Last Saturday NHCS Superintendent Charles Foust presented an
objection form to the New Hanover County Board of Education to complete and send to the rules review commission.
“I think there is pretty much a large agreement across the state that, because this is such an atypical year, there should be some additional grace provided to students,” Deputy Superintendent LaChawn Smith said in an interview.
NHCS’ objection does not automatically grant the district the authority to waive the policy; rather, it provides feedback to the rules committee. If the rule changed, the district would have the ability to alter scores that were negatively impacted, Smith explained.
The original legal case surrounds whether or not millions that arose out of a July 2000 agreement between then-Attorney General Michael Easley and Smithfield Foods and its subsidiaries actually belonged to the public school system.
Under the N.C. Constitution, penalties must be remanded to public schools in the region being impacted by the violation. But under the legal agreement, Easley directed funds to be held in an escrow account, controlled and administered by his office to approved environmental causes.
A root issue in the case was whether the millions constituted a penalty. The state’s defense centered around the claim the money was offered “voluntarily.” NHCS argued the payments were punitive.
Listen to the story here.
The New Hanover County School Board has approved reopening pre-k-5 schools for full in-personing learning on January 19th, pushing back an earlier opening date by a week. It’s been a difficult decision for members, especially the newest ones who had to make up their minds quickly.
Back in early November when the school board discussed reopening elementary schools for all in-person learning, Superintendent Dr. Charles Foust said he wasn’t ready.
“If we can get our county at five percent or less, then we can start to look at measures of going to a different plan and it would have to be two consistent weeks. We’re not there yet; our numbers are too high.”
Brunswick County Schools will return after winter break to remote-only instruction to prevent the spread of Covid-19. (Port City Daily photo/File)
BRUNSWICK COUNTY Brunswick County Schools Board of Education unanimously voted to revert back to Plan C, requiring all grade levels to participate through remote-learning after Christmas break.
The move to Plan C would apply through Jan. 19.
This means students will attend classes virtually between Jan. 6 through Jan. 19; before the board’s decision, these dates would have been attended in-person.
The school board will consider returning schools back to in-person instruction after reviewing Covid-19 infection numbers after returning from Christmas break.
New Hanover County Schools updates grab-and-go meal schedule through the holidays By WECT Staff | December 14, 2020 at 4:32 PM EST - Updated December 14 at 4:32 PM
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Beginning Friday, New Hanover County Schools will cease providing grab-and-go meals until the start of next year.
“NHCS Child Nutrition staff will provide an extra breakfast for all curbside school locations and bus stop meal locations on Thursday, December 17. Regular meal service will resume on Monday, January 4,” a news release stated.
Parents or guardians of students who attend a non-CEP school can submit a Free & Reduced Meal Application if assistance is needed.