This week’s edition of The Yellow Jacket Report highlights accomplishments, appreciation, and important updates across our Roanoke Rapids Graded School District.
Celebrating School Board Appreciation Month
January is School Board Appreciation Month in North Carolina, and it is an opportune time to express our gratitude to our Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board of Trustees.
These dedicated individuals are the foundation of our district’s governance and play a crucial role in shaping the future of education in our community.
Our Board is led by Chairperson Dr. Michael Williams and Vice-Chair Ed Liverman, along with members Carol Dean, Steven Ellis, Henry Ford, Cathy Keeter, Jeff Kloss, and Michael Salanik. Currently, there is one open seat on the Board.
These trustees exemplify citizen leadership and devote countless hours to crafting policies, hiring top-notch administrators, approving the district budget, and recognizing outstanding programs and people. Through all of this, their focus remains unwavering: fostering student achievement and ensuring a bright future for every child in the district.
Serving as a Board member is a significant responsibility.
Beyond attending Board meetings, they spend countless hours engaged in leadership training, community activities, and school visits. North Carolina General Statute 115C-50 and RRGSD policies require Board members to complete at least 12 hours of training every
two years to stay informed about current trends in educational leadership. Their commitment extends to active participation in our four Board Committees: Curriculum, Facilities and Safety, Finance and Personnel, and Policy. These committees meet monthly (on the second Tuesday), with all meetings open to the public, offering transparency and collaboration.
At this month’s Board meeting, we celebrated our trustees with a special gift—RRGSD blankets—a fitting gesture as snow began to fall during the meeting.
The Board also conducted interviews with candidates for the open seat: Carlton Ansley, Dr. Barbara Bradley-Hasty, David Pericak, and James Whitmire.
A decision is expected at the February meeting. Additionally, the Board reviewed the 2025-26 Early College and traditional school calendars, with further discussions planned for next month.
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Managing Weather Challenges
This week presented weather-related challenges as schools were closed Monday in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and again on Wednesday due to inclement weather. Despite these disruptions, our Facilities and Operations team worked tirelessly to pre-treat campuses and ensure their safety for reopening. On Wednesday, their efforts, coupled with the excellent work of Roanoke Rapids Public Works in clearing city streets, allowed us to resume school on Thursday with a two-hour delay.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to these teams for their dedication and to our students, staff, and families for their patience and understanding during these adjustments. Their efforts ensured that we could return to a safe and productive learning environment.
Honoring Laura Avery Manning
We are proud to celebrate Laura Avery Manning, the talented Director of Bands at Roanoke Rapids High School. Mrs. Manning has been selected to conduct the Ninth and Tenth Grade All-District Band of the Eastern District Bandmasters Association. This prestigious opportunity is a testament to her expertise and dedication to music education.
Students from across the Eastern District auditioned for placements in the ensemble, and Mrs. Manning will rehearse with these young musicians all day on January 31, 2025. The culmination of their efforts will be a spectacular concert on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 5:30 PM at Wright Auditorium on the campus of East Carolina University. This concert is free and open to the public. We encourage everyone to come out and support Mrs. Manning and our talented student musicians as they showcase their hard work and passion for music.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming weeks promise more opportunities for engagement and celebration. Be sure to mark your calendars for the All-District Band concert on February 1st and stay tuned for updates on the open Board seat and school calendar discussions. Thank you for your continued support of the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District as we strive to make a difference in the lives of our students and community. Together we succeed!