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North Carolina School Boards Association Elects New Leaders

North Carolina School Boards Association Elects New Leaders

The North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) elected officers and members to its governing Board of Directors during the delegate meeting of the 2023 Annual Conference for Board Member Development. NCSBA’s new president is Jennifer Thompson, Cherokee Central School; president-elect is Margaret Bradsher, Person County; vice president is Mac Hodges, Beaufort County; and treasurer is Debbie Marsh, Mooresville Graded Schools. Officers will serve a one-year term.

Members elected to serve a second two-year term on the NCSBA Board of Directors are Dr. Leslie Barnette, Catawba County; Sandra Bowen, Lee County; Chris Heagarty, Wake County; Carlos Riddick, Washington County; and Dr. Anne White, Perquimans County.

Members elected to serve a first two-year term on the Association’s Board of Directors are Dianne Bellamy Small, Guilford County; Kimberly McMichael, Rockingham County; Heather Rhyne, Lincoln County; and Lenora Sanders-Shipp, Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

The Board of Directors establishes the mission and goals for the Association and ensures that NCSBA activities and programs remain focused on these goals. In addition, the officers and directors are the personal communications link between their regions and the Association.

Ramona PowersNorth Carolina School Boards Association Elects New Leaders
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Roanoke Rapids Board of Education Member Wins Prestigious Award

Roanoke Rapids Board of Education Member Wins Prestigious Award

Dr. Mike Williams of the Roanoke Rapids Graded Schools Board of Education is the 2023-2024 recipient of the Raleigh Dingman Award for Outstanding Boardsmanship. To receive this esteemed award, which is given annually by the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA), a board member must be peer-nominated by their local school board.

“Our 2023-2024 Raleigh Dingman recipient is like a North Carolina education superhero,” said NCSBA Executive Director Leanne Winner during the announcement. Williams started as a math teacher, then became a principal, and a superintendent for three school systems before serving on the Roanoke Rapids school board. Since retiring, he has contributed part-time to various education-related roles, including coaching principals, serving as a liaison, and acting as interim superintendent. Williams has continued to be actively engaged in state-level education, holding positions on many boards, all while remaining committed to his local community and family. “I believe our Raleigh Dingman winner will now make a difference for children across the state,” said Winner.

The Raleigh Dingman Award is the highest honor bestowed on a North Carolina school board member. The award is named in honor of Dr. Raleigh Dingman, the Association’s first full-time executive director, and was first presented at the 1981 annual conference. In 2002 legislation was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly that provides for the Raleigh Dingman Award winner to serve as an ex officio advisor to the state board of education and to attend meetings and participate in deliberations of the state board. Williams will serve in this capacity.

Ramona PowersRoanoke Rapids Board of Education Member Wins Prestigious Award
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Cumberland Superintendent Named 2024 A. Craig Phillips NC Superintendent of the Year

Cumberland Superintendent Named 2024 A. Craig Phillips NC Superintendent of the Year

Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr., superintendent of Cumberland County Schools, was named the 2024 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year. The award is jointly presented annually by the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA), the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA) and the North Carolina School Boards Association.

As the 2024 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Connelly will compete for the National Superintendent of the Year honor at the American Association of School Administrators’ National Conference on Education in San Diego, CA, Feb. 15-17, 2024.

The following 2024 North Carolina Regional Superintendents of the Year, who all were nominees for North Carolina’s prestigious state award, were also recognized at the Nov.14 ceremony:

Region 1 | Northeast | Barry Williams, Gates County Schools

Region 2 | Southeast | Wesley Johnson, Clinton City Schools

Region 3 | Central | Rhonda Schuhler, Franklin County Schools

Region 4 | Sandhills | Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr., Cumberland County Schools

Region 5 | Piedmont/Triad | Stephen Gainey, Randolph County School System

Region 6 | Southwest | Aaron Allen, Lincoln County Schools

Region 7 | Northwest | Matt Stover, Catawba County Schools

Region 8 | Western | Aaron Greene, Polk County Schools

Read the entire press release here.

Ramona PowersCumberland Superintendent Named 2024 A. Craig Phillips NC Superintendent of the Year
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Watauga County School Board Chair Named Champion of Education Award Winner

Watauga County School Board Chair Named Champion of Education Award Winner

Dr. Gary Childers, chairman of the Watauga County school board, has been awarded the Association’s 2023 Champion of Education Award. This award recognizes those individuals, businesses, community members, employees, or school board members who have demonstrated ongoing dedication to the success of our K-12 students and the betterment of public schools in North Carolina.

Dr. Childers has dedicated an impressive 50 years of service to students, families, and colleagues in Watauga County and throughout North Carolina. From starting as a middle school teacher to becoming the chair of the board of education, his journey reflects a remarkable commitment to education. His extensive leadership roles, numerous awards, and active involvement in community services showcase not only his professional excellence but also his unwavering dedication to the well-being of children and families. With his unquestioned integrity and thoughtful leadership, Dr. Childers stands as a beacon in strengthening public education and creating opportunities for a better life for all.

NCSBA presented the award to Dr. Childers during the November 14 awards ceremony of the Annual Conference for Board Member Development held in Greensboro.

Ramona PowersWatauga County School Board Chair Named Champion of Education Award Winner
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2023 County Commissioners of the Year

2023 County Commissioners of the Year

The North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) presented its prestigious County Commissioners of the Year Award to the Perquimans Board of County Commissioners.

The board was recognized during the awards ceremony of the Association’s 2023 Annual Conference for Board Member Development in Greensboro on November 14. The Perquimans County Board of Education nominated their commissioners for the award and described experiencing a transformation driven by strategic leadership over the past five years. The collaboration among key leaders, including a re-elected chair of commissioners, a new county manager, and school superintendent, has not only resulted in phenomenal growth in student achievement but also a significant overhaul of school operations. This success is underpinned by teamwork and partnership, clearly demonstrated through increased current expense funding for three consecutive years. This commitment is further evident in the collaboration with local agencies and businesses, showcasing a dedicated effort to make Perquimans County the preferred place to live, learn, prosper, and play.

The County Commissioners of the Year Award is given to a board of county commissioners that is nominated by the local board of education in recognition of their extraordinary efforts.

Ramona Powers2023 County Commissioners of the Year
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Wilson County’s Communicating with Confidence Recognized Statewide

Wilson County’s Communicating with Confidence Recognized Statewide

The Innovation and Excellence in Public Education Award was awarded to Wilson County for its Communicating with Confidence program. This award was established to recognize the exemplary work of school boards that have found creative solutions to district challenges.

Created by the Wilson Education Partnership and led by Executive Director Robin Williams, the Communicating with Confidence initiative helps students regain social skills and confidence lost during the pandemic. The program’s success is evident as it expanded from a pilot in one class to multiple English III classes across all five high schools, impacting 300 juniors and fostering meaningful connections between students and business leaders.

For its exemplary work, the district was recognized during the November 14 awards ceremony of the Association’s annual conference in Greensboro.

Ramona PowersWilson County’s Communicating with Confidence Recognized Statewide
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Students Win Big in Statewide Contests

The North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) announced the winners of three statewide student contests held in conjunction with the NCSBA Annual Conference for Board Member Development: an elementary school poster contest, middle school video contest, and high school video contest. The conference was held in Greensboro November 13-15.

The high school video contest teams placing first, second, and third attended the awards ceremony held on November 14 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. Cash prizes were sponsored by the Association and Fairbanks, LLC.

  • First Place and $3,000 – Mooresville High School video 4, Mooresville Graded Schools
  • Second Place and $2,000 – Richmond County 9th Grade Academy, Richmond County
  • Third Place and $1,000 – Mooresville High School video 3, Mooresville Graded Schools

In addition, judges identified 10 videos to receive honorable mention. All finalist and honorable mention videos are available for viewing at http://www.ncsba.org/training/student-contests.

The middle school video contest winning video was from Grandview Middle School, Hickory Public Schools.

The elementary poster contest recognized first-, second-, and third-place winners in two grade level groups: K-2 and 3-5. Each winner received a certificate and art kit that will be presented to students during an upcoming local school board meeting. Poster contest winners were as follows:

In the K-2 category

  • First Place – Amille Williams, 1st grade, Everetts Elementary STEM Academy, Halifax County
  • Second Place – Emma Hernandez, 2nd grade, Virginia Cross Elementary, Chatham County
  • Third Place – Multi-student, Kindergarten, Collettsville Elementary School, Caldwell County

In the Grades 3-5 category

  • First Place (Tie) – Clara Anne Knox, 3rd grade, Shoals Elementary, Surry County
    Arizona Lane, 3rd grade, Virginia Cross Elementary, Chatham County
  • Second Place – Carly Bree Honeycutt, 3rd grade, Endy Elementary School, Stanly County
  • Third Place – Hannah Kang, 5th grade, Camden Intermediate School, Camden County
Ramona PowersStudents Win Big in Statewide Contests
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Crisis Communication Benefits

Crisis Communication Benefits

Schools have always been vulnerable to reputation-challenging problems that may occur in a moment’s notice. Schools are among the most public-facing organizations, employing a lot of people in operations that encompass – besides education – childcare, security, transportation, food services, building services and more. And for good reason, schools are under intense public scrutiny.

The past three-plus years and the COVID-19 pandemic, though, challenged school leadership to an unprecedented degree.

And, driven in large part by social media, the adjustments and changes in response to the pandemic came amid one of the most tense, socially and politically charged atmospheres imaginable.

It’s little wonder that when schools seek help for communications we see a wide range of issues. But the situations we encounter all have one important factor in common. The school leadership team must talk about it. They can’t ignore it. It isn’t going away. And the people the schools care about the most – the teachers, staffers, parents and students – are waiting to hear what’s going to be done about this.

While each situation requires its own communications strategy, with tools and tactics tailored to that situation, there are some basic principles and best practices that apply.

Effective crisis communications: The best practices

First, you can’t communicate your way out of a challenge. You must act your way out. But you also need to communicate those actions in clear, concise language.

Second, follow the fundamentals of effective crisis communications. At Hennes Communications, we depend on our Damage Control Playbook and its five simple concepts:

  1. Tell the truth.
  2. Tell it first – if you don’t, someone else will.
  3. Tell it all – if you don’t, someone else will. We realize that sometimes, for very legitimate reasons, you can’t tell it “all.” Student privacy must be paramount, for example. And as we experienced in communicating about a pandemic, you also can’t know it “all.” Change will continue. Tell people that. One more important caveat: Don’t provide any information until you know it is true to the absolute best of your ability to know that in the heat of the moment. One of the most damaging errors, from a communications and reputation standpoint, is to have to walk back “facts” that you’ve shared with the public. As we saw with the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting, the result is extreme frustration and distrust on the part of your community.
  4. Tell it fast.
  5. Tell it to the people who matter most. Your teachers, staff, students and parents are eager to hear from you.

Third, “no comment” is no answer. Tempting as it may be, “no comment” equals a guilty plea in the court of public opinion. Because, after all, if you have a story to tell, why aren’t you telling it?

An insurance policy for your reputation: the crisis communications plan

Your greatest uninsured asset is the reputation you’ve spent years building. Build insurance for your reputation by preparing for the worst with a crisis communications plan.

Districts and schools are required to develop comprehensive emergency management plans meeting North Carolina law requirements.  While communication with emergency services, staff, parents and other parties is a key part of these plans, districts also should consider the development of a comprehensive crisis communications plan.

At its essence, a crisis communications plan establishes who says what, who you’re saying it to, when and how.

When working with districts to develop a crisis communication plan, we place a great deal of emphasis on the “what” – messages for your most important audiences that have been approved by the superintendent, principals, legal, human resources, communications – by all the key players – for a variety of crisis scenarios.

We identify the crisis scenarios by conducting a vulnerability audit with schools. We gather in one room with the heads of different departments and disciplines that cut across the organization and ask, what keeps you up at night? What potential crisis are you worried about?

In an hour or so of brainstorming, the group usually comes up with 50 or 60 potential crises.

We rate which are most likely. From that most likely list, we choose the most potentially damaging – to your day-to-day operations and your reputation.

That usually yields about a dozen potential crises that are most likely to happen and most damaging.

Then, we write messages designed to talk about the crisis immediately, as it’s happening, with accompanying social media posts, particularly for Twitter and Facebook.

Having a crisis communications plan positions you to react quickly when the crisis hits because you don’t have time then to think about what you want to say and get your leadership team to approve it. Your school community is waiting to hear from you. These planned, approved messages get your voice out there in those crucial early cycles of a crisis. They establish you’re working on the problem. And we’ve found they are crucial in protecting and maintaining your reputation.

The plan also establishes a crisis communications team, with complete contact info – including mobile phones. With backups for the primary contacts, because the crisis will hit while your crisis team leader is on vacation. And a clear delegation of responsibilities for each team member.

The plan identifies your key members and how you’ll reach them, from phone calls, to email, to social media. Protocols and procedures are included for activating the crisis communications team, with immediate first, second and third steps.

And the plan delves into social media, with passwords for your sites listed, instructions for use of social media, guidelines for monitoring, etc.

Want to survive a crisis? Have a plan for doing so before the crisis.

Thom Fladung is managing partner at Hennes Communications, the preferred provider of crisis management services to the Arizona School Boards Association, Florida School Boards Association, Indiana School Boards Association, North Carolina School Boards Association and Ohio School Boards Association. For more information, contact Thom at fladung@crisiscommunications.com or 216-213-5196.

Ramona PowersCrisis Communication Benefits
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North Carolina School Boards Association’s New Officers Announced

North Carolina School Boards Association’s New Officers Announced

North Carolina School Boards Association Chooses New Officers

The North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) elected new officers and seven new members to the governing Board of Directors during the delegate meeting of the 2022 Annual Conference for Board Member Development. NCSBA’s new president is Darrell Pennell from Caldwell County; president-elect is Jennifer Thompson, Cherokee Central School; vice president is Margaret Bradsher, Person County; and treasurer is Mac Hodges, Beaufort County. Officers will serve a one-year term.

Members elected to serve a first two-year term on the Association’s Board of Directors are Leisa Batts, Greene County; Wendi Craven, Burke County; Terry English, McDowell County; Deanna Kaplan, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County; Rick Singletary, Scotland County; Jeff Tatham, Cherokee County; and Mike Williams, Roanoke Rapids Graded Schools.

The Board of Directors establishes the mission and goals for the Association and ensures that NCSBA activities and programs remain focused on these goals. In addition, the officers and directors are the personal communications link between their regions and the Association.

Christina DavoileNorth Carolina School Boards Association’s New Officers Announced
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Henry Mercer, Wilson County, Named Raleigh Dingman Award Winner

Henry Mercer, Wilson County, Named Raleigh Dingman Award Winner

Wilson County Board of Education Member Wins Prestigious Award

Henry Mercer of the Wilson County Board of Education is the 2022-2023 recipient of the Raleigh Dingman Award for Outstanding Boardsmanship. To receive this esteemed award, which is given annually by the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA), a board member must be peer-nominated by their local school board.

“Our 2022-23 Raleigh Dingman recipient has been described as a kind, humble, and caring individual with a wonderful sense of humor and humility,” said NCSBA Executive Director Leanne Winner during the announcement. Mercer, a former teacher and administrator, visits local schools weekly to let the students and staff know how much they are appreciated. He serves with passion and commitment, whether seated at the board table or volunteering to help students. Instilling the value of having an education is a message Mercer shares with students every chance available and he uses this passion and devotion to make a difference for the entire district. “I believe our Raleigh Dingman winner will now make a difference for children across the state,” said Winner.

The Raleigh Dingman Award is the highest honor bestowed on a North Carolina school board member. The award is named in honor of Dr. Raleigh Dingman, the Association’s first full-time executive director, and was first presented at the 1981 annual conference. In 2002 legislation was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly that provides for the Raleigh Dingman Award winner to serve as an ex officio advisor to the state board of education and to attend meetings and participate in deliberations of the state board. Mercer will serve in this capacity.

 

Christina DavoileHenry Mercer, Wilson County, Named Raleigh Dingman Award Winner
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