Board approves 2025–26 school improvement plans, accepts Bridgeton property bid and other actions

The Craven County Schools Board of Education approved the district'wide 2025'26 school improvement plans and took a series of administrative votes at a regularly scheduled meeting in New Bern.

The board voted unanimously to approve school improvement plans for all 26 schools after a presentation outlining statutory requirements and local processes. Jason Griffin, a district staff member who presented the plans, told the board the plans comply with North Carolina General Statute 115C-105.27 and that schools identified as low performing or with required subgroups must submit plans to the Department of Public Instruction by Dec. 1 for state review.

Board members voted to accept the highest qualified bid for the Bridgeton property in the amount of $321,350, offered by Bridgeston Harbor Marine Marina. The item was initially deferred so the district's legal counsel could consult in closed session; after that consultation the board approved the sale. Board members clarified during discussion that proceeds from the sale will be deposited into the district's capital account.

The board approved Human Resources Report No. 4 for October, a routine personnel report presented by Dr. Boone. The motion passed on a roll call vote.

Several policy updates that were presented in first read were moved to second read and placed on the consent agenda for the regular board meeting later in the week. Board members spent time on procedural motions and a reconsideration before confirming the policies will proceed to second read rather than being finalized at this meeting.

Board members also reported they approved school safety plans in closed session; the minutes state the plans were accepted unanimously by members present. No substantive safety plan text was released at the meeting.

Votes at a glance - School improvement plans (approval): Motion by Stacy (mover), second by Lee Kirkman; roll call recorded all present voting yes (Jennifer Dacey: yes; Amy Davis: yes; Darlene Gibbs: yes; Lee Kirkman: yes; Laura Kitzinger: yes; Patty Mason: yes; Laurie Spies: yes). Outcome: approved. - Bridgeton property highest qualified bid ($321,350 to Bridgeston Harbor Marine Marina): Motion by Patty Mason, second by Stacy; roll call recorded unanimous yes votes by those present. Outcome: accepted; proceeds to capital account. - Human Resources Report No. 4 (personnel report): Motion by Patty Mason, second by Amy Davis; roll call recorded all present voting yes. Outcome: approved. - School safety plans (closed session): Approved unanimously by the board members present in closed session. Outcome: approved. - First-read policy block: Motion to move first-read policies to second read and to the Thursday consent agenda carried (voice/hand count reported as 4 in favor, 3 opposed at an earlier show of hands; subsequent procedural motions and reconsideration were discussed before confirming movement to second read). Outcome: advanced to second read/consent agenda.

Why this matters Approving school improvement plans is a state-required step that triggers family notifications and state reviews for any schools identified as low performing or with required subgroups. The Bridgeton property sale will place district proceeds into the capital account, a detail flagged by a board member during discussion. Personnel reports and policy changes are routine but affect district operations and future board actions.

What the board said Board discussion on the improvement plans focused on how the NC STAR template and state guidance drive plan content and on the workload principals face in preparing plans. Jason Griffin explained the template requirements and that materials, including guest access to NC STAR, were provided to the board for review. The board debated whether and how the school improvement goals should tie to specific budget items.

Process notes Several motions related to policy first read status required procedural clarification and a brief reconsideration vote; the board ultimately confirmed the items will move to second read and appear on the consent agenda at the next regular meeting. The Bridgeton property item was deferred from action to allow legal counsel consultation in closed session and was returned to the board for approval after that consultation.

Ending The board scheduled the policy items for second read and consent action at the regular Thursday meeting and will submit any required school plans identified by the state to the Department of Public Instruction by the statutorily required deadlines.