The Red Clay Consolidated School District Board of Education on Dec. 17 considered but did not advance a formal step to end its participation in the Wilmington Learning Collaborative (WLC).

Boardmember Jose Matthews moved to submit a letter of intent to terminate the WLC memorandum of understanding, which was made effective Nov. 1, 2022, and to replace it with a new MOU. Matthews, who led the motion, later withdrew it after extensive public comment and board discussion about potential service disruptions for Wilmington students. "I will withdraw my motion," Matthews said during deliberations.

The proposed letter of intent would have set a termination effective date of July 1, 2026, and directed the district to pursue a replacement agreement. Supporters of the motion said the current MOU needs stronger accountability, clearer roles and improved community engagement. Opponents — including Helen Anderson, chair of the WLC — warned that walking away would disrupt summer programs, staffing and services that WLC currently funds for city students. Anderson said, "Walking away from that commitment sends the wrong message to families, educators, community partners who rely on coordinated efforts rather than fragmented ones."

Superintendent Doctor Green emphasized that any replacement would be crafted with educators and community members and that services in the written MOU remain effective through July 1 if a termination process were begun. Green also said the district will coordinate closely with WLC leadership and intends to work on a new draft with stakeholder input. Green told the board the district would present WLC leadership at the January meeting and aimed for a collaborative revision timeline that would avoid service interruptions.

Board discussion centered on timing: some members sought more runway to allow the WLC and district to negotiate changes without disrupting school-year planning and vendor contracts. Several members urged quarterly reporting from WLC and stronger community engagement as alternatives to immediate termination. One board member raised concern that abrupt action could jeopardize positions funded through the WLC and program continuity.

Matthews said his intention behind the motion was to ensure the MOU better reflected operational reality and accountability; after hearing concerns from WLC leaders and public speakers, he elected to withdraw the motion and pursue a slower, collaborative process. The board agreed to allow the renewal process to move forward and to schedule further conversations, including WLC attendance at the January meeting.

Votes at a glance: the motion to submit a letter of intent to terminate the MOU was moved and seconded but withdrawn by the mover before a final board vote. Separate agenda items that did pass included approval of two holiday donations and the board's capital schematic designs (see related coverage). The board directed staff to engage WLC leadership on a revised timeline and to present community-facing materials during upcoming meetings.

What happens next: WLC leadership is expected to appear at the Jan. 7 council meeting and the board has directed staff to work on an MOU replacement process that includes educators and community stakeholders. The board signaled a preference for avoiding disruption to in-school services while addressing compliance and communication concerns raised during the meeting.