From the Boardroom

On December 1, 2025, the Wayne County Board of Education held its regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Before going into Closed session, the Board conducted its annual reorganization, selecting the Chair and Vice Chair. Upon returning from Closed Session, the Board approved its Meeting Agenda.

Each December, the Board reorganizes by selecting a new Chair and Vice-Chair. Attorney Grosskurth asked for nominations for Board Chair. Board Member Leatham nominated Chair Joyner to remain as Chair in the coming year. After no further nominations, Attorney Grosskurth closed the nominations. Mr. Joyner was unanimously named Board Chair.

Following his selection, Chair Joyner asked for the Attorney to collect nominations for Vice-Chair. Chair Joyner nominated Vice-Chair Sanders to remain as Vice-Chair in the coming year. After no further nominations, Attorney Grosskurth closed the nominations. Mr. Sanders was unanimously named Board Vice-Chair.

The following students and staff members were recognized with a Board Spotlight for the following achievements:

The following employees - who make up two cohorts of teacher apprentices - were recognized for representing the future of Wayne County Public Schools and the teaching profession.

Cohort 1
Kayla Hetrick and Grace Holmes (Carver Elementary)
Karrie Smith (Eastern Wayne Elementary)
Reagan Joyner (Grantham Elementary).
Cohort 2
Veverly James (Edgewood Community Developmental School)
Emily Reaves (Grantham Elementary)
Maquitta Baldwin, Lorri Brim, Sarah Nicole Carpenter, DeeDee Harvey-Duncan, and Janelle Stowe Sugg (Meadow Lane Elementary),
Monica Wynn (North Drive Elementary)

The teacher apprenticeship programs are part of the district’s “Grow Your Own” initiatives, which are designed to address the teacher shortage by developing, supporting, and hiring talented educators from within our own district and community. These initiatives involve critical partnerships between the district’s Human Resources Department and institutions of higher education, to include East Carolina University, Gardener Webb University, University of Mount Olive, and Wayne Community College.

Adam Scepurek with Anderson, Smith, & Wike presented the Draft Preliminary 2024-2025 Financial Audit Report to help the Board understand the district's financial position as of June 30, 2025. Scepurek noted that while there were federal delays with supplement information due to the government shutdown, there were no findings with the audit - indicating that appropriate financial practices were in place for the 2024-2025 school year. Scepurek stated that as of June 30, 2025, the Board has a combined $13.8 million available fund balance.

Scepurek noted that the Board spent $6 million in one-time expenses in FY 2024-2025 out of fund balance for security upgrades in schools and Exceptional Children program expenses. He advised the Board and staff to continue its efforts to make tough financial decisions, operate within the budgets of its available funding sources, and to work to protect fund balance. He complemented the district Finance Staff for their efforts to maintain strong fiscal practices and expressed his appreciation for their support with providing all of the various required documentation that has to be audited. To view the audit materials, click on Draft Preliminary 2024-2025 Financial Audit Report.

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

• Policy Committee Update - PLS Updates Reports were provided for information. Eleven policies were presented for information:

• Policy 3101 Dual Enrollment

• Policy 3220 Technology in the Educational Program

• Policy 3225 Technology Responsible Use

• Policy 3228 Internet Safety

• Policy 3400 Evaluation of Student Progress

• Policy 3460 Graduation Requirements

• Policy 4010 Student and Parent Grievance Procedure

• Policy 7220 Grievance Procedure for Employees

• Policy 7315 Confidential Information

• Policy 7500 Workday and Overtime

• Policy 7520 Family and Medical Leave

• Seven policies were approved on second read:

• Policy 3210 Parental Inspection and Objection to Instructional Materials

• Policy 5024 Emergency Epinephrine Delivery Systems

• Policy 5070/7350 Public Records-Retention, Release, and Disposition

• Policy 6125 Administering Medicines to Students

• Policy 6340 Transportation Service/Vehicle Contracts

• Policy 7100 Recruitment and Selection of Personnel

• Policy 7820 Personnel Files

• Curriculum & Instruction Committee - The Curriculum & Instruction Committee did not meet in November. Related contracts and purchase orders were reviewed by the Finance Committee.

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

• C&I Contracts and Purchase Orders [Voting in Favor: Foucht, Leatham, West, Vice-Chair Sanders, & Chair Joyner / Voting Against: Cowan & Henderson]

• Donation Report - The Board accepted $8,670.22 in monetary donations and
  $1,200.00 in non-monetary donations, bringing year to date donation totals to $24,226.62 in monetary donations and $21,424.10 in non-monetary donations.

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

• Fremont Forward, Inc. offer to purchase former Fremont School Note: A motion to table this item failed 4-3. [Voting in Favor: Cowan, Foucht, & Leatham / Voting Against: Henderson, West, Vice-Chair Sanders, & Chair Joyner] A follow-up motion to approve this item was passed 4-3. [Voting in Favor: Henderson, West, Vice-Chair Sanders, & Chair Joyner / Voting Against: Cowan, Foucht, & Leatham]

• SWHS Bleacher Removal/Replacement

• Duke Energy Purchase Power Two Year Agreement (Pending final legal review).

• Brogden Primary School Land Purchase

• Maintenance Surplus Request

• Support Services Contracts and Purchase Orders

The following items were pulled from the Consent Agenda and voted on separately:

• General Personnel Report (Voting against: Board Member Henderson)

• Extra duty stipend for specific EC Program Support Staff who conduct select duties [Voting in Favor: Foucht, Leatham, West, Vice-Chair Sanders, & Chair Joyner / Voting Against: Cowan & Henderson]