BY KARISSA MILLER

In an effort to help provide additional resources to the district’s inner-city schools, Iredell-Statesville Schools officials spearheaded an effort to create a Unified Parent Teacher Community Organization (PTCO).

The district’s first Unified PTCO aims to address fundraising disparities and provide support for East Iredell Elementary, N.B. Mills Elementary, Third Creek Elementary, Third Creek Middle and Statesville High School.

Volunteers have been working to put this group together since October 2024.

The group’s mission is to “educate, inspire, and empower the school’s students and community to reinforce the mission, vision, and core values of the Iredell-Statesville Schools District by modeling and promoting excellence, trust, inclusiveness, innovation, and accountability in all it does.”

On July 14, the group’s president, Kimberly Lates, and member Jean Foster presented a check to the district for $10,000 from First Presbyterian Church. The money will help cover tech fees for low-income students.

The Unified PTCO also received a check for $2,000 from Allen Tate Realty, which will be used for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.

The district also received a $10,000 check from the Pilot Travel Company for $10,000 to help cover student needs at 11 district schools.