By Nicole Bowman-Layton

EDENTON — The Edenton-Chowan Board of Education approved up to $70,000 in temporary financial assistance for its child nutrition program, reviewed school improvement plans and considered several policy changes during its Oct. 20 meeting.

Board members also discussed how presentations concerning LifeWise Academy should be preserved in the public record after conflicting information from the previous meeting raised questions about the accuracy of materials attached to the board’s minutes.

Additional meeting coverage

John A. Holmes High School students also presented a proposal to expand tobacco-free protections on public property in Chowan County. The students are scheduled to address county commissioners Nov. 2, and Browder suggested preparing a resolution supporting their efforts. Read more about the students’ tobacco-free initiative.

In a separate construction update, Ward outlined outstanding repairs at the new John A. Holmes High School, including concerns involving gymnasium floors, tennis courts, drainage and landscaping. Board members questioned whether corrective work had adequately resolved some of those problems. Read more about the ongoing high school construction repairs.

LifeWise discussion raises questions about meeting records

School board member Sherronne Battle raised concerns during consideration of the consent agenda about a discrepancy between two presentations given at the previous meeting regarding LifeWise Academy, a program offering released-time religious instruction.

The conflicting information concerned whether students participating in the program would be required to make up classroom assignments missed while attending religious instruction.

Because the presentations were included as attachments to the previous meeting’s minutes, Battle’s concerns prompted discussion about whether the slides should remain part of the official record.

Superintendent Tammi Ward advocated keeping the presentation materials publicly accessible in the interest of transparency, particularly given the controversy surrounding released-time religious instruction.

Board members also discussed the purpose of meeting minutes, with some emphasizing that minutes should primarily document what occurred and what actions were taken rather than provide a detailed account of every presentation or discussion.

The board ultimately approved the previous meeting’s minutes without the attachments and discussed exploring alternative ways to make the slides available to the public.

Members also agreed to have board attorney Hackney “Hack” High review the legal question of whether students participating in released-time religious instruction must make up classroom assignments missed during their absence.

Separately, Ward reported that administrative procedures associated with the district’s released-time religious instruction policy were being developed for further discussion athe the November meeting.

Board approves child nutrition funding

The board approved an internal loan of up to $70,000 to help the district’s child nutrition program manage cash flow while awaiting reimbursement revenue.

Child Nutrition Director Stephanie Patsel presented an update on the program’s finances and operations, including participation levels and findings from a recent administrative review.

Patsel discussed corrective actions related to the review, including improvements in standardized recipes and clarification of cafeteria managers’ responsibilities.

The financial assistance is intended to help the program meet operating expenses during periods when reimbursement revenue has not yet been received.

The authorization allows temporary financial support rather than establishing a new recurring appropriation.

School improvement plans open for review

Ward reported that school improvement plans are available for public review through Nov. 17.

The plans outline goals and strategies for improving student achievement and addressing identified needs at individual schools.

Residents can visit the district’s District Improvement Plan webpage for information about accessing improvement plans through the NCStar system.

The district’s webpage lists the following guest credentials for public access:

Username: GuestD5066
Password: GuestD5066

The webpage still referenced the 2025–26 improvement plan and its November 2025 comment period when checked. The availability of the current 2026–27 draft through that link had not been independently confirmed.

The board is expected to consider the current plans for final approval at its November meeting.

Ward also updated members on traffic and drainage concerns affecting student arrival and dismissal at D.F. Walker Elementary School.

District officials are working to address the problems, and a meeting with the North Carolina Department of Transportation is expected to help identify possible solutions.

Instructional materials policies reviewed

The board considered proposed revisions to policies governing instructional materials and procedures for challenging materials used in district schools.

Policies 3200 and 3210 were presented for first reading. The Board took no action on the policies and forwarded their to the policy committee for review.

The proposed changes address the selection and review of instructional materials and establish procedures for considering objections.

The board also approved revisions to Policy 6220, governing child nutrition operations.

In another action, members voted unanimously to repeal Policy 650, Minority Business Participation in Contracts, following a recommendation from the North Carolina School Boards Association related to changes in state law.

During the discussion, officials indicated that nondiscrimination provisions would continue to be addressed through other district policies.

Browder calls for action on teacher workload

During closing comments, school board member Ricky Browder urged the district to take a closer look at the growing responsibilities placed on teachers and how those demands may affect employee retention.

Browder, who said he has served on the board for 26 years, read a passage describing the numerous tasks teachers are expected to manage, from classroom instruction and lesson preparation to student behavior, parent communication, grading, meetings and administrative paperwork.

He said the passage reflected concerns he had observed throughout his years of service.

While acknowledging that teachers deserve higher salaries, Browder suggested that increased pay alone would not solve the problem.

“Something’s got to give,” Browder said.

He proposed bringing together teachers, administrators, board members and other stakeholders to discuss which responsibilities might be reduced or removed.

Browder acknowledged that he did not have a specific solution but argued that the district needed to begin addressing the issue.

He also indicated that his remaining time on the board was limited and expressed hope that future members would continue the conversation.

Other district matters

Board members discussed opportunities available through College of The Albemarle, including dual enrollment, career training and pathways into skilled trades. Members encouraged continued efforts to inform students and families about those options.

The board also reflected on a recent ScreenStrong presentation addressing students’ use of phones and other digital devices. Members discussed the importance of continuing conversations about excessive screen time while recognizing that students must also be prepared to use technology in education and the workplace.

During closing comments, members received information indicating that the district had approximately 25 more students transferring into the school system than transferring out. The discussion also touched on the financial impact of students attending charter schools.

Board members additionally discussed potential career and internship opportunities associated with regional economic development activity.