Signs off on grants, policy changes and improvement plans

BY NICOLE BOWMAN-LAYTON

EDENTON — The Edenton-Chowan Board of Education approved multiple budget amendments and heard updates on grant funding, policy revisions and upcoming professional development at their November 5 meeting at the Professional Development Building.

For information on the transition plan to the new John A. Holmes High School and construction updates, visit the story by clicking here.

Finance Staff Recognized for Professional Certification

The board recognized finance staff member Donna Harrell and Natalie Phelps for completing the North Carolina Association of School Business Officials School Business Management Academy Manager Certification.

The certification requires completion of 21 courses with assessments covering accounting, financial management, legal responsibilities and business office operations.

“Over the past year, Ms. Harrell and Ms. Phelps have dedicated countless hours to deepening their understanding of all aspects of their roles in the finance department,” Lewis said. “They are truly an asset to their teams and Edenton Public Schools.”

Board members praised Finance Officer Sandy Pittman’s clear, comprehensive financial reporting throughout the year.

$666,000 Safety Grant Approved

The board approved reallocation of capital outlay funds to cover increased matching requirements for a federal COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) grant focused on school safety and security.

The grant, originally applied for last year but not awarded until this year, provides $499,927 in federal funding with a required 25% local match of $166,642 — an increase of $41,000 over the originally budgeted amount. The additional matching funds were reallocated from existing capital outlay projects and unbudgeted reserves, with no overall budget increase.

The total $666,569 project will equip three schools — White Oak, D.F. Walker and Chowan Middle — with advanced safety and security systems. John A. Holmes High School’s safety systems are included in the new building construction costs and have been coordinated for compatibility.

Superintendent Tammi Ward outlined the grant’s major components:

Equipment ($397,027): Including a district-wide control center connecting emergency broadband and mass communications; visual consoles to monitor all schools simultaneously; networking upgrades to existing phone and alarm systems; cabling infrastructure; and speakers and displays for improved intercom systems.

“This will help take care of a long-standing item that comes up about intercoms and being able to have those connections with what’s happening inside that building,” Ward said.

Supplies and Installation Labor: Miscellaneous items and professional installation services to integrate all systems.

Grant Administration ($25,000): Third-party services to handle federal compliance paperwork, formal bidding processes and reporting requirements throughout the grant period.

“The paperwork behind the grant — I know you guys are familiar with federal grants, they’re very labor intensive,” Ward noted.

The district’s safety committee played a significant role in preparing the grant application, which was developed in collaboration with local law enforcement and county representatives.

School Improvement Plans Approved

The board unanimously approved district and school improvement plans on second reading. Ward reported the plans were posted publicly for comment as required, with no public comments received as of November 4.

The district plan must be filed with the state within five days of approval. The plans incorporate feedback from the board’s September work session.

Policy Updates Move Forward

The board approved five policies on second reading:

• Policy 3510: Religious Exemptions from School Programs (with revisions)
• Policy 1000: Legal Status of the Board and School District (with revisions)
• Policy 1100: Governing Policies (with revisions)
• Policy 1010: Board Authority and Duties (no revisions)
• Policy 1742/5060: Responding to Complaints (no revisions)

Ward provided rationale documents and highlighted revisions in red text to streamline the review process.

The board also received first reading of Policy 4210 covering release time programs. The proposed policy combines current Edenton-Chowan policy with North Carolina School Board Association recommendations and elements from Nash County’s policy, which currently implements release time programs.

Ward noted the policy incorporates language from a pending state Senate bill but excludes provisions on credit for release time courses pending guidance from the Department of Public Instruction.

“Since the Senate bill has not been passed anyway, [I] don’t know what that’s gonna look like if that Senate bill is passed,” Ward explained. “So I feel like it would be prudent for us to wait and then just come back and do an amendment to that policy or a revision if needed.”

The release time policy will be reviewed by the newly formed board policy committee before returning for second reading.

New Policy Committee Structure

Board Chair George Lewis announced the formation of a standing policy committee to provide a detailed review of complex policy revisions before full board consideration.

The committee will include one representative from each of the three elected districts, with the district’s other board member serving as alternate. This structure allows flexible coverage without requiring committee reassignments.

“We won’t need this committee for everything,” Lewis explained. “It’ll only be when there are specific conversations that [Ward] believes the committee should consider.”

The committee approach emerged after board members found the new comprehensive policy book required more detailed analysis than full board meetings allow.

Board Calendar Adjusted

The board approved moving the March 2, 2026 work session to February 17, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Professional Development Center.

The earlier date aligns with mid-year superintendent evaluation goals and allows school improvement teams to provide progress updates. The session will include open session review of school improvement goals followed by closed session review of superintendent goals.

Student and School Highlights

WOW staff – White Oak and DF Walker Elementary Schools – shared highlights from Book Character Day held Oct. 31, when students dressed as favorite literary characters and participated in building-wide celebrations, including a costume parade with band performance, guest readers from the community, and classroom activities emphasizing literacy.

Teacher Emily Leary described integrating book discussions throughout the day: “It was wonderful to see them holding their book and they were proud. They were proud to show off their character, they were proud to show off their book and they were excited.”

The event will return October 30, 2026, with community members welcome to volunteer as guest readers.

Foundation-Funded College Visit

Board member Sherronne Battle reported on an October 3 field trip taking Hope Academy students to Elizabeth City State University, funded by the Edenton-Chowan Education Foundation.

Students explored ECSU’s aviation simulators, medical labs, radio station, video production facilities and gaming design programs. The visit included an unexpected reunion with former Hope Academy student Najier Wise, now an ECSU student.

The group also stopped at a local smoothie and juice bar with a perfect health inspection score, where the owner discussed the importance of striving for excellence, and concluded at Chick-fil-A.

“The students didn’t think they were going to like it when I first told them about it, but once we got there they really enjoyed themselves,” wrote Hope Academy teacher Ms. Griffin. “I wanted them to see things outside of Edenton as well as to see a college experience. Many of them do not believe that they can or will go to college. By giving them this experience allowed them to see that it’s at the grasp of their fingers.”

Battle encouraged board members and educators to nurture student aspirations early: “We need to encourage them and let them know that we expect great things from them and that we’re gonna support them along the way.”

The foundation also recently approved funding for fifth-grade field trips and supports college application assistance.

Upcoming Events

Notable November events include:

• November 6: K-12 report cards distributed; White Oak mother-son dance
• November 7: White Oak second grade Veterans Day program (1:30-2:00 p.m.)
• November 11: Veterans Day holiday
• November 14: John A. Holmes cap and gown information session; football playoff game vs. Perquimans (7 p.m.)
• November 26: Community Thanksgiving dinner at Edenton Baptist Church (noon-3 p.m.), with John A. Holmes students serving
• November 26-28: Thanksgiving holiday

The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for December 2, 2025.