Board of Education Standing Committees
The purpose of this committee is to serve as a liaison between the Board of Education and local and state elected officials so as to enhance their awareness of issues as they pertain to our local public education system.
The committee will be comprised of three board members, preferably at least one from each party. The Legislative Committee would be responsible for creating a legislative agenda to be approved by the Board following the strategic plan and getting guidance and input from the Central Office and staff so that there is a collective vision to advocate with our elected officials on behalf of New Hanover Schools.
No outside committee members required.
Board Members: Melissa Mason(Chair), Pat Bradford, and Tim Merrick
Board Members: Entire Board
Board of Education Advisory Committees
Board Member: Judy Justice
Board Members: Pat Bradford, Tim Merrick
The mission of NHCS, in collaboration with parents and the community, is to strive to provide children with an opportunity for a superior education in a safe and positive learning environment where they are prepared with the skills to succeed.
The curriculum committee is composed of teachers, principals, and district leadership, as well as three board members. The advisory committee provides feedback to the board regarding relevant curriculum conversations throughout the year. Topics include items such as core curriculum adoptions, updates in standards from NCDPI, and feedback on state-required plans for instruction, development of an instructional framework, and support for student populations such as multilingual learners or students identified as gifted. Curricula for specific programs such as CTE or PreK are also potential topics. This committee is advisory.
This committee reviews the applications and interviews and selects the candidates for the Educator of the Year awards.
The committee is comprised of 14 members: one board member; one immediate past Teacher of the Year; one current Teacher of the Year; one immediate past Principal of the Year; one current Principal of the Year; one retired teacher; one parent of a student enrolled in New Hanover County Schools; one administrator; one high school teacher; one middle school teacher; one elementary school teacher; one past chairperson who serves as ex-officio; and two community representatives.
The establishment of this council is a requirement of the board and state approved New Hanover County Schools Gifted Education Improvement Plan – Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG). The council monitors the timely and accurate implementation of all components of AIG; advocates, communicates, and liaises with business and the community at large with respect to AIG; and advises and makes recommendations to the board with respect to the improvement of the overall AIG program at the school system level.
Board Member: David Perry
The Board of Education is the Board of Directors for Head Start. One board member is assigned as the liaison between the two governing bodies.
A Policy Council must be established annually. It must be comprised of parents of currently enrolled children and community representatives. At least 51 percent of the members must be the parents of currently enrolled children. The council works in partnership with the key staff and the governing body to develop, review and approve policies and procedures related to Head Start. The purpose is to have parents involved with policy development and decisions that are made for their child's education.
The board maintains a School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) to help plan, update, implement, promote, and monitor Policy 6140, Student Wellness, as well as to address other health and nutrition issues within the school system. The council serves as an advisory committee regarding student health issues and works in conjunction with the district wellness coordinator to coordinate the school system’s efforts to promote student and employee health and wellness in compliance with state and federal requirements.
The purpose of this committee is to educate, advocate for, and support the environmental sustainability of the school community. The committee will meet quarterly to consider policy recommendations related to sustainability within the district and will advise the board on best practices.
The council will include the following members: one school board member, a subject matter expert, a school system groundskeeping representative, a classroom teacher, a Soil and Water Conservation District representative, a County Sustainability Manager, and a parent.
Board of Education Outside Liaisons
Board Member: Judy Justice