Columbus County Schools
Columbus County Schools is a PK–12 graded school district serving Columbus County, North Carolina. Its 17 schools serve 5,673 students according to the August Average Daily Membership during 2018–19 school year. Student demographics. For the 2016–17 school year, Columbus County Schools had a total population of 5357 students and 398 teachers on a (FTE) basis. That same year, out of the student total, the gender ratio was 49.54% female to 50.46% male. The demographic group makeup was: Black, 29.9%; White, 52.65%; Hispanic, 10.11%; American Indian, 5.08%; and Asian/Pacific Islander, 0% (two or more races: 2.2%%). For  the same school year, 59.88% were economically disadvantaged. Governance. The primary governing body of Columbus County Schools follows a council–manager government format with a five-member Board of Education appointing a Superintendent to run the day-to-day operations of the system. The school system currently resides in the North Carolina State Board of Education's Fourth District. Board of Education. The five members of the Board of Education are: Monte Herring (Term Expires 2022), Ronnie Strickland (Term Expires 2022), Junior Dew (Term Expires 2020), Randy Coleman (Term Expires 2020), and Worley T. Edwards (Term Expires 2022). Superintendent. The  current superintendent of the system is Deanne Meadows. She was named as superintendent starting July 1, 2019. The previous superintendent was Alan Faulk. He became superintendent in May 2011, and retired in October of 2018. Faulk replaced Dan Strickland who retired from the system to take a position in Marion County, South Carolina. Member schools. Columbus County Schools has 17 schools ranging from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade. Those 17 schools are separated into four high schools, four middle schools, and nine elementary schools. Athletics. According to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, for the 2019-2020 school year : Awards. Tabor City Middle School received the national "American School Board Journal"’s Magna Awards in 2011 based on their active REAL (Relevant, Engaging, Authentic Learning) program participation.