School leaders discuss priorities at luncheon

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County Board of Education members met today for their annual Legislative Luncheon.

The luncheon invited state and local officials, school administrators, and select teachers. Today’s event discussed concerns before the 2016 legislative season. School board chair Don Hayes said there were a lot of topics to cover.

“Plans are being made to replace College Park school, Blair School and work that’s going to take place at New Hanover, Hoggard and Laney,” Hayes said. “There’s just a lot going on an then there are technology developments.”

Another topic of discussion was the upcoming school calendar that may mean shorter breaks for students and teachers. Superintendent Tim Markley said the calendar is frustrating and provides no flexibility.

“We have been locked into this calendar for years, and this year coming up, we’re going to see how that law has its most negative impact in terms of stop and start and vacation days,” Markley said.

Markley said the school system wishes to start the school year earlier, to finish semesters before winter break, in the same way as the community colleges.