Board approves lottery policy updates and authorizes Title II grant application

Lake Norman Charter's board on Sept. 3 approved two administrative items: authorization to pursue a federal Title II grant and updates to the district's student-lottery policy ahead of a November lottery launch for a second elementary campus.

Grant authorization: administration reminded the board that last year the district applied for Title II funds (federal funds for professional development) and received a little more than $70,000 that supported staff professional-development activities. A motion to authorize Shannon Stein to file a Title II application on behalf of the board was moved and seconded; the board voted in favor and the motion carried.

Lottery policy updates: administration presented recommended changes to the lottery policy to prepare for the district's Nov. 1 lottery launch and to make the process compliant with state expectations. Key points were explicit North Carolina residency requirements at the time of application, clarified acceptance/response timeframes, and procedural details for sibling preferences and first-year transfers between the two elementary campuses.

Board members questioned the proposed response windows (calendar days vs. business days) and asked about handling weekends and families traveling on vacation. Administration described practical registrar practices — multiple contact attempts by phone and email — and suggested flexibility for documented extenuating circumstances. The board discussed allowing a first step of 5 business days to contact the school with an additional period of calendar days to complete online steps, and asked staff to clarify the policy language and FAQ before posting the policy and launching the lottery.

Cathy Swinney, identified as the coordinator for the lottery (registrar), was named the staff lead for updating the website and posting application materials. Administration said the lottery's first round of acceptances typically occurs around the second week in February; for next year, the district expects a larger initial set of acceptances as it staffs both elementary campuses.

Votes and motions: a board member moved to approve the lottery policy updates as drafted; the motion was seconded and carried after an aye vote.

What happens next: administration will post updated lottery materials and FAQs on the school website, finalize language to clarify business/calendar day definitions and extenuating circumstances, and proceed with the Nov. 1 launch; staff will submit the Title II grant application per the board authorization.