Lenoir County school board hears updates on summer learning, E.B. Frink progress
The Lenoir County Board of Education heard updates Monday, Aug. 3, on summer learning programs, the new E.B. Frink Middle School construction project and workforce development efforts before approving a lease agreement, policy revisions and surplus transportation items.
Superintendent M. Brent Williams opened his report by highlighting recent visits to Fleet Readiness Center East in Havelock, where district leaders and principals toured the complex and learned more about aviation jobs connected to the C-130 facility coming to Kinston.
Williams said district leaders saw LCPS students working at the facility and two teachers serving as Kenan Fellows this summer. He said the district is working with county officials to arrange a similar visit for board members.
"We're very excited about what we have before us and the opportunity to have 400 jobs coming to Kinston in aviation," Williams said.
During public comment, Milton Foster and Aaron Reeves discussed an Aug. 15 community cook-off and book bag giveaway organized through County Kids. Reeves, owner of Carolina Medical Transport, said the group plans to give away 500 book bags and school supplies. Foster said the effort is meant to help students begin the school year with confidence and to grow into broader workforce and internship opportunities for young people.
Frances J. Herring, associate superintendent, gave an overview of LCPS summer learning programs. Elementary students attended Read to Achieve camps at Southwood Elementary School, Northeast Elementary School and Contentnea-Savannah K-8 School, with a theme tied to the nation's 250th anniversary. Middle school programs included sixth grade bridge camp, STEM careers camp and Math 1 accelerator camp.
Herring said 150 middle school students participated across four sites and 75 parents attended sessions on why attendance matters. High school students earned 341 credits through 21st Century Community Learning Center credit recovery sessions.
Students also participated in health care and aviation programs, including Healthcare Heroes Camp and ACE Aviation Camp. The aviation camp included drone programming, visits to aviation sites and career exploration tied to Lenoir Community College and regional employers.
Assistant Superintendent Nicholas E. Harvey II reported that the E.B. Frink Middle School construction project remains on schedule and within budget for completion in early 2027. As of July, the project had reached 378 days on site out of a planned 568 and had reported zero lost time from safety incidents.
Harvey said water source heat pumps had been installed in classroom wings, glass installation was progressing in several areas, brickwork in area 200 was complete and the fire pump had been set and installed. He said July safety work focused on severe weather preparation, including protocols for lightning, extreme heat and heavy rainfall.
Dr. Elizabeth Pierce, CTE/high school education director, presented an overview of the district's summer Teamship program. Twenty students from four high schools worked with the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office, Hampton Inn of Kinston and the Kinston Community Council for the Arts to solve real business and community challenges.
Students described proposals that included social media and recruitment ideas for the Sheriff's Office, marketing ideas for Hampton Inn and ways for the arts council to reach more residents ages 16 to 35. Pierce said the program was funded through a community partnership grant and a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, and the district plans to bring it back in July 2027.
Jennifer Sutton, human resources coordinator, and Lynn Morris, beginning teacher coordinator, outlined new teacher orientation scheduled for Aug. 5, 6 and 10. The sessions include district expectations, payroll and employment information, parent communication, classroom management, digital learning, exceptional children's services and support systems for new educators.
The board also received a July financial report from Interim Finance Officer Helen Hooker and reviewed a set of N.C. School Boards Association Policies to Lead the Schools revisions that will return for consideration at a later meeting.
In action items, the board approved a lease agreement with Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina for use of the Haigler-Overcash Education Center at Kennedy Home for Lenoir County Learning Academy. Harvey said the contract totals $94,800, or $7,900 per month, for July 1 through June 30, representing an increase of about $300 per month and the first monthly increase since 2015.
The board also approved a separate group of NCSBA policy revisions that had been tabled from the previous meeting, as well as surplus transportation items. The surplus list included several buses, maintenance vehicles, an environmental station wagon and the Kinston High School band truck, according to the agenda packet.
After a closed session, the board returned to open session and approved the personnel report. Bruce Hill and Dr. Kimberly Outlaw-Starkey recused themselves from the personnel vote, citing family members listed in the recommendations. The board also approved a ninth amendment to the superintendent's contract before adjourning.
