The Wake County Board of Education on Dec. 16 approved a series of administrative actions and recognitions intended to meet statutory deadlines and support district operations.

The board voted to name the Fuquay Varina High School softball field “Deb Clark Field” after a 29-year coach and teacher whose teams compiled 438 wins, 14 conference championships and 29 straight playoff appearances, according to Principal Mike James. Coach Deb Clark, who attended the meeting with family and former assistants, said: "I am glad I took this head coaching job and got the chance to build the softball program." The motion to rename the field was moved and approved by voice vote.

On operational matters, the board adopted the consent agenda after a roll-call/voice exchange in which one member recorded a dissent; the motion carried. The agenda had earlier been amended to move human-resources recommendations into the consent agenda.

The board approved a contract renewal for Lattice professional learning — required training aligned with the science of reading for newly hired teachers, administrators and instructional support staff — for a reported amount of $60,712.50 plus applicable taxes. The contract was moved, seconded and adopted by voice vote.

To comply with new state law, staff presented revisions to board policy 3225/4312/7320 (Technology Responsible Use). Key changes include updates to technology terminology, added statutory language on internet safety and student data security, and removal of generative artificial-intelligence specifics (which staff said will be covered in a standalone AI policy). The board approved the first reading and waived the second reading to meet the Jan. 1 statutory deadline.

The board also approved the proposed Internet Safety policy (listed as 3326/4205) and adopted an Employee Ombuds policy (7433) with waivers of second readings where noted. Separately, the board adopted an amendment to regulation RNP 4100 to allow the superintendent or designee to approve late international-exchange applications for good cause, explicitly excluding lack of awareness of the deadline as good cause.

What happens next: staff will implement the contracts and updated policies and post adoption materials publicly. The naming of Deb Clark Field will be coordinated with school facilities and the Fuquay Varina High School Athletic Booster Club, which has pledged to cover associated costs from private donations.

Votes at a glance (recorded motions reported at the meeting):
- Rename Fuquay Varina High School softball field to Deb Clark Field — motion moved by a board representative for the school; adopted by voice vote.
- Adopt consent agenda (with HR items added) — motion moved by Vice Chair Hershey; adopted (one recorded dissent noted in discussion).
- Approve Lattice professional learning contract — motion moved and adopted; contract amount reported as $60,712.50 plus taxes.
- Adopt Policy 3225/4312/7320 (Technology Responsible Use) — first reading approved with waiver of second reading to meet statutory deadline.
- Adopt Policy 3326/4205 (Internet Safety) — first reading approved with waiver of second reading.
- Adopt Policy 7433 (Employee Ombuds) — adopted with waiver of second reading.
- Amend RNP 4100 (International Exchange Students) — adopted to permit superintendent discretion for late applications for good cause.

The meeting returned later to closed session for confidential matters and adjourned publicly after the vote to enter closed session.