BY NICOLE BOWMAN-LAYTON

At its June 10 meeting, the Edenton-Chowan Schools Board of Education heard updates on construction projects, approved an interim budget, and bid farewell to two longtime district leaders, all while reflecting on equity and student success.

More about this meeting, appears in a previous article, you can view by clicking here.

Facilities and Airflow Upgrades Move Forward

Construction Supervisor Chris Brabble provided a detailed progress report on the ongoing renovations at John A. Holmes High School. The project remains on track for completion in 2026.

Brabble described active work across multiple areas of the site:

• Ceiling grids and mechanical systems are nearly finished on the second floor.
• Restroom tile on the main floor is about 75% complete.
• Entry doors are being installed, with white panels expected to finish the building’s front exterior facade by July.
• The core wing, housing administrative offices, the kitchen, and cafeteria, is being painted, and window installation is underway.
• Roofing from the gym to the auditorium has begun, and auditorium walls are nearing completion at 52 feet tall.
• Work is progressing in the band and choir rooms, where overhead systems are being installed and drywall is being finalized.

Site improvements are also taking shape, including:

• Drainage work and prep for a new parking lot.
• Installation of foundations for generators and transformers.
• Upgrades at the Boy Scout Hut, which is expected to be nearly complete by mid-July.

Brabble noted that the main parking lot behind the school will be worked on soon. Field house access will be preserved during summer construction, with access being available through the front of the property. The parking lot project should be done by the time the fall sports season starts.

The board was shown a video of the interior improvements. We will share a link to the video as soon as it is available to the public.

In a separate facilities update, the board approved further study of HVAC and airflow issues at D.F. Walker and White Oak elementary schools. Engineers have recommended adjustments to air handling units to improve climate control and energy efficiency. The board approved paying no more than $10,000 for the work.

Budget and Booster Club Oversight

Finance Director Sandy Pittman presented an interim budget resolution to guide district spending until the district knows its state funding and finalizes the 2025-26 fiscal year budget. The measure passed unanimously.

Pittman also addressed club and organization funding, specifically the complexities of managing PTA and booster club funds through school financial systems. She said that these funds do not legally belong to the schools, and managing them through district accounts can create delays due to required oversight procedures.

Board members discussed the potential benefits of booster clubs forming their own 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, which could allow for faster fund access and improved transparency. Independent nonprofit status would also make donations tax-deductible, potentially increasing community support.

While no policy violations were identified, district staff emphasized the importance of compliance. Groups using school names or emblems must seek formal permission under existing board policies.

Leadership Transitions and Student Voices

The board said farewell to two district leaders: Executive Assistant Sarah Phelps and Chief Academic Officer Mindy Vickers, both praised for their long service and commitment.

Vickers offered a personal reflection: “Prior to coming to Edenton, I would have never said I really liked a board of education. But here, your focus has always been on children. That’s rare and powerful.”

In personnel matters, the board approved the hiring of Mitch Stanley as the seventh through ninth grade football coach. Stanley, who also serves as athletics supervisor for the Edenton-Chowan Recreation Department, played for John A. Holmes High School in the 1990s and has remained active in youth coaching. He led the first summer conditioning practice for 7th- and 8th-grade student-athletes earlier in the week.

The board also heard presentations from Aimee Hoffer and Carmen Tocco, rising juniors vying to be the next student representative on the board. No selection was made during the meeting. The chosen candidate will join rising senior Sela McNair in providing regular updates about student life at John A. Holmes High School.