Craven County matches private grant to fund $60,000 for school athletics improvements

Craven County commissioners on March 2026 heard that Partners in Education (PIE) is directing a $60,000 investment into local school athletics after the county agreed to match a private grant.

"The $30,000 in matching funds from Craven County, combined with $30,000 grant from the Harold H. Bate Foundation, is being used for a total investment of $60,000 in our Craven County School System athletic programs," Suzanne Gifford, executive director of Craven County Partners in Education, told the board.

PIE asked the board to support the match and introduced principals who described how the money will be used. Claudia Casey, principal of Havelock High School, said the school will use its share to finish flooring for a newly built weight-training facility so athletic teams and students enrolled in strength-and-conditioning courses can use the space.

Dr. Daryl Thomas, principal of New Bern High School, said his school is planning to buy scoreboards and address field and stadium maintenance needs, and that the funds also will help expanding programs such as volleyball. Montrell Lee, principal of West Craven High School, said the donation will support helmet reconditioning, field paint and weight-room upgrades and that the district is conducting department-wide assessments to ensure needs are met.

Gifford placed the school grants in the broader context of PIE’s work: "This year alone, PIE awarded $81,043 to 60 classrooms," she said, and noted PIE had requested $153,822 to support school programs including the athletic grants.

Commissioners thanked PIE and the Bate Foundation; one commissioner noted the foundation’s long record of local giving and encouraged continued support. The board did not amend the PIE request during the meeting.

Next steps: PIE and the individual schools will proceed with the described projects and report back to the board as work progresses.