Edgecombe County Board of Education approves budget amendment, technology purchases and contracts

The Edgecombe County Board of Education on June 26 approved a series of budget, contract and technology items, including a budget amendment, sole‑source purchases for Microsoft and Google services, a transportation contract, a renewed driver‑education contract and an invoice authorization for architect design work.

A district finance staff member presented budget amendment No. 3, saying the district’s fund balance remains “in a good position” despite unanticipated expenses tied to recent organizational changes and special projects. The staff member said the district is taking advantage of indirect cost recovery from food service to improve fund accounting and will return next month with the final closeout amendment for fiscal 2024–25. The board approved the amendment by voice vote.

Board members approved two technology purchases presented by Haynes of the ECPS technology department: a sole‑source renewal of district Microsoft licensing from Softchoice for $59,041.45 using local technology funds, and Google Workspace for Education Plus from CDW‑G for $32,500 using state PRC 015 technology funds. "These license[s] will allow ECPS to continue to legally operate our Microsoft Windows infrastructure," Haynes said during the presentation. Both purchases were approved.

The board authorized several contracts and memoranda of understanding. Ms. Wayne, a board member, asked for approval of a contract with Rhonda Powell for private transportation services for an estimated $155,000 for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026; the board approved the contract. Ms. Wayne also presented a renewal with North Carolina Driving School for driver education. She told the board the per‑pupil charges were $70 for classroom instruction and $230 for behind‑the‑wheel training — "for a total cost per child or student of $300" — and the projected total for next year would be $180,000 after the board agreed to amend an earlier line that listed $170,000.

The board voted to authorize payment of $220,866.32 to Vyze Architects for design work on the North Edgecombe School of Innovation. A board member said the district will be invoiced through the school district and the county commissioners' office will reimburse the district; the board noted that the funds are expected to come from capital allocations and county drawdowns.

The board also approved operational items including an MOU with the county to provide summer recreation camps at listed schools serving 100 ECPS students, and an MOU with Spark NC to operate one or more learning labs for FY 2025–26 (Spark NC will invest approximately $10,833.33 toward implementation and staffing). The board authorized the superintendent to work with the district athletic director and middle‑school principals to combine athletic teams when warranted by low participation, with the superintendent required to notify the board before taking action.

Procedural items included a calendar addendum moving the district’s final fiscal‑year meeting from June 30, 2026, to June 25, 2026. The board moved into closed session under the North Carolina Open Meetings Act to consider personnel matters and consult with counsel; earlier in the meeting the board approved personnel management items in open session. The meeting concluded after brief remarks and a motion to adjourn.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the agenda as amended; the consent agenda (including acceptance of a $28,428 grant); MOU for summer recreation camps (4.1b); calendar addendum changing the final meeting date (4.2b); budget amendment No. 3; Microsoft licensing (Softchoice) $59,041.45; Google Workspace (CDW‑G) $32,500; MOU with Spark NC (FY 2025‑26); contract with Rhonda Powell for transportation (≈$155,000); renewal of driver education services with North Carolina Driving School (amended to ≈$180,000, $300 per student); Vyze Architects invoice authorization $220,866.32; authorization to combine middle‑school athletic teams; motion to enter closed session to consider personnel and to consult counsel; approval of personnel management items in open session; adjournment. All motions were recorded as carrying by voice vote; the transcript does not record a roll‑call tally by name.

Board members also used the meeting time for community correspondence and recognition: the chair shared condolences for the recent death of Gloria Wiggins and members thanked an employee named Rose on her retirement. The board will take any follow‑up actions identified in closed session per statute.