[{"_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",6518705,"mediaKeyId","5386717-89353a6f491e5423a4ddb1833c419485","parentId",5386717,"title","Votes at a glance: Columbus County Board approves contracts, policies and budget amendment","audioSeconds",3456,"startMs",16000,"endMs",3472000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5386717-89353a6f491e5423a4ddb1833c419485&start=16&end=3472","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5386717-89353a6f491e5423a4ddb1833c419485/thumbnail_16000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6518705/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Columbus-County-Board-approves-contracts-policies-and-budget-amendment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518705-2f1838efd34a1183ff34b5aad4af4adf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153549&Signature=msawHONf7rba5gRu2M8AjKyTMDOOE0VoKIswZaL8hwLZ2d79c1s4n8YcvtNbA9fD9VfpwpFi~z~-UiWwaPYiJCFw3Zf-TQnkgcvr8D2xQ3JuhDl0voiPnkHGZ5TpWFD5DOR~OoweBOlG6cGyqs1ucB1nvP8KWDuAl7qYWI16r7PXB8zYbHb~VuIxfvNJe1VFcnpZGvRlCUWS09Xu9v6l654vtZ0OFCnQiWKda3ULZSK3zTElkDRav6irfaLayX71fj8wIZlo17s3fa-9STHjM4O9lB6Pep1U~3Ad5uf~7ld5qDupMht4eAkyHoUHhAjO9DWtqFPjn0loBmDFM8wo9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Columbus County Schools","date","2025-07-14T21:29:23Z","article","At its meeting, the Columbus County Board of Education took the following formal actions (motions include mover and seconder as recorded in the transcript). When a roll-call tally was not recorded, the transcript reports the outcome as 'Ayes have it' or equivalent.

- Agenda approval: Motion by Dr. Strickland; second by Mr. Worley. Outcome: approved.

- Minutes (June meeting) adopted: Motion by Miss Grice; second by Mr. Enser. Outcome: approved.

- Contract: Public Impact LLC (Opportunity Culture) — approved (see separate article for details). Motion: Dr. Strickland; second: Miss Grice. Outcome: approved.

- Pre-K contract with North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (Division of Child Development & Early Education): District presenter stated a total of $1,811,710, broken down in the contract as $130,152 from state funds, $819,957 federal and $861,601 from “other funds” (identified in the meeting as lottery funds). Motion by Mr. Worley; second by Miss Grama. Outcome: approved.

- Attendance policy amendment for 2025–26: Motion by Dr. Strickland; second by Mr. Enser. Outcome: approved (ties chronic absenteeism >10% to MTSS referrals and possible attendance-based failure; appeal path to principal and superintendent).

- Cell phone policy aligned with House Bill 959 (high schools: Yondr pouches; middle/elementary: power off/store): Motion by Dr. Strickland; second by Mr. Enser. Outcome: approved.

- Field trip policy amendment (chaperone ratio and sleeping arrangements): Motion by Mr. Ross; second by Dr. Strickland. Amendment approved. Outcome: approved.

- Policy alignment and reinstatements: Board approved aligning several policy numbers to North Carolina School Boards Association spring 2025 updates and reinstating policy 1760/7280 as presented; the board also approved the comprehensive spring 2025 policy updates after Campbell & Shatley review. Motion by Dr. Strickland (or board member as recorded); second by Mr. Worley/Dr. Strickland as recorded. Outcome: approved.

- Contract for financial support and training with School Operations Specialist (new finance-officer training support): The presenter said the contract provides training at $125 per hour, approximately 40 hours per month (presenter estimated the contract cost would be roughly $60,000 over the training period). The contract was amended to correct a clerical salutation and then approved. Motion by Dr. Strickland (amended); second by Miss Grice. Outcome: approved.

- Budget amendment number 3 (final amendment for fiscal year 2024–25): The amendment reconciles state, local and federal grant balances; state revenues and expenses were reduced by roughly $146,000, local expenses increased by small amounts, federal grant revenues and expenses increased by roughly $24,000; capital and child nutrition unchanged. Motion by Mr. Worley; second by Mr. Enser. Outcome: approved.

- Motion to enter closed session under North Carolina General Statutes (G.S. 143-318.11(a)(1) and (a)(3)) to discuss privileged/confidential matters and to consult counsel: Motion by Mr. Enser; second by Dr. Strickland. Outcome: approved; board entered closed session.

Several informational items were reviewed (construction invoices and payments for Williams Township School from E.A. Duncan and others, renewals and membership fees for regional and state education associations) but were presented as information and did not require board action during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 25 Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a series of contracts, policy updates and the final budget amendment for fiscal year 2024–25; listed are motions, movers/seconders and outcomes for each formal vote recorded in the meeting.","taxTitle","Columbus County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",38694,"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},6518710,"Board approves new cell phone policy aligned with state law; high schools to use Yondr pouches",447,1823000,2270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5386717-89353a6f491e5423a4ddb1833c419485&start=1823&end=2270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5386717-89353a6f491e5423a4ddb1833c419485/thumbnail_1823000.jpg","/articles/6518710/North-Carolina/Board-approves-new-cell-phone-policy-aligned-with-state-law-high-schools-to-use-Yondr-pouches","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518710-e618a9be89b5b93c4467434fe86ce574/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153549&Signature=lKDSQBlq2luuyHU~1SLcHoPsBpkSE8lCqOfhMIB5lSB~GRwb9fodipsIyoU8VkpBHyElLeSgfP4j~HTeGUl2cnDZupMVgjG98iDcLeb-UcHQ~zYe-sOoAgF6bHp34DuzhnC7lBRE9HBgN6XLocDZoohY7H1alCo4o7X~uENrih2gnRvPO0av6WpLssiGZ6lwcKw9xskA2DTXSFZe5I2b~mWIrJUtEianbsbwZftgkuzqWNZPxfVP0fr7S0TG9qTFx7S4ULFvmJG0o7lSeoo7UXelVQxRWLwbHPRMfjRrFCdjLDBXXsGcuZH2ynS3rWkhBrq0Fp4vRPApD6V~tPXGCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbus County’s Board of Education approved a new cell phone policy designed to create a phone-free instructional environment in line with state law (House Bill 959).

Under the policy the district presented, high school students will use Yondr pouches to secure devices during instructional time; middle and elementary students are required to power off devices or accessories and keep them stored in book bags during the instructional day. The policy includes medical and emergency exceptions. District lawyers (Campbell & Shatley) reviewed the policy and advised the board that local districts may require phones to be powered off and stored during instructional time.

Board members raised practical concerns about enforcement at campuses that house both middle- and high-school students. District staff reported the district purchased 1,800 Yondr pouches and that principals will be trained at an administrative retreat on enforcement expectations. If a phone is confiscated for discipline reasons, the student’s parent will be required to pick up the device and meet with the principal at a designated time, district staff said.

Board members stressed the need for consistent enforcement at teacher and principal levels. The policy passed on a motion by Dr. Strickland, seconded by Mr. Enser.","The board approved a phone-free instructional-day policy aligned with House Bill 959; high schools will use Yondr pouches, younger students must power devices off and keep them stored, and the district will train principals on enforcement.",{"_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},6518715,"Board approves stricter attendance policy, ties chronic absenteeism to possible retention",599,1219000,1818000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5386717-89353a6f491e5423a4ddb1833c419485&start=1219&end=1818","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5386717-89353a6f491e5423a4ddb1833c419485/thumbnail_1219000.jpg","/articles/6518715/North-Carolina/Board-approves-stricter-attendance-policy-ties-chronic-absenteeism-to-possible-retention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518715-e55e61b42d1fb7c7cb356c72855c1158/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153549&Signature=I-EXKEZA9jyNk73aG1nq8IJrp4zI3PEcOxJ4yO5aIyVdd-3H2wi1ZqcIDZx8mtx0o7YfTFYstAnTwW88O2TN9gTxKfp23IXBraoRqCZcrwxePGNjJtI9WNDt4HWBhf0DbgCsHSkTSzIxo-5ZmsxYDdzB6Ed5Q2Anaj6WUGGjtX-KS3ebY59GI-E2WJLTnLjQ~WLmf~-WFw6a8dWlnrsiyl5Y8QpB2eix0KoHuTE8cR~K6zm1idnjjXHZ-tQP3yWFKr8eCPXIOYxcaK38No6prW-4MP0t33ABItdDMnYeldA4yddxMXOu1CLbPKSI00kerQ7GqE9aei356Da75~wx4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbus County Board of Education approved an amended attendance policy for the 2025–26 school year that emphasizes reducing chronic absenteeism and links attendance to academic mastery.

Under the new policy, students in kindergarten through eighth grade will be referred to the district MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) process if they show attendance issues; grade retention may be considered if a student misses more than 10% of days enrolled because of a lack of mastery tied to chronic absenteeism. For grades nine through 12, missing more than 10% of days in a semester — whether excused, unexcused or suspended — may lead to subject-area failure based on attendance. The policy provides appeal rights: principals may hear appeals and decisions can be escalated to the superintendent.

Board members asked whether students who meet the attendance threshold but maintain passing grades would be prevented from participating in academic field trips. District staff said educational field trips tied to academic standards would still be allowed; non-academic rewards (for example, PBIS reward trips) would not qualify.

Board members also discussed communication plans. The district said the policy and changes will be highlighted at orientation or open house, included in handbooks and pushed through social media and the district’s call-out systems. Staff said principals will be expected to review the new policies with parents at school open houses and that central staff would support outreach, including phone calls or social workers for high-need cases.

The policy passed on a motion by Dr. Strickland, seconded by Mr. Enser.","Columbus County Board approved an updated attendance policy that triggers interventions and potential attendance-based failure when students miss more than 10% of days enrolled; principals can override via appeal.",{"_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},6518720,"School board approves expanded Opportunity Culture contract with Public Impact LLC",835,225000,1060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5386717-89353a6f491e5423a4ddb1833c419485&start=225&end=1060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5386717-89353a6f491e5423a4ddb1833c419485/thumbnail_225000.jpg","/articles/6518720/North-Carolina/School-board-approves-expanded-Opportunity-Culture-contract-with-Public-Impact-LLC","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518720-9ffcb964f821b567cf536166016c5479/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153549&Signature=SFVG1QYljZsGGl~hW0liHAGJ0I2hATSRgbM2CzVpUanlGmEHpf6cdo~skq~vCEJEXqwDnFDCZQkiUwDt8YWNyUp~Ghh-nZFLJW1laptPx3wPlt6j5QpXu7a1c9dM1Vmu1t0GEZ3KHXNX-6Vyl8zsNBdnN7rVHbSKYuVyj6ivtIPu74icFVBWD~5ZgESSy0uayIiFS2-ujPaubK3cYcLPd8fzPfDiWIrmXbQH~ajfytTRCAbsRNO-nVPZ6UgmQxo48I-YRThDNdF1x2tG4TobDX6plHnuCkGLustMZyeGbpvfeig4FPC~dm3pdAGhGmlR288cYYAiwpCOQ~ppxzqdtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbus County Board of Education voted to approve a services contract with Public Impact LLC to expand the Opportunity Culture initiative into four additional district schools.

The board approved the contract after a presentation describing how the district will add a mix of full-release and partial-release “MCL” (multi-classroom leader/advanced teacher role) positions at Old Dock, Halsborough Artesia, West Columbus High School and Williams Township. Board members heard that the state funding that supports stipend and implementation costs for the advanced roles expires at the end of this year; principals and school leaders have been told they would need to cover ongoing costs if the legislature does not renew the program funding.

Superintendent staff and curriculum leaders said school designs vary: some schools plan partial-release MCLs embedded in a grade team, while others place full-release MCLs in specialty roles. The board was told that current openings will be filled from within each school’s existing teacher allotment so positions would revert to classroom assignments if outside funding disappears. The district said it will monitor the expansion with a two-year plan tied to student growth metrics and that MCLs will share student-level EBOS data for progress monitoring once state data are released in August or September.

Board members asked how many positions each school will receive and whether openings will be new hires or shifts of current staff. Curriculum staff replied that exact headcounts depend on enrollment and availability of qualified candidates and that principals chose whether positions would be full- or partial-release. The implementation team said teams from each school met multiple times with Opportunity Culture staff and district leaders to design differentiated plans based on recent data trends.

District staff noted phase 1 included Acme Delco, Chadbourne Elementary, West Columbus School and Tabor City; phase 2 (the current year) adds Old Dock, Halsborough Artesia, Williams Township and West Columbus High School. A three-year grant written by the district allows up to 11 of the district’s 12 schools to onboard; CCCA was excluded as it is already an innovative high school, and the small enrollment at Nakaina was cited as a sustainability concern if stipend funding is lost.

The board approved the contract on a motion by Dr. Strickland, seconded by Miss Grice. The motion carried.","Columbus County Schools approved a renewed contract with Public Impact LLC to expand Opportunity Culture advanced teaching roles to four additional schools; funding for the state-supported stipend expires at year-end and the district has a sustainability plan if state funding is not renewed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Columbus County Board approves contracts, policies and budget amendment

Board approves new cell phone policy aligned with state law; high schools to use Yondr pouches

Board approves stricter attendance policy, ties chronic absenteeism to possible retention

School board approves expanded Opportunity Culture contract with Public Impact LLC