[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6141035,"mediaKeyId","5576513-2c5663378b91c4bb450c81c9a2da69d7","parentId",5576513,"title","Onslow County Schools counselor elected to ASCA board; district wins national finance award","audioSeconds",156,"startMs",671000,"endMs",827000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576513-2c5663378b91c4bb450c81c9a2da69d7&start=671&end=827","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576513-2c5663378b91c4bb450c81c9a2da69d7/thumbnail_671000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6141035/North-Carolina/Onslow-County-Schools-counselor-elected-to-ASCA-board-district-wins-national-finance-award","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141035-007561e3261c8076714989bcb1202a35/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149751&Signature=UUFFeQOk4Jl5JTXKNCxP~odaRjy4tyIC7Bxhw-iGjmCTmudOgCo2WKFDZMuBDfl8vf4XzBGcIKSJR8YeL92a9CtFBbzlLV6bpztwmvcxlJvZWaozEjR9Ztb6iJmk6LwmA4RvhInG5MfMjWhClLtj8CqB-NOF1bTHCwW~H5sUJ9ACIsRlrGadgmpttd5Ol3Kw-Wzng-Bonz3m2DjVHQqyHTwEDWU9UlIskhs1RAJxF4aZLsm5uN5Tgy8iIMT~~4A-GBB~GlB5b8f7ffucBBaLFfuR6aR3-KhDVEMFmGdG7YFgik08yHatVIWm8LrEQx22GY4LDPa~GzOkpdIkYAgR7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Onslow County Schools","date","2025-08-13T11:03:23Z","article","The Onslow County Board of Education highlighted two recognitions during its good‑news spotlight: an Onslow counselor was elected to the national American School Counselor Association board and the district earned a national finance operations award for the 22nd consecutive year.

Mister Anderson (presenter) invited Dr. Cameron Custy, executive director of human resources and student services, to join Britney Norman, identified by the district as the OCS lead school counselor. Anderson told the board Norman will begin a three‑year term on the American School Counselor Association board on Oct. 1, 2025, and called the appointment a national recognition of her leadership in student development.

The board also recognized Chief Financial Officer Mr. Holloman and his staff after staff announced Onslow County Schools had received the Association of School Business Officials’ Certificate of Excellence — an award that reviews a district’s accounting practices and reporting in the annual comprehensive financial report. The presenter said this was the 22nd consecutive year the district had earned the honor.

Board members offered thanks and congratulations during the spotlight; the items were presented as commendations and informational recognition.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting — August 12, 2025 — 6 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The board celebrated Britney Norman’s election to the American School Counselor Association board and recognized the district’s 22nd consecutive Certificate of Excellence from the Association of School Business Officials.","taxTitle","Onslow County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",14095,"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},6141040,"Citizen cites Freedom From Religion Foundation letter, urges Onslow board to stop Christian invocations",177,953000,1130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576513-2c5663378b91c4bb450c81c9a2da69d7&start=953&end=1130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576513-2c5663378b91c4bb450c81c9a2da69d7/thumbnail_953000.jpg","/articles/6141040/North-Carolina/Citizen-cites-Freedom-From-Religion-Foundation-letter-urges-Onslow-board-to-stop-Christian-invocations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141040-5a34e19f961350b4204eec47906ad646/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149751&Signature=VvoB9t2RgNclW9s5AmmiG827TlXqxTwaH0I2o6dgej3R5rZK2BrAbvruBZlvlFCIyXpKdstQJKngNBHwOQzHtwiJfnczS~9k6N-Aedvk4swEk-XslCeO~ss9J8j-5NbNktZ6UWkEw~lB0KkL4zdaGnC4CO95DZn~DJjakaq0IipdegbiG1wZmxiNTZrZhC5wS0czjf~RDq1iPz9KcskokxnOHdVyy1w3jQUNV1sFaYehjJg3RSmbs2sYRNQxqsauDC2J6XaLLb~mUWfHHB7mhMaVDDm9lILGRkvpmyd19fDlO2QdNTxtdpi~s~kMfyELylhuSsPNnucxyHSUnLR-Tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A member of the public told the Onslow County Board of Education the board had received a legal demand from the Freedom From Religion Foundation and urged officials to stop opening meetings with Christian invocations.

Eric Rockerwitz, who identified himself as a concerned community member and Onslow County Schools graduate, told the board that on April 3 the county boards received a notice from Samantha Lawrence, a staff attorney for the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), demanding that the boards “immediately end constitutional violations” related to invocation practices. Rockerwitz read portions of the letter during the public comment period and urged the board to \"stop violating our rights.\" He said he read the comments \"on behalf of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, FFRF,\" and urged the board to respond with \"more kindness, respect, and critical thinking.\"

Rockerwitz also referenced Onslow County School Board Policy 3515 and recalled a prior meeting where a board member’s prayer made controversial remarks. He encouraged board members to follow their own rules. The board did not take action during the public‑comment period; staff and board members later continued to the agenda.","A community member read a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation alleging the board’s invocation practices violate the Constitution and asked the board to stop opening meetings with Christian prayer.",{"_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},6141046,"Onslow Schools begins qualifications process for new southern elementary under state procurement law",99,2508000,2607000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576513-2c5663378b91c4bb450c81c9a2da69d7&start=2508&end=2607","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576513-2c5663378b91c4bb450c81c9a2da69d7/thumbnail_2508000.jpg","/articles/6141046/North-Carolina/Onslow-Schools-begins-qualifications-process-for-new-southern-elementary-under-state-procurement-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141046-473423ddb08c1d62c765cc0d791371c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149751&Signature=L2cQseoBw2RKr7iZr-BvlNuzYv7oIioRFa-iGI9Jy7Yy8dVazg9GP1Tryhlnc1ejn4iCluWzfPjDjas4e3bQytL9UM-ELfUHI8WCAD5w0VQ2oiO~WnU0YwKKl40kXGN6FCis7vEy~SmvDoLOoWP3j-lRcT1Y~M9vMN7Q0c4wV~6a14s8unHff2uPVdqupCI4qNrFIRrl8boyHgYSty3kT39NM1FzJY8lvqojyschNPAvjZcLiQ2NU1HBX8EjuKCOyHOUd7X88JXHSSOhh7MfZcjYbTvOlFEfpKy5kSqlaKEk2zxi6EkVvBj696GS74TCG-w9Lf84dGH7mHVjl0yxJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Onslow County Schools staff told the board they will start a qualifications process to hire architecture and engineering services for a proposed southern elementary school and cited North Carolina General Statute 143‑64.31, which requires selection based on demonstrated competence and qualifications.

Dr. Bridal Gardner, a district staff member, said the action follows a long‑range facilities plan presented jointly to the board and county commissioners earlier in February. Gardner said staff will solicit statements of qualifications, identify a firm deemed competent and qualified, and then return to the board with a recommendation and request to negotiate contract terms in accordance with the statute.

Gardner framed the presentation as informational and asked board members to be aware of the procurement steps; she said staff will coordinate the next steps with county partners as the project advances.

No formal selection or contract award occurred at the meeting; Gardner said staff would present a recommended firm to the board once qualifications are evaluated.","District staff notified the board it will invite qualifications and select a firm for architecture and engineering services for a new southern elementary school using the procedures in North Carolina General Statute 143‑64.31.",{"_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},6141051,"Onslow County Schools raises high‑school meal charge limit and adds four schools to CEP",146,2612000,2758000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576513-2c5663378b91c4bb450c81c9a2da69d7&start=2612&end=2758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576513-2c5663378b91c4bb450c81c9a2da69d7/thumbnail_2612000.jpg","/articles/6141051/North-Carolina/Onslow-County-Schools-raises-highschool-meal-charge-limit-and-adds-four-schools-to-CEP","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141051-027a619e2adf1d0e84783bec2699ace5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149751&Signature=QS5fMFvRr~LPtwyeJRjJMwm9~-kdkCAql0pvMjgy4z1O6v2NtxALDkPeNz3SNzLs4sMwBsV-82x13qkDF1Ju1z8XDGRJhZj61b4FxR96mlyuYzft-pkQqj59HYEPrzU57Mu7fQ1GSyW6~aRSAVOTVpY1QEkkqzC9PM~1SX1-beIyCxm5ofo5aiVpub5T4cXljH-R4BAMUfuE8qafJ0DvFlFF8Rt0Gi795Bwq-BiEP7ygSW2uUHxtKn~3eRtss8hhLpYerazYKupqXwjG5lBAmvBeMqwZYRMlONSI2HQrDGz2RBZqknO0odxojqv0p~1MkBH4Pbiy33FY1F0R47TjCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Onslow County Schools staff told the board they will raise the high‑school meal charge limit and expand free breakfast and lunch to four schools under the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

Dr. Bridal Gardner, a district staff member presenting the update, said the high‑school charge limit — the amount a high‑school student may charge on their meal account — will increase from $37.50 to $65. She emphasized this change is not a lunch price increase and said K‑8 students will continue to have no charge limit for meals.

Gardner also described a new procedure for snack purchases (prepackaged items such as ice cream and chips): if a student’s account balance is zero, or a requested snack would cause the balance to fall below zero, the purchase will be denied. Gardner said the change is intended to protect fiscal responsibility of student accounts and teach smart spending habits.

On CEP eligibility, Gardner said staff applied to include Bell Fork Elementary, Blue Creek Elementary, Jacksonville Commons Elementary and Thompson Early Childhood Center in the program; the district’s application was approved and students at those four schools will receive free breakfast and lunch in 2025–26 without paper applications.

Board members and staff thanked child nutrition and finance staff for the work to implement the changes. Gardner said staff would be available to answer additional questions but presented the update as informational rather than a formal action item.","District staff told the board they will raise the high‑school charge limit from $37.50 to $65, restrict snack purchases when student accounts have zero balance, and confirmed four schools qualified for the Community Eligibility Provision for 2025–26.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6141054,"Onslow County Schools outlines controlled roll‑out of generative AI for high schools",1240,1152000,2392000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576513-2c5663378b91c4bb450c81c9a2da69d7&start=1152&end=2392","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576513-2c5663378b91c4bb450c81c9a2da69d7/thumbnail_1152000.jpg","/articles/6141054/North-Carolina/Onslow-County-Schools-outlines-controlled-rollout-of-generative-AI-for-high-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141054-7466922f98ea1f58abfce23091239daf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149751&Signature=Nyh8gg8zov2rd~9qK9QLD8yPWWGjB9IALeCXjr2CdNXEiTSN2lgk9deXdqnhEaCes410xWPeY3V5WJrRmjZwSdvk1ODMNtvEOsf6awclOpidzHURtpBPW~dSjVYp5Mu~~9Xq~XzF7ZtfmOc7Sv6m47OMkqwsKyw7BhO2zISGixqHG5Pur76iXDpKVgLG6Xpzo2oxH5pstjPV4-7crMNmFrMcrL8uXZz6mEnE0EVZ2yT49erj~MdaTYUGB8-vQz5fFOGktJA9a4WW8ryAsXliTzPa0bvENniffQ7nK1NzmegLEM4rbtlqhawoLNTr7IvOP2uYHXyhYBszVdRI06VLKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Onslow County Schools technology staff presented a plan to expand the district’s use of generative artificial intelligence to high school classrooms while emphasizing teacher control and student training. The presentation took place at the Onslow County Board of Education meeting and summarized pilots using Magic School AI and Microsoft Copilot.

District technology staff framed generative AI as a tool to “augment and accelerate” teachers’ work and emphasized data privacy and human oversight. Jeff Pittman, a technology services staff member, told the board the district’s guiding principle is that \"the human is the most important factor in that equation,\" and said tools would be configured so district data “stays within our tenant.”

Board members were shown survey results from teachers who used Magic School AI during the prior year; Pittman said feedback was “overwhelmingly positive” for uses such as lesson planning and differentiation. Pittman noted some wording confusion in survey questions but maintained the primary benefit was time returned to teachers for individualized instruction.

Two school leaders who ran local pilots described classroom outcomes. Felicia Shannon, a school leader who led a yearlong professional development cycle at her campus, credited combined staff training and campus leadership for improved state test outcomes and said, “When we would meet together ... every sixth grader made a passing converted score. Seventh grade, 92 percent. Eighth grade, 93 percent.” Shannon also said multiple supports — not just the AI tool — contributed to gains.

Mr. Stroke, a teacher who led a Microsoft Copilot pilot at the Onslow Early College, described course‑level uses (for example, generating study guides, checking math answers, creating practice materials for Science Olympiad) and said students learned to evaluate AI output rather than rely on it. He told the board some classroom checks found Copilot correct “about 50 percent” of the time and praised the opportunity to build student digital literacy.

District staff presented specific guardrails they plan to apply in 2025–26: Magic School for students will be made available only to high schools; teachers will retain granular control over whether and when students access the tool (per‑assignment, per‑group or individual); students will complete required training modules before access; the district discourages reliance on commercial AI detectors because research shows high false‑positive rates for students with disabilities and English‑learners; and staff will monitor use.

Pittman called the AI guidance a \"living document\" and said it is posted on the district website. He described the presentation as informational and not a formal action item from the board.

Board members asked clarifying questions and expressed cautious support for the careful, phased rollout and the emphasis on teacher control.","District technology staff presented results from summer pilots of generative AI tools and outlined a plan to make Magic School AI available to high school classes in 2025–26 with teacher control, required student training and limits on detector use.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Onslow County Schools counselor elected to ASCA board; district wins national finance award

Citizen cites Freedom From Religion Foundation letter, urges Onslow board to stop Christian invocations

Onslow Schools begins qualifications process for new southern elementary under state procurement law

Onslow County Schools raises high‑school meal charge limit and adds four schools to CEP

Onslow County Schools outlines controlled roll‑out of generative AI for high schools