experience—takes three to five years. DCS is entering year three of its latest push, and the results are beginning to compound: more CTE completions, credential surges, robust internship pipelines, a growing dual-enrollment footprint that’s nudging the college to add sections, strong academic outcomes, and capital projects that match program needs. Dare County’s geography—12 schools spread over 80 miles—means no one-size-fits-all solution will work. “What Hatteras needs isn’t always what Kitty Hawk needs,” Basnight says. “We won’t blanket the district. We’ll be purposeful, specific, targeted.” In practical terms, the next 18–24 months will bring a finished airplane at First Flight, the first pre apprentices from Manteo’s boat-building program, more welding and fire-tech credentials, deeper internships, and a rising early college. The mentalhealth system will standardize its trauma response, and embedded clinicians will expand their reach. Facilities will open and upgrade in sequence. The rest will follow the same rule DCS already lives by: ask what students need now to thrive tomorrow— and build it. “We want every graduate to have real choices,” Basnight says. “College, career, military—it’s not either/or. It’s yes, and. Our job is to make sure they’re ready.” PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n College of The Albemarle www.albemarle.edu College of The Albemarle (COA) is the regional community college for Northeastern North Carolina, providing accessible, high-quality education across Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank and Perquimans counties. With four campuses dedicated to student success, COA empowers individuals to achieve their goals, transforming lives and strengthening the future of our communities, where education meets opportunity. 254 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 11
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx