Mr. Kirkman is a Craven County native and a proud graduate of West Craven High School, NC State University, and East Carolina University. With 20 years of service as a teacher and administrator and over 17 years in ministry, he has dedicated his life to education and community impact.

Welcome To Our New Board Member, Mr. Lee Kirkman

While serving as Program Director, he also obtained his Master of School Administration/Educational Leadership degree from East Carolina University. Lee then served as an Assistant Principal at West Craven High School until leaving for full-time ministry.

Board of Education - Craven County School District

Lee is currently the Pastor/Director at Kirkman Farm Ministries/Kirkman Family Farms in Cove City. He has two children, Grace and Isaac, both of which are graduates of Craven County Schools.

Lee Kirkman is a Craven County native. He graduated from West Craven High School and NC State University and earned a master's degree in school administration/educational leadership from East Carolina University. He has two children.

After graduation, he taught Agricultural Education/FFA Advisor at West Craven High School for thirteen years. He then became the Program Director for the Smaller Learning Communities Federal Grant. Through this program, opportunities were implemented for freshman success in high school.

Mr. Kirkman is a Craven County native and a proud graduate of West Craven High School, NC State University, and East Carolina University. With 20 years of service as a teacher and administrator and over 17 years in ministry, he has dedicated his life to education and community impact. As the owner of Kirkman Farm Ministries/Kirkman Family Farms, he continues to shape young minds by offering an after-school program for James W. Smith Elementary students, focusing on tutoring and hands-on farm experiences.

Lee Kirkman currently works as a pastor and director and owns Kirkman Farm Ministries/Kirkman Family Farms in Cove City. He previously worked as an assistant principal, agricultural education teacher, and Future Farmers of America adviser at West Craven High School, as well as program director for the Smaller Learning Communities Federal Grant.

Lee currently works as a pastor and director and owns Kirkman Farm Ministries/Kirkman Family Farms in Cove City. He previously worked as an assistant principal, agricultural education teacher, and Future Farmers of America adviser at West Craven High School, as well as program director for the Smaller Learning Communities Federal Grant.

2026 North Carolina General Election

“Enrollment numbers are a part of that, and then to also have to look at where we are financially and the costs of operating the building, it’s a very old building, it has high maintenance on that building because of the age and the inefficiency of the operations of that,” said Lee Kirkman, Craven County Schools Board Chair. “It has nothing to reflect upon the students and the staff there, they are absolutely wonderful in everything they’re doing. It’s a very hard decision that they’re faced with, it’s a very hard decision that we’re faced with.”

Craven County school board votes to continue closure process for Graham Barden Elementary

3. Legislative Priorities - District Highlights
The Chair led the Board in naming their legislative priorities and highlights of the district. Chair Kirkman stated that the budget information will be reorganized to consolidate items under clearer categories. Possible dates to meet with key stakeholders and share the district’s budget concerns will be identified, along with time for questions and discussion. If a meeting cannot be scheduled soon, the Board would instead send a formal letter outlining the issues and their concerns.

Budget Work Session - 01/27/2026 - Meeting Minutes

Said proposed school-closure decisions should consider enrollment, operating costs, maintenance needs, and the operational efficiency of buildings.

As board chair, stated that the district would reorganize budget information and identify meetings with stakeholders to discuss district budget concerns.

- Said proposed school-closure decisions should consider enrollment, operating costs, maintenance needs, and the operational efficiency of buildings.
- As board chair, stated that the district would reorganize budget information and identify meetings with stakeholders to discuss district budget concerns.

School Facilities & Resources

As of January 5, 2026, Lee Kirkman did not have a website or any information online.

Access to Education

Teachers

School Curriculum

Student Wellbeing

Lee Kirkman

As of January 5, 2026, Lee Kirkman’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Lee Kirkman represents District 2 of the Craven County Board of Education. Having been born and raised in Craven County. His life has been devoted to education through teaching, administration and ministry in order to help others excel.

Lee is a product of Craven County Schools and graduated from West Craven High School. He graduated from NC State University in Agricultural Economics/Ag Business Management.

This included establishing the Freshman Academy, AVID, and Link-Crew, a student high school transition program led by upperclassmen to help incoming freshmen succeed academically and socially through mentorship and support in their first year. While serving as Program Director, he also obtained his Master of School Administration/Educational Leadership degree from East Carolina University.

Lee Kirkman is originally from Craven County. He graduated from NC State University in agricultural economics and ag business management and earned a master's degree in school administration and educational leadership from East Carolina University. He has two children.

He graduated from NC State University in Agricultural Economics/Ag Business Management. After graduation, he taught Agricultural Education/FFA Advisor at West Craven High School for thirteen years. He then became the Program Director for the Smaller Learning Communities Federal Grant.

Lee Kirkman currently serves as pastor/director at Kirkman Farm Ministries/Kirkman Family Farms in Cove City. He previously taught agricultural education and served as a Future Farmers of America advisor at West Craven High School, was program director for the Smaller Learning Communities Federal Grant, and served as an assistant principal at West Craven High School.

Chairman. Lee Kirkman represents District 2 of the Craven County Board of Education. Having been born and raised in Craven County, his life has been devoted to education through teaching, administration and ministry in order to help others excel.

Lee is currently the Pastor/Director at Kirkman Farm Ministries/Kirkman Family Farms in Cove City. He has two children, Grace and Isaac, both of which are graduates of Craven County Schools. CURRENT TERM: March 2025 - November 2026.

Lee serves on the Craven County Board of Education, representing District 2. His current term runs from March 2025 through November 2026.

Said declining enrollment, building inefficiency, and rising operating costs contributed to closing Graham A. Barden Elementary School.

Calls for a review and potential update to Craven County Schools' strategic plan.

Said the district is pursuing cost savings, including leaving unneeded positions unfilled.

Lee is currently a member of the Craven County Board of Education representing District 2. He was appointed to the seat in March 2025.

Craven County Schools, North Carolina - Ballotpedia

Elected Officials - Craven County Republican Party

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Supports prioritizing teachers and staff.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 

Member of the board that governs your county's public school system