Board Briefs

Three members of the Vance County Schools Board of Education were recently re-elected to serve another term, reaffirming their commitment to supporting the students and communities of Vance County. Mrs. Dorothy W. Gooche, who represents District 3; Mrs. Ayana F. Lewis, representing District 4; and Ms. Linda S. Cobb, representing District 5, were sworn in during the December 9, 2024, Board of Education meeting. The Oath of Office was administered by Judge Henry Banks, marking the beginning of their continued service to the district.

The Board of Education recently attended the North Carolina School Board Association Conference in Greensboro, NC. While there, the following Board Members were honored for their cumulative hours of training:

• Certificate of Merit / 31-100 (Ayana F. Lewis)
• Certificate of Achievement / 101-200 (Randy Oxendine)
• Certificate of Advanced Achievement / 201-300 (Linda S. Cobb & Dr. Omega Perry)
• Diploma of Honor / 501-600 (Dorothy W. Gooche)
• Silver Award / 701-800 (Gloria J. White)

Vance County Schools also received the Silver Bell Award for Whole Board Recognition between July 1 and June 30 when all members received 12 hours of training.

Vance County Schools was also recognized for receiving 1st place in the High School video contest, which awarded them a prize of $3,000.

STEM Early High was recognized for receiving 3rd place in the Middle School video contest.

The Vance County School Board of Education recognized Nevaeh Kearney, 11th grader at Vance County High, along with Willow Benning, 1st grader at Zeb Vance Elementary for their artwork selected for the district Christmas Card. Kearney's artwork is featured as the front graphic, while Benning's graphic is the graphic featured on the back. Congratulations to each of these students.

Arts Alive may be in April, but the excitement is in full swing as we announce the Art Competition selections for 2025! The Board of Education recognized Khloe Cooper (9th grade) and Keanna Kearney (12th grade) from Vance County High and Rosalino Rangel-Estrada (5th grade) from E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy for their artwork. Save the date for Arts Alive 2025 - April 26!

The Board of Education recognized the opportunity made available for Vance County Schools students to participate in the Alfred Street Baptist Church’s (ASBC) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Festival on Saturday, November 9th, at the Saint James Sports Complex in Springfield, Virginia. The festival, co-founded by Henderson Institute graduate Mr. Robert Bogan, was sponsored by the Henderson Institute (HI) Association in partnership with Vance County Schools.

Founded by ASBC in 2003, this HBCU festival initially connected 75 students and parents with 15 accredited HBCU institutions, resulting in $1 million in scholarships awarded to qualified college-bound students. Since then, the program has expanded significantly, featuring over 70 HBCUs promoting their programs to more than 10,000 seniors nationwide and offering up to $11 million in scholarships.

During the festival, high school juniors and seniors from Vance County Schools met with HBCU representatives who showcased their academic programs and funding options. Many institutions offered on-the-spot admissions, conducted music auditions, and even waived application fees.

The Board of Education recognized the Transportation Department on their recent Annual Fleet Inspection, performed by the Department of Public Instruction Transportation Specialist. For this inspection, the lower the school, the better the report. Last year, the state average was 34. This year, we are proud to share that Vance County Schools scored a 20.14.

Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett shared the following:

• Fiscal Oversight Monthly Report
• 2025 Board of Education Meeting Schedule

The Board of Education voted and approved the following:

• Elected Mrs. Dorothy W. Gooche as Vance County Board of Education Board Chair
• Elected Mrs. Ayana F. Lewis as Vance County Board of Education Vice-Chair
• Approved the 2025 Board of Education meeting schedule
• Approval the purchase of new furniture for Advance Academy.
• Approval of the purchase of a fuel tank for the transportation department.
• Approval of the Why We Leap contract with Advance Academy.
• Approval of the Pathway to Practice NC contract for our teachers who require this additional support with employees agreeing to work for Vance County Schools for two years after successful completion of this course work.
  
• Approval for the list of 10 yellow school buses to be surplussed.
  
• Approval of the Initial Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
  
• Approval of the list of school nutrition items/equipment with permission to dispose/redirect the use of these items.
• Approval of Policy - Animals in the Schools
• Approval of the changes to Policy 3410 - Testing and Assessment Program with no 30-day review
• Approval of the Beginning Teacher Support Plan
• Out of Country Transfer Requests Approved
  

The Board of Education approved employment recommendations for 6. We would like to formally welcome the following: Regina Twisdale (VCHS), Maya Gordon-Todd (Clarke), Chattia Evans (Dabney), Shay-Kimone Stephens (Pinkston), Alice Brown (Transportation) and Tyron Faines (Pinkston).

The Board accepted resignations for 7, transfer/promotions for 1, retirement for 1and Contract/Part-Time Employment for 0.

The Vance County Board of Education approved 7 requests to transfer into Vance County Schools and 2 requests to transfer out, totaling 9 transfer requests.

None at this time.

2025 Meeting Schedule

January 13, 2025

February 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

April 7, 2025

May 12, 2025

June 9, 2025

July 14, 2025

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