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District updates on recording/search policies and spotlights student programs and recognitions
Summary
Staff reviewed proposed changes to several policies on recordings, student searches and unpaid meal debt and the superintendent highlighted student achievements and upcoming events including STARBASE, a lighthouse school recognition, NC Lottery filming and Special Olympics plans.
District staff reviewed a package of policy updates and the superintendent highlighted recent student achievements and upcoming events.
Policy updates: A staff presenter summarized several policies under review. The revisions discussed included:
- Proposed changes to the rules of order (policy 2340). - A prior action (policy 4318) allowing students' use of phones during non-instructional time with a new caveat: students may not record or take pictures of other students or staff in ways that would identify them. - Student search policy 4342. - Policy 6220, which staff said prohibits schools from imposing administrative penalties for unpaid school meal debt. - A new optional policy 7325 addressing employee audio/video recordings: public event recordings, classroom recordings, consensual staff recordings, secret recordings, recordings of students, and records maintenance; staff described 7325 as detailed and optional but recommended.
Staff framed 7325 and the changes as guidance that clarifies permissible recordings and recordkeeping rather than new regulatory punishments; the board asked clarifying questions about what is allowed at public events and in classrooms.
Student programs and recognitions: The superintendent and board staff highlighted upcoming and recent activities: a planned five-day STARBASE STEM program at Department of Defense STARBASE Academy at Cherry Point for fifth graders (scheduled for fall 2026, specific dates to be provided by DoD); MES student leadership day; participation in the Jones County Historical Society 250 ceremony; New Century's designation as a state "lighthouse" school (fewer than 37 such schools in the state); NC Lottery filming at J.O. Cinnamon High School and Trenton Elementary with a commercial expected to air in May; T.S. Grimes Senior High student night; county Special Olympics at Jones Senior High (April 17); and student nights at Maysville Middle and Comfort Elementary.
Public comment: Mr. Burgess congratulated Maysville students for their performance at a community event and noted progress in the county's recreation department, including an upcoming ribbon-cutting.
Next steps: Staff will continue policy work, bringing recommended language for board review and publishing the optional 7325 guidance for staff and public awareness.
