The Piedmont Community Charter School Board of Directors on Oct. 21 conducted a first reading of a proposed wireless communication device policy that the school says was developed in response to House Bill 959 (Session Law 2025-38) and will be finalized for a second reading and vote at the board’s November meeting.

The policy, read aloud by the board during the governance-committee report, would require students to keep wireless devices “secured in their lockers or book bags if lockers are not available during the school day from 07:15AM to dismissal.” The draft defines wireless devices to include cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, earbuds and other devices, and describes a step-based set of disciplinary responses for repeated violations. The board discussed exceptions for instruction, emergencies and students with documented medical or special-learning needs.

Why it matters: The board’s first reading implements a state-level directive and sets schoolwide limits on device use during school hours. The board asked the school attorney to refine language on whether offenses reset each semester or are cumulative, and to remove a disciplinary chart from the policy so consequences remain under administrative discretion.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes for the Sept. 16, 2025 meeting — motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as in favor; no dissent recorded (approved).
- Approval of the September 2025 personnel report (new hires) — motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as in favor; no dissent recorded (approved). The personnel report lists new hires including Justin Burnett (custodian, elementary), Tessa Burnett (part-time TA, elementary), Jacob Tidwell (facilities manager, middle school) and Terry Honeycutt (custodian, middle school).

Budget and enrollment highlights

The board received the finance committee’s monthly report showing an unaudited operating-month surplus. The presentation stated total revenue for the prior month of $19,820,816.34 against $19,104,565.04 in expenses, yielding a net surplus before investments of $716,251.30. The report listed operating-account cash of $2,816,684.24, a student activities account balance and investments bringing total cash and investments to $6,404,172.42. The presenter also summarized fund balances held by U.S. Bank for bond and repair accounts and an expected cash-and-investments-on-hand projection for fiscal year 2026.

Enrollment and personnel

In the head-of-school report, the board heard that the school submitted average daily membership for bond reporting on Oct. 3 as 1,986 and that enrollment as of Oct. 14 was 1,977 students (693 elementary, 668 middle, 616 high school). The head of school presented the personnel report and asked for board approval of the listed hires; the board approved the report by voice vote.

NC College Connect presentation

Claire Hupstetler, the high school director, briefed the board on NC College Connect, a new statewide initiative intended to streamline admissions for eligible North Carolina public high school seniors. Hupstetler said the program identifies students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher and verification of a fourth-level math course, provides colleges with those students’ records so the colleges may extend direct-admission offers without requiring test scores, essays or application fees, and includes participation by many UNC-system campuses and all 58 North Carolina community colleges. "This program makes the dream of college more attainable for many of our seniors," Hupstetler said.

Wireless-device policy details and committee direction

During the governance-committee discussion the board read the draft policy once. Board members asked for clarified timing on when the policy would take effect (the board was told the school is required to have procedures in place by Jan. 1) and whether offenses should reset each semester or be cumulative. Committee members said they prefer that offenses reset each semester, similar to the school’s tardy policy; administrators said they use discretion and the attorney will be asked to insert clear language. Board members also discussed removing a disciplinary chart from the policy document and keeping disciplinary guidance in administrative procedures rather than the policy itself. The board scheduled a second reading and a vote for the November meeting.

Facilities and Oakland Street House update

The board received an update on the Oakland Street House renovation and planned move-in. A facilities presenter reported that most work is finished, with final shelving and minor door touch-ups remaining. Security cameras and internet service are installed; office furniture delivery and moving of files are scheduled. The intrusion alarm is ready, but the fire-alarm installation is delayed by a parts backlog with an estimated 3–5 week lead time, the presenter said. The contractor referenced by the board was Kenny Champion; the board said it had spoken with vendor Max Flynn about alarm approvals and parts.

Student recognition and athletics

The board recognized student accomplishments in arts and music: high school students Mackenzie McCoy (first place, Mount Holly Plein Air contest) and Landon Robinson (second place) and multiple students selected for the Mars Hill Choral Festival. The board also heard athletic updates including middle-school volleyball, boys soccer, cross-country and high-school fall-sports results and upcoming playoff dates.

What’s next

The board completed the meeting after scheduling a second reading and vote on the wireless-device policy at the Nov. 18 board meeting. The board also announced a strategic planning session for Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. to noon.