BY KARISSA MILLER
The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education on Monday is scheduled to vote on a staff recommendation to limit enrollment at two elementary schools to students who live within the established districts for those schools.
The staff has recommended closing Cloverleaf Elementary and Coddle Creek Elementary to out-of-district students. Meanwhile, staff recommends Lakeshore Middle School be reopened for out-of-district transfers.
If approved, the changes would be implemented for the 2025-2026 school year.
The board meeting, which is open to the public, begins at 6 p.m. at Career Academy and Technical School, located at 350 Old Murdock Road in Troutman.
According to Deputy Superintendent Billie Berry, a parent or guardian can apply for a school reassignment of a student to a different public school outside of the student’s established attendance area for several reasons, including educational needs, home improvements, child of an I-SS employee and other reasons outlined in Policy #4150.
Mark Shinkaruk, I-SS Chief Operations Officer, explained that the closure recommendations are a result of those schools being overcrowded. Cloverleaf has an enrollment of around 570 students and is at 96.3 percent capacity. Coddle Creek has an enrollment of 806 students and is at 105.08-percent capacity.
“This change will ensure that we have appropriate capacity and resources for the growing communities these schools serve,” Shinkaruk said.
District officials said there could be some exceptions; for example, when a sibling already attends the school.
Meanwhile, Lakeshore Middle School has an enrollment of 529 students and is at 65.7 percent capacity. Reopening the school to out-of-district applicants would help alleviate overcrowding at surrounding middle schools, officials said.
“We believe that reopening Lakeshore Middle School will improve the overall experience for students across the district and help balance enrollment numbers,” Shinkaruk said.
The district will continue to maintain out of district closure for Troutman Elementary, Shepherd Elementary, South Iredell High, Central Elementary, Lake Norman High, Lakeshore Elementary, East Iredell Elementary and Lake Norman Elementary.
OTHER BUSINESS
Also, on Monday, the board will:
• Review a presentation on I-SS’ 2023-2024 financial audit;
• Vote on a bid proposal for athletic stadium upgrades at Lake Norman High School;
• Hear a second reading and vote on Policy #3410 Testing and Assessment Program and #4120 Domicile or Residence Requirements;
• Recognize schools meeting or exceeding growth and exemplary graduation rates;
• Recognize Statesville Professional Association of Firefighters;
• Recognize student and school accomplishments; and
• Hear from North Iredell High School staff during the school spotlight.