That emphasis on partnership is not abstract. It is driving tangible changes across career readiness, work-based learning, and STEM access, while also supporting major capital investment that the community views as a generational step forward. Sampson County is one of the largest counties in North Carolina by land area and, as Goode describes it, very much a rural district with a strong agricultural foundation.That reality influences both the workforce needs of local employers and the opportunities the district prioritizes for students. Community engagement, he notes, has long been integral to district planning and to building support for large-scale initiatives, especially capital projects. In the case of the new Hobbton High School, Goode points to broad enthusiasm among residents, alumni, and business leaders who see the project as an investment not only in education, but in community growth. To maintain that connection, the district prioritizes transparency through public meetings, digital updates, and partnerships with local media, ensuring stakeholders remain informed and able to provide input. That approach is increasingly important as school systems are expected to act not only as education providers, but as workforce builders and economic contributors. From a career and technical education standpoint, Goode describes the district’s intent using a single word that resonates with employers: pipeline. Sampson County Schools is rebuilding its workbased learning structure to become a consistent, local source of skilled, job-ready graduates. At present, the district’s primary structured workbased learning opportunity is a student intern tech team that provides desktop IT support across schools and is employed during both the school year and summer. While successful, Goode is candid that the district needs broader opportunities that connect students to more industries and more real-world work experiences. That urgency is shaping an active initiative with ApprenticeshipNC and Sampson Community College 315 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 02 SAMPSON COUNTY SCHOOLS
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