The Tyrrell County Board of Education adopted the annual budget Oct. 26. Action was delayed until state allotments came from the Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh following the General Assembly’s adoption of a state budget Sept. 18.

School superintendents from northeastern counties and state Superintendent June Atkinson on Oct. 21 discussed legislation that impacts public schools, reported Dr. Will Hoffman, Tyrrell superintendent.

Of particular interest to Tyrrell, having the fewest students of any district in North Carolina, is the authority the General Assembly granted to the State Board of Education to consolidate contiguous county school districts. The law is permissive legislation rather than a mandate. Future mergers, if any, would likely occur in the form of program consolidation, Hoffman said.

An example of program consolidation might mean two districts sharing an instructor in an elective course such as art, the superintendent explained.

Hoffman also offered congratulations to Audrey Curles, kindergarten teacher at Tyrrell Elementary School, who was chosen as the new Region 1 director for the North Carolina Association of Elementary Educators.

“Mrs. Curles is an outstanding representative for Region 1 and Tyrrell County Schools,” Hoffman stated.

He also complimented Nancy Roughton, who works with students to help ensure good academic as well as behavioral choices at the middle and high schools.

“She is consistently monitoring the hallways and campus to help provide additional security and support,” Hoffman explained. “She also helps teachers throughout the district with materials preparation and support.”