[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6182038,"mediaKeyId","5109914-8c2c0356943f8d0f131b2a20b8ac2e0b","parentId",5109914,"title","District establishes Buscrest design‑build committee and reopens negotiations with consultant after high initial estimate","audioSeconds",142,"startMs",2197650,"endMs",2339690,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5109914-8c2c0356943f8d0f131b2a20b8ac2e0b&start=2197&end=2339","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5109914-8c2c0356943f8d0f131b2a20b8ac2e0b/thumbnail_2197650.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6182038/North-Carolina/District-establishes-Buscrest-designbuild-committee-and-reopens-negotiations-with-consultant-after-high-initial-estimate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182038-87445c9cef500aeee6a3f8fe94f11286/orig.mp4?Expires=1775126681&Signature=cVWJJy7UVEBTZIgkjrc6CDXjP1zgAe8sOVMC78AYogoQCcCXOdWBW5NSnEZt-28u7x9ToTyETMybybUS8pbBGgyTRqvdQqy1Az9SS-dSDfItpnL~26zgwu7JU7-Z3l6PDVhGTCE~Hq7Jfy3yAnUjHOyu5Aklo8wZ9M1NipbkOitGhFm7S3P7ppRWXQrNNWhVqYj7b8ZY~VZqe60rM7K3tqLSYkbPh9vlA-lfBgOb3iaw0G~nsxPabrl-OXl8tj0ICgSDAVV0j560XWBZ85PU2oCMB1bjTgm5tivpi-WS7MmySFV-p9UeJDBP~4HP9ehIoPotx6yPdATbhccvD9YNug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Henderson County Schools","date","2025-07-01T02:43:03Z","article","Henderson County Schools told the board on June 30 that district staff met with the county manager and agreed to participate in a five‑person committee to plan a Buscrest project, and that the district has resumed negotiations with the consultant LS3P after an initial, high price estimate.

District staff said County Manager Mr. Mitchell will convene the committee, which will be chaired by Chris Todd, assistant county manager, and will include two county representatives and two district representatives (identified by staff as Mr. Taylor and Mr. Dylan). The committee’s first step will be to plan and define a design‑build approach; once planning and scopes are in place the financing portion will go to the county board of commissioners for consideration.

On consultant negotiations, staff said LS3P’s initial proposal for the scope of engineering and related services came back at about $248,000. Staff said they told the firm that the price was “way out of line for what we need” and that negotiations will continue; if the district cannot reach acceptable terms it will pursue other firms.

No contracts were finalized at the meeting; the board was informed of the committee membership and next steps and the district directed staff to continue negotiations and to report back.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting EOY Matters 06/30/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Henderson County Schools said it will join a county‑led design‑build committee for the Buscrest project and that contract talks with LS3P are back under negotiation after an initial $248,000 scope price; the district said it will seek alternatives if negotiations do not produce an acceptable scope and price.","taxTitle","Henderson County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",14094,"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},6182041,"District reports high graduation rate, kindergarten registration activity and early success for Pathfinders mentoring program",302,1736610,2038630,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5109914-8c2c0356943f8d0f131b2a20b8ac2e0b&start=1736&end=2038","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5109914-8c2c0356943f8d0f131b2a20b8ac2e0b/thumbnail_1736610.jpg","/articles/6182041/North-Carolina/District-reports-high-graduation-rate-kindergarten-registration-activity-and-early-success-for-Pathfinders-mentoring-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182041-c5bc58288bc0e54143a7eef527a686ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1775126681&Signature=n80tHhDckprX3eR5L-a0NVQhEZhmUU8b1zpJqld0KbwATAwY45ilMx-DS2SbCwCq0ndXEKX0Yr~puUx36LXxnynlX6vX-774nTHZvFy3L5zEIjG7ptgWOPEVzipHSFuS01eQtF9i9algfPiRfLZ6ZPvVpvM7Hpbe9WbvUg2RQCdTpDwcCrGB3BvgG6b7RkpgbT2J37utsGpOtHodEKdGDJhGa6dB8hC4ncESV5Ix4z5VYf0Pq15CcHBfPkx1FS-hXgj1U8sN5IsPiDijHmZ9vq5shbMXM2L2oAzJpfulrHHCuaw~U~jLqohC0dbnWYssyi9VXjlHNftw6Pjn58Lhdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff provided several operational updates at the June 30 meeting, highlighting enrollment activity, nutrition services and an early evaluation of a new mentoring initiative.

Staff reminded the board that kindergarten registration for the incoming class of 2038 remains open; the presenter said that the last known count was about 700 but that a data-system transition from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus has interrupted up-to-the-minute reporting and that schools are keeping manual records during the switch.

Summer meals continue June 9–20 at bus sites and community sites: East Flat Rock Park and Dana Community Park from 11 to 11:45 a.m., and Jackson Park Shelter No. 4 and Eddyville Community Center from noon to 12:45 p.m., staff said.

Administrators reported the district achieved the highest graduation rate in its history, with every high school over 90 percent in the preliminary spring data. Staff said the district will update cohort figures as additional summer data are finalized.

Staff also described early results from the Pathfinders mentoring program operating at East Henderson and Flat Rock. Preliminary tracking showed East Henderson reduced ninth‑grade retentions to zero this year after previously retaining roughly a dozen students annually; staff credited mentoring and multiple supports for the change. Staff said the district plans to solidify the model in one feeder zone before scaling to other feeders and that Maggie Gillum is running the initiative.

The reports were presented for information; the board did not take formal action on these items at the meeting.","Henderson County Schools reported its highest graduation rate in district history, ongoing kindergarten registration (about 700 at last count), summer meal site times and early positive indicators from the Pathfinders mentoring program, including reduced ninth-grade retentions at East Henderson.",{"_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},6182045,"New state law on student personal devices prompts Henderson County Schools to keep current policy and plan districtwide procedures",1027,677370,1704850,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5109914-8c2c0356943f8d0f131b2a20b8ac2e0b&start=677&end=1704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5109914-8c2c0356943f8d0f131b2a20b8ac2e0b/thumbnail_677370.jpg","/articles/6182045/North-Carolina/New-state-law-on-student-personal-devices-prompts-Henderson-County-Schools-to-keep-current-policy-and-plan-districtwide-procedures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182045-84ed03d750e5cd358c5dffca04eecdb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775126681&Signature=gn9l8t0xO-5Bax7NQpz3CghdtIM0xHif9i1KhEOuUYz6zVKwvFUrOWZYxP35~7F7Mg4UQueyU0yDCIBMnAoCqoXHWtHO9zzeRpqIkmlmZW5VbNNm2CHe-qNfL3ilrUkWK5H0g8H13UvrJOD0nXqCTpxPniRdTlPgnkF0Qc8JWIf~eIrjIC6VCX3sqCN43zX~ebCYE~dag9OvgNxXXLKDqelzHozTJzui2nhrntKSyH2lnSuI-7G7hcY83yOo-27uAf8fb9qx~795M7kX5QBI8wnxbwlzq9vSb4rnDdXDK7ojDu1EdXIDS4IV0Msy5PqmQo9L0GjhmrJVTZvLMIIVhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henderson County Board of Public Education reviewed a new state law on student personal electronic devices during its June 30 meeting and signaled that the district’s existing policy will remain in place while administrators finalize consistent enforcement procedures for the coming school year.

District staff told the board House Bill 959 requires each public school unit to adopt a policy that at minimum prohibits students from using, displaying, or having wireless communication devices turned on during instructional time. The presenter said the bill was sent to the governor and expected to be signed and that the district’s current policy already meets the bill’s baseline requirements, though the bill uses the phrase “instructional time” while the district policy refers to the “school day.”

The presenter said exceptions in the statute include teacher‑authorized educational uses, emergencies, protections required by an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan, and use to manage health care (for example, diabetes monitoring). The statute requires each unit to establish consequences for violations under the student code of conduct; the presenter said principals and administrative teams will develop those consequences so they are enforceable and consistent at elementary, middle and high schools.

Board members discussed enforcement options and equity: one member favored keeping phones available for students (for example, in a classroom charging station) rather than locking them in school storage; several members raised concerns about consistent application across schools and the administrative burden of hardware solutions. Staff described two commonly used options other districts have tried: a portable locking cabinet that can be moved during drills or evacuations, and a magnetic “Yonder” pouch (about $26 per pouch) that releases with a circular magnet at the end of day. Staff said some high schools have expressed interest in piloting pouches.

No change to the district policy was proposed at the meeting. The superintendent and staff committed to present the procedural details the principals will use at the board’s August meeting so the board understands the disciplinary steps and the district’s plan to apply them consistently.","Following passage of House Bill 959, district staff told the board the district’s current device policy already meets the new statutory minimum; the board asked principals to develop consistent disciplinary procedures and staff described pilot options like magnetic pouches and locking cabinets.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6182049,"Board approves federal micro-purchase self‑certification and sole‑source waiver for student-services software",253,343870,597620,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5109914-8c2c0356943f8d0f131b2a20b8ac2e0b&start=343&end=597","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5109914-8c2c0356943f8d0f131b2a20b8ac2e0b/thumbnail_343870.jpg","/articles/6182049/North-Carolina/Board-approves-federal-micro-purchase-selfcertification-and-solesource-waiver-for-student-services-software","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182049-567e2e316f009e8c17aa1b96085c1f25/orig.mp4?Expires=1775126681&Signature=QjTLZw7sIB~Nz2mfzjIbw0~rXtLTLNLnp23gb4Q1lsvwM6dE4558aT48V2QkCiPeLZB3XyZw31UM5D54J3pXzdt6r0Gls8hYFL0pwWBoDTB1LFdpq-dNVBeLVUfBRxMAoR7To-jlAt94w3A74sXGFmmmwdfuQnakoJ7qF0xD7Uc-nC5FAB7PmFy7ORCOnjTSOTG1tomPeawqCKh5RYy3lEKjtsnkUKVdqliXPaQN844M2gn1gHHhdJCvNNG4rSSvdD1aW9wMorjIqpPlJxkiorrxWjOJCfhx07CuYHrUjJAwCxGGAilmsOxuduiL-Vyo39z07N-gtLbrXF7zfViUrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henderson County Board of Public Education approved the district’s annual federal procurement self‑certification and a noncompetitive procurement waiver on June 30 to continue using a student-services data platform.

Finance staff explained the Uniform Guidance micro‑purchase threshold authorization allows the district to use federal funds for purchases up to $30,000 for goods and $50,000 for services without a formal competitive bid, an increase from a prior $10,000 threshold for some procurements. Staff said the certification is required annually and applies only to purchases made with federal funds; it does not change state or local procurement rules.

The board also approved a sole‑source certification and a noncompetitive procurement waiver to continue contracting with Elevation, a software product used by a district program to track enrollment, testing and services. A staff presenter said neighboring districts and other states use the same software, which facilitates record transfer when students move between districts and offers a filtering capability that the district’s student information systems (PowerSchool and Infinite Campus) did not have.

Staff reported the contract cost for Elevation is about $25,000, “not to exceed $25,000,” and said the vendor supplied a sole‑source certification. A board member praised the program in general and noted the software’s curriculum/sample materials were “phenomenal.”

A motion to approve the noncompetitive procurement waiver was moved and seconded; the board approved it by voice vote. No amendments or protests were recorded.","Henderson County Schools approved the annual Uniform Guidance self‑certification that raises federal micro‑purchase thresholds and a noncompetitive procurement waiver to continue using Elevation software for student supports, at a not‑to‑exceed $25,000 cost.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6182051,"Henderson County school board adopts interim budget to maintain operations through Dec. 31",267,74380,341560,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5109914-8c2c0356943f8d0f131b2a20b8ac2e0b&start=74&end=341","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5109914-8c2c0356943f8d0f131b2a20b8ac2e0b/thumbnail_74380.jpg","/articles/6182051/North-Carolina/Henderson-County-school-board-adopts-interim-budget-to-maintain-operations-through-Dec-31","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182051-7e7fac455ebf24648c6c48c93410ad40/orig.mp4?Expires=1775126681&Signature=UHQPq~Q5xOCmMvfAiRk3lLmy2FfnOk15-V5M5YpsMkbRpp4Mt4Xu2vOItos4ZrQJRWeTGKPDljZ6-8Q5Qpr4mob4G7rYFzZRXQCv7-o51E-i6BXkj4dPVdqeh~J0Z7PIMIgWpyV509Tn-POQzPxMkmZZmHf1Y2zBDgw4a3VhbACJXP~3jsNbG9K6BVoOkNlQD3~WIMFMXgb3R-DjdSGtsuMD9VM2LJqQR~C3RPyvVxmSI78yGITsI0WI4-ecmG-YLSuit6bRiZRv1~FHbrhPsArFyJ5bnkDD3~QMOpCj4TwBO6mJfvo9dKd3OOUdvjYY6juk2SuU1FMnx1t-6utBsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henderson County Board of Public Education on June 30 approved an interim budget resolution to keep the district operating beginning July 1 and through Dec. 31.

The move, presented by a district finance staff member, was described as a formality needed “for us to continue business operations starting July 1,” and passed after a motion from a board member and a voice vote in which the motion carried.

Board members were told the interim budget covers local, state and federal revenue streams for the first half of the fiscal year. The presenter said the federal portion includes anticipated grant revenues and capital outlay; child nutrition and childcare lines are included for half the year because of timing of reimbursements. He said the interim figure was chosen so the district can “operate and purchase and pay people in July.”

A board member questioned a large change in a child nutrition-related line on the state budget — pointing to “33 last year versus a 108” in the figures — and the presenter said he would follow up with a detailed breakdown. He noted that last year the district spent about $65,000 on the state child nutrition line and offered to “go back and look that up” to identify the source of the larger number in the proposed interim budget.

The motion to approve the interim budget resolution was made on the record, seconded and approved by voice vote. No formal amendment or additional conditions were adopted at the meeting.

Board discussion focused on clarifying questions rather than changes to the resolution; the presenter repeated that interim budgets are done annually and the district plans to present a regular budget for the full fiscal year later in the fall.

The interim budget allows staff to continue payroll, purchasing and other day-to-day operations while the district awaits longer-term state budget action.","The Henderson County Board of Public Education approved an interim budget resolution on June 30 to allow schools to operate starting July 1 while awaiting a state budget; the measure funds operations through Dec. 31 and drew questions about child nutrition and state-line items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District establishes Buscrest design‑build committee and reopens negotiations with consultant after high initial estimate

District reports high graduation rate, kindergarten registration activity and early success for Pathfinders mentoring program

New state law on student personal devices prompts Henderson County Schools to keep current policy and plan districtwide procedures

Board approves federal micro-purchase self‑certification and sole‑source waiver for student-services software

Henderson County school board adopts interim budget to maintain operations through Dec. 31