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 contract with The Counseling Group, multiple construction and maintenance contracts and change directives, and equipment purchases to support modular classroom units.

On the merger discussion, Chairman Sedlemeier summarized recent contacts between county commissioners and Newton-Conover officials and said county leaders had described a potential merger, but he told the board that "there's no set path towards a merger of between us and Newton-Conover at this point from what I understand." Board members repeatedly requested more transparency and simultaneous briefing so all board members have the same facts at the same time.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (June 3, 2025): motion made and seconded; approved unanimously. - Interim budget for fiscal year 2025–26: motion to approve the interim budget as presented; approved unanimously. - Savvas (Envision) K–5 and 6–8 quote, total $119,568.60: motion to approve; approved unanimously. - Formative subscription, $55,754.50: motion to approve; approved unanimously. - SPIRE reading program, $34,724.45: motion to approve; approved unanimously. - Microsoft licensing (Softchoice) one-year renewal (state contract), $117,005.00 (presented): motion to approve; approved unanimously. - Employee Assistance Program (The Counseling Group), three-year agreement (July 1 start), $18 per employee; district pays for 1,924 employees: annual cost $34,632; three-year total $103,896; approved unanimously. - Construction change directives (pre‑purchased HVAC equipment deduct values): Clermont Elementary deduct $454,718.39; Balls Creek PK deduct $82,791.04; approved unanimously. - Reroofing bid (maintenance storage building) — apparent low bidder Conover Roofing, $153,500 (including alternates): approved unanimously. - Intercom replacement at Catawba Elementary — B & L Telephone, $54,967.91: approved (not unanimous; recorded as approval by raised hands). - Repaving projects: Oxford Elementary $79,060; Saint Stephen's Elementary $133,121; Startown Elementary $248,228 (Precision Paving): approved unanimously. - Owner–architect agreement with Holland & Hamrick for Maiden Middle School HVAC (owner–architect agreement): approved unanimously. - ADA ramp purchase for modular unit at Balls Creek Elementary (Mobile Modular additional ramp): $31,300: approved unanimously. - Personnel: appointment of Bethany Settlemeier as principal of Catawba Elementary School (one board member recused from that vote); approved by all eligible members. All other personnel recommendations were approved unanimously.

Why it matters Approving an interim budget ensures the district can pay staff and operate at the start of the 2025–26 fiscal year while the state budget remains unsettled. The procurement and construction approvals fund curricula, technology licensing and school maintenance projects that affect classroom instruction, safety and building operations. The personnel actions fill school leadership roles before the start of the school year.

What board members said and asked Davis, presenting the interim budget, told the board the district must take interim action to "keep the lights on and keep our employees paid so they will come back." Board members asked for more transparency and synchronized briefings about the county commissioners' discussions with Newton-Conover representatives. Chairman Sedlemeier described phone calls and a social‑media post from county leadership that had circulated information about merger possibilities; he and other board members said they had not received full details and asked to be briefed concurrently when substantive county discussions occur.

Other details - The consent agenda included a donation of $10,000 from Matthew Senn to support school lunches; the board approved the consent items unanimously. - District leaders said textbook/currriculum purchases are being funded from appropriate restricted funds (textbook allotment, AIG funds, EC funds, technology funds) as presented during each quote discussion. - The Counseling Group reported usage data: in the most recent six-month reporting period 137 employees used EAP services for a total of 545 hours; the district pays per-employee pricing for coverage that includes staff and immediate family.

Next steps and context Board members asked district staff to provide updated, simultaneous briefings if the county commissioners take further steps on the potential Newton-Conover merger. Staff noted many of the procurements are single-year renewals or time-limited contracts and that construction work is scheduled for summer completion to be in place for the school year.