Director reports funding estimates, strong academic rankings and EOP recognition

Chad Moorehead, Moore Countys director of schools, reported financial and academic updates at the boards Jan. 13 meeting, including two TISA funding figures and recognition for the districts emergency plan.

Moorehead said the district will receive $72,220 in outcomes funding, about $7,000 less than the previous year; that amount will be recorded to fund balance rather than budgeted as revenue. He also said the district is currently eligible for $189,461 in fast-growth funding tied to increased enrollment, but cautioned that the state may "true up" that figure at year-end and reduce the final amount.

On academics, Moorehead reported strong regional rankings across multiple grades and subjects (region-first finishes in several 6th- and 7th-grade subjects and in high school Algebra II; 7th-grade Science ranked second in the state) and said the districts graduation rate is 95 percent. He also told the board the Comptroller audit remains incomplete and quarterly financial statements for the period ending in December will be distributed once finalized.

Moorehead said the districts Emergency Operations Plan was recognized by Homeland Security as "exemplary" and a "benchmark for other systems," and praised Wendy Hart for her leadership on the plan. He also reported that no threat assessments took place in December and that a Jan. 9 assessment at Moore County High School indicated no threat. Finally, he noted that LES custodian Eric Fleming is no longer employed and the position has been posted.

The board did not vote on funding allocations at the meeting; the director flagged the potential for state adjustments to fast-growth funding.