Lenoir County Schools recognize educators, approve key contracts and summer initiatives
The Lenoir County Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting Monday evening, covering a packed agenda that included teacher recognitions, program highlights from a busy summer, and approvals related to construction, nursing services, and school policy.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Assistant Superintendent Nicholas E. Harvey II and a pledge led by Board Chair W.D. Anderson. The board unanimously approved the evening’s agenda and minutes from its June 30 meeting.
Educator Honored with State Award
Superintendent Brent Williams recognized North Lenoir High School agriculture teacher Elizabeth Espino, who received the 2025 Turn the Key Award from the North Carolina Agriculture Teachers Association. The award recognizes early-career educators who demonstrate excellence and leadership in agricultural education. Espino will represent North Carolina at the National Association of Agricultural Educators convention later this year in Nashville.
ACE Academy Inspires Future Aviators
Dr. Amy Jones and instructors James and Allie Lewis shared highlights from the district’s ACE (Aviation Career Education) Academy. The summer program, in partnership with the NC Department of Transportation Division of Aviation, offered three tracks to expose middle and high school students to aviation careers. Students learned drone programming, toured aviation facilities including FlyExclusive and Draken, and completed real-world design challenges. Participants also had access to commercial flight simulators and pitched innovation prototypes to local business partners in a "Shark Tank" style finale.
Nearly 500 Students Served Through Summer Programming
Associate Superintendent Frances Herring reported that close to 500 students participated in Lenoir County Public Schools’ summer enrichment programs. Highlights included:
STEM-based reading and writing camps for elementary students
A "Bridge Academy" for rising sixth graders
Engineering and environmental design projects for middle schoolers
The Camp Scrubs healthcare careers program
High schoolers in the District C program collaborated with local businesses like Neuse Regional Library and Community Council for the Arts to solve real-world problems
The district also recovered 399 high school credits over the summer, exceeding last year’s total despite a shorter session.
New Teachers Welcomed with Orientation
Beginning Teacher Coordinator Lynn Morris previewed the district’s new teacher orientation set for August 11–13. At least 35 new teachers will participate in sessions on licensure, digital learning tools, MTSS support, and classroom management strategies in partnership with ECU.
Contracts, Construction, and Policy Revisions Approved
In action items, the board approved:
ECS Southeast as the vendor for testing and special inspections at the E.B. Frink Middle School construction site
Two contracts with the Lenoir County Health Department totaling $180,000 to fund four school nurses
A policy revision allowing the Superintendent to approve contingency fund use up to $100,000 for unforeseen construction needs at Frink Middle, with monthly reporting to the board
Three NCSBA policy updates, with seven additional revisions referred to the Policy Committee
A list of surplus items to be sold or recycled from Banks Elementary and the Maintenance Department
Closed Session and New Appointment
Following a closed session, the board approved the monthly personnel report and officially appointed Julie Rouse as Assistant Principal at North Lenoir High School. Rouse, a 26-year veteran of Lenoir County Schools, previously served as an instructional specialist at Pink Hill Elementary.
The meeting adjourned after brief remarks from Chair W.D. Anderson, who thanked the board and staff for their continued service.
Neuse News is an independent, locally-owned startup based in downtown Kinston. We’re committed to providing free, hyper-local news across Lenoir, Greene, and Jones counties—the kind of stories that matter most, delivered in a format built for today.
We don't charge subscriptions. Instead, we rely on readers like you—and the businesses that serve our community. When you shop local, dine local, and click on our sponsor ads, you help us keep real journalism free and accessible.
