School board wants 5.7% more from county
6% raises budgeted for teachers; state may go to 8%

The Johnston County Board of Education Tuesday approved a 2026-27 budget request that seeks an increase in the county's appropriation for operations from $110 million this year to $116.3 million in the new fiscal year that starts July 1. That's an increase of 5.7%.

But the school board's request is based on pay raises for teachers of 6% by the state while leaders of the N.C. General Assembly now say raises of 8% are being considered in negotiations for a state budget that's almost a full year overdue. (Most of Johnston's teacher salaries are covered by the state, yet the county matches those salaries for numerous teaching positions beyond what the state allocates.)

Johnston's school leaders emphasized during Tuesday's board meeting that the two driving factors behind their requested increase in county aid are teacher salaries and expenses related to the opening of the new Wilson's Mills High School this summer.

"We're meeting the goals commissioners wanted us to meet," said board member Terry Tippett, noting that opening the new high school following last year's opening of Swift Creek Elementary eliminates mobile classrooms. "The lion's share of what we're asking for is going for teachers," added board member Michelle Antoine.   

In addition to the requested $6.3 million increase for operations, the school board's budget seeks an increase of $1,978,000 in county aid for capital needs  – from $3.5 million this year to $5,478,000 in the new year. That request includes money for fleet replacements (vehicles), chiller replacements (HVAC), computer devices, and other items related to maintenance of facilities and equipment.

Meanwhile, County Manager Rick Hester plans to present his recommended county budget for the year ahead at Monday evening's meeting of the commissioners. The final version of the 2026-27 county budget must be adopted by July 1.

School board blasts Sysco over food-service contract

Board members expressed outrage when they learned that Sysco Raleigh for several years has been increasing its "fixed case fee" for delivering food to Johnston's public schools far beyond amounts charged neighboring school districts.

Jennifer Lawson, Johnston's director of School Nutrition Services, said Sysco has increased its fee from $1.18 in 2022-23 to a requested $4.48 for 2026-27. That would have raised the cost to Johnston's schools from about $238,000 last year to about $896,000 in the year to come, she said, but her staff convinced Sysco to cut its new price by 25 cents to $4.23.

Ms. Lawson presented Sysco's prices for other systems in the region that are lower than what Johnston is being asked to pay: Wake $3.57; Sampson $3.58; Harnett $3.68; Durham $3.78; Wilson $3.99.

"How do they justify this?" exclaimed board member Kay Carroll. "It boggles the mind that a company coming into this county would get a tax break and then come back and charge us the highest case fee in the region." He was referring to property-tax rebates both the county and the Town of Selma have provided Sysco for expanding its distribution facilities beside US 70 on Selma's west side.

Ms. Lawson pointed out that Sysco no longer has any competition in bidding for Johnston's contract. US Foods at nearby Zebulon has pulled out of serving schools in this region, she noted.

Ms. Lawson said Sysco's fee increases this past year forced her department "to make some operational adjustments" including employee layoffs and benefit cuts and removing "some popular menu items such as wings" from the menus.

"We do hope that Sysco Raleigh will come back to the table," concluded Superintendent of Schools David Pearce. "This makes no sense to us."

But for now, board members reluctantly yet unanimously approved the coming year's contract with Sysco at the negotiated per-case price of $4.23.

Grounds maintenance contract for Wilson's Mills High
The school board awarded a $136,925 contract to Revels Turf and Tractor of Fuquay-Varina for field maintenance and mowing on the campus of the new Wilson's Mills High School, scheduled to open at summer's end.

Clayton High School campus to be county's property
It's a temporary transfer of ownership by Johnston's Board of Education to the County of Johnston. The reason? The county needs the property in its name as security for a $129-million loan it's taking out to rebuild Clayton High, explained Katie Cornetto, the school board's attorney. Once the county repays the loan, ownership of the campus will be returned to the Board of Education, she said.

22 Johnston schools qualify for Purple Star recognition
That's after five more this year met standards for the honor, bestowed by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction since 2019 "to schools that demonstrate military-friendly practices and a commitment to military students and families." Included on the list are Smithfield-Selma High and South Smithfield Elementary. Johnston County Public Schools currently enroll 2,436 "military connected" students.

Two added to Wilson's Mills Elementary Advisory Council
The Board of Education appointed Shannon Macedo to a three-year term and Fran Seaman to a two-year term on the Wilson's Mills Elementary School Advisory Council made up mostly of parents of children attending that school.
 

ROTARY CLUB DONATES $31,200 FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

From Johnston County Education Foundation 

The Lampe Family Scholarship is a powerful new investment in the future of Johnston County’s highest-achieving students who attend any University of North Carolina institution.

Created by a generous gift from Guy and Pamela Lampe, the award will be offered to the top-ranked graduating senior (previously named "valedictorian") from each of Johnston County’s eight traditional high schools.

Unlike traditional scholarships, the Lampe Family Scholarship is non-competitive and available automatically to each eligible student, who will receive full tuition and required fees for up to eight semesters at any UNC System institution.

For more information about the scholarship and the Johnston County Education Foundation, e-mail admin@jced.foundation>
 

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The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC) has been named a 2026 Main Street America Accredited Program – national recognition for organizations leading preservation-based economic development in historic commercial districts.

"This recognition marks a major milestone for Downtown Smithfield, which lost accreditation five years ago," notes DSDC Executive Director Heidi Gilmond. In 2024, she and a restructured Board of Directors began implementing a strategic plan focused on restoring the program, strengthening partnerships, and putting the Main Street approach back to work in Downtown Smithfield.

Recent accomplishments include:
• Building a new park beside the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield.
• Launching a new downtown brand and website to promote businesses and events.
• Awarding more than $20,000 in grants to help support new downtown businesses.
• Creating a façade improvement grant to encourage storefront upgrades.
• Expanding public art projects, including new murals.
• Developing design standards to help preserve the area’s historic character.
• Hosting five annual signature events that bring more than 20,000 visitors downtown each year that in turn generates more than $2 million in economic impact for local restaurants, retailers, hotels, and service providers.
• Launching a volunteer program to encourage greater community involvement.

In 2025, Downtown Smithfield saw $2.8 million in private investment and $230,000 in public investment, "demonstrating growing confidence in the district’s future," Ms. Gilmond said.

For more information visit www.downtownsmithfield.com or e-mail info@downtownsmithfield.com.
 

Johnston Community College announces the addition of women’s volleyball as its newest intercollegiate sport. Under the leadership of JCC's Athletic Director Kemionne Feely, Head Coach Sonya Harriott (at right) will build the team.

"Harriott has a proven track record in player development, program building, and competitive excellence," Ms. Feely notes. "Harriott brings a clear vision for creating a program that prioritizes success for the student athletes, both on and off the court."

Joining the volleyball staff are assistant coaches Leonard Cunningham and Joe Rivera.

JCC lists on its website interscholastic athletic teams in men's and women's basketball as well as "e-sports." The school also hosts a co-ed Soccer Club.

JCC has new transfer agreement with N.C. Wesleyan

The updated agreement makes it easier for graduates of Johnston Community College's Health and Fitness Science program to continue their education at North Carolina Wesleyan University in Rocky Mount. The revised terms allow qualifying students to transfer a biology credit that was not previously transferable.
"Wesleyan Works" is a transfer initiative designed to support community-college students by allowing them to transfer up to 75 credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree. It serves students earning degrees in Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Teacher Preparation, Engineering, Applied Science, and Associate Degree in Nursing. Pictured at last week's signing ceremony: N.C. Wesleyan's President Evan Duff (left) and JCC's President Vern Lindquist. (Photo from JCC)
 

 WHAT'S COMING UP 

Friday's River Jam features Jim Quick & Coastline band
They describe their style of music as "Carolina Swamp Soul" yet they're well known as one of this region's top Beach Music bands. Their concert begins at 7 p.m. Friday at the Neuse River Amphitheater – this month's installment in the River Jam Concert Series hosted by Smithfield Parks & Recreation. Admission is free of charge.

Smithfield's "Signature Fresh Market" opens Saturday
Organized by the Downtown Development Corporation, this farmer's market will continue every other Saturday from 8 a.m. till noon in the county's parking lot across Johnston Street from the Courthouse through October 10. Vendors will be selling farm-fresh produce, eggs, meats, jams and jellies, and other items like goat's milk soaps and lotions. Vendors may continue to sign up through this link>

JoCo Chorus to celebrate USA's 250 birthday Saturday
"Stars and Stripes Forever!" – the Johnston County Chorus 2026 spring concert at
2 p.m. Saturday at The Clayton Center – celebrates American's 250th anniversary with stirring patriotic music honoring those who have served in our military along with some American pop favorites. The group has been active since 1977 when it was formed as the Johnston County Choral Society. Currently, two concerts are presented each season, one at Christmas and one in the spring. Tickets may be purchased online through The Clayton Center's website>

County Commissioners get manager's budget Monday
County Manager Rick Hester will present his recommended budget for 2026-27 during the Johnston County Board of Commissioners meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at the Courthouse. VIEW the complete agenda>

Town Council to review proposed budget on Tuesday
The Smithfield Town Council will receive Interim Town Manager Kim Pickett's recommended budget during its meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Town Hall. Her proposal will be based on discussions during several recent budget sessions with the council, including a final session scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday. Also on Tuesday's agenda is presentation of the annual audit report on town finances, a public hearing on a request for rezoning 50.8 acres at 2614 Buffalo Road from Residential-Agriculture to Light Industrial, a hearing on a special-use request to permit a tattoo establishment at 103 North Seventh Street, and receipt of results from a recent survey of Downtown businesses on current conditions and future priorities. VIEW the complete agenda>
 

THREE SATURDAY BUS TOURS OF HISTORIC SITES 

The Johnston County Committee for America250NC is offering a series of bus tours of local historic sites on three successive Saturdays this month.

May 16 – The first excursion will take place this Saturday featuring interior tours of White Oak (the Sanders-Hairr House) in Cleveland Township, the C. T. Johnson House (now known as the Grande Magnolia) in Benson, and the Atkinson-Smith House (now called House of Harmony) in the Brogden community. “This is a unique opportunity to see up close the remarkable architecture and craftsmanship of some of Johnston County’s oldest and grandest homes,” said tour conductor Todd Johnson of the Johnston County Heritage Center.

May 23 – A tour of African-American sites, including interior tours of the Boyette Slave House near Kenly, Bentonville Disciples Church, and the Johnston County Training School gymnasium (now called the Reginald Ennis Pavilion) in Smithfield. There will be drive-by visits to Princeton Graded School and the Smithfield Freedmen’s Schoolhouse, both under restoration. Dr. Chris Wyckoff will narrate.

May 30 – “Church Art and Architecture” will be the theme for a final tour on May 30, featuring visits to Hannah’s Creek Primitive Baptist Church, Benson Baptist Church, Horne Memorial United Methodist Church in Clayton, and Elizabeth United Methodist Church. Todd Johnson will lead that tour.

Each tour will depart from the Johnston County Heritage Center at 241 E. Market Street, Smithfield at 9:30 am. Tours will end by 3 pm.

Tickets are available for $38, including a box lunch, and may be purchased online>
They may also be purchased in person at the Johnston County Museum, 329 E. Market Street,  Smithfield, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
        
For more information about other America250 celebration opportunities click here>
 

 DEATHS AND FUNERALS 
Click on the name to read an obituary, usually posted by the funeral home:

 A WORD (OR TWO) FROM THE EDITOR 

"Walk to School" a good idea – if it were practical

An impressive throng of youngsters paraded along streets leading to South Smithfield Elementary School last week on National Bike & Roll to School Day. It reminded the editor of his school days when he and his friends walked a handful of blocks to this same school after it opened in 1957.

And yet, how many of the youngsters shown here do this on a regular basis? Judging by the long lines of cars picking up children at South Smithfield at the end of a normal school day, the answer is "not many."


(Facebook photo)

The scene also reminds me of the gerrymandered attendance district (shown below) that wraps around the South Smithfield district requiring children who reside east of US 301 to travel several miles to reach West Smithfield Elementary School off NC 210. No "neighborhood school" for them to enjoy.

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