North Carolina State Board of Education

Catawba County Schools is reducing planned expansions at four middle schools as it awaits approval of a merger with Hickory City Schools and Newton-Conover City Schools. Mill Creek Middle will proceed with its original 26,000-square-foot expansion, while other schools will add fewer classrooms. The merger aims to redistribute student enrollment and reduce classroom space needs.

The North Carolina State Board of Education expressed concerns that a proposed teacher pay plan disproportionately benefits early-career teachers over veterans, with raises front-loaded for newcomers and minimal increases for those with 15–24 years of experience. The plan, costing $528 million, aims for an average 8% raise over two years, raising starting pay to $48,000 but maintaining existing pay structures for veterans.