Washington County Board of Education approves two ESSER budgets

The Washington County Board of Education unanimously approved two Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) budgets, PRC 171 and PRC 181, during a joint special meeting with the Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 15, 2022, at the Washington County Early College School in Creswell.

Superintendent Dr. L. Carr convened both boards for the budget presentation and introduced Ms. Julie Simpson, who presented the ESSER budget details. After the presentation, BOE Member L. Clark moved to approve the ESSER budgets and BOE Member J. Phelps seconded; the motion carried unanimously with the four BOE members present voting yes.

The ESSER items were presented as time-sensitive submissions to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Dr. Carr said she had called the joint meeting in part because the building committee has been meeting and certain budget decisions needed both boards’ awareness. The BOE vote authorizes the district to submit PRC 171 and PRC 181 as required by state timelines.

The meeting also included discussion of a larger school funding and construction plan for the Washington County Early College; the ESSER approvals were presented alongside those broader facility conversations. The BOE did not attach conditions to the ESSER approvals during the motion; the district indicated it will continue pursuing additional funding avenues, including a Phase II application and outreach to legislators for technology, furniture and athletics funding.

The BOE adjourned at 6:35 p.m.; the BOCC then adjourned its portion of the joint meeting.