Congratulations to Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy! Last night Bladen County Commissioners approved the public charter school’s request for $70,000 in funds to renovate the school gymnasium. PRBLA, a Coalition member school located in Elizabethtown, is the state’s only public charter military school. The school serves a 95% economically disadvantaged student population. Dr. Jason Wray, a former U.S. Army warrant officer, JROTC instructor, and principal, has served as the superintendent since January 2022.
A first: Facility funds by direct appropriation from county commissioners
The news is especially noteworthy as PRBLA is the first charter school in the state to receive facility funds by direct appropriation from county commissioners. Such funding is newly possible based on a law that passed late this summer. The Coalition advocated intensively for passage of this law.
Funds are also well-deserved. The school has used its facility to invest in the local community, hosting camps, town council meetings, parades, festivals, and more.
Coalition Executive Director Lindalyn Kakadelis attended last night’s county commissioners’ meeting, along with Dr. Olivia Oxendine, a member of the State Board of Education.
We’re so excited to see impacts from this new law already–and know these funds will directly benefit this charter school and local community. Congratulations to Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy, and to Superintendent Jason Wray and other school leaders!
Pictured from left to right: Scott Johnson, a member of the board at PRBLA; Dr. Jason Wray, the superintendent of PRBLA; Dr. Jacqueline Wray, human resources director at PRBLA; Minnie Price, the chair of the board at PRBLA; and Lindalyn Kakadelis, the executive director of the Coalition.
Superintendent Wray stands with Dr. Olivia Oxendine of the State Board of Education.
A view from last night’s meeting of the Bladen County Commissioners.
