Lake Norman Charter highlights new board members, campus projects and gains in AP results

The Lake Norman Charter Board opened its meeting with introductions of three new board members and a series of campus and academic updates.

Chair remarks welcomed Andrew Palladino as treasurer, George Gonzalez as head of the Thrive Committee, and Jeff Flanagan as a new general board member. Leadership then reviewed upcoming campus projects funded through donor and stakeholder partnerships: the Hill parent partnership area at the middle school (on schedule for the first day of school), an adventure playground at the elementary campus nearing completion pending weather, and Knights Plaza at the high school, which is progressing but awaiting furniture shipments.

School leaders also reported staffing and academic highlights: 14 new hires started that day; the board introduced Peter Fusco as the new middle-school assistant principal; and staff announced stronger AP results compared with the prior year, including increases in pass rates and average scores, six AP tests with a 100% pass rate and 19 tests at or above 90 percent.

Facilities updates included confirmation that Elementary West is under roof with a turnover date set for March 20 and an executed town partnership agreement related to gym funding. Staff noted ongoing community collaboration with Huntersville on an adjacent 1st Responders Park that will offer shared amenities including a splash pad and pickleball courts.

The board also heard that the school's technology team repurposed retired equipment to support two other schools and an international mission project, including assistance to the Expedition School following flood damage.

The meeting concluded after approval of two major votes: the temporary move of investments to a money-market account and adoption of the updated personal electronic device policy.