[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6126463,"mediaKeyId","2667908-8facd34934ea638bfabcdd788ea28028","parentId",2667908,"title","Board extends Stephanie Gust—s principalship for three months following closed session","audioSeconds",2662,"startMs",5158000,"endMs",7820000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667908-8facd34934ea638bfabcdd788ea28028&start=5158&end=7820","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667908-8facd34934ea638bfabcdd788ea28028/thumbnail_5158000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6126463/North-Carolina/Board-extends-Stephanie-Gusts-principalship-for-three-months-following-closed-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126463-1e1fac6f883a700a751c5b56378476c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442891&Signature=iwS3SYGWDrIUPbnBmpIRD-8sWAfTW1SQ7OEOWZ-EiZvlejHttHMLxVD8SwgLRIHtBkMiL97NstbROLuQ2jvK8S-FZRblCnkFClo6cxbM1zwki7HwNiTt1IL0JNzpckOPGLxLDAtKxYnCgly6pkN0EWpaXeHtKfoz7terbeq~7i0DE70j7si9Qc596BetH1O7E-hoKkb1gyvVprYmHux-trLJRMdJRkkWha~bREwMw3jVopyGUHR7TDhmad8xkAVmHl5Wyp345X5i4IUvhzZj5oitfPYnqhqZsxO8-YtZnExutcQgQDxVIW~c-3guIwThTHzF8b66a2JpNSIzF4iBpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-18T09:27:17.05Z","article","GASTONIA, N.C. \u0012 After a closed session at the March 17 meeting, the Gaston County Board of Education returned to open session and voted to extend the principalship of Stephanie Gust for three months.

Board member AM Cherry moved the extension; Janice Smith seconded the motion. The board recorded the motion as approved unanimously on voice vote. The transcript records the motion and its passage but does not detail the terms beyond the three-month extension.

The extension was made after the meetings closed session, which the board said was convened under North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3),(5) and (6) for consultation with the attorney, real property and personnel matters. The board did not read additional personnel details into the public record during the open session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 17, 2025 Gaston County Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After returning from closed session, the Gaston County Board of Education voted unanimously March 17 to extend Stephanie Gusts principalship for three months.","taxTitle","Gaston County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",14090,"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},6126468,"Board approves high school exam schedule; traditional schools test May 15-20, early colleges May 12-16",147,3450000,3597000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667908-8facd34934ea638bfabcdd788ea28028&start=3450&end=3597","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667908-8facd34934ea638bfabcdd788ea28028/thumbnail_3450000.jpg","/articles/6126468/North-Carolina/Board-approves-high-school-exam-schedule-traditional-schools-test-May-15-20-early-colleges-May-12-16","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126468-c60c8561233d25741a3f235bd98fc218/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442891&Signature=UTUsNwR4cHbMSWXh~j6ADSL0-1QtXmaHgpRlifxThaf3AFxHGkUTWvN4wmBEOkHppllZ8ex7qF4zIQwAK8fxIYtJqCEyDwpJs9CoVXOpkKxFHhkhPl2ZlV1HzIDQvmiXYbRmSloge7CPAcdaug9rdFKIAh9zMOoz-b8j9KLiHA~0KAiJkfKGwzDgkD9BHVCkVGUWE-U~2FwyCx8YDqwKBolLuqQjHm8qp7F-73nElQxQH5QhNuDboud2-sWh-YPew4u5M3ImbmDzAxoDnmGogIHaK32Vax~0CNpXCUByy3D853T6gRdL8SZ0USd1k18UWBQPUpw401QkT74yCVjDiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","GASTONIA, N.C. \u0012 The Gaston County Board of Education on March 17 approved the districts high school exam schedule for the end of the spring semester.

District staff explained that state rules require exams to take place in the final five days of the semester. For traditional high schools the district set testing to begin Thursday, May 15 and run through Tuesday, May 20, with Wednesday, May 21 reserved as a makeup day. For early-college calendars, staff said testing will take place Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 16 to align with the collegessemester.

The board voted to approve the schedules after a motion and second. The item was recorded as passed; the transcript shows a voice vote with no roll call recorded.","Board voted to approve the districts high school exam schedule for traditional and early-college calendars, in compliance with state rules requiring exams in the last five days of the semester.",{"_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},6126472,"Gaston County Schools names 10 \"innovation schools,\" lists principals for 2025-26",151,7419000,7570000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667908-8facd34934ea638bfabcdd788ea28028&start=7419&end=7570","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667908-8facd34934ea638bfabcdd788ea28028/thumbnail_7419000.jpg","/articles/6126472/North-Carolina/Gaston-County-Schools-names-10-innovation-schools-lists-principals-for-2025-26","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126472-afdf7e25328a834a9a07af14eed5375e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442891&Signature=LI8dobgWdRW9-fW6eowAZ5uCYzZjVkubU66Q~5LwwpeyXB5nA6YKkmCBLftl3n-y8UQkOug2DL~8GwN5wbfC-O665BIzxONJU4zCLt~n0OAzylbri6M12waZDV0ViHpLMe~-cHB8aeyY5Lek7JdMR15RzKZOl5UmGRD1PTcCqD2nZlfy3LbvkNMgTN8zPU6oyeEIoxOCiET8zVKeiOE2q8O7dLTAs1762hICxY9dcQbUvtKfm3G877I~-5Vx~ncf50sYBB40GmueGO7KhBWl2xFi-55CxO3Usps6qsoaAK4Sdh06mxu10HzkYrYXUofTDrUA9umQk04Ca8p83PzzhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","GASTONIA, N.C. \u0012 At the March 17 meeting of the Gaston County Board of Education, Superintendent Morgan Houchard (presenting as \"Doctor Richard\" in parts of the transcript) announced a district innovation schools strategy and named 10 schools and their leaders for the 2025-26 school year.

Houchard described the strategy as a three-tier approach supported by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction: a principal recruitment supplement for qualifying schools, advanced teaching roles that provide pay supplements for effective teachers who move into leadership roles, and targeted professional development to raise instructional quality. \"This will be done through initiatives and strategies supported by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction,\" Houchard said.

The 10 innovation schools and their announced principals are: H. H. Beam Elementary (Beth Crosby); Summer City Central (Anna Miller); Woodhill Elementary (Jamie Wallace); Pleasant Ridge Elementary (Sean Hubers); Sherwood Elementary (Justin Beam); Lingerfeld Elementary (Jenny Cabe); Southwest Middle School (to be determined); Greer Middle School (Jessica Mellon); Ashbrook High School (Matt Reichard); and Hunter Huss High School (Kelsey Elms).

Houchard thanked the board for its work on the initiative and praised principals who accepted the assignments. The announcement was informational; no board vote was recorded during the meeting on the designations or supplements.","Superintendent announced 10 innovation-designated schools and the principals who will lead them in 2025-26; the strategy includes principal recruitment supplements, advanced teaching roles and targeted professional development supported by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.",{"_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},6126476,"Teacher cadet program at Hunter Huss highlighted as grow-your-own strategy",492,2807000,3299000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667908-8facd34934ea638bfabcdd788ea28028&start=2807&end=3299","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667908-8facd34934ea638bfabcdd788ea28028/thumbnail_2807000.jpg","/articles/6126476/North-Carolina/Teacher-cadet-program-at-Hunter-Huss-highlighted-as-grow-your-own-strategy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126476-b2c16d0da8698762c59b8b3b7b813cb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442891&Signature=Bcc-EQphDSjBLjd-T~as7pCpFmXXDkQ1-GmcF1jZEUPc~JethHT~UH7bqosqB2E2ArtRSHPoaJAGlDDt-OWH4FUhidb1RdF2n12P6N0gwSmkVsO0MWgcdOOHwm5J3eDp2sx~lBPRGc0Mul22TTO2vrPPlXO0ee~waELx8lY4Dx~KokH7uS0~oKxp4WuOYnR4jgknMqGRtaD0RgBfqncJQLVUtLGiJKc2l5OhrZkpbYqsl7Hr-xkpPfGnwIPrz1q~KAfPhMRJcWP8ryim7A3KDWYoji-mlX0rp~NebwO7BWIt26mt78nR09unRVSSJpcIhAR-LjRbMLeN1LCj6nxSew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","GASTONIA, N.C. \u0012 The Gaston County Board of Education heard a classroom moment March 17 on the teacher cadet program at Hunter Huss High School, presented by Dr. Brian Denton and program teacher Bethany Huffman.

Denton described the teacher cadet sequence as a two-course honors program aimed at recruiting future teachers locally: \"It is a grow your own program so that we can have a pipeline of teachers that are our own students who are interested in education,\" he said. Students spend time in elementary classrooms doing hands-on activities and lesson delivery as part of the course.

The board saw a short video and heard from a current student, Peyton, who said participating in the program helped confirm her career plans and provided practical classroom experience. Denton and staff said the district hopes to expand the program to all high schools and cited a growing partnership with Belmont Abbey College and support from Gaston College to offer local college pathways for cadets.

No formal action was taken; the item was presented as a classroom moment to illustrate a district program that the board and staff describe as a retention and recruitment tool for future teachers.","Board heard a classroom moment on the teacher cadet program at Hunter Huss High School, a two-course, hands-on program that places juniors and seniors in elementary classrooms and has a nascent partnership with Belmont Abbey College.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6126481,"Gaston County Schools asks county for $7 million boost, details teacher pay and capital needs",1064,3766000,4830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667908-8facd34934ea638bfabcdd788ea28028&start=3766&end=4830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667908-8facd34934ea638bfabcdd788ea28028/thumbnail_3766000.jpg","/articles/6126481/North-Carolina/Gaston-County-Schools-asks-county-for-7-million-boost-details-teacher-pay-and-capital-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126481-dfb261ba95e0b76418130546f3dadfa9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442891&Signature=bA7Da~HyVsRuQzcIOZusKOkjIsnB5p5lnW0q4ZnX2TfczJ7XMgbellfMa9kIw5TgMo87-znnzGY7GzZpTzjWhgZ5PJsnx49wau8hLfzTJbnN4dZXPavfkPCy4yFtOKTpCEqjkwPhjIuu~BuXfwt985sqAfYHRhHM7vJDQiKv1~qRGzpjaj4exhbhjBkWEHaM6vZc5tg8CCYjUR77kjrKuiD6lAVO9YotWkXC1rKmVI88hfjkHKGfxQ8WorBIUWWP7xckaMdG~la93~NO6a5TmP1Hu~iCmWT2~sP~E0pUEMvHO80RLLHBI4wb52wguDyR~p6tx4Q6UWjPhLMlxXPt~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","GASTONIA, N.C. \u0012 At the Gaston County Board of Educations March 17 meeting, district finance staff presented the superintendents budget request for fiscal year 2025-26, asking the county for roughly $7 million in additional funding to cover operating needs and capital maintenance.

The presentation, delivered by Gary Assmans, said the districts current initial budget is about $381 million and that county funding this year totals approximately $56.4 million, which represents roughly 15% of the districts budget. \"We are currently the second largest employer in Gaston County,\" Assmans said, and he detailed key local-cost responsibilities the county funds, including teacher supplements, facilities, student technology and transportation.

The request breaks into an operating increase of $5.2 million and a separate capital maintenance ask that moves local funding from $2.2 million this year toward $4 million in year one of a three-year plan to reach a peer benchmark of about $6.9 million. The district asked for $3.6 million to raise the average local teacher supplement; Assmans said the average supplement now is $3,860 and that the requested increase would narrow the gap with peer districts. The presentation showed county-provided teacher supplements have grown modestly in recent years but that employer retirement and benefit costs have risen, reducing the dollars that reach classroom pay.

Assmans also described ongoing costs the district needs to fund just to maintain current services: inflation on supplies and contracts, a modeled 3% salary increase for locally funded positions (matching the current state-year increase used in the planning scenario), and higher employer benefit costs. He told the board the district must produce a balanced local budget resolution by state deadlines even if the state budget is delayed.

The budget presentation was given for information; no vote on the request occurred at the meeting. Assmans said the board will present the approved local budget request to the Gaston County Board of Commissioners at a joint meeting on April 1, and that the school board plans to return to the board for formal approval at its April 14 meeting.

The districts presentation included historical charts of student counts (about 30,000 students enrolled in Gaston County Schools), local funding trends, charter school payments, and a breakdown of how local dollars are currently used, with operational support services and instructional services listed among the largest line items.

Board members did not take formal action on the request during the March 17 session; staff said they will answer questions and return with an approval item on April 14.","At a March 17 Gaston County Board of Education meeting, district finance staff presented a superintendents budget request seeking an additional $7 million from the county to cover operating and capital maintenance increases, including a $3.6 million teacher supplement ask and a three-year capital maintenance ramp.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board extends Stephanie Gust—s principalship for three months following closed session

Board approves high school exam schedule; traditional schools test May 15-20, early colleges May 12-16

Gaston County Schools names 10 "innovation schools," lists principals for 2025-26

Teacher cadet program at Hunter Huss highlighted as grow-your-own strategy

Gaston County Schools asks county for $7 million boost, details teacher pay and capital needs