Columbus County Schools reports midyear academic gains, wins $45,000 FAFSA-strong grant

Columbus County Schools Superintendent Laura Hunter told the school board on Feb. 9 that the district is in the final year of its strategic plan and that the midyear report serves as a ‘halftime’ check on progress toward a district goal of a 55 (C) letter grade across schools.

Hunter highlighted measurable gains in mathematics—particularly in cohorts tracked through middle school—and said, “This is the halftime report,” framing the presentation as an opportunity to adjust strategies before the second half of the year. She reported that seventh-grade math had reached the district’s 50 percent benchmark midyear and that eighth grade trailed by about five points. Hunter credited a five-day, sequential math foundations training led by Amanda Green and aligned to the district’s i‑Ready implementation for helping produce traction in math.

By contrast, Hunter said middle‑school English/language arts remains stagnant after walkthroughs showed low engagement and limited high‑level thinking. She summarized those findings: “I see that 71.8% of the time, we have low levels of engagement in ELA,” and noted that “78% of our classroom walkthroughs only have level 1 and level 2 thinking.” Hunter pointed to coaching supports, including ELA coach Jennifer Davis, and said turnover among 7th‑ and 8th‑grade teachers has complicated instructional consistency.

Hunter also reviewed early‑grades literacy trends. She said kindergarten performance is up slightly year‑over‑year, first grade showed a drop, and second grade reversed a prior regression—producing a six‑point improvement from last year. Hunter attributed the turnaround to increased fidelity of Reading Horizons implementation and earlier literacy investments.

The superintendent reported progress in science after statewide adoption of new standards, noting no schools were in the red on her science slide. She praised science coach Stephanie Thurman and said teachers have been participating in item writing and NCDPI trainings.

The presentation included postsecondary planning metrics. Hunter said district FAFSA completion stood at 54.5% against an 80% goal, with West and East Columbus in the mid‑70s and South Columbus in the mid‑50s; she added that students had accessed more than $600,000 in Pell grant funds so far. Hunter announced the district received one of four statewide JM Belt Foundation "FAFSA Strong" grants—$45,000—to develop a high‑school advisory curriculum centered on career and college planning that the district plans to share at no cost with peer rural districts.

Board members asked for separations of combined middle/high program data where appropriate; Hunter agreed to provide disaggregated high‑school and middle‑school figures for East Columbus on request. The board praised staff for midyear reporting and for focusing on instructional implementation as they move into the second half of the school year.

Hunter’s full presentation included school‑level growth/proficiency charts, walkthrough summaries, and teacher‑development initiatives aimed at improving lesson rigor and student engagement. She concluded by saying the data show progress but cautioned that “one year does not a trend make,” urging replication of gains.

Next steps: Hunter offered to supply requested disaggregated data and said the district will continue to refine implementation and monitor cohort progress through the remainder of the year.