Superintendent’s report from October 26 board meeting

I want to begin tonight by sharing some wonderful news from across Hickory City Schools.

First, congratulations to Kecia Hopper, who has been named the NCSLMA Librarian of the Year. This is an incredible honor and a reflection of her dedication to students, her passion for literacy, and the difference she makes every day. We are so proud of Kecia and grateful to have her as part of our Hickory City Schools family.

I also want to congratulate our Hickory High School women's tennis and volleyball teams, who are playing in the semifinals on Tuesday. These young women continue to make us proud through their talent, determination, and teamwork. Congratulations to our players and coaches. We are cheering you on as you compete for another opportunity to play for a state championship.

I also want to provide a brief update regarding the potential consolidation of the three school districts in Catawba County.

We anticipate reviewing the county's submission to the State Board of Education in response to the brief submitted by Hickory City Schools. We remain committed to ensuring that the State Board has the information necessary to fully understand the potential implications of consolidation for our students, employees, families, and community.

The State Board is expected to discuss the proposed consolidation at its November meeting. As we learn more about the process and any next steps, I will continue to provide updates to our Board, staff, and community. For those who would like to follow the discussion firsthand, the State Board meetings are livestreamed, and a link is available to watch.

Throughout this process, our priority remains unchanged: protecting the interests of the children we serve and ensuring that decisions about their education are made thoughtfully, with a full understanding of their potential impact.

Finally, I want to take a moment to recognize our principals and the tremendous responsibility they carry each day.

Leading a school is one of the most demanding jobs in education. Our principals are responsible for the academic success, safety, and well-being of hundreds of children, while also supporting the teachers and staff who serve them. They make difficult decisions, solve problems, manage unexpected challenges, and carry the weight of knowing that their decisions impact students, families, and employees.

The work is both physically and mentally exhausting. The days are long, the demands are constant, and the responsibilities rarely end when the school day is over. Yet our principals continue to show up, not just as administrators, but as mentors, encouragers, problem-solvers, and champions for children.

I believe that no one in our organization is better positioned to directly influence the quality of teaching and learning than our principals and assistant principals. District leadership can establish priorities, provide resources, and set expectations, but it is our school leaders who turn those expectations into action. They are in classrooms, working alongside teachers, providing feedback, addressing challenges, and making the difficult decisions necessary to move a school forward. They have the ability to influence not just what happens in a classroom, but what teachers believe is possible for their students.

That is an extraordinary responsibility and an extraordinary opportunity. A principal's leadership can change the culture of a school, strengthen the effectiveness of an entire faculty, and ultimately change the trajectory of a child's life. The decisions they make and the relationships they build have a direct and lasting impact on student success.

What I appreciate most is that, despite all the demands of their jobs, our school leaders never lose sight of why we are here. They genuinely love the children they serve, and that care is evident in the relationships they build and the culture they create in their schools.

To our principals, thank you. Thank you for the long hours, the difficult decisions, the sacrifices that often go unseen, and the heart you bring to your work. So much of what you do happens quietly, without recognition, but it matters tremendously.

Your leadership is not simply important to our success. It is essential to it. Our schools are stronger, our teachers are better supported, and our children have greater opportunities because of the work you do every single day.

I am incredibly proud of our school leaders and grateful for all they do for Hickory City Schools.