Onslow County Board of Education: News, Initiatives, and Student Success

Onslow County Schools (OCS) in North Carolina is dedicated to providing quality education and fostering student success. Stay informed and engaged with the latest updates from the Onslow County Board of Education. This article summarizes key information and initiatives discussed in recent board meetings, highlighting the district's focus on student achievement, innovative programs, and community engagement.

Innovative Approaches to Education

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence

The Onslow County Schools district is exploring innovative ways to enhance the learning experience for students and staff. During the January 6 meeting, OCS Chief Technology Officer Jeff Pittman shared information about how the district is harnessing artificial intelligence to benefit students and staff. While staff at all grade levels have access to AI tools, generative AI is currently only being used by high school students. These tools have been implemented in classrooms across the district to allow students access to many tools such as curriculum-driven chatbots and tools that provide detailed and immediate feedback on their work, especially their writing.

Middle School Math Curriculum

The Board heard from OCS Instructional Services staff about the new middle school math curriculum. Dr. Natalie Ostrander, 6-12 Math Content Coordinator, and Amity Geddes, math instructional coach, shared with the Board that they are excited about enVision Mathematics, the newly implemented middle school math curriculum for Onslow County Schools.

Focus on Student Achievement

Accountability Data

Data from the 2024-2025 school year shows that nearly 80 percent of schools in Onslow County are meeting or exceeding their growth expectations, which is up 5 percent from last year and more than 35 percent since the 2021-2022 school year. Fifteen of our schools are in the top 25 percent in growth statewide. This is up from nine schools earning this distinction last year. Those schools include Jacksonville High, Jacksonville Commons Middle, Swansboro Elementary, Trexler Middle, Swansboro High, Hunters Creek Middle, Swansboro Middle, Parkwood Elementary, Clear View Elementary, Southwest Middle, Northwoods Park Middle, Onslow Early College, Blue Creek Elementary, New Bridge Middle, and Coastal Elementary. While there is always a need for continuous improvement, we are also pleased to share that the number of schools in the district that are designated as “low-performing” has decreased since last year. Thirteen percent of our schools were designated low-performing based on 2024-2025 data, which is down from 26 percent in 2023-2024.

Unlocking Student Potential

Dr. Christopher Barnes, OCS superintendent, presented to the Board information about strategic leadership and the district’s new call to action: “Unlocking Student Potential.” He shared that this is not a theme, but a shared calling that aims to focus the energy and effort of the district’s leadership, staff, students, and families around a common purpose. Following Dr. Barnes’ presentation, administrators from the Swansboro area shared with the Board how their schools are unlocking student potential in the new year.

Credentials and Certifications

Students in Advanced Placement courses have also seen an increase in scores that qualify for college credit. Last year, the district saw 1,006 qualifying AP scores, up from 784 in the previous year.

Recognizing Excellence

The Onslow County Board of Education meetings often begin with a "Good News Spotlight," which highlights the achievements of students and staff. The district also celebrates outstanding educators through the "Teacher of the Year" awards.

Swansboro Elementary's 2025-2026 Teacher of the year is Kyle Byrd!
Corrina Craig is the 2025-2026 Heritage Elementary Teacher of the Year!
Vicie Byrd is the 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year for Southwest Middle School.
Sand Ridge Elementary's 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year is Sheila Adams.
Kasey Jarman, Southwest High School's 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year!
Gretchen Lape is the New Bridge Middle School 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year.

Community Engagement and Support

Parent Academy

OCS Executive Director of Secondary Education Will Laine shared an update on the district’s Parent Academy information session series. He shared that a session on completing the FAFSA would be held on January 13 and a session on scheduling for high school would be held on February 5. He also reminded families and high school seniors that the district is holding FAFSA drawings. Students can submit evidence that they have completed their FAFSA for a chance to win prizes for their future dorm rooms.

On November 13, there was a virtual session about scholarships and college access. On Tuesday, November 18, there was an in-person and virtual session about military benefits and college. Dr. Elder shared information about the upcoming Parent Academy events, which include sessions on applying for college and scholarships, as well as the new middle school math curriculum. The district’s Title I Engagement Coach, Norberto Rodriguez, finished the presentation by sharing a little about his role and what he hopes to accomplish. Mr. Rodriguez said he looks forward to being the link between Title I schools, the district, families, and the community. He will work to connect families with learning resources, plan monthly parent sessions on curriculum and how to support learning at home, assist with volunteer recruitment, and more.

Title I Engagement

The district’s Title I Engagement Coach, Norberto Rodriguez, is working to connect families with learning resources, plan monthly parent sessions on curriculum and how to support learning at home, assist with volunteer recruitment, and more.

Addressing Infrastructure Needs

New Elementary School

As part of the long-range educational facilities construction plan shared with the Board of Education and Onslow County government on February 6, 2025, Onslow County Schools has planned to start the design of a new elementary school to address the growing student population in the Sneads Ferry/Stump Sound region of the county. Staff asked the Board to consider approving Pinnacle Architecture for the design work and construction administration of the new school. The Board unanimously approved. Dr. Gartner shared that a new elementary school in the southern part of the county will be one of the first projects undertaken in the district’s long-range school system construction plan. Staff advertised a request for proposals on August 13 and received six responses. The responding firms were Davis Kane, LS3P, Oakley Collier, Pinnacle, SFL+A, and Smith Sinnett. After review by the architectural selection committee, staff selected Pinnacle Architecture to provide architectural and engineering services for the Southern Elementary School Project. The Board unanimously approved the selection of Pinnacle Architecture. If terms with Pinnacle cannot be successfully negotiated, the Board authorized staff to negotiate with SFL+A.

Land Exchange

Dr. Brendan Gartner, OCS chief operations officer, gave the Board some background on a situation involving Jack Amyette Park and Woodlands Park that has led to the potential for a land exchange between Onslow County Schools and the City of Jacksonville.

Board Leadership and Governance

Board Elections

In its first order of business, the Board held its annual election of the Board chairman and vice-chairman. Elbert Garvey was re-elected as the chairman, and Bradley Williams was re-elected as the vice-chairman.

Resolution for Stricter Punishment for Crimes Against Children

Before approving the meeting agenda, item I on the consent agenda, regarding a resolution in support of stricter punishment for crimes against children, was moved to general business, per a board member’s request. The Board unanimously passed the resolution.

Nomination for County Commissioners of the Year

In its first order of business, the Board unanimously decided to nominate the Onslow County Board of Commissioners for the North Carolina School Boards Association’s County Commissioners of the Year Award. This nomination recognizes the Onslow County Board of Commissioners for extraordinary leadership in positively impacting student achievement within Onslow County Schools.

Read also: HPBOSE: A Detailed Look

Resolution for Equitable Funding for Exceptional Children

Next, the Board considered a resolution in support of equitable funding for exceptional children. This resolution advocates for state policy to change to allow for EC funding that reflects districts’ actual number of students receiving EC services. Current policy caps funding at $5,593.34 per student for up to 13 percent of the district’s Average Daily Membership. Onslow County Schools currently serves 4,899 students who are identified as Exceptional Children. This represents more than 18 percent of the district’s total student population. The Board unanimously approved the resolution.

Additional Information

Onslow County Schools operates 39 schools. As of the 2023-2024 school year, Onslow County Schools had 1,759.90 full-time classroom teachers.

The Onslow County Board of Education holds its regular monthly meetings at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center (261 NW Corridor Blvd.).

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