Jones County board approves HMH textbook renewal and retains local counsel in social-media litigation

The Jones County Board of Education on March 2 approved a package of actions, including renewing core HMH reading and K–8 math textbooks for the 2026–27 school year and authorizing a retainer for local counsel to continue the district’s role in national social-media litigation.

Staff presenting the textbook proposal said, “You have the renewal proposal in your packet…The total would be for K–8 math and K–12 reading, $61,301.88,” and noted that “textbooks are state funded and not locally funded.” The board approved the renewal subject to review of the purchase contract by the board attorney and Dr. Markiti.

The board also moved to nominate Miss Byrd as the district’s at-large representative to the North Carolina School Boards Association legislative committee; the chair’s motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

District legal counsel described a new retainer agreement to preserve local representation in the national social-media litigation after local counsel changed firms. Counsel said, “To be clear, you have not retained me to litigate the social media lawsuits,” and explained that the district’s local counsel, Emily Beeson, has moved to a different firm and a new retainer is needed to continue her services at Chaffin Lohana, LLC. Counsel added that a defendant’s motion for summary judgment had been denied and the first bellwether trial is scheduled to proceed in June. The board voted to approve the retainer.

The board concluded the public portion of its meeting by voting to enter executive session to discuss a listed agenda item.

Votes at a glance
- Approval: HMH textbook renewal for 2026–27 (total $61,301.88; state-funded) — approved (voice vote).
- Nomination: Miss Byrd to NC School Boards Association legislative committee — approved (voice vote).
- Retainer: Local counsel (Beeson at Chaffin Lohana, LLC) for national social-media litigation — approved (motion carried).

What happens next: The textbook purchase will proceed after contract review by the board attorney and Dr. Markiti; the district’s retained counsel will continue preparing for the bellwether trial in June.