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Restart schools seek one additional half-day early-release and reaffirm flexibilities after showing growth
Summary
Five Cabarrus restart schools told the board they have met required flexibility outcomes and asked to continue employment, budget and calendar flexibilities; they requested one additional district-approved early-release half day for school-based professional development.
Principals from Cabarrus County Schools’ five restart-designated schools presented updated outcomes and requested continued flexibility in staffing, budgeting and calendar options, asking the board to grant one additional early-release half day in the 2025–26 calendar for staff professional development.
Richie Wells, principal at W.M. Irvin Elementary School, explained restart is a state reform model that grants certain schools charter-like flexibilities to accelerate improvement. Wells said the district’s restart schools earned "continued authorization" on comparison of 2022–23 to the original 2016–17 dataset and are now in year one of a renewed five-year cycle through 2028–29.
Mister Bernard (Weingolf Elementary), Tara Butch (Rocky River Elementary), Melody Marsh (Royal Oak School of the Arts) and others reported academic and subgroup growth. Bernard noted that "4 of 6 years of met or exceeding growth" were recorded for some schools and the elementary restart schools met subgroup expectations for most subgroup measures.
The principals asked the board to approve continued exercise of three types of restart flexibility: budget flexibility, employment/staffing flexibility (to hire or place staff who may not hold the exact licensure but meet qualifications), and calendar flexibility. For 2025–26 they requested one additional early-release half day (elementary dismissal at noon; Concord Middle dismiss at 1 p.m.) to provide targeted professional learning tied to each school's improvement plan. They said they coordinate dates with community partners (Boys & Girls Club, Kids Plus, Child Nutrition and Transportation) so after-school care and meal service are not disrupted.
Board members praised the work. Superintendent Kopicki and several board members commended the principals’ leadership and noted that all elementary schools in the district met or exceeded growth, which the superintendent said was "a tribute to your leadership." The board agreed to add the request to the consent agenda for the Feb. 10 business meeting.
Ending: Principals said they will continue to survey staff after professional development days and refine offerings; the board added the restart flexibilities and the single half-day request to the upcoming consent agenda.
