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Superintendent Barnes cites near‑full staffing, new bus‑tracking app and community newsletter
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Barnes reported a districtwide teacher vacancy count of 14 (about a 99.13% fill rate), announced a bus‑tracking app for families, the end date for the Sun Meals to Go program, and a new quarterly community newsletter and listening session.
Superintendent Dr. Barnes told the board the district now has 14 teacher vacancies across New Hanover County Schools, which he described as a near‑complete staffing picture heading into the new year.
"Today, we have 14 teacher vacancies in the entire district. That is a fill rate of 99.13%," Dr. Barnes said, calling the result "a tremendous accomplishment" that reflects recruitment and hiring work over the summer. He listed several opening dates for different programs and schools and said enrollment will return to regular rhythms over the coming weeks.
Barnes also announced transportation and communications updates aimed at families. The district is introducing a free bus‑tracking app so parents can follow their child’s bus in real time and get estimated arrival times. He said the Sun Meals to Go program will end the coming Thursday and reminded families they could still register on site.
On communications, Barnes said the district will debut a quarterly community partner newsletter — described at the meeting as the "New Hanover County Schools community partner newsletter" — to share updates on initiatives and partnerships. He invited families to a superintendent listening session on Aug. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m.
The report included a mix of operational details and invitations for public engagement; no formal board action followed the superintendent's report during the segment.
