Superintendent’s report from board of education meeting

Across North Carolina, school districts are experiencing declines in Average Daily Membership (ADM), and Hickory City Schools is experiencing this trend as well. We have seen a decrease of approximately 100 students in our district. While this is part of a broader statewide trend, we recognize that declining enrollment has real implications for staffing, resources, and future budget planning.

Our administrative team is proactively examining the potential impact of these changes as we begin planning for next year's budget. We are working to anticipate challenges, make thoughtful decisions, and ensure that our resources remain aligned with the needs of our students and the instructional priorities of our district. Our goal is to approach these changes with careful planning and a continued focus on protecting the quality of the educational experience we provide.

We continue to make progress on the design of the consolidated Hickory High School and Hickory Career Arts and Magnet (HCAM) project, known as Project Stormhouse. This week, we are holding meetings at each school to continue engaging stakeholders and gathering input as we move forward with the design process.

These conversations are an important part of ensuring that the new facility reflects the instructional needs, opportunities, and aspirations of our students and staff. The consolidation represents a significant opportunity to reimagine how we deliver instruction, expand career and academic opportunities, and create learning environments that prepare our students for the future. We are excited about the possibilities this project holds for Hickory City Schools and appreciate the continued work of everyone involved in bringing this vision to life.

Last week, we experienced something truly special in Hickory City Schools. For the first time, we brought certified staff together for a districtwide professional development experience that allowed us all to hear the same information, engage in the same conversations, and reflect collectively on the work ahead.

Facilitated by Dr. Linda Jordan, our learning focused on the neuroscience of how the brain works, the impact of technology on learning and its implications for our classrooms, and the importance of meaningful connections, real-world relevance, and increased rigor in daily instruction. These conversations challenged us to think differently about how we engage students, design learning experiences, and create classrooms that support deeper thinking and lasting learning.

The power of this experience was not simply in the information we received, but in the opportunity to learn together as one district. When we share a common understanding of effective instruction and the needs of today's learners, we are better positioned to move forward with purpose and consistency.

We are incredibly grateful to St. Luke's United Methodist Church for partnering with us and graciously hosting our staff. They welcomed us, fed everyone, and made our employees feel special and appreciated. Their generosity and hospitality helped make an already meaningful day even more memorable. We are fortunate to have community partners who care so deeply about our schools and our people.

Finally, I want to extend an enormous thank you to our teachers. The work they do each day extends far beyond what most people will ever see or fully understand. They plan, adjust, encourage, build relationships, solve problems, and find ways to meet the individual needs of the children entrusted to them. They give immeasurably of themselves to ensure our students feel supported, challenged, and valued.

As we continue to navigate enrollment changes, plan for the future of our facilities, and strengthen instruction across the district, our teachers remain at the heart of everything we do. Their commitment to our children is what makes Hickory City Schools such a special place.

Thank you to our Board for your continued leadership and support as we work together to ensure that every child in Hickory City Schools has the opportunity to thrive.