KENANSVILLE — Duplin County will finally get an Early College High School.

On Thursday’s night, the James Sprunt board of trustees voted to approve the establishment of the Duplin Early College High School on the school’s campus. The board voted unanimously with two members abstaining because of what they termed conflict of interest reasons.

“We are ready to push the ball up the court,” said Duplin County Schools superintendent Dr. Wiley Doby.

The move to begin the Early College took only a matter of minutes as trustee chairwoman Zettie Williams called the meeting to order, pointing out the purpose of the meeting was soley to approve or turn down the idea of an Early College on the Sprunt campus.

Trustees’ vice chairman Albert Brown made the motion authorizing the Early College and the colloboration between Sprunt and the Duplin County Board of Education. A memorandum of understanding that outlines the mutually-agreed upon responsibilities of JSCC and tthe Board of Education will be established and signed by both parties within 30 days.

JSCC president Dr. Lawrence Rouse was tapped to negotiate the memorandum of understanding on behalf of the college with the assistance of the James Sprunt attorney and a review by trustees.

Trustee Helen Boyette, who had several concerns during an earlier meeting with trustees and the school board expressed her approval of the concept to help Duplin County’s student population. “After having an opportunity to visit actual sites and view more information regarding the early college program, I fully support the concept of the program,,” she said.

“ It will truly benefit the students of Duplin County. I still have concerns in regards to the modular units being on our campus and feel the memorandum of understanding will establish the long range plans that will include the building of a building to house the early college.”

Duplin County Schools superintendent Wiley Doby shared that the Gates Foundation grant money was in place to get the program up and running. “I am delighted the James Sprunt Community College board of trustees approved the establishment of the Early College High School on their campus. The EarlyCollege will benefit students from all across the county and give them new opportunities and new experiences of a college environment. And with the global and complex society of today’s world, we are obligated to provide the best educational opportunities to our students in Duplin County.”

Rouse shared the enthusiasm in the room saying, “We are ready to move forward with this initiative that will be good for students of Duplin County and James Sprunt. We now have the verbal commitment to the EarlyCollege. Now we have to get the plan down on paper with the memorandum of understanding which we hope to have completed soon. We look forward to working together with the Duplin County school board to get program up and running by this fall.”

Williams was also pleased with the board’s decision to approve the establishment of the Early College. “I am very happy with the outcome of the board’s discovery through our site visits and information provided by Dr. Doby and Dr. Rouse to help us better understand the concept and the actual operation of an early college high school. This program will be a benefit for both the college and the students of Duplin County, and that is what we are all about.”

Williams also shared that, according to information that she had been given, the Early College High School will have an estimated 150 students enrolled this fall, including 50 freshmen, 35 sophomores and 75 juniors which hopefully will include most, if not all, of the S.T.E.M. School students.

With the JSCC trustees approval, the Duplin Board of Education is now able to meet the deadline to receive funding for the establishment of the Early College high program, and officials expect that it will be operational when the new school year begins this fall.

To contact Billy Todd, call 910-592-8137 ext. 117 or e-mail sigeneral@myclintonnc.com.