001I call this uh special called meeting of the Pit County Board of Education to order today um at 3 o'clock here on Friday, February the 6th. Um so, welcome. We're glad glad to be here to to get some work done today. Um we'll start with our routine business. Um is there a motion to approve our agenda as um as it is written or any changes to the agenda? I'm sorry. >> Move to approve. Move to approve by Amanda and seconded by Justin. Um any discussion? Okay. Um we'll vote. If you agree, please raise your right hand. Okay, motion passes. Um, everyone, um, we'll move on to the consent items. Um, so today we're going to vote on our consent agenda, um, including our January 5th, 2026 board meeting minutes, policy 4150, school assignment, as well
002as our confidential agenda items from January 5th's um, 2026 special called meeting and the personnel report from February 2nd. Motion to approve our consent agenda. >> Move to approved by Jennifer, seconded by James Trip. Any discussion for the consent agenda? Okay, if please um raise your right hand if you uh vote to approve. That passes unanimously as well. And our new business, we'll um welcome Erin Ericson to first share with us um some new business. I didn't and I wanted to note that worth um everyone is present except for um worth Forbes today. Um >> okay. Um good afternoon. Um so we have completed the um gym projects, the Ada Middle, Farmville Middle, and Welcome Middle gym um renovations. and I wanted to kind of go over what that means as far as the impact
003to our budget related from the public school building renovation and repair fund. Um so at prior to starting these projects we had 1,941,661 sitting in that fund. Um we had estimated that the gyms would cost $1,300,000. Our actual final cost was $884,26220. And I wish I had more projects that went that way. Um so our revised current balance is actually1,18,876.76. Um we came to the board in October and we um received approval to do Aiden Middle HC system replacement and EBA gym floor replacement. And after we had originally asked for half a million dollars each for those projects. What we're looking at after talking with some um larger estimators in the area is revised estimates for the HVAC of going up to $640,000 including the design fees but reduce but a reduced estimate for the
004gym floor including design fees of $445,000. If we now with our revised balance um based on what the gym projects were completed at, we would be looking at the final un unallocated balance in our fund for the state for the public school building renovation and repairs of $23,876.76. And we are um seeking approval to submit the revised revised amounts. um they will have to go back through the county because this fund is school board and county um approval and then um we will also update because we've had our CFO and the county CFO change. We also have to update the contact um information on that form as well. We're seeking permission to get those um two revised amounts out to the state and get those projects funded. Any discussion or questions? Okay. Motion to approve
005with um what Mr. Ericen has presented today. >> Motion to approve by James. >> Seconded by Mary. Any more any further discussion? All in favor of um uh the request by Mr. Ericson, please raise your right hand. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> 80 approve. Thank you, Mr. Ericson. Um now invite Miss Sarah English to come present about the proposed 2026 2027 open enrollment list in lottery schools. Oh, >> sorry. Apologize. >> Apologize. Um, we have one more item. >> Um, >> clearly we're thr we're thrown off on a Friday afternoon. >> Did we not put it? >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Welcome back, missing. >> Hello. Good afternoon. So I am presenting to you the proposed open enrollment and proposed school lottery list for the 2627 school year. So you
006have those in front of you. We'll go through the proposed open enrollment list first. As you can see all of I'll start with high school and work our way back. All of our high schools except with the exception of DH Connley High School is on the open enrollment list with all grade levels open at this time. You can see AG Cox, Aiden Middle, CMS, EBA Cox, Farmville Middle, and Welcome Middle are on the proposed open enrollment list with all list with all um grade levels open at this time. And then I won't read the elementary list to you because it's a lot. Um, but you can see the big changes there are Aiden Belvoir traditional um and Elmherst traditional as well as grades 2 through five at um Pacles Global and that should actually be
0072 through eight at Pacis Global. So I'll add that on there. Okay. So that is the proposed open enrollment list. We worked with principles um and Mr. Ericson to make sure that we are maintaining capacity at a percentage that will allow for continued enrollment throughout the school year. And as we have done in the past, if principles as they're monitoring their class sizes, if they see that we need we're getting close to that maximum, they reach out to me and do Dr. Lasset throughout the school year in 2627 to request close. >> Yes, Jennifer. >> Um, I just had a question. And I know last time when we looked there were a few of our high schools that were really close to being. Is there any information that's public facing to let people know that
008some of our high schools have more openings than others or is there a way that we can be more informative about what open means? Yeah. >> Yes, we can I can work with principles to monitor the number. Um it is very hard at this point in time for us to be able to do that. But as we get closer to the um beginning of the school year, that's something I work very closely with principles with and I'll be very proactive this year um and we may be able to come up with a system to indicate that we're getting close to capacity. >> Yeah. Something that helps that's just some feedback I've gotten from people is is some schools are like >> lots of Yeah. And then some it's it's pretty close to capacity and it
009would just be helpful to know. So >> I think a queueing could be just turning turning the block yellow. >> Yeah. To indicate >> Yeah. Just >> that's why you're the superintendent. >> Thank you though. Thank you, >> Benji. >> Madam Chair, >> yes. >> I move we approve the uh proposed list in front of us >> and then I've got if you if you get a second I got some discussion. >> Yeah. Did you want to also discuss lottery or or is that >> it's included? >> Yeah, it's both. >> So, but did Right. But we talked about I just want to make sure you didn't have anything you wanted to share because we >> No, I just wanted you to have a chance to review the open enrollment. Um the schools that have
010fall I mean lottery the schools that have fallen off of lottery. >> Okay. >> Um are because they are significantly over capacity >> already. M Thank you. Motion to approve by Benji >> James seconded by James. Any discuss? >> Discussion. >> Yes. >> Uh yes. I like the way this is proposed now. I like the way you present it, Dr. Ler and uh uh Miss English. I really do because in the past I I don't want to speak for Mr. Forbes, but I'm pretty sure he'd allow me to do today. uh we couldn't approve the way it was presented in the past because there was no way in which some of the schools particularly the ones in my area could have any opportunity for being a part of this now it does and it's shown
011how it's very clear and very plain so I appreciate the way it was presented and appre appreciate this form hope we stick with it >> thank Amanda. >> Yeah. I just wanted to to clarify because the top of this is cut off. Um so this back page is the page that we are thinking about for next year >> for a lottery. >> For the lottery. >> So why do we have the 2526? I'm just a little confused as to what's >> I'm sorry. That's my oversight. So those the ones if you'll go back to the the open enrollment list. >> Should that say 26 27? >> Should say 2627. >> That answers all my questions. Okay. I apologize. I will correct that. >> I didn't mean to. >> Thank you for Thank you for bringing
012that to our attention. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Any further discussion about open enrollment and lottery list. Okay. It is been motioned by Benji and approved by James. All in favor, please raise your right hand. Okay. And it is approved by all board members. Thank you so much, Miss English. And now I invite Dr. Kamar Roach to come talk about the early college academic calendars for 2627. Okay. Good afternoon madame chair, madame vice chair, board. Um I come before you this afternoon to share proposed calendars for our innovation early college high school and our pit early college high schools for the 2627 school year. Um I think you should have in front of you this will be the innovation early college high school calendar. Um and some highlights for that calendar is their first day
013of school would be August the 6th. The first student day. The last student day would be May the 20th. The end of the first semester would be December the 18th and their winter break would be December the 22nd through January the 4th. Their spring break will be March the 8th through the 12th. that's aligned with ECU. Uh their first staff day for the 2627 school year will be July the 31st and their last staff day would be May the 28th. Uh they have a number of beginning of the year work days which will be July the 31st through August the 5th and then their end of year work days would be May 24th through the 28th. Okay. And then we have our PIT Early College High School calendar. Um, their first student day will be
014August the 6th. And you'll notice that we did work this year to align uh their student day so that they started at the same time for transportation purposes, just trying to be a little more efficient. Um, so their first student day are is the same as Innovation, which will be August the 6th. Their last student day will be May the 20th. The end of their first semester is also December the 18th. Their winter break would be the same, December the 22nd through January the 4th. Their spring break, which aligns with Pit County Schools spring break and uh uh Pit Community College spring break, would be March the 22nd through the 29th. Uh their first day for staff will be July the 31st. Their last day for staff will be May the 26th. And their beginning
015of the year work days will be July 31st through August the 5th. and their end of year work days will be May 24th through May the 26. And so I am requesting um approval of these two calendars. >> Any dis any questions? Move move to approve by Amy. >> Second. >> Okay. Move to approve by Amy and seconded by Jennifer. Any discussion about these calendars? Okay. All in favor, please raise your right hand. Okay, it's eight board members approve. Seven, excuse me, seven board members approve. Um on present, I apologize. Friday afternoon board meetings feel different than um Thank you, Dr. Ro. >> Thank you. >> Um Dr. Atkins, yes, Dr. Matkins, please come share with us about the strategic plan update. >> Good afternoon, board. Um we wanted to Dr. Fellow and I wanted
016to provide you a uh mid-year update with our strategic plan. Uh as you all know we have been uh working hard on uh gathering some information uh developing trying to work on some uh priorities right now and to be able to roll out a a new strategic plan that will take us for the next five years. So just a real quick recap of our timeline that we have here. Uh back in the summer of 2025 we partnered with NC Peak. that was an organization that is helping guide us through the strategic planning process. Uh in the fall we gathered data. You all were part of that. So thank you very much. Uh gathered data in the form of surveys and also our focus group meetings as well. Uh we're going to go into a little
017bit of that. Uh and then what we're in right now, the stage we're in right now is looking at the data review and also priority setting as well. Okay. And then that's going to take us to the remainder of this year where uh this uh springtime we'll be looking at our finalizing our priorities, our goals, presenting to you all, getting some feedback along the way, and then summer uh rolling that out and being able to start with that. So what we wanted to do with you today is share a little bit about uh some of the data pieces. Uh you're going to hear us discuss this in Dr. Lerser's on the road again. Uh so we wanted to make sure that you had access uh to this data beforehand and be able to ask some
018good questions. So we're going to go through uh a few slides just to kind of give you some insight to that data that we were able to collect. >> Good afternoon. >> All right. So we uh I believe we had 24 focus groups somewhere around that area with a total of 388 participants. You'll see kind of a breakdown there from um assistant principles, parent guardians, um you all are up there, senior staff, um classified and certified staff. Um so these we even had some students. Um we had a special student group. We also had a group dedicated that was a dual language group. So we had a translator there. They're embedded within some stuff. So um 388 people participated in focus groups. And then we also distributed surveys uh receiving 4,500 responses to those surveys.
019So, um, add those together, we've got, uh, just shy of 5,000, um, responses. The vast majority of the surveys were from students. You'll see that, um, about 2/3. Uh, so that would have been seventh grade and up uh, 7th through 13. And, um, then about just shy of 20% were parents or guardians um, of students who are in the system. Uh, about uh, 11% for faculty and staff. And then a small percentage um, by other stu um, members of the community. could be businesses, could be um just uh you know parents of students that are not here, it could be just members of the community at large. Um so that that kind of gives us a breakdown when we went through all that. Um what we did is we started by looking at it um
020really the survey responses and the focus groups. Um so those were compiled into data sets and we were organized them first by stakeholder group and then we moved into themes. Um that was all coded. Uh we worked with NCP to help us do that. Um and then we grouped to identify the patterns across all of that. Um and then we started looking across patterns to analyze them. See what were some themes that rose up through those patterns. Um and then how could we start organizing that so that we could share both with you guys and also with people who would be actually writing the the the the strategies um and identifying the priorities. And so Dr. Mackin is going to talk a little about what we found. Um and before you you have an executive
021summary, a real quick snapshot of all this data pieces and we also provided you a visual here to look at as well. So this is uh the overall just kind of overarching themes that we found from our stakeholders and and all the different various groups. Uh and these are some things that they really wanted us to to pay attention to in order for us to move forward with our new strategic plan. So as you see up there, these are in no particular order. Um, so they're just kind of random. But, uh, community partnership and engagement, uh, that was something that was very key and important. Um, and that's always been key and important in our district, but that's something that our our stakeholders really wanted to make sure that we focused in on making sure
022that we're working with businesses, organizations, uh, to move our students forward. Uh, communication, transparency, and trust. I believe that's within any organization. Every, uh, everybody wants that within any organization. So, making sure that we, um, are very clear with that. We had a good opportunity to do that this past five days with the the days that we missed and and Dr. Lasser did a fantastic job already starting that off for us. Uh you'll see equity, access, and student support systems. Um what a lot of our stakeholders provided is that they wanted to make sure that the programs and the resources and the offerings that we have uh throughout our district are consistent in all attendance areas as well. So that was some good feedback. uh facilities, technology, and resources. Um, you know, we've heard our
023long range plans. That's something that came up a lot, making sure that our facilities are are modernized and up to, uh, what our students need to be successful as well. Uh, also spoke a lot about mental health, uh, safety, and student well-being. That was something that was very important uh, and across all of our, uh, groups there. Uh, of course we're in this business for our students. So, making sure that they're taken care of is something that is very key and something that will be very mindful when we're moving forward. Uh, student achievement and academic rigor, of course, that's part of the reason why we're in this business, right? Uh, is is to make sure that our students are achieving at high levels. And then lastly, there teacher recruitment, retention, and support. Um, that is
024also going to be a big f focus of ours. And I know uh Dr. Patterson has already done a fantastic job of already taking on that lead and moving forward with that in HR department. So, our next steps, what we'll continue to do, you saw this a little bit on the timeline. We're going to continue to refine our data, look at it, uh, and we're going to start prioritizing some things. Uh, and then what we will move as a district is starting to measure, putting measurable goals into place. Uh, and then once completed, we'll share that information with you all as a board. Any questions? >> I just got one. >> Sure, Benji. >> I remember three or four, five years ago time does fly when we used u a lot of what the state
025gave to us as goals. I hope we're getting away from that summit and going more toward grassroots, what Pit County needs as goals. So, a lot of our a lot of the things that we're moving forward has to do with um what our stakeholders are giving us and then the information that we have. Uh we are considering uh we're looking at the DPI strategic plan. We've also looked at our current strategic plan. We've looked at the on the road ahead as well. We're taking all of those to kind of guide us and direct us on what we need to do going forward. But letting that stakeholder drive us is is very important to us. >> Thank you. I was just curious because you have um a lot of people responded to the survey. Um how
026do we know that these were all part of the PCS community? >> Uh for the surveys, are you talking about the surveys? So within the survey, they had to indicate um if they were a community member, if they had a child within PCS um schools and or whatnot. So that helped us kind of differentiate. So we did we did want to get some uh feedback from those individuals that don't necessarily have a child within Pit County schools but worked with us. Uh so it was important that we kind of added both of those levels there. >> And and how did people get their hands on the survey link? >> So we shared it out um our principal we shared it out through our info info as a district. Uh and then our principles shared it
027out. We asked them to do a number of different things. They shared it through their PTO. They shared it through their Facebook, uh their social media pages. We also asked them to send it out in their all calls that they do uh every week as well. Um just trying to get it out as much as possible. >> So, it's conceivable that there were people who don't really have any stake in anything, but I'm assuming that was not like anything that disrupted the data. >> Not at all. Not at all. >> I don't have a question. I have a comment. James, >> some people jumping on the bandwagon to talk about public school, what our children are learning through this. What can we tell people about the county school students, all that we're doing to make
028sure our children get >> You bring up a very good point. Um, as Dr. Fel and I were reviewing the data pieces there, one of the things that became very clear is we're doing a lot of things. you know, this is, you know, I'm biased, but there's a lot of fantastic things that are happening within our our district, and maybe we need to, and I say we, you know, district, we need to look at how we communicate and how we get that information out. That's one of the things that Dr. Phil and I have spoke about is uh how do we move forward with these great things that we have, but also making sure that all of our community members are aware of that as well. So, we're working on that. So, once we have
029that, we'll follow up and kind of share what our game plan is. >> Great. Thank you. >> Question. >> Perfect timing. Um, I just want to tell you I I called you and told you already, but I want to say it publicly. You did an amazing job at the podcast doing that same thing, getting information out. And so, I think this comes perfect with the question and your comments. So, can thank you for that. And Dr. Lester, I also want to thank you because your information you shared on the media the other day was so wellreceived. Um, so we're we're out there. I mean, we always can continue to improve, but we're out there. Just want to make that comment. >> Thank you. We appreciate your support as a board. Uh, the work that we're
030working on and the work that we'll continue to work on. We know we're supported by you all as a board. So, we're very, very, very appreciative about that. Great. >> Sure. Dr. last >> just want to just to the board to Mr. For's question to add on Dr. Matkins and Dr. Feller obviously have done a great job. This is the first year with for Pit County Schools that we have taken um an outside agency to have an unbiased view and build our own strategic plan from the ground instead of replicating um a previous plan. Right. And so while we'll have elements as Dr. Matkin said from all pieces, this will be an original pick county voices, parents, school personnel. It will be an original plan that should not look like any other district's plan because
031it'll be our own. Um so I wanted to emphasize that to the board with all 400 and some voices or 300 in some voices that will create uh the plan that the board will see and approve. uh for 26 27 well 26 through 2030 I believe. >> Yeah. Wow. Absolutely. Just wanted to clarify that. >> That's beautiful. >> Thank you, Dr. Mack. I'm looking forward to continuing this conversation as we continue to build up this plan for our schools. Um Dr. Lasser, here's some items for us. >> Okay. Yes. All right. Just really quick. Um uh oh I had my dates up here. Uh wanted to just share with the board uh the uh road ahead dates and to share again uh we did revise the dates for yesterday is now March the 5th. Um
032and then Miss Rankin did send share with you a uh document where or at some point she'll share it with you with your speaking part. I think I shared with you in the in the in an update that I I gave. Um and then March 20, so March 5th will be North Pit and JH Rose. March 24th will be a Griffin and Connley. And then April 9th will be Farmville Central and South Central. So we're asking all of the schools to share it out. Um we want to pack the house. We want the public to be there. Um I'll have an opportunity to share. And if you haven't noticed, we have a phenomenal senior staff team. They are incredibly smart. Um they'll be sharing as well. and then we'll take questions from the public just
033as we did last year um in a moment of transparency. Uh I'll start with the calendar and ask answering questions uh sharing why we can't what we can do about the calendar and what the public can do to help us get flexibility uh with the calendar. So we're going to be very transparent and have those conversations. So we invite the public and uh look forward to our board members having an opportunity to share as well. >> Thank you. Thank you. Um I also have a couple of items for you to note. Um our legislative lunch with um our current general assembly legislators are coming uh the 16th of February, which is um Monday, the day of our next board work session at 1000 a.m. We will meet um at South Central High School in the
034media center um with our legislators um that morning. So 10 a.m. at South Central. Uh then we'll have lunch and then we'll also have our board work session from 12 to 3 at South Central High School in the media center. Um >> what were those times again? >> At 10:00 a.m. we'll meet with the legislators. Um from 10 they'll be here from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30. Then 11:30 to 12 we'll have some lunch and then 12 we'll start our work our regular scheduled work session. It'll just be at South Central instead of in the boardroom. >> Sure, please. >> Just really quick uh to the board, we are taking a just a different approach this year with that lunchon. Uh we have decided to invite a teacher from every school in the district to attend.
035Uh we're inviting parents and the business community to attend and we're going to have students present um from Shaq. they're going to be available because we want them to see one civic responsibility, how the board advocates, but also how we're advocating as a school district on things that teachers are saying we need. So, we realize that in the past it's been the board, the legislators and staff, but this year we want to invite teachers in so that they can see um what we're doing to advocate on their behalf. So, we hope that's okay with the board. Just don't want you all to be caught off guard that >> will there be an opportunity for them to ask questions? >> Probably not. Maybe we did discuss an opportunity at the end to maybe bring one person
036up from each of those group to have make a remark. >> Um but it it may I I want to make sure that we're not having questions for our legislators that put them in a in a compromising position. So we may work with Miss Opers. We may have them uh just have a a closing remark for those legislators. So, that's what we're thinking, but we can talk more. >> How will the teachers be picked? >> So, the principles are making their own selection. Principles are choosing someone that would not require sub that has um flexibility to be able to come for that hour and a half and then be able to go back to their school. >> So, solely principal discretion. Would it be useful if they could provide a question ahead of time for
037the legislature because I mean you said to take them off guard, but nothing that's asked should take them off guard, right? I mean unless someone comes in their guns ablazing, right? So I I don't know. I feel like people should be able to ask them anything they want, right? Those they work for them, >> right? And the legislators, >> we could certainly arrange for some pre-quests. We can filter them um in terms of time because we're we're not the agenda is very packed. But we can certainly have a few questions that we could put at the end of the presentation from each of those groups. We can do that >> just so that they know what's happening. >> We can do that. >> So we can ask principles or teachers, families, anyone if you have
038questions specifically for legislators, reach out to your board members so that we can advocate for that as well. >> My only thing, Madam Chair, Yes, sir. you know principles when when you get I don't know how many teachers you talking about how many you talking about >> so 36 schools so about maybe 30 30 teachers may be present maybe >> okay and and my thing is you you would like some diversity in that >> and when I mean diversity I'm talking about program area absolutely absolutely and I Think we should Miss Ranket. It's not Miss Rankin. I'm sorry. I'm getting my staff mixed up. Our staff uh Miss Right. Miss Opra has the list. I'll peruse We'll peruse it. And I think based on view, we've got a good diversity, a diverse group, but we'll
039confirm that. Absolutely. >> So, we got >> No, go ahead. >> Complete your thoughts. I was just going to say we we got that and we'll see if we can get a couple of questions that we'll put into the slides and then we'll have uh maybe maybe if we have time have those folks have closing statements or just maybe the questions that they have. So depending on what we do ask did you say all this was going to still be in the media center? >> Yes, South Central's got a >> we we checked and they can >> I remember last year it filled kind of packed in there and that was last year. That's where we did the road ahead in there as well. There was a lot of people for the last >> I'm
040thinking of South Central. >> I was thinking of South Central, but it was the year before maybe, but it still doesn't seem like it's that >> big, but I guess I'm just forgetting it's our biggest. >> Okay. uh D last, excuse me, madam chair. As far as uh this being a meeting that we're having with our legislative rep representatives and as far as people being able to ask them questions, this is not where they're calling or having a public session. >> That's right. This is a >> this is P County schools. >> Yes. This is your board meeting that that you all have with the legislators that the staff >> organizes for you and this is a piece that we like to embed. Hence me mentioning it to you. >> Yes, that is exactly right.
041It is your board meeting. It is the board's meeting and we're inviting staff as a part of that and students etc. >> Okay. I asked that because some concern about asking questions. I don't think it's a time for the public to be asking questions like that because this is our meeting that we have to stay in with our legislative people to be able to get what we need for Pit County Schools. They don't need to be bombarded with questions that they need to have their sessions with the public. I think that's a good point and I think so I think it's important that we as a board continue to communicate with our schools so that we have that information and are bringing it um bringing concerns from teachers, families, we as board members can have
042those um conversations and bring that advocacy. So >> thank you. Thank you for that. Um so the legislative lunch will be in Monday the 16th. Um, and then on Monday, March the 2nd, we will be having our board retreat. Um, we will be having that here, I believe, um, in our board meet room. Um, and it'll be from 12 to 5 p.m. on Monday, March the 2nd. Um, and then that will be just before our regular board meeting for March. >> The location to be determined. >> Oh, the location, excuse me, is to be determined. >> Um, So, we'll have more to come, but go ahead and mark off your calendars for that day that we will be um spending together. >> Um >> I hope y'all have something good for us to eat. That's
043a long day. >> This is a long day. Long day. >> Keep us alert. >> And the sausages >> and sardines. >> Sardines. Some tuna. >> That'll keep you alert. All right. >> Yes. >> I'm good for you. All right. And I All right. I I make a motion to go into close session pursuant to the general statute 1438318 11 for the following purpose. under subsection A1 to present the disclos disclosure of privilege or confidential personnel informationational article 21A of chapter 115C of the North Carolina general statutes under subsection A3 to consult with our attorney to pres uh preserve attorney client privilege to consider and give instruction concerning a potential or actual claim administrative procedural or judicial action and to consider and give instructions concerning judicial actions titled JH versus Pit County Board of Education
04425 EDC 04685 and state versus Coward 24 CR424954-730. >> Uh James second motion um by Mary and seconded by James. All in favor? >> All seven board members present are in favor. So now we are in close session. We'll take five minutes to