09/24/2026
Below is the Superintendent’s Message from the Monday, September 21, 2026 Board of Education meeting, presented by Dr. Emily Shaw.
We enter this school year with incredible momentum and a clear message: our district is healthy, strong, and thriving. At the end of the 2025–2026 school year, we added a healthy amount to our fund balance proving to everyone that despite narratives framing our district as broke and in need of rescue, we are standing on firm, resilient financial ground. Moving into this year, we are staying strictly within our means, and the budget up for a vote tonight keeps us moving in the right direction. Let me be clear: while our schools are adjusting to staffing changes and navigating growing pains as we adapt, we are fully equipped to meet this moment.
Now that accountability data is no longer embargoed, the results speak for themselves: our students outperformed the state average in every single elementary EOG subject, a remarkable feat given that North Carolina’s statewide proficiency sits around 59.2%. Our schools are making positive gains in numerous areas, our dropout rate remains better than the state average, and our students are genuinely thriving. Beyond the classroom, our extracurricular programs from sports to band to clubs are firing on all cylinders as our young people find their place and purpose. Furthermore, our enrollment remains stable within a handful of where we were at this time last year, well above the projections from the McKissick study.
Inside our classrooms, our dedicated staff members are actively implementing high-leverage instructional practices to target individual student needs, ensuring every child receives tailored support. We have just wrapped up initial BOG and mCLASS assessments in our elementary grades to establish a solid baseline for growth, while our upper elementary students are stepping up as school leaders and embracing higher expectations. Middle schoolers are settling smoothly into their routines, while high schoolers are leaning into advanced coursework, Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, and college preparation. Having spent time in our buildings recently, it brings me immense joy to see first-hand the vibrant learning happening across every grade level. The good vibes in our halls are undeniable!
As long as there is breath in my lungs, I will continue to fight for us to remain an independent district because we are just fine. We are proof that a small system can deliver a massive impact.
Dr, Emily Shaw
Superintendent
