Craven County Board adopts calendar changes, tuition increase, multiple policies; opts out of state high‑school risk survey

The Craven County Board of Education on Feb. 10 elected a new chair, approved changes to next year’s school calendars, raised the out‑of‑county tuition rate and approved several operational items, including a policy authorizing school nurses to carry naloxone (Narcan). The board also voted to opt Craven County Schools out of the North Carolina High School Risk Survey.

The votes came at a two‑hour work session dominated by updates from Superintendent Dr. Peter Miller and several staff presentations. The board elected board member Lori Spies as chair following the resignation of former chair Scott Murphy. Members also approved calendar changes to create specific graduation dates, voted to adopt a recommended out‑of‑county tuition rate for 2025‑26 of $2,619.13, and approved multiple operational items and contracts. The board unanimously approved a policy that allows school nurses to carry and administer naloxone under standing orders from the county health department.

Why it matters: The calendar and tuition decisions affect families’ planning and district revenue for the coming school year; the naloxone policy changes a medical safety protocol in schools; and the opt‑out from the state survey removes district participation in a DPI student risk survey that asks about sensitive topics.

Key actions and supporting detail - Election of chair: Board members nominated and elected Lori Spies to serve as chair after Scott Murphy’s resignation. The roll‑call vote for Spies recorded four yes votes for Spies over two other nominees and the board announced the new chair immediately after the vote. - Calendar amendments: The board approved changes to the 2025‑26 early college and traditional calendars that set specific graduation dates (early college graduation on Thursday, May 14; traditional high school graduations moved to allow ceremonies the day after the last student day). Administrators said the changes were requested to align with Craven Community College and to reduce scheduling conflicts for families. - Out‑of‑county tuition: The board adopted a $2,619.13 tuition rate for discretionary out‑of‑county admissions for 2025‑26, an increase from the prior year’s $2,258.60 figure, based on DPI local per‑pupil expenditure data. Board members asked staff to return with a policy change proposal to clarify waivers for students already counted in this year’s ADM. - Opt‑out of DPI High School Risk Survey: After discussion about survey content and parental notification (opt‑out vs. opt‑in), the board voted to opt Craven County Schools out of the DPI High School Risk Survey for the school selected (New Bern High School). Board members cited concerns about question wording and the survey’s opt‑out distribution method. - Naloxone (Narcan) policy: The board adopted a new policy authorizing district‑supplied naloxone for use by trained school nurses under standing orders from the Craven County Health Department and clarified that law‑enforcement medical responders may administer their own supply when present. - Other operational approvals: The board approved routine field trips, accepted a low qualified bid for replacement of an HVAC unit at the West Craven High band room, approved the human resources report after closed session, and submitted the annual state lottery application to release funds for debt service as required.

Votes at a glance (items presented/roll‑call outcomes as recorded in the meeting) - Agenda amendment (move CTE proclamation onto today’s agenda; add discussion of letter to attorney general): Passed, roll‑call 4 yes, 2 no (as recorded during roll call). Referenced by: agenda motion at start of session. - Election of chair (Lori Spies): Approved by roll call (majority; 4 yes, 2 no in recorded roll call). Referenced by: nomination and roll call during chair election. - Amendment to 2025‑26 calendars (early college and traditional): Approved, unanimous roll‑call (all members present voted yes). - Opt‑out of DPI North Carolina High School Risk Survey (New Bern HS): Motion to opt out approved, roll‑call unanimous yes (board directed staff not to administer the DPI survey at the selected school). - Field trips (districtwide package): Approved, roll‑call unanimous yes. - HVAC replacement at West Craven High band room (lowest qualified bidder Inneco East, $140,250): Approved, roll‑call unanimous yes. - Out‑of‑county tuition (2025‑26: $2,619.13): Approved, roll‑call unanimous yes; board asked staff to propose policy edits clarifying waiver conditions tied to ADM counting. - HR report No. 8 (personnel actions): Approved after closed session, roll‑call unanimous yes. - Lottery application (annual submission to release public‑school capital funds for debt service): Approved, roll‑call unanimous yes. - Policy adoptions and readings: New naloxone policy adopted (roll‑call unanimous yes). A remote‑participation policy and a registered‑offender policy were sent for additional review or proceeded according to board votes (see detailed minutes for policy votes and follow‑up instructions).

Discussion and next steps: Board members asked staff to draft clarifying policy language on out‑of‑county tuition (waiver rules when students count in current ADM) and directed staff to prepare requested follow‑up data on exceptional‑children vacancies and alternative‑placement counts. The board also authorized the chair to finalize and send a letter to the North Carolina Attorney General supporting investigation of a statewide student‑data incident (see separate letter motion).