Superintendent Williams and the district's digital learning staff used the Dec. 8 board meeting to highlight two district initiatives: the rapid expansion of student "innovation teams" and educator grants funded through the Lenoir County Education Foundation.

Williams announced that roughly 100 teachers won 2026 education foundation grants, enabled by more than $40,000 raised via the foundation's golf tournament and spelling bee. He said 16 of the district's 17 schools had at least one winning grant and that district staff would begin delivering grant awards the following morning at 9 a.m.

Melissa Lynn, director of digital learning services, described the student innovation teams launched as part of the district's 1:1 technology initiative. What began as a single-school pilot at Moss Hill Elementary grew to teams in all 17 schools this year. Lynn said students use the teams to support teachers, lead digital learning lessons and produce media such as morning announcements and short tutorials. An Apple-led professional learning series for students is planned for early February to bring student teams together across attendance zones.

District leaders framed the programs as ways to boost student leadership, digital skills and classroom engagement; no policy changes or new budget appropriations were proposed during the presentation.