[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6356453,"mediaKeyId","2216539-0e602d92dfd34406c996c7261db1b884","parentId",2216539,"title","Moore County board to publish two draft school calendars after heated debate over ‘early start’ law","audioSeconds",2588,"startMs",389000,"endMs",2977000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2216539-0e602d92dfd34406c996c7261db1b884&start=389&end=2977","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2216539-0e602d92dfd34406c996c7261db1b884/thumbnail_389000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6356453/North-Carolina/Moore-County-board-to-publish-two-draft-school-calendars-after-heated-debate-over-early-start-law","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6356453-20e8e44a2828bfbdca8ae644d4b55051/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142580&Signature=g31wNzj64X4upBfbstHFqSBHsKX~r5wCwKkpQcDLZTgh~l0I98ZfzO9sRRwqWVXPPFlcCmtXJu0Re9FpQUK1S7W09cZqbYGsljunfINWr52paj6nNwi3mTAP7WsiU5zQ80qW8F6GmphZSv4O1L278mkyQ-7GR8A58PhLbSX1E3FyoBuYs9iZLk8sL8rviRlroyiWdYToJ7Ab744mL9S1UBY8-OzynLbbLobC9Cqz1FpSuEuF4Fm3vOiW-BpEwIWHsqcu7mav9gpDJbBG3aPxlrFgtZT2jC59d~M6l~mVYcmQGrDuxXgeejnxj7uNm6zxPVX6HMAppfa8PUUIJjE~xQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Moore County Schools","date","2025-01-17T19:17:24Z","article","The Moore County Schools Board of Education voted Feb. 3 to ask district staff to prepare and post two draft academic calendars for public comment and return the issue for board decision at the March 3 work session.

The board’s action follows nearly two hours of discussion about state restrictions on academic calendars and repeated calls from several board members and community advocates to move Moore County to an “early start” calendar that finishes the first semester before the winter break. The motion, made by Board Member Pauline Davis and seconded by Board Member Justin Hensley, passed on a 6–1 voice vote; one board member opposed.

Why it matters: Board members and teachers argued the current calendar — which follows the North Carolina school calendar law and keeps the first semester extending past the Christmas break — causes instructional disruption and “re‑teaching” after winter break. Opponents, including board members who emphasized legal obligations, said the district must follow state law unless the General Assembly changes it. The board’s vote directs staff to prepare a law‑compliant draft calendar and an alternate “early start” draft, publish both for public comment from Feb. 11–Feb. 25, compile anonymous feedback, and return a recommendation at the March 31 work session after the calendar committee’s review. The superintendent also will bring both drafts to the March 3 work session for the board’s review as directed by the motion.

Discussion highlights: Board Member Donna Bruno and others said teachers and many parents favor an early start because it places semester tests before the holiday break and aligns K–12 with college semesters. Board Member Robert Dahl and others argued the board has a duty to follow state law and warned that some counties that have adopted early start calendars have faced legal challenges. Superintendent Michael Locklear said he would not recommend a proposal that breaks state law but would present an early‑start option for board consideration if the board directed him to do so.

What the board directed staff to do: produce an official draft calendar that complies with the North Carolina school calendar law and an alternate early‑start draft; post both drafts and a feedback form on the district website from Feb. 11–25; collect anonymous feedback by respondent role (parent, student, teacher, staff, community); compile responses for review at the March 31 work session; and present both calendars for board consideration at the March 3 work session to allow more time for review.

Quotes: “Teachers call it a total waste of time; we finish at Christmas and must re‑teach in January,” Board Member Donna Bruno said. Superintendent Michael Locklear said, “I will not recommend something that breaks the law,” but added he would bring an early‑start option if the board formally directed him to do so.

Votes at a glance: Motion to direct staff to prepare two calendars (one law‑compliant, one early‑start) for public comment and present both at the March 3 work session — moved by Pauline Davis, seconded by Justin Hensley; outcome: approved; vote: 6 in favor, 1 opposed.

Ending: The board’s decision puts the calendar debate before the public and buys the district time to gather community feedback while the state calendar law remains unchanged. The board and staff said they will provide compiled feedback and a formal recommendation at later work sessions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Moore County School Board Work Session 2-3-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Moore County Schools Board of Education voted Feb. 3 to ask district staff to prepare and publish two draft school calendars — the district’s law‑compliant draft and an alternate ‘early‑start’ draft — for public comment and to return the topic for final consideration at the March 3 work session.","taxTitle","Moore County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",13041,"location","North Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6356443,"Board reviews routine items: course‑guide changes, arts diploma endorsement, contract amendments and facilities bids",1179,3016000,4195000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2216539-0e602d92dfd34406c996c7261db1b884&start=3016&end=4195","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2216539-0e602d92dfd34406c996c7261db1b884/thumbnail_3016000.jpg","/articles/6356443/North-Carolina/Board-reviews-routine-items-courseguide-changes-arts-diploma-endorsement-contract-amendments-and-facilities-bids","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6356443-95edea21711aa346306bb9bd740e0937/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142580&Signature=AuENBmMy8BNa5hRx3EeNILejuamRyBH2TfJi8AaWx7IOtA4ekIIusAe78cg~iMQ3YaGS~DjHEDNVr7mhVuBk-nZ74s1uocxawH4dmj3LsAnJKu1ozd9kjnP5X9F9PCOic-GpDH9p2lgaOYzivUIJ3AYDZ3MLWpB9Gy~A302FcoDqIaPC-P4gnizZZS5tUIG9CetsL9oKlh4fIeSk2Xc1OdplgZNjMxmpJDf6RhlHY1jd-U6HP3yd~-3gBSPi0vDwRGpbNQIYwQ~1t59MbcDwbGqrK4jysoC0-UGIj9nr0FTyKiooA6lQ1kS0cZTNejNFe4J0FM3E5rMhLFeRP~lX6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Moore County Schools staff presented several routine items Feb. 3 that the board placed on the consent agenda for the Feb. 10 regular meeting. Highlights:

High‑school course guide: Donna Gephardt reviewed updates to the 2025–26 course guide, including releveling of arts courses (novice/developing/accomplished/advanced per DPI changes), the required Economics and Personal Finance graduation requirement, new CTE offerings (hospitality and tourism at Pinecrest), JROTC alignment under CTE and a proposed leadership development elective at Pinecrest and Union Pines. The board instructed staff to include the innovative high‑school program and Connect Virtual Academy materials for family planning in the guide.

Arts endorsement (diploma seal): State Board graduation policy 007 created a new arts endorsement for diplomas. The board reviewed a district list of extracurricular arts activities (performance attendance, community arts activities, rehearsals, competitions, summer intensive programs and a teacher‑approved “other” category) that students must log for a required 40 hours of non‑graded arts extracurricular activity and maintain a reflection form. Donna Gephardt said DPI allowed retroactive eligibility for current seniors this year. Board members asked staff to examine consistent recognition at graduation (program notation, cord or ribbon) and report back; staff agreed to consult principals and present a recommendation.

Exceptional children contracts: Neil Waters, chief administrator for Exceptional Children’s Services, asked the board to approve contract amendments to meet increasing student needs. MGA Home Care, which supplies skilled nursing for students with significant medical needs, needs an increase to the not‑to‑exceed amount of approximately $487,700 (contract rate cited as $65 per hour) after caseload rose from three to six students. All American Interpreting (interpreting services for deaf students) requires an increase of about $52,000 to bring the contract cap to roughly $182,000; part of that increase reflects a delayed invoice and expanded services (interpreting during athletics and driver‑education activities).

Facilities: Northmore High School roofs — two projects were bid separately and recommended to save cost while using the same Tremco membrane products and warranty process. For Building 9 (EPDM membrane needing restoration), the low responsive bidder was Fox Hill Construction at $114,048 for a fully reinforced fluid‑applied membrane with a 25‑year warranty. For the main office build‑up roof, Gallagher Management was the low responsive bidder at $225,400 to remove and replace the top built‑up layer with a 30‑year warranty. Work is planned to minimize disruption and will include periodic Tremco preventive maintenance inspections.

Audit contract: The board reviewed the contract recommendation to retain Anderson, Smith and White as the district’s independent auditor for the year ending June 30, 2025. The FY‑25 audit fee is $53,000 plus up to $5,000 in mandatory non‑attest services. The firm’s RFP covers FY‑23 through FY‑25 with an option to add two years; staff provided inflationary estimates for FY‑26 and FY‑27.

Read to Achieve summer reading camps: Staff presented requirements under Senate Bill 387 for required reading camps (72 hours of literacy instruction offered to qualifying second‑ and third‑grade students). District camps typically run two weeks in June and two weeks in July, run four‑day weeks, provide breakfast and snack, supply transportation, and prioritize smaller class sizes and targeted interventions. Staff said state funding (P.R.O. 016 or similar allocations) covered much of the cost in past years (about $135,000 last year, roughly $140,000 projected this year) and that camps have enabled dozens of students to reach proficiency. Attendance varies; participation is voluntary and parents make the final decision.

Board action: At the Feb. 3 work session staff sought board consensus to place these items on the Feb. 10 consent agenda; several items were set for consent, and contract and roofing awards were recommended under staff action for approval at the February meeting.

Ending: Staff agreed to return with details on graduation recognition for arts seals, and with the requested financial clarifications related to skilled nursing and interpreter contract costs.","Moore County Schools staff presented routine but substantive items Feb. 3 — updates to the high‑school course guide, a proposed arts diploma endorsement activity list, contract increases for special‑needs nursing and interpreting, roof repair bids for Northmore High School, the district audit contract and the summer reading‑camp plan.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6356448,"Board hears budget ‘foundations’: county funding formula, charter growth and a nearly $3 million fund‑balance gap",2228,6889000,9117000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2216539-0e602d92dfd34406c996c7261db1b884&start=6889&end=9117","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2216539-0e602d92dfd34406c996c7261db1b884/thumbnail_6889000.jpg","/articles/6356448/North-Carolina/Board-hears-budget-foundations-county-funding-formula-charter-growth-and-a-nearly-3-million-fundbalance-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6356448-b6e07f38306dcc1b82b7b6a74e08c46f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142580&Signature=i5lSlXN6lpNH2E5PMLU7kfuEHUli4wzXwRwvODx9aSeyxIfLQBizRwRIuxcy-kRRKipfajHeHSjK1reMgikDuGqwpz2yQEAr2TcIVZCGb4QX4IWPGdqizlHJJel~kXx3Gk-eDojZjyCunGi3KT~J3pOt5Si8SnkCIVFL~nYRbiMYf9mO5c3zsZrmMOpdRP-NFGfa6t4XiBgH0ENw8c6yq9ynoAu2l2mLJs-Fnyb3RFOs5mvoq2uSwbYw1opGljd~0JyWPiEU8ipkUgsbmiQBjaBqb5gRRNN-fFTMC636GeKGRF3x7ud5krq8nYQH19En2DQSpO4lGrdJMv55Sm7k9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Moore County Schools staff told the board Feb. 3 that building the fiscal 2025–26 budget will begin from a “continuation” baseline but that fixed cost increases, charter school growth and the county appropriation formula together create a budget shortfall that staff estimate will require additional use of fund balance.

Tina Edmonds, assistant superintendent for budget and finance, presented scenarios that include assumed state salary increases (2–4 percent), an employer health insurance contribution rise of approximately $300 per person, and retirement rate increases. The district modeled three scenarios. Under the midline scenario (3 percent state salary increase and a conservative 3 percent increase in county funding), staff project a shortfall of roughly $716,862 that would be addressed by appropriated fund balance. Even the 2 percent state increase scenario produced a projected shortfall in excess of $500,000.

Why it matters: The presentation showed the district entering the next budget cycle with an assigned fund‑balance appropriation of about $2.9 million for the current year. Depending on final state and county decisions, projections indicate the district’s unassigned fund balance could fall below the board’s $2 million target in 2025–26.

Charter enrollment and county formula: Edmonds and Dr. Locklear reviewed charter school enrollment growth — including virtual charters now counted in the totals — and reminded the board that state law requires local current expense funding follow students to charter schools. The district used a five‑year average to project charter growth (90 students) and estimated the local transfer cost at $2,615 per pupil in the local appropriation model presented.

Board and committee response: Board members and the superintendent said they will press for clearer information about the state tier funding system and consult further with county commissioners about how the local formula should respond to the district’s cost drivers. Members of the board finance committee signaled intent to examine whether a different funding formula — one tied to cost drivers rather than county revenue growth — would better protect the district’s fiscal footing.

Next steps: Staff will continue to refine projections, present a superintendent’s preliminary proposed budget at the March 3 work session, open a public comment portal, and present a recommended budget for adoption in April. The county commission’s final decisions — typically adopted in June — will determine the district’s final local appropriation.

Ending: School finance officials urged the board and community to note the timing misalignment: state and county decisions often arrive after the district must present a working budget, leaving Moore County Schools to model scenarios and risk using fund balance to ensure staffing and services for students.","District finance staff outlined the fiscal 2025–26 planning framework, warning that under current local funding formulas Moore County Schools faces a projected funding gap that would require drawing further on fund balance unless county appropriation or other revenue rises","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Moore County board to publish two draft school calendars after heated debate over ‘early start’ law

Board reviews routine items: course‑guide changes, arts diploma endorsement, contract amendments and facilities bids

Board hears budget ‘foundations’: county funding formula, charter growth and a nearly $3 million fund‑balance gap