This story first appeared in CityView magazine’s “Back to School” August 2026 edition.
The backpacks are packed. New shoes are by the door. Alarm clocks are about to ring a little earlier than they have all summer.
But before students walk through the school doors, there are a few important updates parents should know. Cumberland County Schools begins every school year with new faces, updated policies, and resources designed to help students succeed.
Whether your child is entering kindergarten or beginning their senior year, here’s a quick guide to what’s new—and what every family should know before the first bell rings.
The first day for students on the traditional school calendar is August 24, while the final day of school is scheduled for May 28. The school district’s four year-round schools returned to school on July 16.
Families should also note that students will have holidays, teacher workdays, and early-release days throughout the year. The complete academic calendar is available on the Cumberland County Schools website.
Know Your School Board
The Cumberland County Board of Education is the governing body for the school district. The board is responsible for setting district policy, approving the annual budget, hiring and evaluating the superintendent, and making major decisions involving academics, facilities, transportation, and student services.
The board consists of nine nonpartisan members elected to staggered four-year terms. Six members represent geographic districts, while three serve the entire county.
Board members also serve on committees:
- Budget and Finance
- Curriculum
- Personnel
- Student Support Services
- Policy and Student Assignment
- Legislative Affairs
- Auxiliary Services
Regular board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Central Services office located at 2465 Gillespie St. Community members may attend meetings, watch online, or sign up in advance to speak during public comment.
Following the death of board chair Judy Musgrave in June, one of the board seats is vacant. Vice Chair Jacquelyn Brown is currently serving as the board’s presiding officer.
Current board members are:
- Chair (At-Large): Vacant
- Vice Chair (At-Large): Jacquelyn Brown
- At-Large: Greg West
- District 1: Mary Hales
- District 2: Deanna Jones
- District 3: Delores Bell
- District 4: Jackie Warner
- District 5: Susan Williams
- District 6: Terra Jordan
Several Schools Welcome New Leadership
Several Cumberland County schools will begin the year under new leadership, while a broader series of administrative transfers will place experienced educators in new schools and district roles.
New principals
- Beaver Dam Elementary School: Carrie Blanchard
- College Lakes Elementary School: Quantisha Spencer
- New Century International Elementary School: Belinda Proctor
- Cumberland Academy K-5 Virtual School: Estella Johnson
- Long Hill Elementary School: Emily Richards
Administrative transfers for principals
- A.B. Wilkins High School: Ayanna Richard
- Mac Williams Middle School: Brooke Griffie
- Walker-Spivey Elementary School: Shanessa Fenner
- Ed V. Baldwin Elementary School: Elizabeth Blue
- Westover High School: Tremaine Canteen
Families from recently closed schools may also recognize familiar faces in new roles.
- Ebony Johnson, former principal of Manchester Elementary, is now principal of W.T. Brown Elementary School.
- Constance Thomas, former principal of J.W. Coon Elementary, is now serving as Advanced Teacher Roles coordinator in the district’s Academic Services Department.
Attendance Matters
District leaders continue emphasizing the importance of regular attendance and revising policies to address chronic absenteeism.
Some of the biggest reminders for families include:
- Elementary and middle school students are limited to 10 parent or guardian notes per school year.
- High school students are limited to 10 parent or guardian notes each semester.
- Parent or doctor’s notes generally must be submitted within five school days of a student’s return.
- Students with excessive unexcused absences may face academic consequences, though waivers are available in qualifying circumstances.
Know When Report Cards Are Coming
Parents don’t have to wait until the end of the semester to monitor academic progress.
For traditional-calendar schools:
- Sept. 24: First progress reports
- Oct. 30: First report cards
- Dec. 4: Second progress reports
- Jan. 27: Semester report cards
- Feb. 19: Third progress reports
- Apr. 7: Third-quarter report cards
- Apr. 30: Fourth progress reports
- June 4: Final report cards available
Families can also monitor grades throughout the year using the Campus Parent/Student Portal.
Cellphone Rules Tightening
Students should expect stricter rules surrounding cellphone use this school year.
Under the district’s cellphone policy, elementary students must keep phones and personal devices turned off and stored throughout the school day. Middle and high school students may use devices during non-instructional times, such as lunch and class transitions, but not during instructional time unless authorized by a teacher or required through specialized instructional or health plans.
The Board of Education also approved revisions prohibiting students from recording or photographing identifiable students or employees without consent while on school property, on school buses, or at school-sponsored events. District leaders said the change is intended to create a safer learning environment and discourage students from recording conflicts instead of reporting them.
Most Student Meals Remain Free
Students in 70 of the district’s schools will receive free school meals this year through a federal program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
For the 2026-27 school year:
- Elementary schools (K-5): Free breakfast and lunch
- Middle schools (6-8): Free breakfast and lunch
- High schools (9-12): Free breakfast; lunch is $2.75 for students who do not qualify for meal benefits.
Families can still complete meal benefit applications through Child Nutrition Services if they believe they qualify for additional assistance.
Here Comes the Bus
If your child recently enrolled, moved or changed schools, families should contact their school as soon as possible to request transportation and ensure addresses are up to date.
Families requesting transportation for traditional-calendar students should submit requests by August 13, according to Cumberland County Schools.
The district also encourages families to download the Here Comes the Bus app, which provides real-time bus tracking and transportation updates once service begins. Parents whose students were already assigned transportation last school year can view bus information in the app beginning Aug. 18.
Students should arrive at their bus stop at least 10 minutes before their scheduled pickup time, wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching, and always remain alert when crossing the street.
Mental Health Resources Available
Cumberland County Schools continues expanding access to mental health services for students and families.
Every school has counselors available, while many campuses also offer school psychologists, social workers and behavioral specialists.
Through the district’s School Behavioral Health Program, eligible students can receive services such as:
- Individual counseling
- Family counseling
- Group counseling
- Mental health assessments
- Medication management through partnering providers
New this year, students in grades 6-12 can also access Alongside, a free AI-powered mental health support app that provides 24/7 emotional wellness support, journaling tools, goal-setting features, and self-guided resources. Parents must grant permission before students can use the app.
