BY DEBBIE PAGE

The Mooresville Graded School District Board of Education approved new school start times for next year on Tuesday night, necessitated by the opening of Selma Burke Middle and the need to streamline bus routes.

The high school schedule will remain 7:20 a.m. to 2:20 p.m., with middle school hours moving to 7:55 a.m. to 2:55 p.m., intermediate school moving to 8:25 a.m. to 3:25 p.m., and elementary school remaining 8:40 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.

MGSD Superintendent Jason Gardner related a number of advantages related to these changes, noting the difficulty for the district to keep middle school and high school on the same bell schedule once Selma Burke Middle School opens next year.

The changes will maximize efficiency of the bus fleet and reduce the number of late buses. Starting high school first also allows the district to pull any drivers who are not on a regular high school route to substitute as needed.

With sixth-graders moving to the middle school, the system also has the opportunity to combine some elementary and intermediate bus routes, creating a more efficient system.

Gardner also believes three or four routes can be eliminated with the streamlining, as well as the elimination of the teacher assistant/bus driver positions to just TAs, which will help with recruitment to fill these positions.

2023 SUMMER REMEDIATION/STATE RETESTING

Jemma Conley and Tracy Waid asked the board to approve a summer remediation and testing plan after presenting the proposal initially last month. North Carolina allows school districts to offer summer testing opportunities for EOG/EOC testing outside of the traditional school calendar, with district board approval, to allow students who are close to earning proficiency to retake the EOG or EOC after summer remediation instruction.

The Summer Program presentation in Macch included an overview of district-wide summer programs, remediation strategies, and summer testing. The presentation also included logistical information, student eligibility criteria, tentative dates for each summer school program, and testing dates.

While the students’ summer scores do not count for school growth, they do count for school and district proficiency calculations.

The board voted unanimously to approve the plan.

SELMA BURKE MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE

In preparation for the opening of Selma Burke Middle School, the board unanimously approved a contract with Jackson’s Music in the amount of $152,896.25 to purchase band instruments. This purchase used local funds that were budgeted for the opening of SBMS.

Chief of Schools Michael Royal reported construction is on schedule. Work on the exterior continues, and asphalt installation is scheduled in the next month, weather permitting. Interior work is also progressing nicely, with Royal commenting, “It is beginning to look like a middle school.”

Equipment and furniture purchases are in process, and Royal expects staff to be welcomed in late June or early July to prepare classrooms. He promised a tour for the board in the next few weeks after asphalt parking is in place.

INSTRUCTIONAL HIGHLIGHTS – CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

CTE Education Coordinator Julie Blocker and Career Development Coordinator Kevin Wilson presented plans to increase credential proficiency by giving every eligible student a certification exam, adding certification focus areas to teachers’ pacing guides, and strengthening reporting methods.

Last year, MGSD surpassed the state-selected goal of a 22.77 percent pass rate by almost nine points (32 percent).

With the new certification focus this year, nearly 58 percent of fall semester students earned a CTE certification, a percentage Blocker expects to grow as spring semester students earn additional credentials.

The department also brought the Major Clarity program into all ninth-grade health classes this year. The program focuses on creating a four-year learning plan and discovering individual learning styles.

Upper-grade students learn employability and soft skills, interviewing techniques, and setting up LinkedIn profiles to help pursue career goals. The classes hear business professional guest speakers, attend industry open houses, and take field trips to colleges (UNCC, NCSU, UNC, UTI/NASCAR TECH) and regional businesses and industries.

The district also is growing its short-term job shadowing opportunities, traditional and existing employment internships (135-plus hours), and apprenticeships in partnership with community colleges.

Last year, only 28 students completed internships. In 2022-2023, 62 students are in the internship program, with more than 20 more planning summer internship/apprenticeship experiences to enhance their career preparation in partnership with 36 local businesses and industries.

Student Lucas Sipka shared his experiences interning at Richard Childress Racing, learning to use technical inspection equipment, getting underwing mechanic experience, participating in tire testing, and reading simulator data. He also traveled with the team to the Martinsville race to help with the race car.

Sipka is using this experience to prepare to pursue a degree in motorsports engineering at UNCC.

RECOGNITIONS

MHS Senior Winford, nominated by Student Government Association Adviser Meghan Black, was selected as “Student of the Month” and led the meeting’s Pledge of Allegiance.

“Although this is Dave’s first year with the Student Government Association (SGA), he has worked tremendously hard to create a school atmosphere and culture that is student-centered and positive,” said Black.

“Through the daily announcements, Dave has popularized the “All In” theme to encourage students to live out the school motto. Dave has planned two successful pep rallies, advocated for his classmates, and is a friend to all,” added Black.

Senior Alex Cruze, nominated by art teacher Debbie Hauff, was selected as “Artist of the Month.”

“I have had the pleasure of teaching Alex Cruze in several art classes over the past four years,” said Hauff. “Alex has taken Art I, Art II, Art III Honors, Sculpture and Art IV. I have watched Alex grow from a quiet and shy freshman in Art I to a confident and extremely talented senior.”

“Alex has amazed me with his talent in drawing, painting, and sculpture. He works hard, and he takes his art making seriously. I have watched Alex go through some difficult times, and with the help of his family and through his art, he has persevered and come out stronger.”

“Alex is planning on joining the military after he graduates in May. I am very proud of him, and I know that he will do great things,” concluded Hauff.

The board also honored Ivory Vanderburg, Financial Data Manager at Park View Elementary School, for the monthly “Above and Beyond the Call of Duty” recognition.

Nominators Jennifer Marshall, Misha Rogers, and Jill Zsuppan said Vanderburg’s financial records are top-notch. She processes orders so that students and staff have what they need, while keeping the school’s budget in check.

They said Vanderburg is a master at securing substitutes or helping coordinate coverage of classes and recess. Not just the financial data manager, Vanderburg also assists with any fun and crazy idea the administration team comes up with to support the students and staff.

Her creativity, ability to execute any task, and her daily contributions help support the financial, logistical, and overall culture of Park View.

CTE Regional SkillsUSA Competition First-Place Winners were also honored. Academy of Engineering students Vincent Bindus (10th Grade – Drafting I), freshman Elizabeth Decker and senior Isabella Deal (Additive Manufacturing), and senior Khadeejah Saleem (Medical Math) all finished first at the competition.

These students and their advisors will attend the state competition in Greensboro on April 18-20.

SPORTS TEAM RECOGNITIONS

The MHS Wrestling Team was also honored by the board. The team earned Metro 4A Conference Champion honors, was 4A West Regional Tournament Champion, and earned 3rd Place in the 4A NCHSAA State Tournament.

The team had an undefeated conference record of 6-0 and an overall record of 27-7.

Regional champions were Jace Barrier, Davis Freeze, Greg Merriman, Johnny Merriman, and Ray Watson.

Earning all All-Conference honors were Jace Barrier, Calvin Nguyen, Jaiden Nobelzado, Austin Green, and Austin Emmert, Davis Freeze, Greg Merriman, Johnny Merriman, Brady Rabb, and Ray Watson. Conference Co-Wrestler of the year was Davis Freeze

In addition, Coach Ben Watson was voted Conference Coach of the Year.

At the regional level, honors included Jace Barrier (Regional Champion), Austin Green (3rd place), Austin Emmert (2nd), Davis Freeze (Regional Champion), Greg Merriman (Regional Champion), Brady Raab (3rd), and Ray Watson (Regional Champion).

State Placers were Jace Barrier (State Runnerup), Davis Freeze (State Champion with 45-1 overall record), Greg Merriman (State Champion with 44-1 overall record), and Johnny Merriman (3rd place).

Assistant Coaches for the team are Geoff McIntosh, Brandon Sinnott, Mike Goins, Daniel Yow, Kane Price, and Garry Eller.

The MHS Junior Varsity Girls Basketball Team earned the Conference Championship. The team, led by head coach Kailey Newell and assistant coach Shirley Johnson, had a conference record of 10-2 and an overall record of 13-5.

Players were Kuira Burgette, Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, Gabriella Glad, Zion Harvell, Giavonna Lowe, Evangelia Tsomos, Cydnee Wise Smith, Brookelyn Amstutz, Kensley Ford, Haleigh Straub, and Shamylyn Davis.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

♦ Tuesday, March 28 – EC Resource & Transition Fair MMS, 3 to 6 p.m.
♦ Monday, April 3 – Picnic in the Park & Steam Event at Bellingham Park, 5 to 7 p.m.
♦ Thursday, April 13 – Saturday, April 15 – MHS Spring Musical Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m.
♦ Monday, April 24 – Kindergarten Readiness Screening (please register kindergartners now at https://www.smore.com/fsam2).

NEXT MGSD BOARD MEETING

♦ Tuesday, April 11 — Board of Education Meeting at EMIS, 6 p.m.