Board approves resolution honoring Ruth Ann Vernon; superintendent reports contingency spending and improved safety metrics

The Caswell County Board of Public Education approved a resolution honoring the life and service of Ruth Ann Vernon and received routine administrative updates from the superintendent.

Speaker 6 read a resolution that recorded Ms. Vernon’s birth (June 24, 1953) and death (Jan. 29, 2026), noted her longtime service in the Cherry Grove Fire Department and her 25 years with Caswell County Schools. The board moved, seconded and the chair called for approval; the chair said, "this motion is carried."

Speaker 2 provided several updates: appreciation for school counselors and staff after snow closures; contingency fund spending totaling $1,860.42 to replace a broken window at a high school and to address an HVAC issue under a network-mechanic contract (invoice dates Jan. 9 and Jan. 13). On facilities, Speaker 2 said review of security footage indicated a window shattered between about 2:00 and 3:00 a.m., possibly due to temperature-related expansion in a wooden door/window assembly, and the district would pursue responsibility if evidence of damage by others was found.

Speaker 2 also reported student-safety and attendance metrics: a dropout rate of 0.78% for Caswell County Schools (reported as lower than neighboring districts) and a North Carolina average cited in the meeting as 1.62%. The superintendent said reportable offenses decreased (from nine in 2023–24 to six in 2024–25) and short-term suspensions dropped from 584 (28.49%) to 450 (21.65%), which the superintendent described as reflecting stronger behavioral supports.

The board next moved to a closed session to discuss personnel matters under the statutes cited in the meeting record.