[{"_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",6196163,"mediaKeyId","3858006-2c5b46463b0c57e8b0ae9228ddad602c","parentId",3858006,"title","Board moves into closed session citing NC statute for attorney consultation and personnel","audioSeconds",26,"startMs",3717000,"endMs",3743000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3858006-2c5b46463b0c57e8b0ae9228ddad602c&start=3717&end=3743","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3858006-2c5b46463b0c57e8b0ae9228ddad602c/thumbnail_3717000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6196163/North-Carolina/Board-moves-into-closed-session-citing-NC-statute-for-attorney-consultation-and-personnel","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196163-bb0abb3e38117128540aab0b9ffd717a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770929722&Signature=ZI5F3EeP7pIDOFhdQr32pYuMwrXMuXQkoRyovw1wyfOftp4xQlpq11WaaNrQOe4B65OaoruMygQ3N5Dq~dDr1ymGiLEbxwTHr4bMSnOf~hOTHZ3mSbYpyDMKbHnI6VMw-E1jhEVYMQX2tFqxKUpULqZFHQo6nAWHfdFKkw-0QCnHeAHrc~T1TxEVN8GRX-HFIDgY7DmPUc-EU8Ml-QvnKLyGbWeepvZZu~ejREqwRK~shKl0faBxDLJ8XU4Z8IqVblQA5XY-PNA~NEMMpFbHegFTFfOFZVsS9IdFOB68hp1-pDzTrUM1Kmfsjn9GO7C6q3sQW9YP5IRzn0ZsII~~zA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-18T09:50:41.957Z","article","Near the end of its June 16 meeting the Gaston County Board of Education voted to go into closed session under North Carolina General Statute 143‑318.11(a)(3) and (6), which cover consultation with the board’s attorney and certain personnel matters.

Board member Scott Cherry moved to enter closed session under the statute and the motion was seconded and approved. The board entered closed session; no further details were disclosed in the public record that evening.

Why it matters: Closed sessions under cited statute are permitted for confidential consultation with counsel and for personnel discussions. The public‑meeting portion of the board’s agenda concluded after the motion to convene closed session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 16, 2025 Gaston County Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Gaston County Board of Education voted to enter closed session under North Carolina General Statute 143‑318.11(a)(3) and (6) for consultation with the board attorney and personnel matters.","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},6196168,"Gaston County Schools highlights student awards, literacy partnership and data‑accuracy recognitions",223,823000,1046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3858006-2c5b46463b0c57e8b0ae9228ddad602c&start=823&end=1046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3858006-2c5b46463b0c57e8b0ae9228ddad602c/thumbnail_823000.jpg","/articles/6196168/North-Carolina/Gaston-County-Schools-highlights-student-awards-literacy-partnership-and-dataaccuracy-recognitions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196168-2e70f0ac6b44a9ed80ffd7c9f05550e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770929722&Signature=dle9q4ShpYtpQ4Wc935XA4YLo3Eshk6crDryalC~7sj2MsXabgaUQ8gMJ-GYXJvwEa5~UmKVqD95eJrDKJKEgncOTbk5Q6fsP5eLCs~dIe3TkkF6GV9YrzPtpFjVXFVvyrnG2SYwGLVZDOowbMHEUzVwVouOeU3wvDvbQiKDdbYNTGmm4KDL~VsZobSquv0SY10uiaTvgQN7XHAj4BfvytBnOYGqNU4VZbCEXrxV~2VrkJhto-HoHDEVyp6CtnN3~UZiC0tME4VjTC0yyHi1DRv910qIOxK1J2i4qyNbJO2fG3WS0zsSpkY30E3wDeqRPCrA6lYCXZK520AEspbHrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The June 16 meeting featured a series of district recognitions and program updates presented as part of the board’s \"good news\" segment.

Highlands School of Technology engineering and graphics academy coordinator Daryl Thompson was recognized as the North Carolina Technology Student Association High School Chapter Advisor of the Year and will be honored at the association’s national conference in Nashville.

Representatives from Tryon Elementary and Gaston County Emergency Management and Fire Services described the Flash a Light on Literacy program, a partnership that challenged students in grades 3–5 to read over two months; student Riley Jordan read 55 books and the entire group read a total of 521 books during the program.

District data managers were recognized for PowerSchool audits. Scott Castle and Leah Stewart and school data managers were acknowledged for compiling and reporting student information during the 2022–23 and 2023–24 school years and for work supporting the transition to the state‑mandated Infinite Campus student information system.

The board also heard about a two‑day leadership conference for principals and assistant principals focused on instruction, interim assessments and coaching, and a summary of the Commissioner School of Excellence — a multi‑decade program that convenes rising student leaders from across Gaston County for career and leadership exposure. District presenters said 70 students attended the most recent two‑week Commissioner School session and described the program’s career‑focused classes (medicine, legal, engineering, environment) and public‑speaking, cultural and service components.","The board heard a series of 'good news' items: a state adviser award for Highlands School of Technology, a Flash a Light on Literacy partnership at Tryon Elementary, PowerSchool audit perfect scores across multiple schools, and details on the Commissioner School of Excellence leadership program.",{"_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},6196171,"Parent urges Gaston County Schools to allow homeschooled students to join athletics without dual enrollment",182,2416000,2598000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3858006-2c5b46463b0c57e8b0ae9228ddad602c&start=2416&end=2598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3858006-2c5b46463b0c57e8b0ae9228ddad602c/thumbnail_2416000.jpg","/articles/6196171/North-Carolina/Parent-urges-Gaston-County-Schools-to-allow-homeschooled-students-to-join-athletics-without-dual-enrollment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196171-9bcbfe90c70a6278d97a65c14c93c447/orig.mp4?Expires=1770929722&Signature=LcrTev4gC14ImdAQM1XBtkmbU-jd8CR8Un3jd1QvabSeRhvCUJp3vH~jgTTg71H2pnlVoIiKqg6RQzNfx1vmI7PnRn4JSwAKp-Xy1UDOrzughPuOPK9Z~50njXDG774lT~DXvbceT5U89fEjAwlYrwqRYaxxtEs0eBTya9zffF~-UJqGc0CfBz1fXgushgw2nEoCcIYmuB9faTvmqkIQ1-CDN2Ra-Ry54gD6BD-e73gJY69nwUgTT1Z~JXhdfyIwUZCe3xEgnit8zIOYsL9-p~8l3cah4Guj-fXxPER5AOw8bdQMcKOKsENf27DXIa~hJJiTeUP7F8SSDAhTB3puDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sheila Christenberry addressed the Gaston County Board of Education during the June 16 public‑comment period and asked the board to allow homeschooled students to participate in district athletics without dual enrollment.

Christenberry identified herself as both a parent and an advocate and told the board she was speaking to request two actions: immediate permission for her son, Easton, to participate in football and begin summer workouts with documentation provided by the family; and a broader policy change to allow all homeschooled students in Gaston County to play sports provided they meet the same eligibility and safety standards as public‑school students.

She cited the North Carolina Department of Education athletic manual, saying it “clearly states on page 8 that the local board of education may create a policy to allow homeschool students to play sports provided they either are, Gaston County covers the student in catastrophic athletic insurance or verify that the student has independent coverage.” Christenberry said the district currently allows homeschoolers to participate only if they take three classes in the public system and urged the board to change that practice.

Board members did not take action on the request at the meeting; the board’s public‑comment rules were read at the start of the period and the board does not respond to public expression during the public comment period. Christenberry closed by restating the two asks: immediate permission for Easton to participate in football and a policy change for all homeschooled students.","A parent told the board that state guidance allows local boards to permit homeschooled students to participate in public school athletics and asked for immediate permission for her son to join football plus a broader policy change.",{"_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},6196174,"Board extends Superintendent Chris Houchard’s contract through 2029 and approves 10% raise",32,3754000,3786000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3858006-2c5b46463b0c57e8b0ae9228ddad602c&start=3754&end=3786","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3858006-2c5b46463b0c57e8b0ae9228ddad602c/thumbnail_3754000.jpg","/articles/6196174/North-Carolina/Board-extends-Superintendent-Chris-Houchards-contract-through-2029-and-approves-10-raise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196174-4ab33d9d408c4e5b6af48a913c83a0fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770929722&Signature=ExIZoZO2tDAbyv8h7IKYEI2SwDE5BV6PLyUFpEr2iPNMVinYU1Gl4qCrfH7-Z5xVGLOIBtnyEjiWLd94ihAuP8M71MgBNKBdI9L1Kh6CZN1D-lyNj9nvMNgGVyBPRhKm1P0n-gd8XMvPjBVHQH4IckXFsftZeObODd1hbAhCjfqLXmT-KWuULz~jB94wLtlGGgXYLDr8nNlfj7XLNAAPRt8EjqJpBvRw2zUhADbCnX8V~39oF5DbDFB196C5jefVy04bdcI-CmjVaUxq2Sakw0IRSweCUfLnZtFLOgBjNi7lg-PFh8wmKV6UQSc7Zxbs0tJ6bpCbM-9Ql0sfWjF52A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gaston County Board of Education on June 16 voted to extend Superintendent Dr. Chris Houchard’s employment contract through June 30, 2029, and approved a 10% salary increase for Houchard effective July 1, 2025.

The raise and contract extension were presented as motions during the meeting and carried. A board member later praised Houchard’s leadership: \"He has a passion for our school system. He has a passion for change and, innovation,\" and said the board looked forward to working with him under the new contract. (Remarks attributed to Board member Jeff Ramsey.)

The board also approved multiple administrative contract renewals and extensions during the same meeting, including four‑year assistant principal contract renewals and one‑ and four‑year principal contract renewals, and extensions of associate and assistant superintendents’ contracts to coincide with the superintendent’s contract end date of June 30, 2029. Those personnel actions were approved by board vote as presented.

Why it matters: Extending the superintendent’s contract and approving a salary increase formalizes district leadership for the coming years and aligns other senior administrators’ contracts with the superintendent’s term. The approvals also include renewals for site-level leaders, which affect school leadership stability heading into the 2025–26 school year.

Next steps and implementation: Personnel contract renewals will be processed by Human Resources and the district will implement the salary increase effective July 1, 2025. The board did not discuss specific performance metrics in the public portion of the meeting.","The Gaston County Board of Education extended Superintendent Chris Houchard’s contract to June 30, 2029, and approved a 10% salary increase effective July 1, 2025; the board also approved multi-year renewals and contract extensions for other district administrators.",{"_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},6196176,"Gaston County Board approves 80% interim budget to bridge state funding gap",82,3121000,3203000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3858006-2c5b46463b0c57e8b0ae9228ddad602c&start=3121&end=3203","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3858006-2c5b46463b0c57e8b0ae9228ddad602c/thumbnail_3121000.jpg","/articles/6196176/North-Carolina/Gaston-County-Board-approves-80-interim-budget-to-bridge-state-funding-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196176-d23167494f41f8213173f08c8ce976a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770929722&Signature=f9uwYs9~E7o2WqZe7S3JHo50Yw6QDYm1W6lAFhQXaWEbKI8b-IxLk3fjIVtSc8Ew5b9kaFo0alnxeBwu1f7CdbPULb7Sxm-yWB5awM0nReqgfnrHY4xflOUJQI7elEKm2pX3H6b2pvjHExW83DSrCM~BKPz0sdoQdPkFk7q8OVxqlPTjPgv~Q55yvvHCV0AorYbC-RHcQN25vDsHaq1ofa6QdM8aM0b-Oi0L8PoDzKmYhgs7lX8uREpPJJpxDTDvTEi3ptBTc79Gqa5aXQH3eEowBvfJZXLLwWF96eo6CkSNOzOBhU~BNP510IQ-WXKecVWwd43McjIvSyMqFCqdtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gaston County Board of Education on June 16 approved an interim 2025–26 budget set at 80% of the 2024–25 budget to carry the district through the start of the fiscal year while the state budget remains pending.

Superintendent Dr. Chris Houchard told the board the interim measure is required by state law and is intended to “have appropriations to pay salaries, to pay supplies and expenses, to get us through the beginning of school, through summer, and get us into the time when the state actually approves the final budget resolution.” He said the interim budget “will be the equivalent of 80% of our current budget at this point.”

The board moved and seconded the measure and approved it in a roll call. The transcript records that two members opposed the interim budget; the names of the two opposing members were not specified during the vote on the public record. The superintendent noted that a final state budget was not in place and was anticipated “maybe around September.”

Why it matters: North Carolina school districts must have an approved budget by June 30 to continue operations; adopting an interim appropriation allows schools to pay staff and operate on a temporary basis until the legislature finalizes state funding. The interim approach preserves payroll and supply payments but can constrain new spending until the final state appropriation is known.

Discussion and next steps: Board members asked no follow-up questions for district finance staff during the public portion of the meeting. The interim appropriation will remain in effect until the district adopts a final 2025–26 budget after the state enacts a budget resolution.","The Gaston County Board of Education voted to approve an interim fiscal 2025–26 budget set at 80% of the 2024–25 budget to provide appropriations while the state budget remains pending; the measure passed with two members opposing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board moves into closed session citing NC statute for attorney consultation and personnel

Gaston County Schools highlights student awards, literacy partnership and data‑accuracy recognitions

Parent urges Gaston County Schools to allow homeschooled students to join athletics without dual enrollment

Board extends Superintendent Chris Houchard’s contract through 2029 and approves 10% raise

Gaston County Board approves 80% interim budget to bridge state funding gap