BY DEBBIE PAGE
Chief Financial Officer Angie Davis presented the proposed 2024-2025 budget to the Mooresville Graded School District Board on Tuesday night. The $27,658,284 budget, which reflects a $1,157,960 increase over last year, passed unanimously.
To avoid budget surprises, Davis said she took a conservative approach to estimating revenues and overestimated on expenditures when constructing the budget, based on last year’s funding from Iredell County and state funding sources.
The capital budget has funds designated for HVAC system upgrades, improving gym floors, installing LED lights, and restroom upgrades.
In a letter presenting the budget to County Manager Beth Mull, Superintendent Jason Gardner said MGSD made the following calculations for salaries and benefits based on the biennium budget approved by the General Assembly in October 2023.
Salaries are estimated to increase an average of 3 percent. The matching retirement rate is legislated to decrease from 25.02 percent to 24.04 percent. The cost of health insurance for each eligible employee is legislated to increase from $7,557 to $8,095, a $538 increase.
Gardner also noted that the expansion of private and charter schools is continuing to decreased state funding for some key instructional and support positions.
“In turn, these positions must be funded through the current expense budget. These positions include, but are not limited to teachers, instructional assistants, office support and custodial support.”
The expiration of the final round of federal ESSER funds in September of 2024 will also throw any recurring expenses funded by these dollars into the local current expense budget, if not eliminated.
Gardner said the 2024-2025 budget continues to reflect increases in many areas due to economic impacts, including rising costs for insurance premiums, fuel prices and supplies and materials.
“As good stewards of the money provided, we endeavor to maximize each dollar provided to us to the betterment of the children we serve. We are thankful for the funding provided by Iredell County Commissioners and sincerely appreciate your dedication to our children.”
The budget includes $14,814,072 expected from the county, $10,706,115 from the local school tax, $255,000 from fines and forfeitures, and $725,138 from fund balance.
Davis also presented several budget amendments for the current budget to account for new revenues and funds coming in from various sources, which the board also passed unanimously.
457 PLAN OPTION ADOPTED
Davis said the State of North Carolina has two options for supplemental retirement savings, the NC 457 plan and the NC 401(k) plan, which is currently offered in MGSD.
The optional NC 457 plan will benefit all employees with both pre-tax and Roth options, regardless of retirement benefit status, unlike the current 401(k) offering.
By adopting the additional NC 457 plan, administered through Empower, MGSD will strengthen the current suite of benefit offerings for employees.
Davis said both plans perform well for employees and are available to them at no cost to the district.
The board approved this expansion employee retirement investment options.
BUS CAMERA PURCHASE APPROVED
Chief Operations Officer Scott Smith presented a request to purchase bus cameras to replace the malfunctioning ones now in service.
This fall, MGSD was awarded funding through the state safety grant. One of the top priorities for equipment in the grant was to replace the bus camera systems in all yellow buses. MGSD has also been awarded funds through a stop-arm grant through a state transportation grant.
The board approved the purchase of bus cameras and equipment from Safety Vision in the amount of $116,965.77, plus sales tax. The purchase price is being secured through a cooperative purchasing program agreement.
Smith said the grant funds will add new cameras to 40 of the district’s buses.
SUMMER TESTING PLAN APPROVED
The board also approved the summer testing plan presented to the board last month. The state allows school districts to offer summer testing opportunities for EOG/EOC testing outside of the traditional school calendar with district board approval.
This opportunity allows students who were close to proficiency to take the EOG/EOC again after remediation. While the student score does not count for school growth, it does count for school and district proficiency calculations.
Middle school summer school will not be offered this summer because the remediation/testing model used last year was more effective in helping students achieve mastery. The YReaders program is being added as an additional option this summer.
Among the proposed offerings are:
♦ A summer Career Accelerator for CTE Enrichment, including hands-on skills, and project-based learning in STEM for rising 6-8th and 9-10th graders
♦ A summer testing opportunity for students who scored not proficient on state tests to receive remediation and test again. This applies to EOGs in 3rd-8th grades and high school EOCs.
♦ The Read to Achieve program, which the state funded for grades 2 and 3. Students demonstrating difficulty with reading can receive 72 hours of literacy instruction.
♦ YReaders, which serves at-risk kindergarten and first-grade students in reading through a partnership with the Lowe’s YMCA. The six-week camp also includes off-site field trips. About 65 students will be served through the program.
♦ High school summer school for students who did not receive course credit can take classes for credit recovery or new courses online for credit. NF Woods/ MIWAYE will host its own Summer School.
♦ Jump Start is for students at key transition years to help them get to know their new school. Offered for rising kindergarten students, rising sixth (WEB Leaders), and rising 9th graders (Link Leaders).
Most offerings will be located at the complex, with PVES hosting K-1 YReaders, MIS (2-5), MMS (6-12), and Jumpstarts at home schools.
Transportation and meals will be provided for all programs, which will run Monday through Thursday, with holidays on June 19 and July 4. Staggered start times will allow for multiple bus runs.
Summer graduation is scheduled for July 8 for eligible seniors.
POLICY REVISION
Chief Communications Officer Tanae McLean presented a technical revision to board policy because the current policy does not allow sixth-graders to participant in school-sponsored sports. This revision will match state policy.
The revision states:
“In accordance with state policies, students in the sixth through the twelfth grade are eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics with the exception that students in the sixth grade cannot participate in tackle football.”
The board approved this policy change.
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Selma Burke Middle School students Mariana Montenegro-Rodriguez and Lauryn Bure were recognized as MGSD Students of the Month.
English Language Learner teacher Erin Anders said in her nomination that eighth-grader Mariana has undergone tremendous personal growth since her arrival in August.
“Mariana’s willingness to lend a hand to anyone, always with a smile, is truly remarkable. Despite facing the challenge of limited English proficiency, she tried out for the basketball team and played an integral part of the team.”
“I couldn’t be prouder of Mariana; she is a genuine inspiration to me,” added Anders.
Social Studies Teacher Dianna Link said sixth-grader Lauryn “consistently demonstrates exemplary dedication to her school work, engages actively in class discussions, and consistently goes above and beyond to support her peers.”
“She maintains a positive attitude with a smile on her face and has a determination to tackle struggles head-on. She’s a leader in the truest meaning of the word. She leads by example and is kind to all. Lauryn embodies what being a Selma Burke Bear is all about,” said Link in her nomination.
ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Selma Burke eighth-grader Noah Hutto was nominated by band teacher Cory Gudger as Artist of the Month. Hutto is part of the school band program.
In the fall, Hutto marched with the Pride in Motion Marching Band at Mooresville High School, one of nine other eighth-graders to march with high school students.
In January, Hutto auditioned with 120 other flute players and was named to the South Central All-District Honors Band. He was ranked as the 14th best by audition and earned first chair in the SCDBA All-District Concert Band.
“Noah is an amazing student who works every day to get better at his craft,” Gudger said in his nomination. “His tenacity and perseverance are big reasons why he is such an amazing artist. Not only does he play flute, but he also plays saxophone and is going to learn French horn as well this year.”
“Noah is one of the most teachable students I’ve taught and consistently applies comments and constructive criticism to his playing. He will not stop trying his best at any musical passage until he has truly peaked in his ability to play that passage.”
ABCD AWARD
The Selma Burke administrative staff nominated Behavior Intervention Specialist Tina Jordan for the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty (ABCD) recognition. The nominators said that Jordan has fully embraced her role as a Behavior Intervention Specialist by partnering with school administration, district staff, students, and families.
“She is proactive and is always working to resolve issues before they become problems with an amazing ‘can do’ attitude. There is nothing she is unwilling to do for Selma Burke and shows up every day with a smile, ready to serve kids and staff.”
“She truly embodies the spirit of a Bear!”
STATE WRESTLING CHAMPION
Mooresville High School wrestler and state champion Johnny Merriman was recognized for his accomplishments this season. He had a season record of 37-1 and a career record of 140-27.
Merriman was a three-time state qualifier and a two-time regional champion. After placing 4th at 182 pounds in the state tournament his junior year, Merriman won the the 4A state championship in the 215-pound category.
UNDEFEATED SBMS JV BASKETBALL HONORED
Coached by Shauna Gallmon, the SBMS JV basketball team, made up of sixth graders, embarked on its inaugural season with determination and grit and finished with a 16-0 record.
Gardner noted that assembling a team from scratch meant navigating through a myriad of skill levels, personalities, and challenges. Through rigorous training sessions, Coach Gallman instilled in her players not only the fundamentals of the game but also the values of teamwork, perseverance, and resilience.
Though the team faced formidable opponents in established programs, the team grew stronger, learned to communicate on the court, anticipated each other’s moves, and lifted one another up in times of adversity. The chemistry translated into seamless coordination and fluid gameplay.
Along the wins, the team learned invaluable lessons about sportsmanship and humility. They celebrated victories with grace and acknowledged the defeats of their opponents with dignity, understanding that success on the court was measured not only by the scoreboard but also by the character of the players.
In the final season game, they faced the other top team in the conference, who proved to be their toughest opponent but came up with the victory. For Coach Gallmon and her team, it was more than just a perfect season – it was a testament to the power of perseverance, teamwork, and the belief that anything is possible when team members set their minds to it, said Gardner.
Team members included Aubree Paige, Cadence Roberts, Nya Parker, Kalaya McLaughlin, Emmalynn Tillinghast, Zoe Hall, Ava Crowley, Kensley Hoover, Grace Robinson, Miyah Smith, and Kalani Sherrill. Assistant Coach was Lucy Mitchell.
Most players were participating in a spring sport and could not attend the board rmeeting but will receive their recognition certificates from Coach Gallmon.
INSTRUCTIONAL SPOTLIGHT – SBMS SIXTH-GRADE WHEEL
SBMS Dan Miller Principal and three of his teachers presented an instructional spotlight on the sixth-grade Wheel program that allowed all students to get a brief introduction to offered elective classes to prepare for choosing electives in seventh grade.
Band teacher Cory Gudger enjoyed building relationships with students as well as introducing his music program. He now knows kids outside of band. He also instituted a “golden ticket” for excellence, giving out about 120 so far.
Robert Lackey teaches a Life Skills Course, which covers interior design, hand sewing, and cooking. Dance teacher Carly Thompson said many students thought they would not like the class but enjoyed the movement and expending pent-up energy.
The program helps students making informed decisions in choosing courses after exposure to all the electives as well as learning new skills in this transition year from elementary to middle school.
Students said the Wheel experiences were fun and helped them learn what they liked to do. They also got to know more teachers and learned more about elective classes being offered.
APRIL BOARD MEETING
The next board meeting will be on Tuesday, April 9, at 6 p.m. at East Mooresville Intermediate School.