Catawba County Board of Education approves interim budget, multiple contracts and personnel and hears county merger update

Catawba County Board of Education members meeting June 23 approved an interim budget to keep district operations running while the state budget remains unsettled, voted to award a series of contracts for instructional materials, technology licensing and maintenance work, and confirmed personnel recommendations including the appointment of Bethany Settlemeier as principal of Catawba Elementary School. Board members also discussed reports that Catawba County commissioners are researching a possible merger with Newton-Conover schools; board members said there is no set path toward a merger and that the county is still conducting research.

Board members said the interim appropriation was needed because the North Carolina state budget for the next fiscal year had not been adopted. "Per general statute, we are required ... to make interim appropriations for the purpose of paying our normal expenses," Davis said while presenting the item, urging the board to approve an interim budget so the district can keep employees paid and operations running.

The board approved the interim budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year by voice vote. The board then approved a package of instructional- and technology-related purchases and renewals, including a one-year renewal for Savvas (Envision math) for K–5 and grades 6–8, a Formative (assessment) subscription, a SPIRE reading program purchase for EC students, and a one-year Microsoft licensing renewal through Softchoice. The board also approved a three-year employee assistance program…