The Lenoir County Public Schools board voted to apply for federal E‑Rate funding, convert an early release and required work day to full school days to make up 3.5 missed instructional days, approved NC School Boards Association policy revisions, authorized two out‑of‑state field trips and approved a personnel report after closed session.
Board members recognized regional science fair winners and scholarship finalists and heard student demonstrations from a district technology team and Career & Technical Education programs highlighting credentials, internships and competition results.
District staff recommended a three-year copier/print services contract with an optional two-year renewal with Toshiba after a rubric-based RFP evaluation; the board approved the recommendation pending final legal review and contract edits.
The board honored Lillian Hartshill of E.B. Frank Middle School as one of 27 finalists for the North Carolina Beginning Teacher of the Year award; NCAT representatives presented a certificate and explained the finalist program and timeline.
Metcon project staff told the Lenoir County Board of Education the E.B. Frank Middle School construction is progressing, with masonry, steel and roof planks being installed and about 187 geothermal wells drilled with roughly 20 remaining; contractor said several slab pours are scheduled and key milestones are ahead of schedule.
An external auditor delivered an unmodified (clean) opinion for fiscal year 24–25 and the board approved Budget Amendment No. 2 to incorporate late state allotments and federal grant releases; staff noted a drop in federal funding from $36 million to $23 million and a continuing child nutrition fund shortfall.
The Lenoir County Board of Education approved Budget Amendment No. 2 on Jan. 5 to incorporate late-arriving state allotments (including teacher bonus allotments), federal grant releases, lottery-funded capital outlay for repair/renovation and SRO/safety grant funds.
The board recognized multiple students as scholarship semifinalists and celebrated Lillian Hartsell as an NCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year finalist; LCPS staff will present two programs at the NCATLL conference.
After entering closed session under North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11 to discuss personnel and consult counsel, the board approved monthly personnel recommendations with an addendum and passed a related bonus motion 6-1-1.
The board voted to move forward with a recommended three-year contract (plus two-year option) with Toshiba for copy/print services pending final review by board attorneys after a rubric-based evaluation of seven proposals.
