Craven County Schools board votes to close Craven Virtual Academy effective June 30, 2026

The Craven County Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to close Craven Virtual Academy (CVA), effective June 30, 2026, and authorized Superintendent Dr. Matthew Cheeseman to take the steps needed to implement the transition. The action followed a superintendent recommendation framed as a fiscal decision and a plan to move students into alternative programs or back to their resident schools.

Cheeseman told the board that removing CVA’s school code would end CVA as a stand‑alone school in the state’s accountability and funding systems and would allow students’ funding and responsibility to revert to their traditional, domiciled schools. "Should the board approve this recommendation, specifically in transition, CVA would have the school code removed. So it closes the school," he said, outlining a transition plan led by Candace Strickland as the district’s alternative‑learning facilitator.

Under the plan the superintendent described, families would be contacted directly and counselors and school staff would work individually with students to determine whether they should return full time to their zoned school, enroll in a hybrid mix of in‑person and online coursework, or continue with online courses while attached administratively to their domiciled school. Cheeseman said the district would try to preserve online options where educationally appropriate while ensuring each student has a named school and case manager.

Board members acknowledged parents’ and students’ concerns shared at a prior public hearing but said they were persuaded by the fiscal analysis and the district plan to manage individualized transitions. Several trustees emphasized the need to keep parent voice and student supports engaged during the transition so families are not left without guidance. The board asked that communication to families be prompt, transparent and include specific contacts at the receiving schools.

The motion to close CVA and authorize the superintendent to implement the closure in accordance with applicable law and district policy carried unanimously.

What happens next: district staff will notify the state to remove the CVA school code, counselors and the alternative‑learning facilitator will contact families to schedule transition meetings, and schools receiving students will be responsible for ongoing supports and academic plans. The board will receive follow‑up reporting about student placements and any budgetary effects in future meetings.