Wilson County Board approves school contracts, revised calendars and multiple policy changes

The Wilson County Board of Education on Jan. 27 approved a series of contracts, revised school calendars and multiple policy changes, and accepted summer programming and staffing plans for 2025.

The board voted unanimously to approve a contract with Berry Building Group to design and build a culinary arts classroom at Beddingfield High School for $99,000 and to approve a $5,947,628 contract with Barnhill Contracting to design and reconstruct wings damaged at Springfield Middle School, pending approval from the North Carolina Department of Insurance. Board members also approved summer program plans, staffing contracts for one-on-one student supports and several revised school calendars.

The board heard a special presentation from Jenny Hayes, principal of Beddingfield High School, who thanked the board and district staff for their work. “Your leadership paves the way for our schools to thrive,” Hayes said, presenting tokens of appreciation from students.

Why it matters: The Barnhill contract covers reconstruction work tied to storm damage at Springfield Middle School; the board noted the contract amount may rise if additional work is required to meet current building codes, and that those additional costs have been described as likely to be covered by remaining insurance proceeds. Several actions completed at the meeting affect how the district will make up instructional time missed for weather-related closures and how it will staff and run summer programs targeted to students who need additional support.

Key details

- Construction contracts: The board approved a $99,000 contract with Berry Building Group for a Beddingfield High School culinary arts classroom and a $5,947,628 contract with Barnhill Contracting to design and reconstruct the damaged wings at Springfield Middle School; the Barnhill contract is contingent on North Carolina Department of Insurance approval.

- Summer programs: The board approved the district’s 2025 summer programming plans, including “Racing to Success” and Read to Achieve summer reading camps for K–3 (required for third graders who did not meet statutory proficiency standards), summer scholars sessions for grades 4–5 and 6–8, a summer accelerator introducing middle schoolers to CTE pathways, and a summer recovery option for high school credits (one credit recoverable this year because carryover funds are limited). Dates for most summer sessions are July 7–24 (12 days, Monday–Thursday, 72 hours). Funding sources cited include PRC 16, Title I and Title IV; a migrant education week is funded by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

- Staffing contracts: The board approved contracts (board notification) for one-on-one supports for students with disabilities with Emeritus Healthcare Staffing Inc., AMN Healthcare Inc., and Focal Point Medical Staffing, each not to exceed $80,000, and approved a contract with Sunbelt for EC positions not to exceed $150,000.

- Calendars: Because of recent weather-related missed days, the board adopted revised 2024–25 traditional, restart and early-college calendars that convert missed days (Jan. 22–23) into non-instructional days and add optional teacher workdays on June 12–13. The board also adopted the proposed 2025–26 Early College calendar.

- Policies: On second reading the board approved a package of revised policies including Policy 1310/40002 (parental involvement), 3225/4312/7320 (technology responsible use), 3227/7322 (web page development), 3410 (testing and assessment), 3420 (student promotion and accountability), and others listed by number in committee materials. The board separately approved revised Policy 2302 (remote participation in board meetings) with corrections “pending legal review.” The board also voted to repeal Policy 2671 (Appointment of Wilson Technical Community College trustees).

- Other notes: The Barnhill contract’s staff summary said preconstruction would begin once the contract is approved and construction is expected to proceed so that relocated students could return to rebuilt wings by the first day of the spring semester 2026, assuming no unforeseen delays. Trustees said additional code-related upgrades, if required, are expected to be covered by insurance proceeds.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to amend the published agenda (remove Dewberry FCA pilot report; remove Policy 6402/9125 from tonight’s agenda; add remote instruction item; add revised calendars to January 27 agenda): Moved by Miss Powell; seconded by Mr. Breen; approved unanimously.

- Approve minutes of Dec. 9, 2024, regular meeting: Moved by Dr. Fitch; seconded by Miss Powell; approved unanimously.

- Approve contract with Berry Building Group for Beddingfield High School culinary arts classroom, $99,000: Moved by Mr. Vereen; seconded by Dr. Fitch; approved unanimously.

- Approve contract with Barnhill Contracting to design and reconstruct Springfield Middle School damaged wings, $5,947,628, pending NC Department of Insurance approval: Moved by Mr. Breen; seconded by Mr. Batts; approved unanimously.

- Approve 2025 proficiency summer school plan and related summer programs: Moved by Miss Boyette; seconded by Mr. Breen; approved unanimously.

- Approve Sunbelt contract for EC positions, not to exceed $150,000: Moved by Miss Boyette; seconded by Miss Powell; approved unanimously.

- Adopt proposed 2025–26 Early College calendar: Moved by Miss Boyette; seconded by Mr. Breen; approved unanimously.

- Adopt revised 2024–25 traditional calendar (adjustments for Jan. 22–23; add optional teacher workdays on June 12–13): Moved by Miss Boyette; seconded by Mr. Breen; approved unanimously.

- Adopt revised 2024–25 restart calendar and revised early college calendar to reflect missed days: Moved by Miss Boyette; seconded by Mr. Breen; approved unanimously.

- Approve a package of revised policies on second reading (policy numbers listed in committee materials): Moved by Miss Boyette; seconded by Mr. Breen; approved unanimously.

- Approve revised Policy 2302 (remote participation in board meetings) with corrections pending legal review: Moved by Miss Boyette; seconded by Mr. Breen; approved unanimously.

- Repeal Policy 2671 (Appointment of Wilson Technical Community College trustees): Moved by Miss Boyette; seconded by Miss Powell; approved unanimously.

- Move into closed session to consider confidential personnel and student matters and to consult with the board attorney under cited state statutes and FERPA: Moved by Miss Powell; seconded by Miss Boyette; approved unanimously.

Speakers quoted in this article are listed in the speakers section below and quotes are taken from meeting remarks recorded in the board’s public transcript and minutes. The meeting included multiple recognitions and community presentations not detailed here, including student artwork and Congressional App Challenge winners; those remarks are recorded in the meeting minutes.