Bladen County Board of Education Packet Summary — August 24, 2026
Meeting Overview
The Bladen County Board of Education packet is for the Regular Board Meeting scheduled for August 24, 2026. The packet includes consent agenda items, information items, and action items for board review, including proposed fee schedules, contracted services, facility naming procedures, property disposition topics, playground equipment procurement, and policy updates.
Key Items on the Agenda
Consent Agenda Items
The agenda includes several consent items scheduled for board consideration, including the 2026-2027 Facility Use Fee Schedule, Student Fee Schedule, Child Nutrition Procurement Plan, Exceptional Children contracted services for audiology, and Exceptional Children contracted services for interpretation.
Facility Use Fee Schedule for 2026-2027
The packet presents a proposed Facility Use Fee Schedule for the 2026-2027 school year. The document states that board policy requires annual approval of facility use fees and that the recommended fees remain the same as the prior year.
The proposed schedule includes:
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A $500 initial deposit for facility use.
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Staffing costs including:
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Custodian: $50 per hour.
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Child Nutrition Staff: $40 per hour.
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Maintenance Staff: $50 per hour.
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Administrator: $75 per hour.
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Facility costs including:
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Cafeteria use: $50 per hour.
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Gymnasium use: $100 per hour.
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Outdoor athletic fields: $50 per hour.
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Furniture rental costs:
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Chairs: $2.50 per chair.
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Tables: $10 per table.
Student Fee Schedule for 2026-2027
The packet includes a proposed Student Fee Schedule for the 2026-2027 school year. The document states that the recommended fees remain the same as the prior year except for the high school technology user fee.
Examples of listed fees include:
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Elementary school:
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Beta Club: $26 for new members.
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Yearbook: not to exceed $50.
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Library book damage: not to exceed $10.
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Chromebook damage fees ranging from $50 for a first offense to $300 for full replacement.
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Middle school:
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Band fee: $20.
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Prom fee: not to exceed $35 per person or $50 per couple.
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High school:
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Class fees ranging from $25 for freshmen and sophomores to $75 for seniors.
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Technology user fee: $25.
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Various club and activity fees.
Major Financial and Operational Items
Child Nutrition Procurement Plan
The packet includes a proposed Child Nutrition Procurement Plan update. The document states that North Carolina Department of Public Instruction updates increased the micro-purchasing threshold from $10,000 to $15,000 and revised portions of the plan language.
The proposed procurement plan outlines requirements for competitive purchasing, documentation of procurement activities, conflict-of-interest standards, and procedures for formal and informal purchasing methods.
The plan identifies:
- Formal procurement methods using Invitations for Bid (IFB) or Requests for Proposal (RFP) when applicable.
- Informal procurement procedures using Requests for Quote (RFQ) below applicable thresholds.
- Micro-purchasing procedures for purchases equal to or below $15,000 annually.
Exceptional Children Audiology Services
The packet includes a proposed contracted services agreement for audiology services supporting students requiring hearing-related evaluations, consultations, and educational support.
The proposed service compensation includes:
- $630 per on-site visit plus mileage reimbursement at the current state-approved rate.
- Virtual or remote services billed at $125 per hour.
The proposed contract period is August 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Exceptional Children Interpretation Services
The packet includes a proposed interpretation services contract intended to support communication with students, parents, and families requiring language assistance.
The proposed rates include:
- Standard interpreter services: $63 per hour per interpreter with at least 48 hours’ notice during normal business hours.
- Enhanced rates: $94.50 per hour per interpreter for shorter notice, after-hours, weekend, or extended appointments.
Naming of East Bladen High School Soccer Facility
The packet includes an information item regarding a request to name the East Bladen High School soccer facility the “Dr. Samuel Ray Cross Soccer Facility.”
The packet states that administration will proceed through the process outlined in Board Policy 9300 and expects to provide an update and/or recommendation to the Board at the September 2026 meeting.
Board Policy 9300 describes the facility naming process, including formation of a Facility Naming Committee, review of requests, and potential public hearings.
Action Items
Property Disposition Options — Plain View and East Arcadia Properties
The agenda includes an action item regarding property disposition options for vacant school properties at Plain View and East Arcadia.
The packet materials include property records, disposal option references, and legal materials related to potential methods for handling surplus school property.
The property materials identify:
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East Arcadia School:
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Market value listed as $2,940,920.
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Property includes classroom buildings and a community recreation building.
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Plain View Elementary School:
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Market value listed as $605,580.
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Property includes multiple classroom buildings and improvements.
The packet materials describe possible disposal methods and note special considerations for public school property, including requirements related to fair market value, offering property to the county board of commissioners, and possible leasing arrangements with governmental units.
Lease of East Arcadia School Property
The packet includes a request from the Town of East Arcadia regarding consideration of a lease agreement for East Arcadia Elementary School and associated property.
The request proposes a ten-year lease and describes potential community uses, including:
- Emergency service hub space.
- Satellite health clinic.
- Recreational programs.
- STEM and technology education opportunities.
- After-school tutoring and youth enrichment programs.
- Senior citizen programs and services.
- Workforce development and job readiness training.
- Community meetings and support services.
The letter states that the request is an expression of interest intended to begin discussions and would require approval by the respective governing bodies and execution of a mutually agreed-upon agreement.
Playground Equipment — Clarkton School of Discovery
The packet includes an action item regarding playground equipment and installation at Clarkton School of Discovery.
The packet states that proposals were reviewed from Great Southern Recreation and VPS Recreation after the district solicited bids.
The proposed recommendation identifies VPS Recreation as the lowest responsive bid for playground equipment and installation. The bid comparison lists:
- Great Southern Recreation total: $122,942.07.
- VPS Recreation total: $96,362.48.
Spring 2026 Custom Policy Updates
The packet includes proposed Spring 2026 Custom Policy Updates from the North Carolina School Boards Association for review.
The packet notes that these updates were previously tabled for review at the June 9, 2026 meeting and includes a recommendation to consider approval of the updates.
The proposed updates include changes to policies involving:
- Parental involvement.
- Board meeting agendas.
- Parliamentary procedures.
- Technology responsible use.
- Student searches.
- School nutrition services.
- Licensure.
- Video and audio recordings by employees.
What to Watch at the Meeting
The board packet highlights several areas expected to receive review:
- Proposed 2026-2027 fee schedules for facilities and students.
- Updates to school nutrition procurement procedures.
- Contracted services supporting Exceptional Children programs.
- The next steps in the East Bladen soccer facility naming process.
- Potential options for Plain View and East Arcadia property disposition.
- A proposed lease discussion involving East Arcadia School property.
- Playground equipment procurement for Clarkton School of Discovery.
- Review of Spring 2026 policy updates.
