PSRC Board of Education Meeting Highlights | September 8, 2026
The Public Schools of Robeson County Board of Education met Tuesday, September 8, 2026, with a meeting filled with celebrations, updates on continued academic progress and discussion of initiatives supporting students, staff and families.
Pledge of Allegiance Leaders
Southside-Ashpole Elementary Beta Club
September Impact Award Recipients Recognized
The Board celebrated PSRC's September 2026 Impact Award recipients for exemplifying the district's "One Team. One Goal." spirit through their dedication and service.
Classified Impact Award: Vinson Henderson, Head Custodian at St. Pauls High School
Henderson was recognized for his servant leadership and commitment to maintaining a safe, clean and welcoming environment for students and staff.
Certified Impact Award: Chanda Hughes, Math Teacher at Fairmont High School
Hughes was recognized for her dedication to students both inside and outside the classroom, including her work to create meaningful experiences for seniors and support school activities.
St. Pauls FFA Celebrated for National Recognition
The Board recognized the St. Pauls High School FFA Chapter after the chapter earned a Gold Rating from the North Carolina FFA Association and advanced to earn a prestigious Two-Star Rating through the National FFA Chapter Award Program.
The chapter will also be represented at the 99th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis following Mariela Pineda's first-place finish in the Spanish Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event at the state convention.
Community and Staff Help Shape Superintendent Search
Results from the superintendent search surveys showed strong participation and significant agreement between employees and community members about what they want to see in PSRC's next leader.
The top characteristics identified by both groups included providing safe environments, advocating for needed resources, demonstrating integrity, listening to input, communicating effectively, bringing people together, understanding school finance, being accessible, supporting firm discipline and effectively communicating a vision for the school system.
There was also strong agreement on desired experience, including successful experience as a principal and classroom teacher, curriculum and instruction expertise and experience managing school facilities.
The application deadline for the superintendent position is September 30, with the Board scheduled to begin the next phase of its application review process in October.
PSRC Celebrates Significant Academic Growth
District leaders presented 2025–2026 accountability results showing continued academic improvement across PSRC.
Among the major highlights:
PSRC officially exited North Carolina's Low-Performing District designation for the first time since 2017–2018.
The number of schools identified as low-performing decreased from 19 to 16.
Seven schools exited low-performing status.
15 schools improved by at least one letter grade.
19 schools earned a C or better, with 1 school exceeding growth with a D.
The district's graduation rate climbed from 85.6% to 89.2%, exceeding the state rate of 88.8%.
Overall EOG performance (grades 3-8) increased 6.4 percentage points, compared with a 3.6-point statewide increase. Overall academic performance (EOGS and EOCs) increased 7.7 points, compared with a 4.2-point statewide increase.
Third-grade reading increased 12.8 points.
Biology increased 19.2 points.
Math I increased 19.7 points.
English II increased 10.9 points.
District leaders credited the progress to the collective work of students, teachers, principals, staff, families and district leadership while emphasizing that the work will continue to build upon this momentum.
Former Career Center to Continue Serving PSRC
District leaders shared plans to repurpose the former Robeson County Career Center facility to house several district operations, including Technology, the district’s Student Information System Coordinator, Testing and Accountability, and some maintenance workers.
The move is expected to alleviate space constraints at the district’s transportation facility which also has historically been prone to flooding.
The former Career Center facility could eventually receive a new name, according to Assistant Superintendent Bobby Locklear. He mentioned the idea of naming the facility the Hilly Branch Educational Resource Center as one possibility for future Board consideration at a later date. No action was taken concerning the naming.
Access to Behavioral Health Support
Representatives from Southeastern Integrated Care shared information about behavioral health resources available to PSRC students, families and staff.
Those services include a 24/7 mobile crisis team that can respond directly to schools, homes and other locations to provide on-site assessments and immediate stabilization at no charge to students.
Representatives also highlighted a behavioral health urgent care facility in Lumberton that provides another option for individuals experiencing behavioral health needs.
Board Approves 2026–2027 District Mental Health Plan
The Board approved PSRC's updated 2026–2027 District Mental Health Plan.
The plan outlines universal prevention and early-intervention measures, referral and treatment processes, suicide-risk assessment protocols, crisis response procedures, community partnerships and resources available to families.
November Board Meeting Date Changed
The Board voted to move its November regular meeting from Tuesday, November 10, to Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. due to a scheduling conflict with a NCSBA conference in Greensboro.
Board Takes Action on Religious-Based Exemptions Policy
The Board took action regarding Policy 3510, addressing release time for religious instruction during the instructional day. Discussion emphasized the need for consistent districtwide procedures for schools to follow in accordance with state requirements. The Board voted to adopt the policy.
Additional Board Action
The Board also approved school fundraisers and the monthly financial report before entering closed session.
Following closed session, the Board returned to open session and approved the personnel report as presented and previously held closed-session minutes.
The September meeting reflected both a celebration of how far PSRC has come and a continued focus on the work ahead as the district builds upon academic progress, expands opportunities for students and strengthens support for schools and families.