Hickory City Schools Community,
Today, I traveled to Raleigh to attend the monthly meeting of the North Carolina State Board of Education. I wanted to be there in person to hear firsthand the discussion surrounding the proposed merger of Hickory City Schools, Newton-Conover City Schools, and Catawba County Schools during the chairman's report.
Being present for these discussions is important as we prepare for the next steps in this process and continue working to ensure that the voices and interests of our students, staff, families, and community are represented.
During his report, State Board Chairman Eric Davis acknowledged the significance of the proposed merger and its potential impact on students, families, educators, and communities.
Chairman Davis outlined what the four involved parties and the public can expect during the upcoming December 2 hearing. He emphasized that the State Board has not reached any conclusions regarding the merger proposal and will approach the hearing with an open mind, carefully considering the evidence, arguments, and applicable laws before making a decision.
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During the hearing, State Board members may ask questions about several areas of the proposal, including legal requirements, educational considerations, financial implications, and governance. These are general areas of discussion and do not indicate that the Board has reached any conclusions or considers one issue more important than another.
The State Board will also provide the four involved parties with questions in advance, requesting written responses by November 24, 2026. Additional information about the hearing procedures, including presentation times, will be shared before the meeting.
What happens next?
The State Board of Education is scheduled to meet again on December 2–3, 2026, with the formal merger hearing taking place on December 2.
A decision on the proposed merger could come as early as Thursday, December 3, although the State Board may take additional time to deliberate.
The meeting agenda is expected to be published approximately one week in advance and will be available on the North Carolina State Board of Education's meeting information website.
If you would like to view the recording of today's meeting or watch the upcoming December 2–3 meetings live, you may do so through the NC Department of Public Instruction Public Meetings YouTube channel.
Today's discussion of the proposed merger begins at approximately the 1:11:37 mark in the recording.
Community voice and next steps
There is something truly special about Hickory City Schools. It is found in the relationships our educators build with students, the opportunities we provide, the support of our families, and the sense of community that makes our district unique.
As the State Board considers this proposal, we do not want to lose sight of what makes Hickory City Schools such a special place for our children to learn and grow.
Now is an important time for our community to make its voice heard.
I encourage our families, staff, and community members to continue sharing their perspectives with the North Carolina State Board of Education. Your personal experiences, concerns, questions, and insights are important as Board members consider how this decision could affect our students and schools.
For your convenience, you may copy and paste the following email addresses to contact State Board members directly:
mo.green@dpi.nc.gov; eric.davis@dpi.nc.gov; alan.duncan@dpi.nc.gov; rachel.hunt@dpi.nc.gov; brad.briner@dpi.nc.gov; olivia.oxendine@dpi.nc.gov; reginald.kenan@dpi.nc.gov; jill.camnitz@dpi.nc.gov; jwendell.hall@dpi.nc.gov; john.blackburn@dpi.nc.gov; catty.moore@dpi.nc.gov; janet.mason@dpi.nc.gov; tiffany.lucas@dpi.nc.gov
Throughout this process, our commitment remains unchanged. Our focus has always been, and will always be, our children. Every decision about the future of our schools should reflect what is best for the students we serve.
We will continue to keep our community informed as this important process moves forward. Thank you for your continued engagement, your support of our educators, and, most importantly, your commitment to the children of Hickory City Schools.
