Bladen County Board of Education Packet Summary — 08-24-2026
Meeting Overview
The Bladen County Board of Education packet is for a Regular Board Meeting scheduled for August 24, 2026. The agenda includes consent items, informational reports, proposed action items, budget and capital planning materials, and other board business.
The packet identifies upcoming items for board consideration, including financial updates, local budget priorities, East Arcadia School closure and consolidation materials, a proposed Daybreak Mental Health Services agreement, and facility-related projects.
Key Items on the Agenda
East Arcadia School Closure and Consolidation Materials
The packet includes materials related to the proposed closure of East Arcadia School and consolidation with Clarkton School of Discovery. The materials provide background information, enrollment trends, facility conditions, transportation considerations, financial context, and potential impacts for review.
The consolidation study describes East Arcadia School as serving kindergarten through fifth grade and notes current enrollment of 58 students, compared with an eight-year average enrollment of 67.6 students. The study states that 100 students is the recommended threshold referenced for a school to remain open.
The packet proposes reviewing consolidation with Clarkton School of Discovery, citing available classroom space, access to additional resources and programs, and potential reductions in combination classes as factors included in the study.
Major Financial Items
Proposed Local Budget Priorities
The packet includes the 2025-2026 Budget Message and proposed local budget documents for review. The materials outline financial needs related to staffing, operations, and capital improvements.
The proposed current expense budget materials identify a requested county appropriation of $9,197,343.58, representing an increase of $1,164,724.58 over the prior approved budget amount listed in the document.
Budget priorities described in the packet include:
- $30,000 in local matching funds for recruitment bonuses, paired with $30,000 in Title II funds for a total of $60,000.
- $277,215.08 for assistant principal pay and benefits related to six assistant principal positions.
- $50,000 for increased coaching supplements.
- $256,718.68 for five teacher assistants.
- $10,000 for the “Invest in Bladen Best” teacher assistant scholarship program.
- $186,647.22 for salary and benefit increases.
- $354,143.40 for increased operational costs.
Capital Needs and Facility Planning
The packet includes proposed capital needs requests covering school facilities, transportation, safety, and infrastructure improvements.
Items identified in the capital needs request include:
- Multi-purpose buildings at Bladenboro Primary School and Elizabethtown Primary School, including classroom and gym-related space.
- A proposed application for a Needs-Based Public School Capital Grant with a requested 5% local match.
- Two activity buses per year for three years, with an estimated annual cost of $325,000.
- Field houses at East Bladen High School and West Bladen High School, estimated at $1.5 million per school.
- Safety entrance upgrades at all schools, estimated at $450,000.
- District vehicles, maintenance, furniture, auditorium renovation, driveway paving, HVAC improvements, bleacher replacement, and a trailer for bathrooms and concessions.
Policy, Programs, and Agreements
Title V North Carolina Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Program
The consent agenda includes a Title V Memorandum of Understanding with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
The agreement materials describe a federal Title V Sexual Risk Avoidance Education program intended to provide programming for fifth and sixth grade students through participating local education agencies. Participating agencies are required to establish program teams, develop work plans and budgets, submit reports, and participate in program activities.
The agreement materials state that participating LEAs will receive a sub award of $70,000 to implement the program, subject to funding availability.
Daybreak Mental Health Services Agreement
The agenda includes consideration of an agreement with Daybreak Mental Health Services.
The agreement materials describe virtual counseling intervention services for students and families through Daybreak Medical PA. The agreement states that no fees will be charged to the district for services provided during the MOU period, while therapy appointments may be billed through student and family insurance plans.
The agenda includes several informational reports for review, including:
- Financial summaries for November 2025, December 2025, and January 2026.
- Community Schools Program materials.
- Exceptional Children Department headcount and funding updates.
- 2026-2027 local budget priorities and planning documents.
- Maintenance project updates.
What to Watch at the Meeting
Key areas to follow include:
- Board review of the proposed East Arcadia School closure and consolidation materials.
- Discussion of local budget priorities and requested funding increases.
- Review of proposed capital projects and facility investments.
- Consideration of agreements and programs involving student services, including mental health services and Title V programming.
- Updates on district financial conditions, operations, and facility needs.
