ELIZABETHTOWN — The Bladen County Board of Education spent the majority of its time Monday evening highlighting various athletic and academic teams, as well as individuals for their accomplishments during their respective seasons.
Bladen 5 Conference champions were recognized in football and volleyball, and East Bladen and West Bladen varsity all-conference teams were recognized in tennis and volleyball. East Bladen and West Bladen soccer and HOSA teams also received recognition from the board.
Members then spent considerable time in closed session, in part to hear a complaint from a Bladen County family over the collection, disbursement, and record-keeping of cheerleading funds at East Bladen High School. The family was informed of their right to file a grievance.
In other business, the board:
— Learned from Chief Technology Officer Jason Atkinson that district staff are taking measures to end cyber bullying.
— Heard from Facilities Manager Lou Nelon that a site visit was conducted to get the agriculture center construction started at East Bladen.
— Learned from Superintendent Robert Taylor of the need for a board policy regarding bed bugs, which have become an issue on buses. Taylor told the board it costs roughly $400 to exterminate a bus — as well as its replacement — when a problem is identified. No bed bug policy currently exists, but Taylor said it would be “a little different” from the lice policy, and board members will vote on it next month.
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, Jan. 8, at 6 p.m.
Chrysta Carroll can be reached by calling 910-862-4163 or emailing ccarroll@bladenjournal.com.