Harnett: Board of Education faces distraught parents

The Harnett Board of Education heard complaints at the Aug. 4 meeting about Overhills High School and parents threatened to withhold Impact Aid.

During public comments, Lillington resident Angel Pavey asked the board to replace Principal Jeffrey Booker at Overhills High School, to place a cap on enrollment, to supplement teacher pay and to comply with IEP and 504 regulations.

An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a plan to help children with a disability identified under the law receive specialized instruction and accommodations.

A 504 plan helps ensure children with a disability identified under the law receive accommodations or modifications so they may succeed in general education classrooms.

“The school is in crisis. The district has faced lawsuits and if this continues, more will come,” Pavey said about IEP and 504 services being neglected.

“Replace the principal with someone with integrity and who will lead with transparency. Military families in this district are watching closely and if you continue to ignore these issues, we are prepared to withhold Impact Aid paperwork,” Pavey said.

Military family member Alyssa Smith said she could not support a school system that did not have IEP compliance.

School districts with military-connected students are eligible for federal funding through Federal Impact Aid, and the district also receives competitive grants targeting military-connected students.

In October 2024, Harnett County Schools was awarded a $1.5 million grant from the DoDEA’s 2024 Military Connected Academic and Support Program (MCASP). This funding will be distributed over five years to enhance math and science education at several schools serving military families near Fort Liberty and Pope Field, including Overhills High School and Western Harnett High School. It benefits all students.

Sandhills News reached out directly to Impact Aid for specific data and was directed to the public relations officer and was told that because the data was at another office, it may not be received today, Aug. 5. The article will be updated when the public information is made available.

Other speakers complained that core teachers were not in place for students, that parents had to complete yearly paperwork and about chaotic personnel changes that challenged exceptional children.

Concerns over a school program’s potential religious indoctrination, lack of diversity and the school system endorsing a single faith ended the public comments session.

Piney Grove Baptist Church offers after school programs at Northwest Harnett Elementary School and has a new program on character development.

Rebecca Brown said Piney Grove should present their character development program to the board because there was no proof of oversight and the board needed to ensure it was a neutral program.

“Would you allow a Jewish or Muslim to have a program?” Brown said about having different platforms and to consider the scouts and boys and girls clubs.

Brown told the board to add a judicial immigration policy to their website and that she knew that they knew there were undocumented students in Harnett County Schools.

On May 9, 2025, Harnett County Schools was honored with the Purple Star Legacy Award, a distinguished recognition presented by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for outstanding military support.

Assistant Superintendent Chris Pearson updated the board on construction progress. Flatwoods Middle School has blockwork and roads. Lillington Shawtown Elementary School’s gym addition should be completed by late Nov.

“We will send out RFQs for new schools this week on Highlands High School, Buies Creek Elementary School and CTE High School,” Pearson said about the first step in preparing estimates for a consult with commissioners.

Brooke Ferguson with curriculum and instruction, said 547 students participated in the summer reading program for students in grades 1-3. In AIG grades 4-8, 202 students participated in STEAM camp.

The next meeting is Aug. 18 at 9 a.m.

Aug. 5, 2025

Stephanie M. Sellers