Board approves affiliation, vendor, CD moves and budget amendment; auditors report initial visit

The Columbus County Board of Education took a series of routine but fiscally consequential actions at its May 11 meeting.

The board voted to approve a school affiliation agreement with the University of Phoenix that will allow students from that institution to complete field work placements within Columbus County Schools. The superintendent recommended approval; the motion carried.

Facilities and procurement business occupied a portion of the meeting. The board received three construction invoices and a large pay application for the Eastview project (LS3P invoice 99079 — $652,560.12; LS3P invoice 99474 — $33,057.59; Metcon pay application No. 4 — $1,783,930.41) and approved a furniture vendor recommendation for Eastview Elementary and Middle School after committee review and school‑site evaluations.

In finance business, Miss Creamer recommended restructuring certificates of deposit held at FirstBank to remain within FDIC insurance limits. She proposed issuing two $200,000 CDs and combining smaller amounts into a third CD of $197,454.84; the board approved the recommendation.

The board also approved budget amendment number 2 for fiscal year 2026, reflecting approximately $256,000 in additional state allotments (transportation increases and other state allotments) and various federal additions (preschool, literacy intervention). Miss Creamer reported state funds are currently approximately 85.66% expended for the year and provided an audit update: auditors made an initial visit April 28, bank reconciliations are current and the auditors plan a follow‑up in November to close the year.

Before adjourning into closed session, a trustee noted a conflict and requested recusal from an agenda item tied to the North Carolina School Board Trust; the board approved renewal of the district’s participation in the Trust’s Errors and Omissions General Liability Fund for $17,361. A motion to enter closed session under North Carolina open meetings law was made and seconded and the chair announced the board entered closed session.

The board took no additional recorded votes in open session after the closed‑session motion; routine items were approved by voice vote as shown in the meeting record.