Board approves calendar adjustment, discusses changing meeting cadence and legislative priorities

The Craven County Board of Education approved calendar adjustments to recover instructional hours lost to a snow closure: an optional workday for traditional schools on Friday, June 5, and an optional workday for the early college on Thursday, May 28. Ms. Wagner presented the adjustment, Ms. Mason moved to adopt the change, Ms. Davis seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Superintendent Dr. Cheeseman recommended the board consider changing its meeting cadence — currently a week‑3 schedule with a Tuesday work session and Thursday business meeting — to provide more time for staff to respond to work‑session requests. He outlined four proposals ranging from an every‑other‑week schedule to front‑loading meetings earlier in the week to avoid common administrative conferences (often Wednesday–Friday). Board members raised scheduling concerns (Wednesdays conflict with many families' church activities; Mondays can be holidays) and asked whether any changes could be effective this school year or post July 1; Cheeseman said implementation could be post July 1 but staff could support an earlier start if the board chose.

The board also discussed legislative priorities and connecting with state legislators. Cheeseman compared the board’s January priorities with agendas from the North Carolina Association of School Administrators and the North Carolina School Boards Association (topics included funding, talent recruitment and retention, student safety and school leadership). He recommended informal invitations for local legislators (including Sen. Brinson and Rep. Tyson) to tour schools and urged participation in statewide advocacy day in Raleigh so board members can meet legislators directly.

No formal change to the board calendar cadence or the legislative priorities was adopted at the work session; board members asked to review written priorities and discuss them at the next meeting.