000 safety allocation in the draft budget for initial funding.

Superintendent Garrett and board members responded with praise and follow-up questions about costs and community partners. Board member Sheila Holt and others said they supported the idea and urged students to keep organized and present a clear, itemized plan for implementation and recurring training.

Members of the community and emergency services — including representatives from local fire departments and the sheriff’s office — expressed informal support during and after the presentation; the students said local first‑responder agencies had offered training help. The board did not take formal action at the meeting but asked staff to pursue logistics and report back.","Student leaders from West Henderson proposed a districtwide program to place medical 'Stop the Bleed' kits in classrooms, seek training for staff, and asked the board to make the effort district policy and budget priority.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6061477,"Henderson County school board approves budget request, seeks extra funds to avoid deep draw on reserves",3018,8782000,11800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281570-68a7b7de108a24e1f99a1a3d9a23863b&start=8782&end=11800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281570-68a7b7de108a24e1f99a1a3d9a23863b/thumbnail_8782000.jpg","/articles/6061477/North-Carolina/Henderson-County-school-board-approves-budget-request-seeks-extra-funds-to-avoid-deep-draw-on-reserves","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061477-9aaa9f68149a29410997d231aba788b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135445&Signature=iOkd9M-~S2CrljrHnGusHLvTIgTRNZeB9XXvQWuVzD3rDpdk1KAvtSd2MWfBUpoNjDPIhHczTdjkEHmfaz7vNeTIYoM79okVRJaL9uflKLHsRmM-S0f4XSCKvgOU01KUuu1O8rOwY2mCa6migucK0qS8fUNlvaQqfYJSkoeSPvTPtTJPax30gLJ7dI8wN6iy4BdYP0pCIBcUHzI5O-kHaXYQoFSJT-B-TH5bWoZBw~MqKEVdMO~Ebc98aWJxyWtpIYuEIoiYFKgEwGmdmPOaJID5KA1rjKHBmazM9K7nb4lYvyhqs9zBKAaT1yOiNeQMLPf5Vc1-tJVYBF2ccKMwIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henderson County Board of Public Education voted May to send a continuation-style budget request to county commissioners that uses part of the district’s fund balance and asks the county for additional current-expense funding to limit cuts to personnel and programs.

Superintendent Garrett and staff told the board the county appropriation for next year, as discussed at the meeting, left the district with a projected shortfall if current services are to continue. Staff calculated scenarios that ranged from maintaining a 12% fund-balance target to lowering the target to 10% and using additional fund balance to reduce the request to the county.

The board emphasized three drivers that shape the request: projected state-imposed salary and benefits increases for next fiscal year, rising non-labor costs, and the desire to hold program and staffing levels steady. The administration recommended planning for at least a 2–3% salary increase in state action; board discussion centered on using a 3% salary assumption and lowering the fund-balance goal from 12% to 10% to reduce near-term pressure on schools.

With that approach, the administration said it would supplement local revenue with roughly $700,000 of additional county support to avoid drawing more than the board’s chosen fund-balance cushion. Board members also asked staff to return the exact dollar totals and finalized language before the district’s formal transmittal to commissioners.

Board members stressed that the plan is intended to be a “maintenance” or continuation request rather than an expansion budget. Several trustees said they wanted the county ask to be as clear as possible about what the funds will cover, and asked staff to email the precise numbers used to compute the request before it is sent.

The board voted to approve the proposed request and forward it to county commissioners for consideration.","The Henderson County Board of Public Education voted to send an updated local funding request to county commissioners that uses some fund balance and asks for additional county support to close a projected shortfall for next year. Board members debated fund-balance targets, salary assumptions and how much to ask from the county.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves procurement waivers; staff to negotiate facility study contract, trustees question $355,000 summer‑learning purchase

Child‑nutrition program faces shortfall; board weighs ending universal breakfast or raising lunch prices

Henderson County high-school students urge board to adopt medical kits, training in every classroom

Henderson County school board approves budget request, seeks extra funds to avoid deep draw on reserves