UNC Board of Governors visit Morganton next week

The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Morganton will be welcoming between 80 and 100 educational VIPs next week when the University of North Carolina Board of Governors arrives, marking the board’s first visit to the high school since its inception.

The board meets about eight times each year, with most gatherings at the system office in Raleigh.

“First of all, it’s really awesome,” Morganton City Manager Sally Sandy said, taking a few minutes on her day off to discuss the city’s preparations for the visit. “I’m super glad that they chose NCSSM-Morganton … and I’m super proud to get to show off Morganton.”

For the city, spring is the busiest time of the year for ground crews, “replenishing flower beds, planting annuals, and putting out new mulch,” usually starting in late March and spanning the entire month of April.

“We did start that a little early, so that by the time they got here, we could have most of that finished, because we want to be proud of how we show off the community,” Sandy explained. “Normally, we’d still be into getting our initial rejuvenation.”

Sandy said she and several city council members will be attending a luncheon at the school’s campus on Wednesday, the first day of board meetings.

She and the mayor will also attend a private reception with the board and other invited guests at the Morganton Community House Wednesday evening.

“It’s a chance for us to welcome others in our state and other folks to come here to see what our community has to offer,” Sandy said, explaining that Western North Carolina is still rebuilding its assets and economy damaged by Hurricane Helene.

“Bring(ing) all of that back is a long process. It’s really nice to have, No. 1, a positive event, and for them to get to see that we’re all still working on that.”

THE POLICE

With that many educational leaders collecting in one place, police patrols and security will be boosted.

According to Captain Nick Edwards at the Morganton Department of Public Safety (MDPS), the NCSSM campus falls under the jurisdiction of the Broughton Police Department, but the departments have a mutual aid agreement.

He explained that Broughton plans to hire some off-duty MDPS officers to assist with security in monitoring the campus and related events. MDPS will also be increasing patrols in the downtown area.

THE SCHOOL

In the days leading up to the visit, the team at NCSSM is applying the final touches to their campus.

“Our facilities team has been working diligently to get the campus looking its best inside and out,” said Emily Cunard, NCSSM-Morganton director of communications. “Our events team is working closely with teammates across the campus so all details are in place for the upcoming visit.”

Construction on the new 28,500-square-foot UNC Health Blue Ridge Student Wellness & Activities Center is wrapping up, along with recently finished sidewalks and freshly grown grass on campus.