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 students need to have a better understanding of the impact of vaping on their health," Pierce said. Trillium and the Poe Center intend to offer short parent sessions at open houses, a longer convocation session for support staff and two age-appropriate student sessions for grades 5–8 (with 6th and 7th graders targeted in the fall and 5th and 8th in the second semester), the presenters said.

On child nutrition, staff recommended continuing three existing vendor rollovers (produce, supplies and bread) and awarding a fresh-milk contract following a competitive RFP. The district said two vendors submitted milk bids; staff identified Pitt as the lowest bidder and reported the new contract will save the district $60,808.75 compared with the previous five-year pricing. The board approved the fiscal-year 2025–26 child-nutrition vendor slate, the a la carte pricing (with a portion-size increase raising the side of vegetables and fruit to a full cup and the cookie price to $0.75), and the district’s meal pricing policy (free meals for K–12; second student meal $2.50; adults pay a la carte prices).

The board approved an East Columbus Junior–Senior High School fundraiser — senior parking-spot painting — with the superintendent’s office to require preapproval of designs and an agreement to restore parking surfaces. Board members discussed past late approvals for some fundraising items and confirmed annual review is required.

Superintendent and staff updates included open-house and convocation scheduling: a virtual convocation will be held Aug. 19 and staff professional development/mandatory workdays are scheduled Aug. 18–20. Finance staff said the district is beginning the fiscal year, has completed state budget revision No. 8 and has spent a small share of current allotments; federal Title grant award notifications have arrived to the state but the district’s specific allotments are pending. The board moved into closed session under North Carolina statutes and attorney–client privilege to discuss matters allowed under the Open Meetings Law.

Votes at a glance - Agenda approved — motion by Dr. Strickland; second by Ms. Grama; outcome: approved. - Minutes of 06/30/2025 and 07/14/2025 approved — motion by Dr. Strickland; second by Mr. Worley; outcome: approved. - Draft report-card and interim progress-report release dates (traditional schools) approved — motion by Mr. Enser; second by Ms. Grama; outcome: approved. - CCCA report-card and progress-report dates approved — motion by Dr. Strickland; second by Ms. Grama; outcome: approved. - Memorandum of understanding: Project ADAM and Columbus County Schools approved — motion by Ms. Grama; second by Dr. Strickland; outcome: approved. - Memorandum of agreement: Priority Success Associates and Columbus County Schools (initially five staff; target schools: West Columbus, Taber City, Acme Delco Elementary) approved — motion by Mr. Worley; second by Mr. Enser; outcome: approved. - Child-nutrition vendor slate and milk RFP award (lowest bidder: Pitt) approved — motion by Mr. Wuerler; second by Ms. Cross; outcome: approved. Staff stated the award will save $60,808.75 compared with five-year pricing. - 2025–26 a la carte pricing approved (vegetable/fruit portion increased to 1 cup; cookie $0.75) — motion by Mr. Worley; second by Mr. Enser; outcome: approved. - Columbus County Schools meal pricing policy for 2025–26 approved — motion by Ms. Cross; second by Mr. Enser; outcome: approved. - East Columbus Senior Parking Spot Painting fundraiser approved — motion by Mr. Worley; second by Ms. Grama; outcome: approved (preapproval and restoration requirements to be enforced). - Motion to enter closed session under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11(a)(1) and (3) (privileged/confidential information; attorney–client privilege) — motion by Mr. Enser; second by Dr. Strickland; outcome: approved (board entered closed session).

Why it matters The actions set administrative timelines and in-school supports for the coming year: report-card dates affect notification schedules for families and educators; the agreements with Project ADAM and Priority Success Associates commit the district to AED/health-related implementation and additional behavioral support staff in targeted schools; the Trillium/Poe Center plan outlines an organized prevention effort aimed at middle-school students and families. The nutrition contract award and price settings affect meal operations and the food budget.

What’s next District staff will publish the convocation link for board members, finalize vendor contracts, distribute materials for the prevention curriculum to principals and make available the Trillium/Poe Center resources at school open houses. The board held a closed session at the end of the meeting to address matters permitted under state law.