Columbus County Schools celebrated significant academic achievements during their September 22 board meeting, highlighting the success of several schools and recognizing outstanding educators. The meeting commenced with a call to order and the approval of the agenda and previous minutes, setting a collaborative tone for the evening.

A key moment came when Pastor Philip Addison of Bolton Baptist Church addressed the board, expressing his support for local athletics and raising concerns about student access to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes during school hours. He emphasized the importance of equal rights for all student groups, urging the board to ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities without discrimination.

Following public comments, the board shifted focus to celebrate academic milestones. Schools of Excellence were recognized for their improvements in growth and proficiency, with banners presented to CCCA, Old Doc Elementary, Chadbourne Elementary, Hawesville Artesia Elementary, and West Columbus High School. Additionally, Schools of Achievement and Growth were acknowledged for maintaining their letter grades while improving proficiency, including Acmedelco Elementary, Tabor City School, and West Columbus School.

The meeting concluded with a celebration of the 2026 Teacher of the Year representatives, including Lakisha Lance from Chadbourne Elementary and Ashley Clemens from Tabor City School. The board expressed pride in the accomplishments of the district, noting that ten out of twelve schools either met or exceeded growth expectations last year.

This meeting underscored the commitment of Columbus County Schools to foster an inclusive environment for all students while celebrating academic success and recognizing the hard work of educators. The board's focus on these achievements reflects a positive trajectory for the district as it moves forward into the new academic year.