[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6302374,"mediaKeyId","2477662-9952353df1cee255fcaeee7e80131818","parentId",2477662,"title","Speakers urge smaller class sizes; resident raises concerns about appointment process","audioSeconds",346,"startMs",2492000,"endMs",2838000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477662-9952353df1cee255fcaeee7e80131818&start=2492&end=2838","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477662-9952353df1cee255fcaeee7e80131818/thumbnail_2492000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6302374/North-Carolina/Speakers-urge-smaller-class-sizes-resident-raises-concerns-about-appointment-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302374-62304f8da9730b542f794d86e088661e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161281&Signature=Mb6TTJn7zUXSAYAMEkNsqo41rYSa7lUsAKfZs2JcqYjKCkBp6vU9wgAbKpdUR3Xm~~LDoipSKhVIV5omp6RyJeeak920wchhQhu984UyBYQ4oCilLAelvb-Z-RjJeG9TbM-wg9HfbJn6QF7sAfs-01Pfw~zZLJ~87flW~TpS8DFl0D3akOyxrBd-D5VoO4ScIusrROuOs9M13ojnPmbbxGFp0CnjkMmqzwXVMEy7wV8D3nQOSc1WT7Wz0xRdew-4~ztN6BHO21LHWU1HqbWwdjeZnCj2A4ouo4P4xD9jvT1H96wBC41h2TKMNgh8hqbr8WCJFbIvkR~NUEEkMctS~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-04T02:56:16Z","article","Two members of the public used the March 3 Cabarrus County Board of Education meeting’s public-comment period to press the board on separate issues: class size and board/county-appointed leadership.

Deborah Allen told trustees class sizes have increased, especially since recent redistricting, and urged the board to prioritize maintaining lower student–teacher ratios and use educational dollars more efficiently. She cited North Carolina’s K–3 class-size restrictions and pointed to research from Tennessee’s STAR study to argue that smaller classes produce measurable achievement gains. Allen said middle-school teachers can teach four class periods and therefore may be responsible for roughly 120 students, and she urged the district to consider smaller classes and higher teacher pay to recruit and retain quality teachers.

“The wasting of taxpayer funding needs to stop,” Allen said, pressing the board to examine administrative spending and explore reallocations to classroom teachers.

Later in the public comment period, Russell White Wright criticized a county commission appointment that involved a person he said had close ties to leadership. He said the appointment process eroded public trust and called on board and county leaders to prioritize integrity and transparency. Wright, who identified himself as a resident with two children in the system, urged residents to stay engaged and remember leadership choices at the ballot box.

Board response and context: Chair and superintendent thanked speakers and affirmed that trustees review public comment. No board action was taken as a direct result of the comments during the meeting; both topics were raised for the board’s consideration going forward.

Ending: Both public commenters asked the board to use its policy and budget tools to address long-term issues — class size and trust in appointment processes — that, they said, affect student outcomes and public confidence in governance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CCS Board of Education Combined Work Session & Business Meeting | Livestream | Monday, March 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment at the March 3 meeting, Deborah Allen urged the board to address rising class sizes and teacher workload; another speaker, Russell Wright, criticized a recent appointment he described as a conflict of interest and urged greater transparency.","taxTitle","Cabarrus County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",14086,"location","North Carolina","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6302378,"Board approves long-range capital plan that prioritizes new Northwest schools",2902,10288000,13190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477662-9952353df1cee255fcaeee7e80131818&start=10288&end=13190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477662-9952353df1cee255fcaeee7e80131818/thumbnail_10288000.jpg","/articles/6302378/North-Carolina/Board-approves-long-range-capital-plan-that-prioritizes-new-Northwest-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302378-11a3eb9064f5acb0784d52c43c1d8073/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161281&Signature=E7iWazXkpWdVt86fxYzYDbdNJ7bKf5Gr9A0KuIvV7nycQ7HTUMuhpQ5nn9Fq3j4VSCb8qZ5hAmCv1LyCJcW4CbUYsobf8cbhdZKogB7r38Xde4IFjcWSR6EiilbNvTJkOZlv6yfwLNP0lSs2GfjpkwYjeTlvBQsA04SF7Z8LZuF5DbBoidlS0JjUWF7eg~i~-Ytzt6WehG9dMSXh3ztlUlL5jjG7He2iMp5NXsH8Pxqy-PHILHjoxDB4jiMCaAwSWvdXagIDv6-I7J~8EQMGPZH6uNvaSWcIpA3Yza-xp4D0emJ1CMF~p9eloEyrieuHaOacZ0kfN~Ye~WscD5anpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cabarrus County Board of Education voted March 3 to approve the district’s long-range facilities capital improvement plan, reiterating a near-term focus on additional elementary capacity in the county’s northwest quadrant and a replacement or new high school in that same area.

District planning and construction leaders presented the plan to trustees and emphasized enrollment growth: the district’s 40-day enrollment was cited at 35,336 students and officials estimated roughly 5% growth over the next five years. Staff highlighted aging facilities and rising construction costs — as much as 25–50% increases in certain categories since 2020 — and noted the cost of new construction had risen near $450 per square foot in recent bids.

Priorities listed in the plan include the Northwest elementary and Northwest high school as the top needs, followed by a Central Cabarrus High School replacement and other projects including renovations at auxiliary services, additional elementary replacements and a potential middle-school capacity project in the northwest. The district also noted roof and HVAC projects recently approved and underway.

Cost and funding context: The plan includes large-scale projects and cost estimates; district staff told the board that escalation in construction pricing could increase totals each year (staff cited about a 5% annual escalation used for planning). The district also emphasized the plan is fluid and will be updated annually as enrollment projections, approved housing permits and municipal infrastructure decisions change.

Board action and next steps: The board approved the long-range capital plan and will forward the prioritized projects to the Cabarrus County Commission for funding consideration. Board members and staff discussed timing, land ownership and the practical need to coordinate with county officials and municipal permitting, and they reiterated that some elements of the plan could move sooner if county funding is available.

Ending: The approved plan formalizes the district’s near- and medium-term capital needs and gives the county a prioritized list to use during upcoming budget and bond discussions.","The board approved the district’s long-range facilities capital improvement plan, reiterating priorities for a Northwest elementary and high school and listing other replacement and renovation projects; the plan will go to county commissioners for funding consideration.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6302382,"Cabarrus finance staff reports improved forecast; board approves budget amendment no. 5",319,3525000,3844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477662-9952353df1cee255fcaeee7e80131818&start=3525&end=3844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477662-9952353df1cee255fcaeee7e80131818/thumbnail_3525000.jpg","/articles/6302382/North-Carolina/Cabarrus-finance-staff-reports-improved-forecast-board-approves-budget-amendment-no-5","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302382-c3d4d092a743c98ec445de35fe60cbfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161281&Signature=iyCmKNNdo4IvIZhkOsIJ3W9gXSufGAcD9vOXpeyrjUFGD1s70waUMVl83l~OulCxMZeYLReKrJCdEHr5cg~BW45GGeIU2YFQgq8i4UQ2ync-pNBjuXOT1h5dCtcjlKjXhvv2cu3xvdQUKTSI8S7lej-4C-6JYe7QjBEsPj8hlZWpbkvCOzKpx8ZHQkGD9AvocPIr078skTCR4LfSRRLy558xmgIwQrVG8RYy0QhksrEnVxFNhOKXXr9nP6fwRZzhzmqPcPWbY4pXltJ0VOc5ASS~7zQ85W0GN4gBtzCyvy~dWkzjI11-8fIjWN222y3O5DbEJSgRi7uAJnTO7MM4tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cabarrus County Schools' finance staff told the school board on March 3 that the district’s projected deficit had narrowed by roughly $2.1 million since the last report, driven by lower-than-expected health-care costs, lower utilities spending and savings from central-office reductions. The board approved budget amendment No. 5 by voice vote.

At the meeting, Phil Penn, the district’s finance director, told trustees the update included roughly $980,000 in expected health-care savings and about $300,000 in lower utility costs; interest income was modestly higher than projected. He said the district’s new K–8 ELA curriculum would also come in under the board’s earlier fund balance appropriation, reducing the budget gap further. He described ongoing hiring limits to hold the line on current-year spending and said compliance-related hires—special education teachers, bus drivers or grant-funded positions—would still be filled.

Budget amendment No. 5 covered changes across five funds. Highlights presented to the board included a $769,000 increase in the state public school fund (largely for summer reading camps and EC services), a $375,000 net decrease in local funds tied to central-office reductions, a roughly $249,000 increase in federal funds (IDEA and Title I adjustments), a $67,000 increase in the Kids Plus fund tied to a childcare stabilization grant and a $1.3 million net decrease in special funds related to Medicaid adjustments and grant awards.

Board action: The board moved and approved budget amendment No. 5 during the action portion of the night. The motion to accept the amendment was made by Sam Treadaway and seconded by Catherine Moore; the chair recorded the motion as passed by voice vote.

What the district will do next: Penn said cabinet members will re-review budgets for additional savings through the end of the fiscal year. He also said the finance team will reforecast the full-year budget line-by-line at a meeting rescheduled to March 18. Penn did not guarantee the district will close the entire gap by year-end but said staff will continue to pursue hiring limits, grant adjustments and other savings.

Ending: The board’s approval of amendment No. 5 reflects a narrower deficit trajectory after several months of budget work, but district leaders said more work is needed before the fiscal year ends.","Chief financial officer Phil Penn updated the board on improved projections and spending limits; the board approved budget amendment No. 5 covering state, federal and local fund adjustments.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6302388,"Cabarrus board unanimously adopts K–8 ELA curriculum, approves $2.34 million purchase",2874,2493000,5367000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477662-9952353df1cee255fcaeee7e80131818&start=2493&end=5367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477662-9952353df1cee255fcaeee7e80131818/thumbnail_2493000.jpg","/articles/6302388/North-Carolina/Cabarrus-board-unanimously-adopts-K8-ELA-curriculum-approves-234-million-purchase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302388-232bb7e43724b9c58812e9d1ff0739b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161281&Signature=IdoI7S4Y1cncvioXDwYiWnalq7BZ18CHDid4kKSTHIMH3b7Am1xkvoiJ28v39rHgq6STfgISl3gQLqfs2ylGTSwNmv~FQ4ZqukvrBUjlSlUn1HDByHd-sjwqSmk~tWb6Fp-mo9rXDBhHFUz46Js0assxBPhUQsaNBXf~lDRwzFBYlmgDBw5qGwjfZ8KiHvQtlm6lWEffdtaT2C9hkKWzWWo5OVDYCd34LFN4ZEzy9y~XX0phGUby~yOHXzyfkvyCoMy1TPXYmUrGnH4S1ly4GdFXd5GGoRR9OvutuB7loCQpAP2f7~GY2~u6S9AiXSty7pvRabekUCeLHOFMZQNg1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cabarrus County Board of Education voted unanimously on March 3 to adopt a K–8 English language arts curriculum from Arts and Letters, approving a $2,340,185.87 purchase to provide printed student texts, teacher manuals and associated materials for the district's roughly 1,100 ELA teachers.

The board’s decision followed presentations from district curriculum staff and more than a dozen principals, instructional coaches and classroom teachers who described spending hours each week sourcing and vetting disparate materials and urged a coherent, standards-aligned program. \"A comprehensive reading curriculum provides the necessary blueprints, guiding teachers in constructing a strong foundation for literacy,\" said an instructional coach at the meeting.

Why it matters: The package aims to put consistent books and workbooks in students' hands across Cabarrus County Schools and to standardize K–8 instruction so teachers can spend less time curating materials and more time on differentiated instruction, interventions and enrichment. District staff told the board the recommended purchase comes in about $460,000 under the local fund balance appropriation the board approved in November and that annual consumable workbook costs will be built into the state-funded budget going forward.

District staff described a multi-stage selection process: outreach to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, review of nationally used comprehensive programs, an educator needs assessment, an in-person vendor preview fair and a virtual preview that reached roughly 97% of district educators. Two vendors emerged as finalists; Arts and Letters was the recommended provider after staff and teachers reviewed sample modules, materials and price options. Curriculum staff said Arts and Letters would provide printed student workbooks and teacher manuals, replace unreliable online-only resources, and include five years of online software at no additional district cost.

Teachers and principals who spoke to the board gave practical examples of what they saw as the problem and the promise of a consistent curriculum. \"Without a solid plan, you may struggle with the foundation,\" said an eighth-grade ELA teacher who described spending large amounts of out-of-class time building lessons. A Rocky River Elementary principal cited Opportunity Makers research on coherence and consistency in schools, saying those elements produced lasting gains in the study’s schools.

District budget staff said roughly 75% of the one-time purchase is for student texts and workbooks; 12% was allocated to early-reader decodables and 10% for teacher materials. Professional development equaled about 3% of the proposed price and district staff indicated that initial training would be folded into the state budget for ongoing onboarding and new hires.

Board action and procedure: Board member Sam Treadaway moved adoption of the curriculum; Pamela Escobar seconded. The board approved the motion by voice vote; the chair recorded the result as unanimous (7–0). The board also discussed implementation timelines and assessment plans: daily formative checks, end-of-module summatives, and performance tasks built into modules. Staff said they aim to get materials into teachers' hands before the 2025–26 school year and to offer professional development as soon as possible, ideally before summer break.

Implementation questions raised by board members included how grammar instruction is incorporated (teacher workbooks and module lessons), whether consumables would be reusable (most teacher materials are reusable; student workbooks are consumables), and how the new materials would align with existing phonics and phonemic-awareness programs such as Heggerty and Letterland (those programs will continue alongside the new curriculum).

What comes next: District staff said they will begin logistics and vendor coordination immediately after the vote to ensure teacher materials arrive and training is scheduled ahead of the new school year. Officials emphasized that the adopted curriculum is the district’s “floor, not the ceiling” and will be monitored with both qualitative classroom evidence and district benchmark and foundational-skill assessments.

Ending: The board’s vote moves the district from a largely teacher-curated collection of ELA resources to a districtwide, standards-aligned K–8 program that district leaders said will increase consistency across schools and grades and reduce planning burdens on teachers.","The Cabarrus County Board of Education voted 7–0 to adopt the Arts and Letters K–8 English language arts curriculum and approved a $2,340,185.87 purchase after months of review and extensive teacher testimony in favor of printed texts and coherent materials.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Speakers urge smaller class sizes; resident raises concerns about appointment process

Board approves long-range capital plan that prioritizes new Northwest schools

Cabarrus finance staff reports improved forecast; board approves budget amendment no. 5

Cabarrus board unanimously adopts K–8 ELA curriculum, approves $2.34 million purchase