[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6286032,"mediaKeyId","2565706-e188663025cd19d1fc33f5d399972388","parentId",2565706,"title","Board approves MOU with Johnston Community College to fund textbooks and fees for early college and career-track students","audioSeconds",594,"startMs",14447000,"endMs",15041000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2565706-e188663025cd19d1fc33f5d399972388&start=14447&end=15041","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2565706-e188663025cd19d1fc33f5d399972388/thumbnail_14447000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286032/North-Carolina/Board-approves-MOU-with-Johnston-Community-College-to-fund-textbooks-and-fees-for-early-college-and-career-track-students","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286032-585355abe09f9359f2f3fd0c779a2fd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075140&Signature=bDONaMxLpWzZltoQ3jAaeRmv6sMvKvoLE5nlxTM85EknvIUKDoTHbE8q56q9UjaytWqRxc5bF~pF1KZ0bByNpz~fixhCEUgUkXfKD~DaOapmBhMMxbt-plp~ZEU8cqcG4~UaIejC2IH~Yzek5oaaPd2uTx53IOAIlpTe1HW251b0NPbQtvBAAH9f4RHKR96gdC3rYVg3Osc24WM0oJ5w6hp4E~q79pUOtoYc0kMGubJWFZOOpzWYAZJH0xdkaPSKGxWX6tqucIv0jNVJxJu6cfOS-oWFMag3OB74lhQKDvG1rxtVCCQAEFpkV5vzvnMHn2jx2Hnsjz4MSlnOFoz~YQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-12T00:51:56Z","article","The Johnston County Board of Education voted to approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Johnston Community College (JCC) that outlines who will cover books, activity and technology fees for dual-enrollment students in 2025–26.

David Allen, the district’s secondary/college liaison, told the board staff negotiated an arrangement under which the district would pay for textbooks and fees for Early College Academy (ECA) and Career & Technical Leadership Academy (CTLA) students while JCC will sponsor traditional high-school dual-enrollment students. Allen said the approach simplifies billing and keeps comparable students on equal footing for fees.

Allen presented historical context showing the district paid approximately $560,000 the prior year for textbook and fee costs tied to dual-enrollment students; administrators proposed a lower estimate for 2025–26. Under the plan presented to the board, the district’s projected outlay would be approximately $353,000 for the coming year; JCC staff informed the district they would absorb other costs and ease collection burdens by sponsoring traditional-high-school students themselves.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the percentage of JCC enrollment that comes from Johnston County public schools. Allen said JCPS students represent roughly 39% of JCC’s enrollment for the recent semester, and he reiterated the MOU’s goal of simplifying procedures and reducing small, hard-to-collect fees for families.

The board approved the MOU by voice vote after a motion and second. Administration said the MOU and associated payments will be annually reviewed and the agreement includes typical contract language allowing cancellation with notice.

Ending: District and JCC officials said they will finalize contract language and begin operational planning; administrators told the board they will monitor actual costs throughout the next fiscal year and report variances to the board as needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","JC Board of Education Meeting - March 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a memorandum of understanding with Johnston Community College to clarify which agency covers textbooks, activity and technology fees for dual-enrollment students, with the district covering Early College and CTLA costs and JCC sponsoring students enrolled through traditional high schools.","taxTitle","Johnston County Public Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",14189,"location","North Carolina","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6286036,"Parents describe assault at Cleveland High and urge stronger school discipline, quicker placements",630,11722000,12352000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2565706-e188663025cd19d1fc33f5d399972388&start=11722&end=12352","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2565706-e188663025cd19d1fc33f5d399972388/thumbnail_11722000.jpg","/articles/6286036/North-Carolina/Parents-describe-assault-at-Cleveland-High-and-urge-stronger-school-discipline-quicker-placements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286036-b8b88aa9e3829be94f62202b1ec86d06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075140&Signature=YZri1MmcFfD1DIC7Y-7V6rAy7OzVJa0EohTvFjO2sFbTt21QmWK5GRiiibmXYdstR3fT~1xj4R~YCf68V-V5txjjjeNomyWDoaY2EmDUBCD-dTtIoKNYlkM2U2WyWcO~LAWcjX-MbXDPVWXmTqs3Ey6-7qIrcSTiFiVZTHxgzeHWlbA-RgpZIbd6Hgpv-yrbOPHNGXqQ1wR7Cd6rwB40YIzfhxgv61CWls7v2AgJl5bE5YPTuz883LUaV6YLKik5UkgvdelC~4bonxhMlnPsSjhTU3XXPht51tdXrt8~2ea21~cGKvN06IzVdmq0GZSmnM6oVcNx4Ag6mmovBnW3Gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple parents and a student addressed the board on March 11 describing what they said was a premeditated physical attack on a Cleveland High School student. Family members said administrators were shown messages and screenshots in advance and that the district did not provide adequate protection.

A student who identified himself during public comment described being assaulted in class and said he was kicked and punched. His father and other family members spoke afterward, saying they had reported threats to teachers and administrators the day before the incident and that screenshots of the threats had been shared with school staff.

Parent Frances Pierce told the board she arrived at the school after the incident and saw the student’s injuries. \"How dare this happen at one of these schools,\" she said, and urged the board to ensure administrators take pre-incident reports seriously and act to protect students. Pierce said witnesses had met with administrators and the resource officer before the assault and that parents expect more decisive action.

Students who witnessed the attack described ongoing harassment and said they had reported the behavior to two assistant principals, a resource officer and teachers before the assault occurred; they told the board they still do not feel safe in school. One student said the group of attackers had been sending messages and that students had asked adults for help prior to the incident.

Board members responded by arranging to have district staff speak directly with the family and with school administrators after the meeting. Superintendent Dr. Bracey and operations staff said they would follow up and requested the parents provide the student’s name and evidence so central office could review disciplinary actions and placement timelines with school leadership.

Ending: The board did not discuss discipline policy changes during the meeting; members asked administration to investigate this incident, follow up with the family, and report back privately on actions taken to ensure student safety.","Several parents and students told the board they do not feel safe following an assault they say took place at Cleveland High School. They said administrators had prior notice of threats and asked the district to speed up disciplinary and placement processes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6286039,"Board weighs multiple options for Choice Plus and Innovation Academy as redistricting proceeds",240,7310000,7550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2565706-e188663025cd19d1fc33f5d399972388&start=7310&end=7550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2565706-e188663025cd19d1fc33f5d399972388/thumbnail_7310000.jpg","/articles/6286039/North-Carolina/Board-weighs-multiple-options-for-Choice-Plus-and-Innovation-Academy-as-redistricting-proceeds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286039-20f319989d53d99dbbc94839eb8791dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075140&Signature=cbb0Y76W5K7diV2iR6G-rK1ihcCrQL3olHbUrjuRfe84EM17cXC4efng1kBMHpIhXcUhZf2ANnwPIfOUr8SxU1NdX-M8cfDEOANEebFCRFFLxgo25nighKXoPNqfJEkpRNzDKW11kDuXOFSeFMb7N1CYeEhcdXFLTJeOJLW8vBrugC9eDMFtuNHrIulpVh2pNNjGz9uDuXiLU4fCswJ7MC7l59b3p1LoJ0ymoM8jWIB5Qx~VPdCrnMubErae3qbnL6V3prR~Hp9CkV3q0AxMq3IAl4kcWvIAdLT~wfSvT1dToepTYlxXD6hZsL0IBeCXS5JExaHmm4BRnZQvASrnFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Johnston County superintendent presented several options on March 11 for where to site Choice Plus Academy and the Innovation Academy as the district proceeds with redistricting and facility changes.

Superintendent Dr. Bracey told the board the district could: keep Innovation Academy at its current campus while expanding Choice Plus into space at West Campus; renovate parts of West Campus or South Campus and relocate programs; evaluate using the separate \"600 building\" at Clayton High School; or build a new facility. \"These are my options, but these are not the board's options,\" Bracey said, framing the items as staff proposals for discussion.

Administrators said Choice Plus currently operates a mix of in-person and virtual students and that space constraints have pushed some students into remote placements. At one point in the discussion staff said about 66 students were attending Choice in person; later in the meeting staff clarified districtwide there were larger counts of virtual students assigned to Choice and alternative settings and said an updated enrollment and discipline breakdown would be provided to the board. \"We should have enough data from the past ... that shows us enrollment, how many students is housed both virtually and in house,\" a board member said.

Board members and staff spoke about goals: several said they want more students in supervised, on-campus settings rather than remote placements for behavior-related cases. Board member Terry Tippett said, \"If a student can be on campus, they should be on campus,\" and several members said principals have limited alternatives to place disruptive students, a key driver of the Choice Plus capacity issue.

Members raised questions about program distinctiveness at Innovation Academy. Commissioner-turned-board member Kevin Donovan and others asked how Innovation's curriculum differs from programs at other middle schools. Board member Ed Carroll said Innovation once operated as a lab/AIG center and has shifted over time. \"I still have questions about Innovation Academy,\" Carroll said, asking staff to produce clearer comparisons showing what Innovation offers that base schools do not.

Parents' comments during the public-comment period tied to the Choice Plus discussion focused on two themes: the academic and social limits of extended virtual enrollment, and safety and discipline in some high schools where parents described incidents they said resulted from gaps in enforcement and placement. Several parents urged that Choice Plus provide more in-person capacity so students could receive structure and services.

Board members asked staff to return with detailed enrollment counts (in-person vs. virtual), discipline categories that drive placement decisions, capacity plans for alternative programs and cost estimates for each facility option. They said they expect a follow-up work session with more complete data before making changes to program locations.

Ending: The board did not make a final decision; members asked staff to provide enrollment-by-program counts, discipline breakdowns that trigger alternative placements, and more precise renovation costs before any move is approved.","Superintendent and staff presented several location and renovation options for Choice Plus Academy and Innovation Academy; board members asked for more data on enrollment, discipline assignments and in-person vs. virtual counts before deciding.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6286041,"Johnston County board pulls proposed changes to nondiscrimination policies after heated public comment",251,3395000,3646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2565706-e188663025cd19d1fc33f5d399972388&start=3395&end=3646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2565706-e188663025cd19d1fc33f5d399972388/thumbnail_3395000.jpg","/articles/6286041/North-Carolina/Johnston-County-board-pulls-proposed-changes-to-nondiscrimination-policies-after-heated-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286041-549834ba7a2a154da73c9f9d6e2f12a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075140&Signature=HZQOWUq84HCTmFDMtFKnkpz8Hy0352ub2UxBf29fB2KZnqpmjt0UXLGBj6fAdTk4l3UvaZiQIM3iEWFHxInBDn3L8Mbybpa-9C8uE-V9VxAAgZaBMZyQZE~1TvxpnmDRTE5KTnFVSjN1Y5oeaih~3Tlx4gF7108zwvTcDqCPgcxyrxpyU9qAvRinmTVAUcnDq35VFQWt6GVaX8HnHZCPxo-fRxHPLyX9xXmf3vGUExR6LRAzZfNa05ExPvNpLpBR1a8Os2qbTAEOmeVvoF~QuM4L6oHWKN20aKGWWd2kF8bhSsCscuuAmHLEh-Hu5ektO0vMofi0cwNS-lrH~NqRLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Johnston County Board of Education on March 11 pulled proposed revisions to several nondiscrimination and harassment policies after more than an hour of public comment pressing the board to retain explicit protections for LGBTQIA+ students and staff.

Board chair Sherilyn Andrews said the board would not act immediately on the policies and that the policy committee will reexamine the language to ensure it complies with state and federal law. \"Our desire is to make sure that we are following state and federal law,\" Andrews said during the meeting.

The proposed changes the committee had circulated would have removed the terms \"sexual orientation\" and \"gender identity\" from a set of board policies (policy references discussed in the meeting included 1710, 1720, 7230 and related policies). Board member Kevin Donovan told colleagues the policy committee intended to revisit language and confirm compliance with Title IX and other legal requirements before bringing a second reading back to the board.

The pull followed sustained public comment from teachers, parents and students. Aubrianna Ressler, identifying herself as a transgender resident of Johnston County, told the board: \"Removing protections of the LGBTQIA+ students will only have negative consequences for the school and the community.\" She added bluntly, \"If you vote to eliminate this protection, the blood from each students will be on your hands.\" Another speaker, Ben Chapman, said policy wording matters in practice: \"Policies reflect the commitment. Removing these policies sends the wrong message.\"

Board members debated procedure and next steps during the meeting. Donovan said the policies should be reworked by the policy committee: \"We're gonna make sure that we're following federal and state laws. We're gonna make sure that we're doing that and then we'll discuss further in policy committee.\" Andrews said the district would continue to enforce existing student conduct rules: \"Every child in Johnston County Public Schools is to be free of bullying and harassment. ... We are not going to tolerate bullying or harassing anyone. Anyone.\"

Supporters of keeping the existing language warned of practical harms. Teacher Eldorado Dexra cited Centers for Disease Control research on safety risks for transgender students and urged the board to retain specific protections. Several speakers also warned of potential legal exposure and lawsuits if explicit protections were removed; at least one speaker referenced court decisions nationwide that found discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation to be covered under civil-rights law.

The board did not vote on the policy changes at the March 11 meeting. Board members said the items were removed from the consent agenda and will return to the policy committee for further review; the policy committee is scheduled to meet again and will make recommendations to the full board. The board emphasized it will seek to align any revisions with state and federal requirements before a second reading.

The matter drew one of the largest public-comment turnouts the board has had in recent months and set the item as a near-term follow-up for committee review and public engagement.

Ending: The board gave no timeline for when it will present revised language. Members said they expect additional committee work and community input before any formal vote.","After hours of public testimony, the Johnston County Board of Education removed several proposed edits to district nondiscrimination policies from the consent agenda for further review, saying it will reconvene the policy committee to ensure compliance with state and federal law.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":46,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6286027,"Votes at a glance: Johnston County Board approves contracts, calendar revision and principal pay hold-harmless",11921,3120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2565706-e188663025cd19d1fc33f5d399972388&start=3120&end=15041","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2565706-e188663025cd19d1fc33f5d399972388/thumbnail_3120000.jpg","/articles/6286027/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Johnston-County-Board-approves-contracts-calendar-revision-and-principal-pay-hold-harmless","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286027-0e029345c5e9cbb50a260e882bb96e02/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075140&Signature=QzqzReE3BjBBzqs0eYLIV5wGhnQpzoreR1mXHCvvjAnSb~ASj-SRhihThnIsjdotpVhUvnz3astGaq~BWFQgpAhoAaC7eVH23Kv-kkhMx3VEezZAx2BigegP4EAw~T-qsuD74P-i2LWEFVLf~UgFh00GLtjuCihYHP81FNIzk95aLBehN6QNEa0dZQ7KSxvfW24IktXZBvp06vur~4GdDb6~-lTBhDv3C~wnCWodPSWQ0IBPEKI5iB8FhXPjg9HizFLz8ZcEsbvnqJapOHtCGgHYLrgwaHMXpaXBOX~jTkEUcKpwi41JwQ~QoOMYmfbHeyh79XOZqoyQVZtQQzexTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Johnston County Board of Education took multiple formal actions March 11. Key approvals included renewal of outside legal services, a revision to the 2024–25 school calendar to mark certain February days as remote learning, an MOU with Johnston Community College, several procurement contracts for facilities and technology, and a principal pay hold-harmless plan tied to redistricting. Below are the actions recorded during the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes: The board approved multiple meeting minutes (02/04/2025 special session; 02/06/2025 special session; 02/11/2025 regular and closed session minutes) (motions carried by voice vote).

- Closed session: The board voted to enter closed session pursuant to North Carolina statutes covering personnel and attorney–client privilege (motion made and seconded; board voted to enter closed session).

- Renewal of legal services: The board approved renewal of legal services with Tidwell/firm (named in meeting as Tipton/Spruill/Ponder Spruill negotiation) with revised rates and training hours included (motion by Rep. Carroll; second by Rep. Tippett; approved by voice).

- Consent agenda: The board approved Consent Items 1–17 (motion by Ms. Lee; second by Mr. Carroll; approved by voice).

- School calendar revision: The board approved the revised 2024–25 school calendar that reclassified recent inclement-weather days as remote-learning days (motion by Mr. Donovan; second by Ms. Lee; approved).

- JCC MOU: Approved (see separate article). Motion by Ms. Lee; second by Mr. Carroll; approved.

- Custodial supplies contract (RFP): Awarded to 7 Oaks Supply Company for July 2025–June 2028 (motion; approved). Not-to-exceed amount: $2,736,559.92.

- Solid waste/recycling collection: Approved five-year contract with GFL for July 2025–June 2030. Total contract fee: $2,196,543.74 (approved).

- Charging carts (bond-funded): Approved purchase of 106 charging carts (applied data); not to exceed $220,000 (approved).

- E-rate procurement (network hardware): Approved procurement of network switches and related hardware for multiple projects using E-rate funds; not to exceed $605,000 (approved).

- Cooper Academy fire-alarm upgrade (bond): Approved contract with WIMCO Corporation for voice-evac fire alarm replacement and contingency; amount $568,399.52 plus contingency $20,000 (approved).

- Barnhill Group (Clayton High School design services): Approved phase 1 preconstruction/design fees for a new Clayton High School; amount not to exceed $390,190 (county funding approved) (approved).

- HVAC equipment orders (bond-funded) for multiple elementary schools: Approved equipment purchases for South Smithfield Elementary ($214,882.41), 4X Elementary ($284,427.91), and Cleveland Elementary ($310,632.89) through cooperative purchasing (all approved).

- Principal pay hold-harmless plan tied to redistricting: Approved a three-year, phased hold-harmless supplement for principals whose state allotment would decline because of enrollment changes caused by redistricting; estimated maximum first-year cost not to exceed $140,000 (approved).

- Adjournment: Meeting adjourned by unanimous voice vote.

Ending: Several items require administrative follow-up (MOU implementation, contracts to be executed, procurement orders to be placed, and principal-pay adjustments to be integrated into payroll); board asked staff to provide financial and operational updates as projects proceed.","The board approved consent items and several contracts, a school-calendar revision, a principal pay hold-harmless plan tied to redistricting, and numerous facility and technology purchases; motions and outcomes are summarized below.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves MOU with Johnston Community College to fund textbooks and fees for early college and career-track students

Parents describe assault at Cleveland High and urge stronger school discipline, quicker placements

Board weighs multiple options for Choice Plus and Innovation Academy as redistricting proceeds

Johnston County board pulls proposed changes to nondiscrimination policies after heated public comment

Votes at a glance: Johnston County Board approves contracts, calendar revision and principal pay hold-harmless