BY DEBBIE PAGE
Mooresville Graded School District Superintendent Jason Gardner this week continued advocating for increased compensation for teachers.
During the MGSD Board of Education meeting, the superintendent stressed the importance of the district’s sole legislative goal for this year: increasing teacher compensation to a competitive, livable wage.
Gardner cited Iredell Economic Development Corporation data:
♦ The median household income in Mooresville was $88,592, with the average rent at $1,612 and an average one-bedroom apartment leasing for $1,395 monthly.
♦ The average home price was $718,779, with a median sale price of $519,613.
MGSD teachers cannot afford to buy a home in Mooresville at these prices, Gardner said.
According to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, the average state base teacher salary is $53,295, which takes 13 years to reach.
A single adult with no children in Iredell County earns an average of $23.53 per hour, or $48,942 per year. Gardner noted that it would take nine years for a teacher to reach this salary level. The average wage in Iredell County is $62,669.
Using the present N.C. teacher salary schedule, a teacher must work ten years to reach a livable wage.
Gardner indicated inflation pressures are also a concern. The median household income has increased 23.4 percent, but inflation has risen by 24.3 percent in the last five years. During the same period, teacher pay rose by only 7.6 percent.
Because the N.C. General Assembly still has not passed a budget — more than halfway into the 2025-2026 fiscal year, teachers have had no cost of living adjustments or salary increases and also have experienced increased medical insurance costs, which amounts to a pay decrease for N.C. educators, added Gardner.
The labor force grew in Iredell County by 23 percent, one of the strongest performances in North Carolina. As local industries expand in manufacturing, technology, logistics, and healthcare sectors, Gardner said the competition for talent intensifies.
Teacher compensation must stay competitive and keep up with the growing cost of living in the county, especially on the Southern end, he said. If not, teachers may choose to leave for better paying jobs to take care of their families, even though their hearts are still in education.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
The MGSD Board of Education approved the 2026-2027 school calendar and budget amendments for new revenues and heard policy revisions at its January meeting.
2026-2027 Calendar
The board approved the proposed 2026-2027 calendar created by the calendar committee, which is comprised of staff members, parents, and administrators from each district school.
The state requires the 10-month calendar to have 215 total days (including instructional days, annual leave, holidays, and work days). It must have at least 10 annual leave days and nine work days, with two workdays being optional.
Chief Communications Officer Tanae McLean said the calendar has 174 instructional days, or 1,054.4 instructional hours, well above the state-required 1,025 instructional hours per year.
Some highlights of the proposed calendar include:
♦ Start date for staff: July 29, 2026
♦ Start date for students: August 5, 2026
♦ 1st semester: 86 days
♦ 2nd semester: 88 days
♦ Fall Break (October 12-16) and Spring Break (March 8-12, 2027), which aligns with Mitchell Community College
♦ Friday and Monday off at Easter (March 26-29, 2027)
♦ Last day for students: May 20, 2027
♦ Graduation: May 22, 2027
The only early release is the day before Thanksgiving. The district will operate as a full day before Christmas break.
Budget Amendments
The board approved two budget amendments presented by Chief Finance Officer Angie Davis to add $554,491 in state public school funds for instructional services and to add $39,281 in federal grant funds.
The board also approved Davis’s recommendation to contract with Anderson, Smith and Wike to conduct the MGSD 2025-2026 audit.
Davis also announced that 93 teachers are eligible to receive state performance bonuses for the 2024-2025 school year this month, up from 62 for the 2023-2024 school year. The bonuses range from $250 to $3,500.
Policy Revisions
McLean presented school policy revisions recommended by the N.C. School Board Association, one of which includes adding language prohibiting board members from using school system or individual school names, logos, or trademarks on personal social media. Other language added states that the school district is not responsible for personal websites or web pages created or maintained by members of the Board of Education.
Another revision requires an athletic trainer or first responder to attend wrestling matches and tournaments in case of head injuries,
An additional policy change allows the superintendent to establish relationships with businesses and to seek grants and other funding sources to acquire additional technological resources for educational programs and to support continuous out-of-school Internet access for students.
The policy regarding student personal use of school district technological resources for amusement or entertainment, which is prohibited unless approved for special situations by the teacher or school administrator, was updated to also prohibit student access to social media platforms, except when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes.
In addition to the other reporting requirements, another policy change requires administrators to report to the State Board of Education certain misconduct by licensed employees (1) involving physical injury to or sexual contact with a child, (2) justifying automatic revocation of the employee’s license or (3) resulting in certain criminal charges, and resulting when such misconduct results in termination of employment, non-renewal of an employment contract, suspension without pay, disciplinary action or resignation.
Recognitions
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Educators John Howard and Lindsay Davis-Vickery nominated Selma Burke Middle School (SBMS) seventh-grader Lai Gooden as January Student of the Month.
“Gooden truly embodies the spirit of Selma Burke. She is one of the most intelligent, creative and dedicated students we have had the privilege of teaching in our careers. Over the course of this year, Lai has shown remarkable growth in ELA, math, and as a person.
“We are incredibly proud of everything she has accomplished. Lai approaches every situation with creativity and curiosity. Her determination, unique perspective, passion for learning, and sense of humor set her apart in the best possible way.
“We are confident that in 20 years, when people look back at the list of notable Selma Burke graduates, Lai Gooden’s name will stand out as one of the most impressive and inspiring alumni to come through our middle school.”
ARTIST OF THE MONTH
SBMS eighth-grader Ki’Yan Roseboro, nominated by teacher Amy Bice, was chosen as the January Artist of the Month.
Bice praised Ki’s performance in her Engineering: Inventions and Innovations Class this semester as outstanding. “Ki’s rapid acquisition of the technical skills needed meant he quickly achieved mastery of the 3D design software, TinkerCAD.
“The culmination of this effort is an exceptionally innovative final project – a conceptual masterpiece that skillfully layers the geometry of our school and football field with a powerful tribute to the words of Selma Burke.
“Ki’s achievement in conceptualizing and rendering such a complex, multi-layered design completely from scratch is a testament to his mastery of the 3D medium and showcases an advanced level of technical skill and creative depth.”
Roseboro demonstrated his SBMS 3D logo incorporating the school building architecture and campus for the board.
ABCD AWARD
SBMS EC Teacher Assistant Levy Womble was nominated by Assistant Principal Greg Kuhn and the SBMS Admin Team for the January Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award.
“Since Mr. Womble joined us last year, he has consistently exhibited patience, grace and kindness towards his students and staff alike. Students have put him into some challenging situations and his responses consistently exhibit empathy and a clear head.
“We are constantly asking Mr. Womble to stretch outside of his comfort zone, and he never hesitates or pushes back. He shows up with a positive attitude every day and is willing to do whatever is needed to meet the needs of students.”
“For these reasons and so many more, we are proud to recognize Mr. Womble for going Above and Beyond the Call of Duty every day.”
SPOTLIGHT ON PEOPLE
MHS Varsity Football Team
The Mooresville High School football team was recognized for becoming 2025 Northern Piedmont Conference Champions. The team finished the season with a 9-3 overall and an undefeated conference record.
Coaches are grateful that the MGSD district supports its student-athletes and coaches and the program’s vision. The team understands that success is not the result of one individual but the result of consistent support from the top down throughout the season, which provides a tremendous amount of confidence and belief.
This championship reflects the commitment and pride of Mooresville. The team’s success was built through countless hours in the weight room, on the practice field, and in the film room. A strong group of senior leaders set the standard through their work ethic, toughness, and leadership. They leave behind a legacy of accountability, effort, and pride in the Mooresville High varsity football program.
The team met many of its season goals, including winning a fourth conference title in the last four years, achieving a first-round bye in the state playoffs, and hosting and winning a home playoff game.
Players also achieved individual goals but more importantly played for each other, for their school, and for the Mooresville community.
Coaches said this season set the standard for Mooresville High varsity football, and they are excited to continue building this momentum throughout the offseason as the program takes the next step forward.
MMS Varsity Girls Basketball Team
The Mooresville Middle School varsity girls basketball team was recognized as undefeated conference champions, finishing 16–0. Coaches said the team played with unmatched heart, effort, and determination, leaving everything on the court every single game.
“The Lady Red Imps competed with confidence, grit, and unity, rising to every challenge and never backing down. Their success was built on relentless effort, teamwork, and a deep belief in one another. Whether battling through tough moments or pulling away with momentum, the team showed resilience, focus, and pride in representing Mooresville Middle School.”
The players’ defining moment came in their hard-fought victory over crosstown rival Selma Burke Middle, winning a true test of skill and mental toughness.
Though competing against close friends and familiar faces, the Lady Red Imps showed remarkable focus, composure, and resilience, proving their ability to rise above the pressure and perform.
MGSD School Board
The MGSD School Board was recognized for its service during School Board Appreciation Month.
SBMS Principal Dan Miller and Artist of the Month Ki Roseboro presented the board with SBMS 3D printed logo paper weights designed by Ki as a token of the school’s appreciation.
SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT
Principal Dan Miller, WEB leader coordinators and teachers Cory Gudger and Kailyn Behrens, and several students presented the January School Highlight on Selma Burke’s “Where Everyone Belongs” (WEB) program, which aims to reduce the number of office referrals by 20 percent from 729 referrals in 2024-2025 to 585 or less for 2025-2026 school year.
The WEB program and other strategies are showing success. In the fall semester of 2023, SBMS had 478 referrals, a number that dropped to 335 in 2024 and 230 in 2025.
The team is also implementing consistent procedural and behavioral expectations using the Capturing Kids’ Hearts framework, and the administration conducts fidelity checks during each Monday’s Social-Emotional Learning Den Time.
Gudger said eighth-grade WEB leaders also teach “Lead Worthy” lessons to help rising sixth-graders settle in comfortably at SBMS. Every sixth-grade student has a trained eighth-grade mentor committed to make SBMS the best possible version of itself and help students meaningfully connect.
Behrens explained that WEB leaders undergo a two-day training during the summer and then help with sixth-graders on their orientation day, leading ice breakers, activities, and team-building.
On Orientation Day, WEB leaders help conduct the large group session and then break into small groups of 8 to 10 for activities for their assigned students to get to know each other.
WEB leaders liked that they “connected with other kids.” They also got to teach leadership and introduce students to the campus. Other WEB leaders enjoyed teaching the Monday SEL lessons, while others valued the opportunity to practice leadership with the younger students.
A sixth-grade student said the program taught students about “uplifting people, resisting peer pressure, and how to be a good person. It made me want to be a web leader too.”
DISTRICT UPDATES
♦ MGSD Chief of Schools Michael Royal reported that College and Career Promise students completed 578 courses and earned 1,765 college credit hours during the fall semester. Twenty-five students also completed classes in December and January to earn an additional 75 college credits.
♦ Royal also announced that MGSD students, through a partnership with Children’s Hope Alliance, have access to licensed therapists at each district school several days a week. Students benefitted from 1,484 therapy sessions so far this year for their mental health concerns, up from 591 last school year.
Vice Chair Rakeem Brawley was proud of the district for taking students’ mental health needs seriously and providing needed care.
♦ Chief Communications Officer Tanae McLean invited the community to register for the MLK Day Peace Walk on Monday, January 19, at 9 a.m. (gather at the Charles Mack Citizen Center), followed by the free MLK Day program and breakfast at 9:30 a.m. This year’s theme is Mission Possible II: Building Community. Tickets for the breakfast must be reserved to attend and go quickly. Reserve at ticket at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/mlkjrbreakfast2026/mission-possible-ii-building-community or by calling the CMC box office at 704-799-4220.
NEXT MEETING
The next MGSD Board Meeting will be February 3 at Mooresville Town Hall at 6 p.m.