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Superintendent highlights school openings, facilities upgrades and Summer Bridge programs
Summary
Superintendent Tracy Grit and staff described back‑to‑school logistics (start date Aug. 26, free meals program), major facility upgrades at McDowell High and other schools funded with ESSER and local dollars, and Summer Bridge activities and trips for students.
Superintendent Tracy Grit opened the meeting with back‑to‑school remarks and thanked community partners who supported district "days of service." He reminded listeners that most district students begin classes on Aug. 26, 2024, and that students will again be offered free breakfast and lunch as part of the community feeding program.
Grit and operations staff described a series of facility upgrades across the district, including new HVAC in career and technical education (CTE) labs, air conditioning added to the McDowell High gym, a substantially renovated cafeteria with new kitchen and serving equipment, new lighting and new floors, and recent paving work at Summit Academy and Pleasant Gardens. Mister Oliver thanked maintenance and facilities staff and credited ESSER funds and board approvals for enabling many of the projects.
Teacher representative Joey Hill summarized Summer Bridge activities across schools — hands‑on projects, a boat‑building regatta at East McDowell Middle School and a Summer Bridge trip for McDowell Early College and McDowell Academy of Innovation slated for Aug. 13–15 at Look Up Lodge in Travelers Rest, S.C. The board also recognized FBLA and athletics honors for students and announced a convocation speaker: Missy Testerman, 2024 National Teacher of the Year, will address staff.
Board members pressed operations staff on HVAC reliability; Mister Oliver said some buildings have chiller issues that will require replacement in time, though targeted repairs and staged replacements are planned. Board members and staff also noted persistent hiring needs for bus drivers and HVAC technicians.
Following the remarks, the board moved into its business agenda.
