In a special called meeting on December 21, 2022 the Wayne County Board of Education voted to reduce the number of consultant proposals that it had received to help lead the search for a new superintendent. 

After some discussion,   The Board then reduced the number of proposals from six to three by having each Board member vote for their top three:

McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. – (0 votes)

BWP & Associates – [Voting in Favor: Burden, Vice-Chair Foucht, & Sanders] (3 votes)

North Carolina School Boards Association – [Voting in Favor: Henderson, Joyner, & Chair Leatham] (3 votes)

Masonboro Group – [Voting in Favor: Henderson, Joyner, & Chair Leatham, Sanders, & West] (5 votes)

Ray and Associates, Inc. – [Voting in Favor: Burden, Vice-Chair Foucht, Henderson, Joyner, & Chair Leatham, Sanders, & West] (7 votes)

Hazard Young & Attea Associates – [Voting in Favor: Burden, Sanders, & West] (3 votes)

Ray and Associates, Inc. and the Masonboro Group were the Board’s top two selections. Due to a tie for third, the Board took another vote with BWP & Associates receiving the highest vote.

North Carolina School Boards Association – [Voting in Favor: Joyner & Chair Leatham] (2 votes)

Hazard Young & Attea Associates – (0 votes)

BWP & Associates – [Voting in Favor: Burden, Henderson, Sanders, Vice-Chair Foucht, & West] (5 votes)

The Board agreed to interview the three firms at a Special Called Meeting in January, giving each search firm 30 minutes to present information and 15 minutes to respond to questions. The Board identified two potential dates for the Special Called Meeting: Wednesday, January 4 at 3 PM and Wednesday, January 11 at 3 PM.

Before entering Closed Session, Board Leatham presented a special plaque to Board Member Don Christopher West for his dedication and service as Board Chairman from December 17, 2018, through December 5, 2022.