Nash County Board of Education approves sale of Swift Creek Elementary and multiple facility, personnel and program actions

At its meeting, the Nash County Public Schools Board of Education approved a series of administrative and facility actions, including the sale of Swift Creek Elementary, acceptance of donations and several contract and policy authorizations.

Board members voted to accept a final bid of $250,000 from CLMM Incorporated for the sale of Swift Creek Elementary. A district representative told the board the bid process closed on January 24 at 4 p.m.; the board approved the sale.

The board accepted multiple donations presented by the superintendent. Reported gifts included 130 hats and gloves valued at $200 for Willowford Early Learning Center; a $1,000 donation to Red Oak Elementary from Wake Stone Corporation; a $10,000 grant from Brightspeed for Rockingham High School’s Griffon esports team; and a $2,500 Keep North Carolina Beautiful grant for Middlesex Elementary. A motion to accept the donations passed.

Personnel recommendations on the personnel action report were approved as presented.

On facilities and planning, the board formally requested that the county proceed with negotiations to acquire a site for a new Southern Nash Middle School. A staff member told the board that "counties have the authority to purchase land of school districts use if requested by the district." The board also authorized the superintendent and staff to issue a request for qualifications to secure an architect for the new Southern Nash Middle School.

The board approved roof replacements for Nash Central Middle School and Southern Nash Middle School and authorized proceeding with related work. The board also approved a legislative grant-funded bid for soccer field lighting and accepted Musco Lighting as the contracting vendor for that project.

The board approved a policy recommendation from the North Carolina School Boards Association related to student release (Policy 42.10) and discussed additional NCSBA policy guidance; board members were advised to submit feedback for proposals to return at a future committee meeting.

Academic and program approvals included adoption of a Summer Learning Opportunity Assessment Plan meant to provide remediation and a second opportunity to demonstrate proficiency on end-of-grade or end-of-course tests after the school year ends. The board also approved four overnight and out-of-state student field trips as presented.

Motions recorded at the meeting were made and seconded and recorded as passed with voice vote; no roll-call tallies were presented on the record.

Superintendent Dr. Steve Ellis closed with calendar items and reminders, including February 6 for the district spelling bee and other upcoming events.

Votes at a glance: - Accept donations presented by the superintendent — Motion made/seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote). Donations accepted included items valued at $200, $1,000, $10,000 and $2,500 as detailed above. - Approve sale of Swift Creek Elementary to CLMM Incorporated, closing bid $250,000 — Motion by Dr. Washington; second by Dr. Chavis; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve personnel action report — Motion by Mr. Bissett; second by Mr. Gray; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Request county proceed with negotiations to purchase site for Southern Nash Middle School — mover not specified; second by Mr. Edwards; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Authorize superintendent/staff to issue RFQ for architect for Southern Nash Middle School — motion made and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve roof replacements for Nash Central Middle School and Southern Nash Middle School — Motion by Mr. Whitfield; second by Mr. Buser; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve bid award to Musco Lighting for grant-funded soccer field lights — Motion by Mr. Edwards; second by Dr. Chambers; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve NCSBA policy recommendations including Policy 42.10 (student release) — Motion by Dr. Chavis; second by Mr. Edwards; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve Summer Learning Opportunity Assessment Plan — Motion by Dr. Washington; second by Zach Gray; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve four overnight/out-of-state field trips — Motion by Mr. White; second by Dr. Chavis; outcome: approved (voice vote).

The board did not record roll-call vote counts on the public transcript; motions were approved by voice vote as shown in the meeting record.