Board Briefs

The Vance County Board of Education recognized Dr. Shannon Bullock, Principal at LB Yancey Elementary, and Regina Rainey, Principal at Carver Elementary, for their recent completion of the Distinguished Leadership in Practice Program (DLP). This is a year-long leadership development program for practicing school principals from all regions of the state. The program is designed and provided by the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals' Association (NCPAPA) and sponsored by the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCASLD.)

The Vance County Board of Education recognized Dr. Michael Putney, Principal at Dabney Elementary, for speaking at a Hunt State Policy Fellows session in Raleigh. The fellows that he presented to are designated for their potential to improve education both in their local communities and at the state level.

The Board of Education honored Vance County High student Clarence Debnam, who recently represented the Vipers at the NCHSAA state track meet, held at NC A&T University. Debnam won his heat and came in 6th place overall. He ran the 400 meter race in 49.64 seconds, which was a personal record!

Vance County Schools' RoboVance teams showcased their talents at the District Competition, with the top three finalists advancing to the BrickEd state competition in Salisbury, NC, on April 26. At the district level competition, which was held on April 5th, Carver Elementary, EM Rollins STEAM Academy, and Zeb Vance Elementary took the top three places.

Using LEGO Spike Prime kits and extensions, these teams programmed their robots to complete complex tasks on custom maps. Vance County Schools was represented well by the students and their Robotics Coaches. The last event of the Finals is a mystery task that the teams have to engineer and code on the fly - Carver won by being the only team to score maximum points on this task!

Carver Elementary earned a first-place finish, and EM Rollins STEAM Academy came in 4th. A strong finish by our students! Congratulations to all the teams representing Vance County Schools for their outstanding performances. A huge shoutout goes to RoboVance coordinator Stephen Jones and the dedicated staff who inspire our students to achieve success. Our students are truly incredible!

Students who participated in the National SAVE Conference during April were honored by the Board of Education. Attendees included: Sophia Castorela, Demaria Williams, Thlaila Ragland, and Anahi Guadalupe Carreno. Taylor Evans, SAVE Promise Club Adviser at LB Yancey Elementary attended the conference with the students, along with Dr. Ralphel Holloman.

The Board of Education honored the service of those serving as mentors in the Just U & Me Mentoring program. The students mentored students from Carver Elementary and LB Yancey Elementary on Saturday mornings. The following students have served for 3 years:

From Vance County Early College, the following students were recognized: Launtica Brown, Launtina Brown, Chelsea Evans, Juelz Holden, Kathrine Ayscue, Aiyanna Jones, Anahi Carreno, Nia Branch, Orquidia Martiniz, and Brianna Royster. From Vance County High, recognized were Na'Qviva Kearney and Jesus Romero.

The Board of Education honored the district being recognized as a National Beta District of Distinction. The district has received this honor for the last 7 years, yearly since 2019. This award is given to those deserving districts who offer National Beta in all schools in their district, and who induct qualifying students in all eligible grades (4‐12). Vance County Schools is one of only 78 districts to receive this award nationwide.

The District Beta Club Coordinator for Vance County Schools is Mr. Andrew Markoch, Director of Fine Arts and Physical Education. Each school across the district has dedicated principals and Beta Club advisers who support student leadership, academic excellence, and community service. At Aycock Elementary, Principal Mr. Donald Johnson III is supported by advisers Ms. Raegan Ross and Ms. Caroline Boyd. Carver Elementary is led by Principal Ms. Regina Rainey, with Ms. Michelle Morgan-Edwards serving as adviser. At Clarke Elementary, Principal Dr. C’monee Wilkins is joined by adviser Ms. Lori-Ann Lewis. Dabney Elementary’s leadership includes Principal Dr. Michael Putney and adviser Mrs. Michelle Foster. EM Rollins is led by Principal Dr. Carnetta Thomas, with Ms. Nicole Anderson as adviser. EO Young Elementary is guided by Principal Ms. Kristen Boyd and adviser Ms. Marian Faulkner. At LB Yancey, Principal Dr. Shannon Bullock is supported by adviser Ms. Wendy Oakley. New Hope Elementary’s team includes Principal Ms. Letitia Fields and adviser Ms. Barbara Young. Pinkston Street Elementary is led by Principal Ms. Canecca Mayes with Ms. Yolanda Dixon as adviser. Zeb Vance Elementary is under the leadership of Principal Ms. Joy Suther and adviser Ms. Colleen Tyburski. Vance County Middle School is guided by Principal Dr.. Stephanie Ayscue, with Ms. Sheneika Campbell-Thomas serving as adviser. At STEM Early High, Mr. Edward Ortega serves as both principal and adviser. Vance County High School is led by Principal Dr. Nealie Whitt III with adviser Ms. Lindsey Ramsey. Vance County Early College High School is under the leadership of Principal Ms. Debbie Hite and adviser Ms. Vicki Fullwood-Barrett. Vance Virtual Village is led by Principal Dr. Jeff Batten, with Mr. Anton Wesley serving as adviser.

Vance County Middle School was honored by the Board of Education for their athletic accolades during the 2024-2025 school year.

Fall Sports Records: Football (5-2), Boys Soccer (6-3), Volleyball (0-8)

Winter Sports Records: Boys Basketball (5-8), Girls Basketball (10-4), Wrestling (4-4)
MAC-10 GIRLS BASKETBALL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

MAC-10 WRESTLING CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

Individual: Altrevin Burwell, Roman Rivera

Spring Sports Records: Baseball (1-5), Softball (1-6), Girls Track, Boys Track

MAC-10 BOYS TRACK AND FIELD CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

MAC-10 GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett shared the following:

• Fiscal Oversight Monthly Report
• Summer Programs
• Credit Recovery (High School)
• Read to Achieve Reading Camp (248 currently registered)
• Mi Centro & ESL Summer Camp
• July Board of Education meeting: Board of Education voted to cancel
• CTE Local Application (2nd year of the 2-year plan / no changes: Approved by the Board of Education

Vance County Schools is pleased to announce several leadership appointments for the 2025-2026 academic year:

• Dr. Shannon Bullock has been named Principal of Vance County Middle School.

• Facetia Branch will serve as Principal of L.B. Yancey Elementary School.

• Dr. Stephanie Ayscue has been appointed Executive Director of Secondary Education and Professional Learning.

• Kristian Herring has been offered to lead Dabney Elementary School as Principal.

• Dr. Elaine Webb has been offered to serve as Director of Career and Technical Education.
  
  

We look forward to the continued growth and success of our schools under this dynamic leadership

The Board of Education voted and approved the following:

Finance

• Roofing project bid at Pinkston Elementary and E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy Elementary Schools
• Kirkman Floors approved to clean the high school
• Production Painting to paint E.M. Rollins and Pinkston Street Elementary Schools
• NCSBT EO/GL renewal for FY 2025-26
• Budget Resolution #4 Amendments & Transfers for Fiscal Year 2024-2025

Policy

• Policies referenced, including those policies that have minor changes such as changes to punctuation, references, whether it's legal references or cross references

Curriculum

• VCS Restart Continuation plan

The Board of Education approved employment recommendations for 1. We would like to welcome Leon Rattray (STEM).

The Board accepted 2 retirements, 10 resignations and 2 transfers.

The Vance County Board of Education approved 6 requests to transfer into Vance County Schools and 4 requests to transfer out, totaling 10 transfer requests.

SparkNC Exchange 2025: July 13-15 at University of North Carolina at Wilmington

2025 Meeting Schedule

August 11, 2025

September 8, 2025

October 13, 2025

November 10, 2025

December 8, 2025

2025 Board Meeting Schedule was adopted by the Board of Education on December 9, 2024.

Vance County Schools, located in Henderson, NC serves students Pre-K through 12th grade, as well as Early College 5th year students. There are 16 schools served in our district.

Website: www.vcs.k12.nc.us
Location: 1724 Graham Avenue, Henderson, NC, USA
Phone: 252-492-2127
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vance-County-Schools-920214704715692
Twitter: @VanceCoSchools