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Catawba County commissioners approve merger creating Catawba Valley School District over public opposition
Summary
After a public hearing with dozens of speakers opposed, the Catawba County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 on April 20, 2026, to approve Resolution 2026-10 adopting a plan to merge Catawba County Schools, Hickory City Schools, and Newton-Conover City Schools into the Catawba Valley School District, effective July 1, 2028.
The Catawba County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 on April 20, 2026, to adopt a plan to merge Catawba County Schools, Hickory City Schools and Newton‑Conover City Schools into a single countywide unit to be named the Catawba Valley School District, with the merger to take effect on July 1, 2028. The meeting and public hearing took place at the Catawba County Justice Center in Newton.
The vote on Resolution 2026‑10 followed a lengthy public hearing during which dozens of residents spoke against the plan. Opponents asked the Board to pause the process and commission an independent third‑party feasibility study, raised concerns about the proposed method for seating the nine‑member interim Catawba Valley Board of Education, and warned the change could put specialized programs and staff funding at risk. One speaker, Larry Barger, spoke in favor of the merger.
Vice‑Chair Austin Allran moved to pause the merger and order a comprehensive third‑party feasibility study; that motion failed 2-3, with Allran and Commissioner Barbara…
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