Swain County School Board approves $31.85 million 2024–25 budget, school improvement plans and posts RFQ for CMAR

The Swain County Board of Education on its November meeting approved the 2024–25 budget resolution totaling $31,854,282 for all funds, accepted school improvement plans for East Elementary, West Elementary, Swain County High School and Swain Academy, and authorized release of a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a construction manager‑at‑risk (CMAR).

Superintendent [name not specified in transcript] told the board the RFQ is the first step in hiring a CMAR, which "is for a position called a construction manager at risk" who will advocate for the district during design and serve as the general contractor during construction. The superintendent said the district plans to post the RFQ immediately, hold interviews in December and later seek board and county‑commissioner approvals before awarding a contract.

Budget and compensation highlights presented to the board included a state‑set retirement rate of 24.4 percent and an estimated health‑insurance cost of $8,095 per employee per year. The proposed schedule builds in state‑mandated step and schedule adjustments ranging roughly from 1.55 percent to 7.5 percent; the presentation listed the district average teacher salary as $51,855 and beginning teacher pay at $41,000.

Staff also told the board that capital spending rose largely because of the middle school HVAC project funded with Ester funds, and noted projected shortfalls the district plans to cover from fund balance: approximately $114,000 for school food service and about $773,000 for special revenue funds.

Barbara (district staff) said the district had been invited to the second phase of a regional grant competition and learned last week that Swain County Schools will receive $85,000 from the Nantahala Health Foundation to help fund the after‑school program. The board discussed continuing to seek additional funding and exploring whether the county commissioners could share a portion of the remaining costs.

All listed motions were moved and seconded and approved by voice/show of hands; the transcript records agreement without a roll‑call tally. The board set a December work session to refine an interlocal agreement with county commissioners on the construction approach and to coordinate legal review.

The board recognized multiple students and honored longtime board member Jerry McKinney in a separate presentation earlier in the meeting. The meeting adjourned with an invitation to a brief reception.

What happens next: the district will post the CMAR RFQ, conduct interviews in December and return to the board and the county for formal approvals; staff will post the approved budget resolution on the school finance website once finalized.