Columbus County Board of Education approves school-year reporting dates, service agreements and nutrition bids; hears vaping-prevention plan

The Columbus County Board of Education on Aug. 11 approved release dates for report cards and interim progress reports for the 2025–26 school year, ratified memoranda with two student-support providers, authorized child-nutrition vendor awards and a la carte and meal pricing, and heard a presentation about a vaping- and substance-prevention curriculum targeted to middle-school students.

The board approved the district’s draft report-card release dates for traditional K–8 and 9–12 schools and the CCCA report-card and progress-report dates for the 2025–26 year. The district said the schedule differs for K–8 and grades 9–12 because the first semester will end before the Christmas break this year. The board approved both items on voice votes.

The board also approved a memorandum of understanding with Project ADAM, North Carolina, to continue implementation work for the academic year. The board unanimously approved a separate memorandum of agreement with Priority Success Associates to place an initial team of five staff who will work in West Columbus School, Taber City School and Acme Delco Elementary to provide tiered behavioral supports and reduce time out of class.

In a separate presentation, Trillium Health Resources representatives and the Poe Center described a prevention plan focused on vaping and related substance use. Cecilia Pierce, Southern regional vice president for Trillium, said the plan includes school-year parent outreach at open houses, staff professional development at convocation and in-practice classroom sessions for students. "We continue to hear ... that…