From the Boardroom

On September 8, 2025, the Wayne County Board of Education held its regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Upon returning from Closed Session, the Board approved its Meeting Agenda.

Kevin Smith, Director of Secondary Education, CTE & Athletics, informed the Board that all nine high schools have earned Cognia Accreditation. The five-year accreditation signifies that each high school meets or exceeds rigorous standards of educational quality and effectiveness. Mr. Smith noted that earning accreditation is a rigorous process for schools and commended each of the high schools for their ongoing education and improvement efforts. Following the update, each high school was recognized for its achievement.

Andrew Bass, Math Coordinator, provided the Board with the district’s 2024-2025 Accountability Results. As part of his update, he informed the Board that Wayne County Public Schools had made significant academic strides in student performance for the second consecutive year. As part of the Accountability Report, Mr. Bass shared

• WCPS grew 3.6 percentage points in overall achievement composite scores of all subjects, which is considered a significant gain over one school year.

• WCPS was ranked #2 in the Southeast region for growth in overall achievement for last school year

• When comparing the past two consecutive years of growth, WCPS was ranked #1 in the Southeast region.

• WCPS experienced growth in many areas. In particular, Math 1 achievement grew by 10 percentage points surpassing overall regional and state achievement scores while Math 3 increased 23 percentage points falling just below regional and state scores.

• Eleven schools exceeded growth, 15 met growth, and five did not meet growth.

• Of the 11 schools that exceeded growth, two schools were in the top four schools in the state for academic growth. Eastern Wayne Middle and Spring Creek High ranked third and fourth respectively. Spring Creek High had the most growth of all high schools in the entire state.

• Seven schools increased one full performance letter grade:

• One school went from a grade of B to an A, three schools went from C to a B, two schools went from a grade of D to a C, and one school went from a grade of F to C.

• In total, three schools achieved an A performance grade, four schools achieved a B, 14 schools achieved a C, seven schools achieved a D, and two schools achieved an F.

Following the report, WCPS superintendent, Dr. Marc Whichard, expressed to the Board his appreciation to the schools for their efforts and achievements, which has advanced the district’s academic ranking to 62nd out of 115 school districts in just two years. He noted that it is the district’s goal to maintain and build upon the gains in the coming school year to advance the district to a mid-40’s performance ranking this time next year.

Each Board of Education committee gave an update along with any recommendations that came out of the associated committee meeting:

• Policy Committee - Did not Meet in August

• Curriculum & Instruction Committee Report - The Board approved the following items:

• C&I Contracts and Purchase Orders

• C & I Contracts Added After Committee Mtg.

• Community Supporting Schools of Wayne County Contract

• MOU NC Advise

• Finance Committee Report - The Board approved the following items:

• Purchase Orders & Contracts

• Donation Report - The Board accepted $250.00 in monetary donations, bringing year to date donation totals to $250.00 in monetary donations.

• Facilities Committee Report - The Board approved the following items:

• Activity Bus Surplus Request

• Maintenance Trailer Surplus Request

• Support Services Purchase Orders & Contracts

• Architect Additional Services Request, RWM Gym

• RWE Classroom Addition, Owner/Architect Agreement

• Southern Wayne Fencing Project Bid/Contract Approval (Added after Committee Met)

Two individuals signed up to address the Board during its Public Comment period:

• Nakiesha Harris

• Cymberlin Super