The Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board of Trustees celebrated the accomplishments of outstanding educators and district leaders during its July 21 meeting while also announcing several leadership appointments and taking action on important board matters.
The Board recognized Roanoke Rapids High School history teacher Amanda Powell for being selected to participate in the highly competitive 2026–2027 Women of the Shoah Teacher Fellowship. Powell was chosen as one of only 35 educators representing 26 counties across North Carolina to participate in the fellowship, which provides comprehensive Holocaust education training for middle and high school teachers. Through the program, participants receive specialized curriculum and instructional resources designed to connect the stories of Holocaust survivors and the Women of the Shoah monument with meaningful classroom instruction.
As part of the fellowship, Powell will participate in extensive professional development before implementing the curriculum with her students. She will also have the opportunity to bring students to visit the Women of the Shoah monument, where they will participate in guided tours hearing firsthand accounts from Holocaust survivors and second- and third-generation survivors.
The Board also recognized Director of Student Services Sara Council for her exceptional leadership and advocacy in advancing cardiac emergency preparedness in schools both locally and across North Carolina. A passionate advocate for student and staff safety, Council has played a leading role in strengthening cardiac emergency preparedness through CPR education, expanding access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and promoting comprehensive cardiac emergency response planning in schools.
Her leadership helped establish Roanoke Rapids Graded School District as North Carolina's first Heart Safe School District, demonstrating the district's commitment to protecting students, staff, and visitors when every second counts.
Recently, those efforts culminated in the passage of the Smart Heart Act, signed into law by Governor Josh Stein as part of North Carolina's state budget. The landmark legislation requires all North Carolina public schools to implement cardiac emergency response plans and provides $4 million to expand access to AEDs statewide.
Terkessha Odom was named principal of Roanoke Rapids Early College High School, Shannon Dickinson was named director of Testing & Accountability and Beginning Teacher Support, Tess Yeatts was named director of Clara Hearne Pre-K Center, and Josh Clark was appointed assistant principal at Chaloner Middle School.
These leadership changes reflect the district's continued commitment to supporting student achievement and strengthening instructional leadership across its schools.
Board Chair Dr. Mike Williams announced his resignation from the Board of Trustees, effective upon adjournment of the July 21, 2026, meeting. Dr. Williams stated, “My relationship with Roanoke Rapids Graded School District has been both long and rewarding. I am and will remain deeply appreciative of the opportunities for professional growth and public service that have been afforded me by the district over the past six decades.”
“Dr. Williams, on behalf of the district and the community and the district’s employees and students, which number probably hundreds of thousands over your six decades that you’ve helped in this area. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, your passion for education, your commitment to excellence with all of us,” said Superintendent Dr. Bennett Jones.
Following Dr. Williams' resignation, the Board elected Ed Liverman to serve as Board Chair and Jeff Kloss as Vice Chair, both effective immediately following the July 21 meeting. The Board also approved a process to fill the vacant seat, which carries a term through November 2027.
Individuals interested in serving on the Board of Trustees must be registered voters who reside within the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District. Interested applicants may obtain an application from the district website at www.rrgsd.org or by visiting the Central Services Office at 536 Hamilton Street. Completed applications must be submitted to Board Clerk Fran Garner no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14, 2026. Additional information regarding board member qualifications and responsibilities is available on the district website.
The Board also approved a new tiered tuition model for discretionary admissions beginning with the 2026–2027 school year.
Under the approved structure:
Tier 1 – $750 annually: Applies to returning discretionary admission students in good standing and students who reside within the City of Roanoke Rapids but outside the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District attendance boundaries.
Tier 2 – $2,066 annually: Applies to first-time discretionary admission students and students residing outside the City of Roanoke Rapids.
The updated tuition model reflects the district's commitment to maintaining equitable access while ensuring responsible stewardship of district resources.