BY DEBBIE PAGE

The Mooresville Graded School District School Board of Education received a clean 2023-2024 audit report, which Chief Financial Officer Angie Davis credited to the district’s financial team at both the school and district level.

Shannon Dennison of Anderson, Smith & Wike presented the report, explaining that MGSD earned the best audit result that a school district can receive. She praised the Finance Department and finance employees at individual schools for their cooperation in providing all of the necessary information and answering the firm’s questions.

Dennison noted that the district stayed within its budget for the fiscal year and added about $522,000 to its general fund balance, which increased to $6.6 million.

The report showed a $440,000 increase in capital outlay, leaving about $5.4 million in that fund. In the food service fund, the district has $4.2 million.

The Before and After School program fund ran out of money and had to be supplemented with $197,000 in district funds. Dennison said the board might consider raising childcare rates to avoid a deficit during the current fiscal year.

Dennison also reminded the board that the district used $1.2 million in ESSER funds last year and that any funds left must be spent soon. Since this revenue source is ending, she told the board to be aware of this revenue loss and prepare for a reduction in available funds.

She noted that all grant funds were used in accordance with the rules and regulations required in those grants.

After expressing pride in the district’s fiscal responsibility, the board unanimously approved the audit report.

2024-2025 BUDGET APPROVED

Davis also the presented the proposed 2024-2025 budget, cautioning the board that there were still some unknowns. She expects additional state and federal money and more revenue in Fund 8.

“This is a budget based on what we know now,” the CFO said. “This is a living document. I will be bringing budget amendments.”

The $83,733,172 budget includes state, local, federal, current expense and capital outlay funds as well as Child Nutrition and Before and After School revenues.

The state reduced the retirement rate from 25.02 to 24.04 percent, a .98 percent decrease. However, health insurance employer matching increased. The district paid $7,557 per employee annual for health insurance last year. That expense jumped to $8,095 for the current fiscal year, a 7.12 percent increase.

Certified salaries have increased by 2 to 7 percent, and non-certified staff got a 3 percent increase, Davis added.

The new budget will require using some fund balance to cover shortages in money not coming from state. “This will be a good year to kind of look at and monitor that,” she said.

These shortages come from things like hiring additional teacher assistants not funded by the narrow state formula or using additional funds to stay competitive in classified salaries. Davis is expecting some additional grant funds to help pay for fund shortages for EC teachers.

The proposed budget also includes using $2,124,168 from the system’s restricted and nonrestricted fund balance.

The board approved the 2024-25 budget unanimously.

MGSD ACCOUNTABILITY DATA HIGHLIGHTS

MGSD Superintendent Jason Gardner announced student learning accountability data highlights to the board, based on official N.C. Board of Education results released in September.

“This data is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all Mooresville Graded staff, students, and parents as we continue to navigate challenging times in public education,” said Gardner.

Gardner praised all schools for improving their growth index score compared to the previous year.

He especially noted that fourth-grade math proficiency improved by 14 percent, seventh-grade math proficiency rose 10 percent, seventh-grade reading proficiency gained 5 percent and English II proficiency advanced by 5 percent.

MGSD ranks first in the state with a graduation rate above 95 percent, and Mooresville High ranked 7th in ACT performance, up from 43rd the prior year.

Mooresville Middle School also improved its school performance score by 18 points, moving from a D to a B rating.

Comparing academic growth data from all 47 public and charter schools in Iredell County, several MGSD schools performed at or near the top, including East Mooresville Intermediate School ranking first among elementary/intermediate schools, second among all schools, and fifth in the entire Southwest region.

Mooresville Middle School ranks first among middle schools (3rd among all schools), with Mooresville High School ranking second among traditional high schools (5th among all schools).

Though Gardner said many data points deserved celebration, district leaders and teachers realize that there is more work to be done.

“Our schools are already working hard planning for continued growth and improvement,” he said.

TITLE IX INTERIM BOARD POLICIES

Tanae McLean, the district’s chief communications officer, presented interim Title IX policies to guide the district until challenges to elements of the recent revisions have gone through the courts, which is expected to take several years.

McLean explained that in the spring of 2024, the U.S. Department of Education released new Title IX regulations with an effective date of August 1 of this year. Based on legal feedback, the MGSD administration presented the board with two interim Title IX policies so the district can maintain compliance until all legal matters are resolved.

The proposed policies for the board to consider are “Title IX. Sexual Discrimination Prohibited Conduct and Reporting Process,” “Discrimination Grievance Process,” “Discrimination and Harassment Prohibited by Federal Law,” and “Title IX Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex.”

Many of the proposed changes involve changing “sexual harassment” to “sexual discrimination.” Another change is revising “severe and pervasive” discrimination to “severe OR pervasive” in another section.

The interim policies do not address use of bathrooms, participation in sports, shared room assignments on field trips, or other such issues now under legal review.

The board will consider approval at its October meeting after a month review.

Discussion of the Title IX interim policies was changed by the board in an amendment agenda to come before public comment. Eleven speakers addressed the proposed changes to Title IX, first signed into law in 1972 by President Richard Nixon.

It states: ““No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Eight of the speakers expressed concerns about the Biden administration changes to Title IX, which would allow students to play sports and use the bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity rather than their biological sex.

Tom Burky said the interim policies were a “slippery slope.” He expressed worry for the safety of children as well as the free speech of children being penalized if they express concern for their safety. He warned that parents’ rights do not stop at the classroom door and that Mooresville should not want to be seen as radical city. “Voters are watching your actions,” Burky said.

Theresa Knight, a recent candidate for the MGSD Board, said that Title IX referred to biological sex and was meant to create a level playing field for girls and has done what it was meant to do.

She said the Title IX revisions would take women and girls backwards and eliminate their protections. “The Education Department or the school board cannot change the definition of sex,” Knight said.

Knight also expressed concern that the policies have no clear definition of what sexual harassment or discrimination is.

Rev. George Gately appealed to the board to avoid making teachers’ lives more difficult with this government-driven ideology. He said the government should not violate Christian morals and ethics with undemocratic modifications of Title IX.  “The government cannot use tax money to violate others’ moral conscience,” Gately said.

Robert Lawrence, the foster father of an African-American child, spoke of an August 16 incident in which a racial slur and swastika were found in a football locker room. In talking to the administration, he learned such discriminatory incidents occur three to five times per week.

Lawrence said that school administrators were fighting an uphill battle for equity and non discrimination. “I refuse to be silent in face of children being abused like this. We must uphold these ideals in community and have a public accounting of these incidents,” he said.

He proposed a sustained conversation about division existing in the community and expressed the need for all children to have an equal playing field.

Autumn Weathers said that transgender and non-binary students will not endanger others. She said equal access and opportunities should exist for all students.

Monica Donaldson said she wants children to be protected. She praised the district’s social-emotional learning efforts to address the root causes of problems and improve students’ mental health outcomes, noting that the bad combination of ignored mental health issues and weapons leads to violence in schools and the community.

OTHER BUSINESS

♦ The board approved changes to a number of policies first read last month, including Parental Involvement, Prohibition Against Retaliation, Board Member Technology Use, Goals and Objectives of the Educational Program, Technology in the Educational Program and Responsible Use, Student Promotion and Accountability, Graduation Requirements, Extracurricular Activities and Student Organizations, Staff-Student Relations, Foreign Exchange Students, Child Abuse and Related Threats to Child Safety, Concussion and Head Injury, Emergency Administration of Naloxone, Electronically Stored Information Retention, Administering Medicines to Students, Licensure, Gifts and Bequests, Insurance, School Finance Officer, and Board Meetings.

♦ The October 13-16 MHS NJROTC trip for 45 students and three staff members to Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg to visit multiple Navy bases, tour an aircraft carrier, visit a helicopter squadron, and visit a fighter squadron/naval air station was also approved. The cost is $350 per student, with fundraising opportunities available for students and families.

♦ Mooresville High School’s request for a student group to travel on an EF Tour to Costa Rica during the 2026 spring break was also approved. This trip involves approximately 36 students at a cost of $3,509 dollars per student. The proposed itinerary outlines a nine-day trip to include San Jose, Sarapiqui, the Arenal region, and Guanacaste. Fundraising opportunities to help fund the trip are available.

RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Student of the Month

♦ Mooresville Middle School eighth-grader Josh Rouson was recognized as the September Student of the Month. His teachers say Josh “personifies the heart of a Red Imp. He’s honest, engaged, accountable, responsible, and tolerant.”

“He doesn’t usually draw a lot of attention to himself, but his hard work, dedication to grow, and kindness towards others speaks volumes with his teachers.”

His seventh-grade teacher, Ms. Hildebran, said that “Josh is a great student and a great kid. He is kind to his classmates and is willing to work with anyone. He works hard on all of his assignments. He is ready to advocate for himself for anything he needs. I truly enjoyed teaching him last year.”

Artist of the Month

♦ Mooresville Middle School 2024 All-State Chorus participants, led by teacher Marla Young, were honored as Artists of the Month. Chorus members include Mackenzie Proefrock, Isabella Lash, Lily Faries, Eleana Khoury, Josie Ciccarelli, Lucia Lawrence, Rachel Clark / Kairi Richardson, and Ana Oviedo.

The students entertained the board and attendees with their rendition of “Be Who You Are” by Ryan Main.

Last April, these current and former middle school students for the first time attended and sang at the All State Chorus event in Greensboro. “Our middle schoolers worked very hard to learn their music, and it was an amazing honor and privilege for our students. They had the opportunity to work with amazing clinicians and sing in a huge choir of 150-200 other students from around the state,” said Young.

ABCD Awards

♦ MGSD Human Resource Specialist Dawn Baierlein, nominated by Chief Human Resource Officer April Kuhn, received the “Above and Beyond the Call of Duty” Award. After Kuhn recognized that the district’s leave of absence process needed improvements, she approached Baierlein with the task.

“She has taken on leading this work with integrity and created methods to ensure that all staff are clear on their options when they enter the leave process. She refined systems and shared information with staff while also protecting the confidential information she received from staff who had been out on medical leave.”

“She develops authentic relationships as she has been a listening ear to many different people in crisis this year. Dawn provides accurate data to people so that they feel empowered to make the best decisions for their families when dealing with leave or retirement.”

Baierlein also provided resources and informal training to other colleagues. “Most of all she goes above and beyond with her initiative. If there is a question about her area of work, she does not wait for me or anyone else to find a solution — she researches and finds it herself. She is dutiful, timely, and professional in her work and an asset to the Mooresville Graded Schools team.”

♦ MMS Financial Data Manager Kathi Johnson was also honored with the “ABCD” Award. According to the MMS administrative team, Johnson “is the glue behind the scenes” at Mooresville Middle School. “She puts safety and student supervision at the forefront of her daily work, calling and texting countless phone numbers to secure the one necessary substitute teacher.”

Johnson works with the head custodian and assistant principals on submitting work orders to ensure the school environment is suitable for working and learning. She also volunteers at the front desk at arrival and dismissal times to assist with the high volume of calls and traffic to ensure no information is lost.

Johnson also “builds trust in our school community by being honest and upfront when a situation needs to be addressed. She is not shy about voicing her opinions when she sees inequity and unfairness within our school or district. This is a good thing because our leaders need to hear all types of feedback to properly make an informed decision.”

“Even when dealing with a catastrophic flood that started on the roof over her office, her attitude has been positive and constructive, and she embodies the #All Heart slogan of our school.”

“Most importantly, she serves as the financial guru of MMS, helping the principal and other staff members keep their eyes on fiscal responsibility and long-term school needs. Most of all, she wants our school’s finances to help our students more than anything. Again and again, she asks: ‘How does this benefit kids?’”

MMS Multi-Tier Systems of Support (MTSS) Presentation

Principal Patrick Kosal and Assistant Principal Mandalinn Browning presented the MMS Multi-Tier Systems of Support (MTSS) program to the board. The school-wide 30-minute period each day provides additional instructional support based on individual student needs in reading, math, and vocabulary.

The students have Social Emotional Learning time, based on the Capturing Kids Hearts program, on Monday, instructional support interventions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and self-selected Student Clubs on Friday of each week.

Interventions are based on a tier system, with Tier 1 students getting vocabulary enrichment, Tier 2 students getting math or reading support in small groups, and Tier 3 students having math or reading skill sessions in even smaller groups.

The teachers and administration created a streamlined process to place students in the needed support tier using data decision rules. They developed tier 2 and 3 intervention programs and chose research-based programs and materials to support them.

They created the MTSS Leadership Team, with teachers becoming leaders and training staff members in using the interventions. The team started earlier to identify students for each tier prior to the beginning of school and strategically scheduling students

The team makes data-driven decisions to place and move students among tier 2 and 3, developing short and long-term goals, and monitoring their work and progress.

Teachers say the positive impacts are that all students have an opportunity to grow and improve their math and/or reading skills. Students who receive interventions become more confident in the content areas and participate more. Efficient identification of students and having the whole year to implement the interventions with a specific program is also a bonus.

To build on last year’s success, teachers are making more frequent student progress checks and creating discipline tiers as well to improve behavior issues. They are also building Tier 1 attendance plans.

Teachers are also being more intentional with data collection to measure overall intervention impact, and the administration is planning more frequent intervention walkthroughs to insure fidelity to the MTSS process.

UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS

♦ October 1 – Work Session at EMIS at 9 a.m.

♦ October 8 – Regular Board Meeting at Town Hall at 6 p.m.