Board Briefs

The Vance County Board of Education proudly celebrates Women’s History Month, honoring the achievements, contributions, and enduring legacy of women throughout history. This month, we especially recognize La'Nautica Johnson, a trailblazer who made history as the first Viper to win a state championship!

A student at Vance County Early College, La'Nautica captured the 6A Women’s State Championship in her wrestling weight class, marking a milestone moment for Viper Nation and our entire community. Her journey from Regional Champion to State Champion reflects unmatched determination, grit, and perseverance.

This proclamation honors La'Nautica not only for her championship victory but also for breaking barriers in a predominantly male sport, fostering gender equality, and inspiring younger athletes to dream big and chase their goals. Her win is a legacy of dedication, sacrifice, and belief in oneself.

The Vance County Board of Education proudly recognizes School Social Worker Week, celebrating the dedicated professionals who support the social, emotional, and academic well-being of our students.

School social workers play a vital role in helping students overcome challenges, fostering safe and supportive learning environments, and connecting families with the resources they need to thrive. During March 1-7, we honor their commitment, compassion, and unwavering dedication to our students and schools.

The Vance County Board of Education proudly recognized Dr. Destiney Ross-Putney, Chief Officer of Instruction and Innovation, for being named the Vance County Branch NAACP Community Impact Award Winner. She was honored on February 21 at the 81st Annual Equality Fund Banquet, held under the theme “Keeping the Faith and Moving Forward in Times Like These.”

This award celebrates Dr. Ross-Putney’s outstanding commitment to education, innovation, and community impact, highlighting her dedication to fostering equity, opportunity, and progress in Vance County.

Vance County Schools is proud to honor Celebrate the Arts as part of Arts in Our Schools Month! On March 17 and March 19, over 1,000 students will have the opportunity to explore and experience a variety of art forms during the instructional day, celebrating creativity, expression, and the power of the arts in learning. This event highlights our commitment to fostering artistic growth and providing students with meaningful, hands-on experiences that inspire imagination and creativity.

The Vance County Board of Education proudly recognized Maintenance Appreciation Day, held on March 6, honoring the hardworking staff who keep our schools safe, clean, and running smoothly. Their dedication, skill, and tireless efforts ensure that students and staff have a welcoming and well-maintained environment to learn and grow.

The Vance County Board of Education proudly honored Read Across Vance, part of the national Read Across America initiative. Our district celebrated with two major events alongside numerous school-level activities. On Thursday, March 5, district leaders, pictured above, visited every elementary school to read with kindergarten students. At the conclusion of each reading, students received a copy of the book and a special bookmark to take home. That evening, the Read Across Vance Festival brought together all of our schools at Vance County Middle School, offering families engaging literacy activities and experiences that celebrated the joy of reading and learning across our community.

The Vance County Board of Education recognized Vance County Schools for earning top honors from the North Carolina School Public Relations Association during the annual Blue Ribbon Awards ceremony held March 6, 2026.

Vance County Schools received two Gold Awards for exceptional communication projects. One honored “Growing Healthy Futures: VCS Students Lead the Healthy Schools Garden Project,” which judges praised for its engaging footage and the way it captured students actively participating in the experience. The second recognized “Love Henderson, Period: A Community United Against Litter,” a campaign commended for its strong strategy, thoughtful planning, broad community appeal, and original song.

Both projects were made possible through strong collaboration. Sandra Wilkerson from the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce helped coordinate the anti-litter campaign, and MaryLaura Christopher-Rubin played an integral role in the garden project.

Vance County Schools expressed appreciation to the students, staff, and community partners who helped bring these projects to life. These awards highlight the impactful work happening across the district and the importance of sharing the VCS story with authenticity and pride. Since 2020, the district has earned 47 state communication awards, reflecting a continued commitment to strong public relations and community engagement.

Check out the winning projects:

• Growing Healthy Futures – Raised Garden Bed Video: https://youtu.be/zGBs4gtmNik

• Love Henderson, Period: A Community United Against Litter: https://youtu.be/5MbU3ngwf94

Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett shared the following:

• Fiscal Oversight Monthly Report
• Spring/Summer Calendar of Events
• 2026-2027 School Calendars (board approval)
• 2026 Summer Schedule for 11 & 12-month employees: June 29-July 31 (7:30-5 PM Monday-Thursday / 30 min. lunch or 8-5 with 2 hours leave each week); Prior approval from supervisor for any modifications; Operations/Custodial schedule may vary; A week's vacation is equivalent to 40 hours of leave needed (board approval)
• Consolidation Updates

The Board of Education voted and approved the following:

The Board accepted the personnel summary, which included 3 new employment recommendations, which include Christine Hawkins (Pinkston), Antonio Perry (Transportation), and Jamar Branch (Transportation). Additionally, the board accepted 7 resignations, 5 retirements, 3 transfer/promotions, and 4 substitutes.

The Vance County Board of Education approved 3 requests to transfer into Vance County Schools and 4 requests to transfer out, totaling 7 transfer requests.

2026 Meeting Schedule

April 13, 2026

May 11, 2026

June 8, 2026

July 13, 2026

August 10, 2026

September 14, 2026

October 12, 2026

November 2, 2026

December 14, 2026

2026 Board Meeting Schedule was adopted by the Board of Education on December 15, 2025.

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