BY NICOLE LAYTON

Edenton-Chowan Schools is partnering with ECU Health in the creation of a Health Sciences Academy that will provide a four-year career exploration program for students.

The Board of Education unanimously approved the program during Monday’s meeting.

Before the business part of the meeting began, newly elected board member Sheila Evans (District 1, Seat 2) and re-elected members Paul Clifton (District 2, Seat 1) and Joan Hoggard White (District 3, Seat 2) each took the oath of office.

The board elected George Lewis as Chair and Evans as Vice Chair.

The Health Sciences Academy, a four-year program, isn’t just for nurses or doctors, according to Tracy White, director of Career and Technical Education. It is for any career related to the health care industry — helicopter pilots, accountants, human resources, lab technicians, etc.

“So in eighth grade, (interested students) will have to have an 80 average or a 2.8 weighted average for our high school student,” she said. “They have to have a clean discipline record and a desire to to volunteer in our community. There are a 100 hours volunteer hours that they have to do.”

White said the first two years of the program will involve career exploration. The last two years will focus on what career-related classes. Coursework could involve College of the Albemarle classes with the goal of earning an associate’s degree or certifications.

The Health Sciences Academy has been in operation at Pitt County Schools for 20 years and in Duplin County Schools for 12 years, White said. Beaufort County is in the process of creating its program.

White credited Edenton resident Brian Harvill with helping the district become one of the academy locations. Harvill is the president at ECU Health Chowan, Bertie and Roanoke Chowan Hospitals.

The school district will be responsible for hiring a program supervisor, while ECU Health will pay their salary. While having a former health care provider oversee the program is preferred, the most important job requirement is that the employee relate to the students, White said.

In other news, Superintendent Tammi Ward presented the 2025-26 academic year calendar for first reading. The proposal calls for school to start for teachers on Aug. 15, 2025, while students will start Aug. 25, 2025. The last day of school for students would be June 5, 2026.

Board member Lisa Perry asked whether first-semester exams – scheduled for Jan. 12-15, 2026 – could be held before December break. Ward noted that the idea would not be feasible. Instruction time for first-semester classes would have to be shortened to accommodate the early finals.

Board members noted that some neighboring districts have gotten around state mandates. Those mandates require at least 1,025 hours of instruction (185 days). The state requires that classes can start the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and the academic year must end before Friday, June 11.

Ward said staff will talk with the other districts about their schedule. They will also craft a resolution for board approval to send state lawmakers asking for more flexibility in scheduling the school year.

Meanwhile, the board also recognized several students for their accomplishments.

Madison Williams was recognized. Her artwork received honorable mention at the North Carolina School Board Association Conference.

The board also recognized its annual Christmas card winners: Thea Hobson, second grade; Selah Biggs-Wells, third grade; Lily Farmer, sixth grade; and Tyrin Bond, 12^th grade. The theme was Tinsels and Teapots.

Also during the meeting, Stephanie Patsel, Child Nutrition director, gave the board an overview of the program and its finances.

Also, the board received information on White Oak Elementary’s reading program.

Michelle Newsome, Director of Elementary School Education, talked to the board about pre-kindergarten and the need for another Pre-K classroom at White Oak. She noted that they have a waiting list. Also, students do better in kindergarten after attending Pre-K at the elementary school.

Members of the NAACP Chowan County chapter presented tickets to their annual banquet, set for Jan. 18, 2025. The tickets are for members of the Student Government Association. The organization plans to give an award to a student. Three of the award nominees are scheduled to be in attendance. Eddie M. Buffaloe Jr., secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker.

The board approved a contract with John Sexton and Associates. They will train teachers and aides who will work with a student who has a cochlear ear implant.

Also, the board received an update on activities at John A. Holmes High School from the Student Government Association representatives.

Also during the meeting, the board received an update on the high school construction project. Information about the discussion can be found in an accompanying article by clicking here.

The board typically meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month.