Michael Cook

This document serves as a comprehensive guide to Career and Technical Education (CTE) program opportunities and courses for high school students and parents within Catawba County Schools. The guide details pathways designed to prepare students for college and career success by outlining various CTE clusters, course sequences, and post-secondary education completion. It emphasizes partnerships with local businesses for internships and educational collaborations with Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) for college courses and certifications. Key areas include Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Healthcare, Digital Technology, Management and Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Sales, Arts and Design, Hospitality, Agriculture, and Financial Services.

The meeting included recognitions for outstanding students in the rifle program, American flag presentation, and recognition of a unit XO planning to become a firefighter. Special recognitions were given to employees of the month from Charles Ford Elementary School and Tuttle Elementary School. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to recognizing Mr. Dan K. Moore upon his retirement after battling cancer, naming him employee of the month/year. Further recognitions included congratulations to Emily Puy, a finalist for the North Carolina Beginning Teacher of the Year Award, and to Marty Sharp, the Chief Technology Officer, for being named the state technology officer of the year. The agenda adjustments involved moving a public hearing date, adding new business items like property surplus declaration, and including four out-of-state field trip requests for St. Stevens High School. Public comments addressed concerns regarding communication protocols for board members related to school activities, referencing a walkout protest at St. Stevens High School. Other public comments advocated for continued support of arts and culture in Kataba County, highlighting the positive impact of theater programs on student confidence, critical thinking, and economic contribution.

The meeting included the approval of the agenda with an addition regarding a purchasing cooperative contract proposal for school nutrition central freezer repair. The chairman reported on upcoming Veterans Day events in schools. The superintendent presented awards to students from Challenger High School for their performance in the Skills USA competition and recognized employees of the month. During the public comment, topics included concerns about hiring felons in schools, recognition of Dr. Leslie Barnett's contributions, the need for study skills courses for students, and allegations of deception and policy violations by the school system.

This document outlines comprehensive school improvement plans for multiple schools, focusing on enhancing educational outcomes and operational effectiveness. Key strategic pillars include eliminating opportunity gaps through effective behavior management, tiered instructional systems, and evidence-based practices; improving school performance by fostering strong parent/guardian communication and aligning instruction for diverse learners (AIG, ELL, IEP); and increasing educator preparedness through data-driven decision-making and high-quality professional development. The plans also emphasize strategic resource allocation to support instructional priorities, aiming for improved student achievement, equitable opportunities, and highly capable educators.

The board discussed adjustments to the agenda, including adding a budgetary summary and an agreement regarding school assignments for Kataba and Lincoln County students impacted by a boundary update. The superintendent presented employee recognitions. A construction update covered the progress at Maiden Elementary School and Maiden Middle School HVAC project. Public comments addressed public school meal debt, the loss of CBCC as a sponsoring partner for Science Olympiad, and concerns regarding the school system's leadership. The board approved consent items, a purchasing cooperative contract for auditorium lighting repairs at Maiden High School, the 2026 Early Head Start continuation grant, and the 2024-2025 final audit report.