BY DEBBIE PAGE
The Mooresville Graded School District Board of Education selected Greg Whitfield to remain as board chair for the upcoming year on Tuesday night, with Debbie Marsh chosen as vice chair.
Chief Communications Officer Tanae McLean presented the draft calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year for final consideration, explaining that district employees and the calendar committee worked hard to craft the calendar.
McLean received no feedback from staff or the community after last month’s initial calendar draft presentation.
The proposed calendar has a start date for staff on July 30, 2025. The student start date is on August 6. The first semester is 86 days and the second 89.
Fall break is aligned with Mitchell Community College’s calendar since many students take courses there, and a high probability exists that spring break will also align with MCC’s. Graduation is scheduled for May 23, 2026.
The board unanimously approved the draft calendar.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM UPDATE
In the “Maximize Opportunity and Achievement” priority area of the MGSD strategic plan, the district is focused on academic achievement, durable skill development, and ensuring all students graduate with a plan for their future.
One key strategy is the creation of a universal career development plan (CDP) that begins in middle school and is refined in high school, according to Tracey Waid, secondary curriculum/instruction coordinator for MGSD.
The state has mandated that all middle and high school students enrolled in an NC school be assisted by school staff in the completion a career development plan.
Any entering high school student who does not already have a career development plan must complete the plan within 90 days of enrollment in school, so completing the CDP will have to become part of the registration process for out-of-state students entering in high school.
Waid noted that the district already had established the priority for all students to graduate with a plan for employment, enlistment, or enrollment in further education or training.
“This was an opportunity for us to marry these two things together,” said Waid. “It is something all students need and will benefit from, and that is something that we continually remind our working team on — that it is just not about fulfilling a requirement of the legislation.”
Students cannot be promoted from eighth grade until they create a CDP and cannot be promoted from tenth grade until the CDP is revised.
At minimum, the state says the CDP must include a self-assessment of the student’s aptitudes, skills, values, personality, and career interests; exploration of pathways for careers aligned with the student’s self-assessment; alignment of academic courses and extracurricular activities with the identified career interests; and the creation of a career portfolio.
Kevin Wilson, Career and Technical Education director, explained the process to meet both local and state goals that the district has undertaken.
In July, the district identified 16 individuals from across the district to assist with the development of the CDP process, including district and school level administration, school counselors, Exceptional Children representatives, special populations specialist, accountability representatives, teachers, and parents.
The group held monthly meetings this semester to guide creation of the product and launch the district plan. In November the group’s product was tested and feedback collected from Multilingual Learner (ML) and Exceptional Children (EC) teachers.
In January the district will release information about the Career Development Plan to parents, with eighth-graders completing their plans and 10th-graders having advisory lessons in in January and February. In March, staff will ensure that all eighth-grade plans are complete.
“The goal is to get as close as we can to 100 percent,” said Wilson, “because the legislation does not give us any wiggle room on the numbers – it’s all students. It’s a promotion standard so we need all students to complete it.”
In MGSD, to build toward the CDP process, sixth-grade students will be exposed to work-based learning activities (field trips, guest speakers, virtual internships), a Career on Wheels field trip (in partnership with Iredell-Statesville Schools and the Iredell Economic Development), and elective Wheel Exploration.
Seventh-graders will have work-based learning activities (field trips, guest speakers, virtual internships), participate in a Career on Wheels field trip, and take elective courses based on the students’ interests.
In eighth grade, students will begin the state CDP process in the Major Clarity portal, including a four-year high school course plan to meet career goals as well as electives for personal interests.
They will complete assessments to identify their personality and learning styles and then select five possible career paths and two jobs for each path based on their career “Fit Score.” They will also identify available courses at MHS aligned to career interests to select their 8-plus courses for the ninth-grade course registration process.
Students will screen shot of all their CDP work each year to create a portfolio in their Google Drive so parents can see the CDP building process each year, added Waid. This will simplify access since students will use two different platforms, Major Clarity and NC Careers, over the entire CDP process.
In ninth grade, MGSD students will continue building their CDP, with students exploring Portrait of a Graduate information, completing advisory lessons focused on employability skills, and updating the CDP graduation plan.
In 10th grade, students revisit their CDP and begin using the new NCCareers platform (nccareers.org) to assist them. This platform is more robust with career information, job market prospects, associated careers, salary information, and other assistance, said Wilson.
Students will ensure that their post-secondary planning aligns with their career goals. They will also take advisory lessons focused on career planning aligned to required training/education/certifications while updating their CDPs.
Sophomores will also identify five careers from the results of their two NC Career assessments, including the educational requirements for each result and future job growth of the careers.
In MGSD, 11th-graders will create a resume and cover letter, practice interviewing, and create a LinkedIn page. Advisory lessons will focus on career identification and attainment with final updating of CDP course alignment.
As seniors, students will finalize their CDP portfolio in their Google Drive and explore their financial futures. They will have advisory lessons that focus on creating a digital CDP portfolio, complete the NCCareers Reality of Money module, and identify references that can assist them with future career goals.
Wilson said middle and high school counselors will monitor the process to ensure all students have completed both MGSD and state CDP requirements, with CTE facilitating the process.
Students in middle school are using time in their elective classes to get their eighth-grade CDPs completed. High school students will continue work on this in their advisory periods.
Wilson said the MGSD plan goes above and beyond the state’s CDP process for thoroughness and flexibility. “It really isn’t doing any service if you just do it twice. We’re going to touch it every year,” she said.
Waid said safeguards will be put in to doublecheck that high school students who may miss advisory classes (Motivational Mondays) because of Mitchell classes or internships still complete the district’s CDP process.
These CDP updates will be completed each year in January and February prior to registration for classes in March or graduation to help students accurately select courses or plan for their career goals.
The CDP process will also be translated into Spanish to help ML students, and EC students will get additional individual support as well.
Vice Chair Marsh commented that administration must make this process meaningful to demonstrate how important creating the student’s CDP is to all stakeholders, including teachers, parents, and students. “It’s not just one more legislative mandate.”
“This is what it’s all about — helping kids be prepared for when they leave us,” she said.
Marsh also noted the NC legislature’s demonstrating a double standard once again since the CDP legislation states that charter schools are encouraged to participate in the process but are not mandated to do so.
Board member Rakeem Brawley saw how motivating this career exploration process will be to students. They will see the tangible results of their school work and the benefits of learning in relation to the future opportunities and salaries of their career interests.
This exploration will give them purpose and hope, added Brawley.
HELP FOR YANCEY COUNTY
McLain shared that after the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in late September, some school districts in this region have adopted a school district that continues to be heavily impacted.
MGSD adopted Yancey County Schools, which was hit especially hard, including the loss of an entire school. The county’s families lost an estimated 197 homes, 777 homes need major repairs, and many also lost vehicles.
Yancey County students returned to school on November 18 for the first time.
The MGSD community is committed to helping Yancey County neighbors and to providing much-needed support to their affected schools and families. Yancey district leadership indicated their most pressing need is for financial donations to support field trips, Christmas gifts to families who lost so much, and the district’s CTE tiny house efforts.
MGSD is asking community members to consider a donation to support one of the following:
♦ Field trips for the students – Yancey County School District was planning on canceling their spring field trips and CTE competitions because of the economic burden caused by hurricane damage.
♦ Christmas and holiday efforts – Many Yancey County School District families are unhoused and are facing severe financial hardships. With the holidays approaching, the school district is trying to ensure students receive gifts this season.
School counselors in Yancey County are collecting lists for their affected students. Contributions will ensure families who are unable to afford gifts will still have a happy holiday. MGSD will stop accepting donations for this effort on December 14 to allow Yancey County leadership time to receive the funds and purchase items.
♦ CTE tiny homes for unhoused families – The Yancey school district has a robust CTE program that builds tiny homes. They are working to build as many homes as possible to help those people who lost their homes in the storm. Donations to this program will be used to help purchase the construction materials and to cover permit costs.
Please consider helping today by donating online at https://osp.osmsinc.com/MGSD/BVModules/CategoryTemplates/Detailed%20List%20with%20Properties/Category.aspx?categoryid=AA008
. At the bottom of this page, donors can choose which project they wish to support.
PARENTING CLASSES
MGSD is partnering with Pharos Parenting, a community agency that helps abused children and offers classes to help all parents build their parenting skills. The workshops are free to anyone, whether in a one-on-one setting in the home or in group settings.
McLean said administrators at all schools have received information on the classes.
Parkview Elementary will be offering the Pharos workshop “Nurturing Independence: Building a Competent and Responsible Individual” in January. MGSD will release details about the class soon.
For more information on Pharos Parenting and its free offerings, visit online at https://pharosparenting.org/.
OTHER BUSINESS
McLean presented the board with policy revisions recommended by the N.C. School Board Association (NCSBA). Policies about parent involvement, remote participation in board meetings, tobacco products, and bullying and harassment are among those getting small revisions.
The board also approved several budget transfers as the Selma Burke Middle School project nears completion. Chief Financial Officer Angie Davis said line item adjustments are needed within the budget to maintain Iredell County project ordinance requirements.
The transfers include:
● Reducing Professional Services-Architect by $58,963.47
● Reducing Contingency by $26,709.00
● Increasing General Construction by $86,951.03
● Reducing Furniture & Technology by $1,278.56
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
East Mooresville Intermediate School (EMIS) fifth-grade student Tommy McFarland, nominated by teacher Yvonne Cosme, was named MGSD Student of the Month and led the Pledge of Allegiance to open the board meeting.
Cosme said that “Tommy is an exceptional student with a positive impact on his classmates and learning environment. His hard work, willingness to help others, and love for challenges make him a great leader and role model.”
“My recognition of his qualities truly highlights the importance of character and collaboration in the classroom. Tommy’s efforts are appreciated and inspire others to strive for their best, too.”
ARTIST OF THE MONTH
EMIS fifth-grade student Macy Brennan, nominated by teacher Michelle Corbett, was chosen as Artist of the Month.
“Macy is an amazingly creative fifth-grade student. Her excitement for each project we create in the art room is contagious. She consistently goes above and beyond, and her peers are continually amazed by her creative efforts,” said Corbett.
“Macy is energetic, kind, and helpful, letting her light shine on all she meets. I look forward to watching her creativity bloom and grow, not only during this school year but into the world beyond as well.”
ABCD AWARD
The December Above and Beyond the Call of Duty (ABCD) Award went to school nurse Sara Hutar, who serves East Mooresville Intermediate School and others.
The EMIS administrative staff nomination said that “Nurse Sara is all in, all of the time. She is a true team player. She helps in any way that she can, whether at EMIS or helping at schools that need a nurse.”
“She builds great relationships with staff, students, and families. She helps students feel comfortable and gets to know their medical needs so that she can help everyone feel safe. Nurse Sara has also been a part of our staff connectedness goal by teaching cookie decorating classes. Nurse Sara truly is all in, all of the time, and a true EMIS Eagle helping us all SOAR!”
SPOTLIGHT ON PEOPLE
The Mooresville High varsity football team was nominated by Athletic Director Brent Bustle for the December Spotlight on people. “The 2024 MHS Football team finished the season with an 11-2 record on the year. This group won the Greater Metro 4 Football Championship for three seasons in a row.”
The team also produced several all-conference award winners, including two-time conference Defensive Player of the Year Jamari Farmer. Brody Norman was named back-to-back conference Offensive Player of the Year. Andrew Cummings was the conference Kicker of the Year.
Bustle said the 2024 MHS football team, coached by Zack Mayo, had the all-time best offense in school history, averaging 197 passing yards per game, which is 76 yards above the national average. Almost doubling the national average in passing yards on the season, they amassed 2,566 yards and scored roughly 30 passing touchdowns.
The team also had a very productive stable of running backs responsible for 2,700-plus yards and 45 touchdowns, while averaging 208 yards per game. The Blue Devils averaged 44.5 points per game.
The defense allowed an average of 11 points per game. They earned four shutouts and four single-digit points allowed on the season. The Blue Devils tallied a total of 33 sacks, 18 more than the national average, accompanied by 45 QB hurries.
The defensive players made 136 tackles for a loss of yards, 89 more than the national average. They also racked up 16 interceptions, including 5 returned for a touchdown, as well as 43 pass breakups.
The Blue Devils caused 10 fumbles on the year, including two returned for touchdowns, and tallied 790 total tackles.
The Blue Devils Special Team produced 59 touchbacks on kickoff while the punt team averaged 38 yards per punt, nailing seven inside of the 20-yard line and achieving one 75-yard punt. The return unit produced three returns for touchdowns.
Central Office Staff
Two Mooresville Graded School Central Office employees, Lead Payroll Specialist Leigh Anne Thornhill and Finance Specialist Cindy Tyler, were nominated for recognition by Chief Finance Officer Angie Davis, who said the pair exemplify “our commitment to excellence and professional growth.”