District presents draft 2024–25 capital outlay request; construction items deferred pending McKissick study

Dan Moore, representing maintenance and construction, presented a draft capital outlay request for 2024–25 at the Dec. 2 meeting of the Catawba County Board of Education, saying the list could change before January.

Moore told the board that construction items were not listed on the draft because the McKissick study, which the district will present in January, will inform any construction requests to the county. "We will let you know in January if there are any changes or additions to the document as you will be required as a board to approve this as part of the budget process for Catawba County," Moore said.

Moore described the front of the document as beginning with "critical needs" identified by the maintenance and construction department; school‑level lists are shown in alphabetical order. He cautioned that assigning dollar values can be challenging when projects may not take place for a year or longer and that staff must project costs as best they can.

Board members asked about recurring items such as fire ant treatment. Moore said the district has contracted for pest control in the past but has also purchased equipment and now applies a granular treatment in‑house because it has proven more cost‑effective. He confirmed that staff conducting pesticide applications hold the required licensure.

Why it matters: Capital outlay lists feed into the county budget process and determine which facility and maintenance needs will be funded. The McKissick study’s forthcoming findings will affect any construction requests the board chooses to advance.

What’s next: The McKissick study will be presented in January, and the board will revisit construction requests and final cost estimates at that time.