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Communities and Schools reports 100% graduation for its cohort and details student supports
Summary
Communities and Schools told the Caldwell County commissioners it recorded a 100% graduation rate for its cohort, serves about 11% of students at seven sites, provided whole-school services to 4,397 students, and distributed corporate funds for devices, workforce tools and emergency aid.
Keith Heinemann, director of Communities and Schools of Caldwell County, told the Board of Commissioners that the program posted a 100% graduation rate for this year’s cohort and serves students at seven school sites across the district. “Last year was the first year ever out of 36 years. We have a 100% graduation rate this year,” Heinemann said.
Heinemann said the program provides direct services to roughly 11% of students at those seven sites and delivers whole-school services to 4,397 students countywide. He outlined placements for 46 high-school seniors: 21 entering community college programs, 6 going to four‑year universities, 1 entering the military, 14 going directly into the workforce and others pursuing technical training.
Heinemann highlighted private support for those services. “Google provided us with a $100,000 this year,” he said, and described three spending priorities — workforce supplies and certification fees, devices and hotspots to close the digital divide, and emergency support for families. Program staff later described using those funds for tools and certification fees, 100 devices distributed to homes, hotspot access, and emergency assistance for rent and utilities.
Sharman Frizzell, a social worker at South Caldwell High School who also works with Hudson and Granite Falls middle schools, described workforce-pathway supports funded by donations: “The money that we had from Google, we could buy CNA clothes for our students, shoes… we’re buying their tools.” Heinemann and staff emphasized mentoring as a core element: 105 mentors worked weekly with middle‑school students this year, and the program reported Bernhardt Furniture provided 46 mentors.
Heinemann also noted recent fundraising success — an event that drew nearly 400 community supporters — and announced next year’s event for May 21, 2027. Commissioners thanked the program and encouraged continued partnerships. Vice Chair Mike Labrose said, “I appreciate everything that you and your team do.”
The board took no formal action on the presentation; the item was informational.
