Lenoir County School Board backs Woodington grant effort in 6-1 vote
The Lenoir County Board of Education voted 6-1 Monday to move forward with seeking a $52 million state grant to replace Woodington Middle School, following debate over whether the district should explore a different grade configuration before pursuing the project. The lone dissenting vote was Board Chair W.D. Anderson.
The Sept. 14 vote advanced the grant process, with county commissioners still to consider the proposal before submission to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. It did not award construction funding.
Superintendent Brent Williams said the proposal would require a $2.6 million local match, bringing the combined funding to $54.6 million. He said district officials were discussing county assistance with commissioners.
Board Chair W.D. Anderson opposed the proposal, questioning whether replacing Woodington with its current grade configuration would miss an opportunity to address another facility need.
“So my vote would not be against applying for a middle school grant, but the way the grant is written,” Anderson said.
Williams said administrators had sought informal architectural advice and conducted walkthroughs, but had not commissioned a comprehensive facilities study. He said changing school configurations or student assignments would be a broader decision than the grant proposal before the board.
“If we don’t get this one, we will not be denied,” Williams said, describing his determination to pursue funding for a replacement school.
Frink furniture approved; stage named for Kennedy
The board approved a $1,391,198.71 contract with Brame Specialty Group to furnish the new E.B. Frink Middle School. Assistant Superintendent Nicholas Harvey II said the contract was below the amount budgeted for furniture.
The agreement covers furniture for classrooms, the media center, administrative offices, conference rooms, the cafeteria, hallways and storage rooms. The August construction report included in the board packet projected completion in early 2027 and described the project as on schedule and on budget.
Members also approved naming the stage in North Lenoir High School’s Young Allen Auditorium for Marian Kennedy, recognizing her decades of work with students and the school’s performing arts program.
Williams said the action completed an effort begun about 16 years earlier, when a moratorium on naming facilities led supporters to dedicate the stage to Kennedy without formally naming it. He said Kennedy continued to volunteer with productions after retirement.
Graduation rate tops 90%
Administrators reported a 90.1% four-year graduation rate for 2025-26, up from 88% the previous year, along with gains in school performance grades.
Associate Superintendent Frances Herring said the district increased its number of B-rated schools from two to three and reduced its number of D-rated schools from eight to four. Banks Elementary moved from a C to a B, while Frink Middle, La Grange Elementary and Woodington Middle moved from D to C grades.
According to the district’s presentation, 53% of schools met or exceeded academic growth targets. Northwest Elementary exceeded growth for a second consecutive year, while Southwood Elementary and Woodington moved from meeting to exceeding growth expectations.
The results also showed areas needing improvement. District officials reported declines in fourth-grade reading and math, seventh-grade math, high school English II and the WorkKeys workplace-readiness assessment.
In the opening-of-school report, Herring said LCPS began the year with fewer than 20 teacher vacancies, its lowest number in several years. Harvey reported 10 bus driver vacancies.
Staff honored; substitute support requested
The board recognized Northwest Elementary Principal Christy Eubanks as the district’s 2026-27 principal of the year. Eubanks has led Northwest since 2022 and will represent LCPS in the regional competition.
“I love what I do. I love what I do every day,” Eubanks said.
Cassandra Williams of Northeast Elementary was recognized as Exceptional Children’s Teacher of the Year, and Stephanie Jones of Southwood Elementary as Exceptional Children’s Teacher Assistant of the Year.
Teachers Rachel Jones and Danielle Groseclose described their Kenan Fellows experiences at Fleet Readiness Center East. Lily Hartsell and Sabrina Fourre discussed lessons from their professional development travel in southern Africa.
During public comment, a retired LCPS teacher urged the district to improve support for long-term substitutes through district email access, technology equipment and training, and higher pay. She said long-term substitutes perform many of the same duties as regular teachers.
“We are not just a warm body in the classroom,” she said.
Other business
The board approved out-of-state trips for Kinston and North Lenoir high school students attending an FCCLA leadership event in Orlando, Florida, and South Lenoir High School students attending the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Members also approved previously presented policy revisions and surplus property disposal.
Earlier, members waived a board policy restriction to allow Jonathan Britt, who participated by phone, to vote on action items after the board’s attorney raised the issue.
The board moved a proposed maintenance building purchase to the portion of the agenda following closed session. Harvey said the district had leased the building for 17 years at $9,000 annually.
The board then voted to enter closed session to discuss personnel, consult its attorney and address property negotiations.
