001Good evening and welcome to the April 14th regularly scheduled meeting. We will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance introduced by Major Howard. Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I have with me two cadets that will be leading in the Pledge of Allegiance. I have Julian Figuerora and Dylan Smith. Both of them are military children. Their both of parents are in the Coast Guard. Both their dads are in the Coast Guard. So, I'll turn it over to them. Everyone please say the Pledge of Allegiance with me. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. We do have certificates. So, I'm not ready. You can stand there. Go on then. I'm going to
002get a picture. You don't need to be. I'm going to get a picture. Whatever you like. Set? All right, got to be patriotic. Good man. Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you for having us. How did we let Major Howard out of the picture? >> [laughter] >> That's why you took it. How did we get to get How did you get out of taking a picture? >> [laughter] >> And if you'll remain standing, Mr. Wright >> you're not here for me. Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> All right, pray with me. Dear heavenly Father, we are thankful and gratuitous for you allowing us to be here meeting to take care of events and decisions that relate to students, educators, and their families. Grant us the wisdom and the guidance in our decision-making. Uh those decisions
003will guide our students in the future of Carteret County, possibly the United States and the world. Bless our teachers, staff, and administrators for their tireless effort to strengthen the student knowledge, build their character through confidence, and their and their knowledge. In Jesus' heavenly name, amen. Amen. Thank you. God bless our troops. >> [clears throat] >> Next, we have a proclamation recognizing April as the month of the military child. Whereas, since 1886, the Department of Defense has designated April as the month of the military child, recognizing the courage of military children. And whereas, the month of the military child is an opportunity to remember children's roles in strengthening the military family. And whereas, living in different states and countries, and often moving numerous times, military children face unique challenges many other youth do not experience. And
004whereas, about 18% of the students who attend Carteret County Public School System are declared military connected. And whereas, many of the parents and guardians of our students work at the area military bases. And whereas, every single school in Carteret County Public School System has been awarded the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Purple Star award for service to military connected families. And whereas, the Carteret County Public School System strives to provide a safe and nurturing educational environment for all children with additional support for military children. Now, therefore, we as the Carteret County Board of Education hereby proclaim April as the month of the military child and April 15th as Purple Up Day, a day to wear purple to show support for our military children. Um do we have a motion to approve the proclamation? >>
005A motion by Ms. Chadwick. Do we have a second? Second by Ms. Kerzic. All in favor. Perfect. And now we have a second resolution urging budget passage of the state budget. Whereas, the North Carolina General Statute 143-C-4-1 states the General Assembly shall create a budget for two fiscal years beginning on July 1st of each odd-number year. And whereas, it is 10 months into fiscal year 2026 and a current operations appropriations act has not yet been enacted by the General Assembly. And whereas, the Carteret County Public Schools receives approximately 60% of its funding from state appropriations and builds its budget according to those appropriations. And whereas, the 2026 short session convenes on April 21st, less than 1 month before local boards must submit their budgets to county commissioners. And whereas, Carteret County Public Schools and Carteret
006County Government have had to plan the fiscal year 2027 budget without knowledge of state appropriations for the current fiscal year, let alone the next one. And whereas, the amount of state appropriations impacts the allocation of federal and local funds as well as the requests made of local governments within the budget process for expenditures including teacher supplements. And whereas, despite the provision in North Carolina General Statute 143-C-5-4-B for budget continuation of recurring funds at the level of the previous fiscal year, the failure to pass a biennial budget has forced Carteret County Public Schools to operate with significant budget uncertainty well into the current fiscal year. Whereas, the Carteret County Public School System has been forced to adopt an interim budget resolution which restricts hiring for the 2026-2027 school year and prevents our district from committing funds
007for operational and maintenance needs. And whereas, despite provisions for step increases, without passage of an appropriations act, salaries of approximately 953 employees in the Carteret County Public School System are frozen at the 2024-2025 levels. Whereas, the lack of a budget and frozen pay scales, coupled with the rise in premiums for district employees participating in the North Carolina State Health Plan, has resulted in a net pay decrease for teachers and school employees in the Carteret County Public Schools. Whereas, the Carteret County Public Schools strives to meet nationally recommended staffing ratios for school health personnel, whereas, the enrollment of exceptional children in Carteret County Public Schools is 13.39%, but state funding is capped at 13%, requiring the district to allocate approximately $240,000 in local funds annually to cover the gap. Now, for let it be resolved that
008the Carteret County Board of Education does hereby request that the North Carolina General Assembly immediately pass the 2026 Appropriations Act that mirrors the House proposal for all school employee salaries in the second year of their proposed budget, State Bill 257, version 6, includes step increases at every level and provides education-based salary supplements, increases the public school repair and renovation fund from 50 million to 70 million as proposed in both the 2025 Senate and House budget plans, allocates 27.9 million in recurring funds for 320 additional school health personnel positions, and implements a weighted funded model for exceptional children funding, approximately 92.6 million and 27.2 per DPI, or in its absence, a minimum increase of the cap to 13.5 of allocated ADM, allotted ADM, I'm sorry, at the cost of 20 million in recurring funds. Be it
009further resolved that the school board chair and superintendent of Carteret County Public Schools are authorized to disseminate this resolution to the members of the North Carolina General Assembly and the governor. And the board encourages students, parents, and other community members to contact their North Carolina legislators requesting that the General Assembly pass the state budget that includes the items listed above. Do we have a motion to approve the resolution? I'll make the motion. A motion by Ms. Kerzic. Do we have a second? Second by Mr. Chambers. All in favor. Perfect. Um next is the approval of the meeting agenda. Do we have a motion? I'll make that motion. Motion by Ms. Sweetly. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Mr. White. All in favor. >> [clears throat] >> We do not have any public commenting.
010Um up next is the consent agenda. Do we have a motion to approve the consent agenda? Make that motion. Motion by Mr. White. Do we have a second? I'll second. Second by Ms. Chadwick. All in favor. Perfect. Um up next is the bond project update. Good evening. Uh so for the bond project, no major work uh going on. Uh still um the auditorium renovations at West Quarter it continues and it's still on schedule to be concluded by the end of May. So that's the only project we have going on right now. And still with you. Okay. Through comments. Um good evening, board members. I hope you all had a restful Easter and spring break. Um as we return, I wish you all continue health and smooth transition back to our work. Um thank you uh
011for the recognition of our military students and families through this evening's proclamation and for your continued support in students and staff. Uh the resolution um also urging the state to move forward with passing a budget. I'd also like to take a moment to recognize several important observances this month honoring uh the dedication and impact of those who make a difference in our school community. Um in April, we celebrate the national month of the military child, World Autism Month, National School Library Month, Occupational Therapist and Certified OT Assistant Month. Uh we're grateful for all the the work these individuals do in making a difference in the lives of our students and staff. Um last week we also recognized National Assistant Principals Week and as we move farther into the month, we'll look forward to celebrating uh
012Public School Volunteer Week beginning April 20th. Um to everyone that that on this list, we appreciate all you do to to help our school system out. I look forward to recognizing our um employees of the year. We have our luncheon and awards program on May the 1st. Our next regular uh board meeting will be held here on Tuesday, May 5th at 6:00 p.m. Mrs. Chair, that concludes my comments. Perfect. Do any board members have any comments? Okay. As um Mr. Paylor said, the next regularly scheduled board meeting will be Tuesday, May 5th at 6:00 p.m. This meeting will be live streamed on YouTube. Um do we have a motion to go into closed session? I'll make that motion. Um I'll second it. Perfect. A motion. Do we need to say why? Do we have to
013read it? No, you're not supposed to read why they're going into closed session. They just just make a reference to the statute that's on the agenda. Okay. GS 143 Yes, it is. Perfect. Um so a motion by Ms. Chadwick was a second by Stephanie It was Ms. Scruggs. All right, thank you. Um all in favor. Perfect.