District gets $202,278 energy rebate; superintendent says Title I funding secure this year but future allotments unknown

The Cleveland County Board of Education’s finance and personnel committee reported a $202,278 rebate from Duke Energy awarded to the district for recent energy-efficiency work, the committee told trustees Monday.

Committee members credited Ed Richards (energy manager) and Daniel Sherman (project manager) for the work that led to the rebate. The committee said the funds will be used by the district.

Rob McDaniel reviewed the superintendent’s proposed 2025–26 budget, which currently reflects components of the governor’s proposed state budget, including a proposed 5% teacher pay increase. The committee noted the district is still awaiting final state budget passage and that state funding is calculated from prior‑year average daily membership.

Board member Danny Blanton raised concerns that he had received calls suggesting Title I services might be eliminated at specific schools. Dr. Steven Fisher said there is no Title I elimination this year and that the district’s current Title I funding is being spent as usual. Fisher said the district has not yet received federal Title I allotments for the next year and cannot definitively predict the amount or distribution. He explained that Title I eligibility is based on economically disadvantaged percentages and that, under current rules, the district could designate all qualifying elementary schools as Title I; funding follows the per‑student allocation.

The committee also noted administrative housekeeping items including the BoardDocs vendor change to Diligent and upcoming planning deadlines for calendars.