Harnett Schools talk major calendar changes

During the Harnett Board of Education meeting on Nov. 3, Superintendent Brooks Matthews read a list of updates that included proposed major changes.

The conversation with administrators about three major school changes has already begun. Matthews said the board will receive community feedback before voting on the year-round school, Lafayette Elementary School, to include the seventh grade in the 2026-27 year and to make the Dunn Elementary and Dunn Middle Schools year-round schools.

North Carolina General Statutes 115C‑84.2 gives the board full authority to set school calendars, including year-round calendars, and while boards must consult parents, there is no statutory requirement for parental consent or a formal public hearing.

The proposed changes will create logistical challenges for transportation, athletics and teacher contracts.

Matthews said school improvement plans will be brought for formal approval on Dec. 8.

He said he will contact board members prior to the meeting for their feedback before they vote in public, which raises transparency concerns. The public prefers board deliberations to take place in public.

Harnett has 13 D-Grade schools. Read the report overview and 2025 Harnett County Schools’ Grades here. Read the Oct. 6 school board meeting report on the school grades here.

Matthews said the ceremony for winter graduation on Jan. 18 will be at Campbell University’s convocation center because of the high number of graduates.

South River Electric Membership Corporation awarded a $40,000 credit to the Harnett County School District.

Monday, Nov. 10 is a teleworking day for teachers and staff, and school is out for Veterans Day on Nov. 11.

The auxiliary services update revealed no interruptions are expected in serving student meals.

Flatwoods Middle School and Shawtown gym construction are meeting timelines.

Fall sports are ending, and the football and soccer playoffs begin this week. Basketball, tennis and indoor swimming have begun.

During the curriculum update, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Brookie Ferguson read her script on checking boxes for state guidelines.

“We had seventeen teachers come out for PD Saturday,” Ferguson said about professional development improvement.

She said Overhills High School had 170 walk-throughs and other schools excelled over past numbers.

“Last week at Overhills Elementary School, …their kindergarten team did an amazing job…The teachers were up…The students were engaged with no devices,” Ferguson said and added they were seeing that repeated across the district.

Human resources reported there are 13 classroom vacancies, down from last year with 18.

To fill the exceptional children classroom vacancies, the district is bringing in international teachers.

There are 11 employees scheduled for bus driver training.

“Not everybody passes…It’s a little bit challenging,” Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Monica Thompson said about the 41 taking the training and 23 passing.

During public comments, the camera system veered off the speakers and allowed only their voices to be heard.

Larry Mitchell said he wanted the board to promote public attendance at its meetings.

Allen Longman said the world was changing and survival skills and how to use AI needed to be taught; that students do not need to memorize data, but learn how to think, which is critical thinking.

Coharie Councilmember Ed Simermeyer said the tribe was applying for a National Title VI Indian grant that invites intercultural exchange within the county. He wants an agreement with the schools to include tribal dance, traditions and tribal speakers in instruction.

The next meeting is on Nov. 17.

Nov. 4, 2025

Stephanie M. Sellers

Submit news tips, events and interview requests to editor@sandhills.news.