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Hoke County Board approves consolidated federal grant, new wireless-device rule and mental-health plan in August meeting
Summary
Hoke County Board of Education members approved the district's consolidated federal grant application, adopted immediate amendments to the district's wireless-device policy to align with new state law, and approved the district's five-year school mental-health plan at their Aug. 12 meeting.
Hoke County Board of Education members approved multiple formal items during their Aug. 12, 2025 meeting, including the district's consolidated federal grant allocations, an immediate change to the district's wireless communication device policy and the district's five-year school mental-health plan.
The board voted to adopt a consolidated federal grant package that includes Title I, II, III and IV allocations; suspended its normal two-read rule in order to adopt amendments to Policy 43-18 (Wireless Communication Devices) immediately; and approved the Hoke County Schools State School Mental Health Plan for 2025'2030.
The consolidated grant, presented by district staff, identifies Title I, Part A at $3,417,540 for the coming year (an increase of $532,712 from the previous year) for teacher salaries, tutoring, professional development, foster-care transportation, homeless education support and a $150,000 set-aside for pre-K supports. Title II was listed at $467,567 (an increase of $55,408); Title III at $88,079 (an increase of $4,619); and Title IV at $216,771 (a modest decrease). The board approved the consolidated grant application as presented.
Separately, board members moved to suspend Policy 24-20 (which normally requires two readings before adoption) and then voted to adopt amendments to Policy 43-18 (Wireless Communication Devices) the same evening. The amended policy permits students to possess wireless devices on district property but prohibits devices being turned on, used, displayed or visible during the instructional day unless district personnel or rules explicitly authorize otherwise. Board members said the expedited adoption was to ensure the district complied with recently enacted state legislation.
Finally, the board approved the Hoke County Schools State School Mental Health Plan for 2025'2030, a document the State Board of Education requires LEAs to submit and reapprove every five years. The district will submit the approved plan to the state by the Sept. 15 deadline.
Votes at a glance - Consolidated federal grant: Motion to approve carried (moved and seconded; roll call not recorded in the transcript excerpt). Title I allocation identified as $3,417,540; other program amounts presented as above. - Suspension of Policy 24-20: Motion to suspend carried (moved by Ruben Casselon; seconded by Angela Sutherland). - Adoption of amendments to Policy 43-18 (Wireless Communication Devices): Motion to adopt carried (motion made by Ruben Casselon; second by Rose McCallister McCray). - Approval of 2025'2030 School Mental Health Plan: Motion to approve carried (motion and second recorded).
The board took these votes as part of a broader meeting that also included informational presentations on construction, staffing and district programs. No litigation or personnel dispositions were reported in open session; the meeting concluded with a motion to enter closed session under North Carolina statute to discuss confidential personnel matters.
