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Four Dare County Board of Education members were sworn in on December 9 during the regular monthly meeting. David Twiddy, District 5 representative at large, was sworn in and reelected as chairman of the board. Justin Bateman, District 1 (mainland and Roanoke Island) representative, Lisa Lloyd, District 2 (Nags Head/Colington/Kill Devil Hills) representative and Kenny Brite, District 4 (Hatteras Island) representative were also sworn in. Ron Payne, District 2 representative, was elected as vice chairman. Rounding out the board are current members Matt Brauer, District 3 representative (Kitty Hawk/Southern Shores) and Barry Wickre, District 1 representative.

Following the reorganization of the board, Superintendent Steve Basnight recognized the school graduation rates and academic growth within Dare County Schools (DCS). First Flight High School (FFHS) and Manteo High School (MHS) were both recognized for their graduation rate of 95.6%. Respective principals Joseph Tyson and John Luciano accepted certificates of this achievement on behalf of their schools. Basnight was also proud to announce that DCS had achieved an overall graduation rate of 94.5%.

Cape Hatteras Elementary School (CHES), Dare Learning Academy, Manteo Middle School (MMS) and Nags Head Elementary School (NHES) all met their academic growth goals. First Fight Middle School (FFMS), Kitty Hawk Elementary School (KHES) and MHS exceeded their academic growth goals, and the principals of each respective school accepted certificates of this achievement on behalf of their school.

MHS senior Markus Simmons was then invited to the podium to present his Eagle Scout service project to the board. He had recently dedicated his time and energy to revitalizing the rain garden at MMS, which was originally established in 2006. After seeking guidance from Sarah Hallas, education and outreach director for the North Carolina Coastal Federation, Simmons planned, organized and obtained all the necessary approvals to fortify an integral site at his former school.

During a single weekend in November, Simmons and his impressive recruited team of almost 50 volunteers worked two 10-hour days to restore the rain garden. Simmons presented before and after photos to board members, showcasing brand new signage, a freshly rebuilt boardwalk and majorly improved landscaping throughout the entire garden. Having been involved in scouts since he was six years old, the high school senior said the Eagle Scouts has “really helped me develop my leadership skills and become a better person in general.” The board commented on the monumental task Simmons had undertaken and applauded the scout for this great achievement.

The board then heard from Margaret Lawler with the Food for Thought Program, whose goal is to reduce hunger and academic risk facing children in Dare County by providing healthy meals. Lawler first shared that 2024 is the program’s 18th year of providing food for kids on the weekends. Volunteers pack food for around 330 children per week at the elementary and middle school levels, and Food Lion gift cards are offered to high school students regularly.

After being asked to help with snacks as well, the program happily obliged and now helps to provide meals, snacks, hygiene products and even clothing for DCS students. “We’re happy to do it, it’s a big deal for us,” Lawler said. “My back bedroom looks like Costco,” she laughed. Lawler took time to thank the many volunteers who have dedicated their own time and money to make this program so successful. “We are very blessed to have so many people helping us.” More information on the program can be found at foodforthoughtobx.org.

Also on the night’s agenda was the recognition of DCS’ own director of transportation, Alex Chandler, for being asked to represent the state of North Carolina at the 2025 National Congress on School Transportation. This congress is comprised of official representatives of state departments of education, public safety, motor vehicles and police or other state agencies for the administration of student transportation.

About 25 million school children, by around 480,000 school buses, are transported to and from school throughout the nation every day. Chandler will be representing North Carolina in what typically results in one or more publications containing the specifications and procedures recommendations for school buses and their operations of each congress. “I am positive that they have chosen that absolute best person to represent our district and our state,” Basnight commented.

To round out the meeting, Steve Blackstock, assistant superintendent, then presented a first reading of the 2025-2026 school calendar. Both the traditional school calendar and an Early College calendar are up for approval at the next regular board meeting on January 13.

Blackstock highlighted how the proposed calendars meet all legislative mandates, and provide additional instructional hours beyond the minimum 1,025-hour requirement. The calendars also end the semester before winter break, which will allow all high school students to take semester exams in December instead of January. This move had been requested by high school leadership, and aligns closely with the community college calendar.

The calendar will be presented for a second reading and approval at the next meeting. More information can be found at daretolearn.org.

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