The Columbus County Board of Education on Dec. 4 heard school improvement plan presentations from four district schools and approved each plan by voice vote.

Presenters reviewed enrollment, subgroup data, attendance and targeted interventions. Dr. Hill (Hawsboro Artesia Elementary) described enrollment of 389, an EC population of about 13.6% and specific interventions to reduce early checkouts and late arrivals; the school reported a drop in chronic absenteeism and 1.2 points of growth last year. Miss Colfer (Nakano Middle School) cited strong reading gains — seventh-grade reading rose from 50.9% to 68.4% and eighth-grade reading from 56.9% to 74.5 — and set a school performance target of 63% by June 2026. Old Dock Elementary’s presenters reported a school performance score in the mid-70s and highlighted third-grade proficiency and growth; Old Dock aims to reach 80% by the end of the 2025–26 year. Columbus Career and College Academy (principal Christian Godwin) reported a B (80) school performance score with goals to reach an A, growth in attendance (around 97%), expanded CTE pathways, and successful ACT and dual-credit initiatives with Southeastern Community College.

Following the presentations, the superintendent recommended approval of the four school improvement plans; a motion to approve was seconded and the board voted in favor. The approved plans commit each school to the goals and action steps presenters described, including small-group instruction, EVOS/assessment monitoring, MTSS strengthening, Opportunity Culture implementation and CTE/dual-credit pathway expansion.

The vote was recorded by voice; no roll-call tallies associated with individual member names are listed in the transcript.