December 10, 2024
BOE Meeting Highlights ✨
Pledge of Allegiance Leaders 🇺🇸
Union Chapel Elementary Students
Moseley Architects Scholarship 💲
Moseley Architects provides funding for scholarships to districts of state superintendents of the year each year, PSRC Dr. Freddie Williamson told school board members. The $2,500 from Moseley Architects will allow each traditional PSRC high school to present a $500 scholarship to a student. More information will be provided soon, he said.
Recognitions 🤝
PSRC Arts Supervisor Steven Taylor presented the 2024 Holiday Card Series of Christmas Cards designed by various students in the school district. ⛄️
PSRC Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Debra Dowless also recognized 2024 Bright Ideas Grant Awards winners. 👏
In addition, PSRC Science Supervisor Susan Miller-Hendrix recognized Hampton Miller for his receipt of the Region 4 North Carolina Science Teachers Association Outstanding Middle School Science Teacher Award. 🧪
PSRC Technology Director Everette Teal was also recognized by the school district for being named the Sandhills Technology Director of the Year. 💻
🎉 Multiple schools were presented with 2023-2024 School Performance Awards.
The following schools were recognized with those awards during the meeting:
• PSRC Early College High School - Exceeding Growth, 100% Graduation Rate
• East Robeson Primary - Exceeding Growth
• Magnolia Elementary - Exceeding Growth
• Prospect Elementary - Exceeding Growth
• Union Elementary - Exceeding Growth
• Deep Branch Elementary - Meeting Growth
• Fairmont High - Meeting Growth
• Fairgrove Elementary - Meeting Growth
• Long Branch Elementary - Meeting Growth
• Lumberton Jr. High - Meeting Expected Growth
• Lumberton Sr. High - Meeting Expected Growth
• Oxendine Elementary - Meeting Growth
• Pembroke Elementary - Meeting Growth
• Peterson Elementary - Meeting Growth
• Red Springs High - Meeting Growth
• Rex Rennert Elementary - Meeting Growth
• Rowland Norment Elementary - Meeting Growth
• St. Pauls High - Meeting Growth
• South Robeson Middle - Meeting Growth
• Southside Ashpole Elementary - Meeting Growth
• Townsend Elementary - Meeting Growth
• Union Chapel Elementary - Meeting Growth
Other Business 💼
Career Center Phase II Funding 🏫
During the December 10 PSRC Board of Education meeting, the board voted to proceed with exploring finance options with the county to fund Phase 2 of the Robeson Career and Technical Education Center, Planetarium, and Science Center.
At the December 3 Finance and Construction Committee meeting, Bobby Locklear, Assistant Superintendent of Auxiliary Services, explained that when the planning process began, the initial budget was $72 million. As the project moved into the bidding phase, it became clear that the best approach was to divide the project into two phases. Phase 1 came in slightly under $72 million. Phase 2, which includes four business labs, two mechatronics labs, and a culinary center was estimated at $15.2 million.
PSRC Chief Finance Officer Erica Setzer noted at that meeting that county government officials have agreed to fund half of the $15.2 million for Phase 2, with the district responsible for the other half. She also mentioned that the county manager had discussed the option of financing, which would involve the district making annual payments of $500,000 to repay the county.
The district's funding for Phase 1 of the project totals $72 million, combining several funding sources including $62 million from the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund. Robeson County Commissioners and PSRC each contributed $2.5 million. State legislators, including Senator Britt, allocated $5 million for the planetarium and science center through the state budget. The new career center will house PSRC CTE courses and add a full state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Program and Drone Technology Program. Other course offerings include Mechatronics, Welding, Automotive Technology, EMT and more. The nearly 110,000 sq. ft. center will also be the home of the new Robeson Planetarium and Science Center.
FEMA Update 🗒️
PSRC Assistant Finance Director Hugh McIlwain also gave an update on the settlement between PSRC and FEMA regarding Hurricane Matthew damages.
In October, district officials met with FEMA to discuss the project worksheet related to the $24.9 million settlement from Hurricane Matthew. FEMA has agreed to revise Project Worksheet 1901 to include additional costs for lost contents, as well as administrative cost, architectural and engineering expenses incurred by the district during the recovery efforts. These costs will be added to the original $24.9 million offer, though the final amount will be reduced by any insurance proceeds the district has already received for storm-related damages. This could bring the total funding to approximately $22 million.
The school board approved the demolition of the former Central Office and West Lumberton Elementary School in March 2020, both of which were severely damaged during Hurricane Matthew. FEMA has agreed to reimburse the district for demolition costs as a separate expense. The district is currently awaiting FEMA’s final approval for this funding.
Once the total funding is finalized, a FEMA representative will meet with the district to outline the next steps. The district plans to use part of the funds to begin sitework design, followed by an Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) review for the 711 site. In 2025, the district intends to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) or Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the demolition project and for architecture and engineering for a new bus garage.
If any remaining funds are available after constructing a new bus garage at the NC 711 site, the district may use them to pave the parking lot and renovate an existing building for additional office space at the current Central Office location. Once funding is approved, the district will have 180 days to initiate the project. Throughout this process, FEMA will coordinate with the district to ensure the project moves forward smoothly.
Also during the meeting, board members approved:
— Fall 2024 Policy Updates
— 2024-2025 Operating Budget
— Sole Source Vendor (Follett/Destiny)
— Fundraisers
— Monthly Financial Report
— Personnel Report
Dr. Freddie Williamson presents a $2,500 check from Moseley Architects to PSRC Board of Education members, which will fund $500 scholarships for students at each traditional high school.
Hampton Miller stands with PSRC Board Members during the December meeting following his recognition for receiving the Region 4 North Carolina Science Teachers Association Outstanding Middle School Science Teacher Award.
Everette Teal stands with PSRC Board Members during the December meeting following his recognition as the Sandhills Technology Director of the Year.