New Hanover County Board of Education discuss recent climate survey results and more

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY) — The New Hanover County Board of Education had a lengthy agenda to get through Tuesday night.

One of the biggest items of discussion was the recently released New Hanover County Schools Staff Climate Survey. Nearly 2,000 school employees took the survey, which was approved just two months ago by the board. It focused on three specific areas: district leadership, the board of education and curriculum. More on the survey can be found here.

After discussing the results, majority of the board agreed they were unhappy with some of the results. The board suggested steps such as going to schools more often, talking with teachers and making staff feel like they are more appreciated.

Also discussed was the decline of New Hanover High Schools buildings and facilities. A group presented a slideshow showing multiple states of disarray from various parts of the school. The board passed two motions to at some point start a bond conversation about the work, and meet personally with county commissioners about a comprehensive study to be done on the schools repairs.

The board also unanimously approved a motion to place LifeVac inside schools, which is a device to help students who may be choking, instead of using the Heimlich Maneuver. The board said this would be done with no cost to the school district.

After recently passing a policy of what teachers could display in classrooms last month, a motion was passed to change some of the language in the policy.

Lastly, a call to the audience took place early in the meeting. Dozens of speakers spoke on their displeasure with some of the boards decisions, survey results and the lack of funding for Pre-K students in the county.