Andrew Bass presented Wayne County Public Schools’ 2024–25 accountability report to the Wayne County Board of Education, saying the district saw year‑over‑year gains across multiple grades and subjects and that the district is no longer classified as low performing.

The presentation summarized state and regional comparisons, individual grade gains, subgroup indicators and designations. Bass said the district’s performance composite rose to 50.3 and highlighted large increases in several measures, including a 23‑point gain in NC Math 3 and strong gains in eighth‑grade reading and math. He also noted the statewide re‑norming of science tests and a change in the ACT cut score from 19 to 17 this year, which affected year‑to‑year comparisons.

The report matters because state accountability ratings guide school identifications for support and can determine eligibility for improvement resources. Superintendent Dr. Richard framed the results as a measurable improvement in district performance and noted the change in the district’s low‑performing status.

District performance details presented:
- Performance composite: Wayne County Public Schools 50.3; the district reported a 3.6 growth composite this year and an 8.7 two‑year combined growth figure. Bass said the district’s regional growth ranking was second for the year.
- Notable subject gains: NC Math 3 rose 23 points districtwide compared with last year; eighth‑grade math rose 9 points and eighth‑grade reading rose 8 points; English II increased 6 points while the region and state dipped.
- Science: 2024–25 was the initial implementation of new science standards and a renorming year; Bass said the district and state saw step‑backs consistent with that change.
- ACT/work keys: The ACT composite threshold used for reporting moved from 19 to 17 this year. The district’s percentage of 12th‑grade CTE completers earning a WorkKeys silver certificate was 61.7% versus 59.8% statewide.
- Growth and school‑level changes: Several schools exceeded expected growth, with Eastern Wayne Middle and Spring Creek High each receiving growth ratings of 100 (the maximum). Spring Creek High and Eastern Wayne Middle were cited among the state’s top schools in some measures.
- Low‑performing status: A school is identified as low performing if it has a D or F performance grade and a growth designation of met or not met. The district reported seven F or D schools this year and listed Brogdon Primary, Brogdon Middle, Carver Heights Elementary, Eastern Wayne Elementary, Goldsboro High, Grantham Middle and Tommy’s Road Elementary as low performing for this cycle. Bass noted Dillard Middle exceeded growth and therefore is not identified as low performing despite an F grade.

Bass and Superintendent Dr. Richard told the board the district has reduced the share of schools in low‑performing status compared with prior years. Dr. Richard said the district had ranked near the bottom of North Carolina two years ago and has since improved roughly 30 places in statewide rankings, calling the progress "palpable" in schools’ classrooms.

Board members asked staff about the accountability model and potential state changes to weighting (for example, replacing the current 80% achievement / 20% growth weighting) and were told that a blue‑ribbon panel and pilot proposals are under discussion at the state level but that no immediate statewide change was guaranteed.

The presentation closed with district projections for continued growth; Dr. Richard said his planning target for the coming year is a 4‑point composite increase and removal of at least two more schools from low‑performing status if projected gains hold.

"I am pleased to be here tonight to share the 2024–2025 school accountability data with you," Andrew Bass said during the presentation. Superintendent Dr. Richard said the district is "no longer a low performing district" and expressed pride in principals, teachers and staff.