(No. 10) Education: A year of strain, scrutiny, and shifting ground in Burke County

In 2025, education in Burke County was defined by contradiction. Excellence alongside anxiety; long-term investment amid short-term strain; and public celebration shadowed by deep conflict.

From award-winning educators and major construction milestones to budget shortfalls, safety concerns, and an unprecedented rift between the school board and the local press, the year revealed a public school system navigating change on multiple fronts at once.

At the center of nearly every conversation stood Burke County Public Schools (BCPS) and its most urgent challenge: money.

Facing declining enrollment with more than 560 students lost over five years put the district on track for a projected $4.5 million budget gap for the 2026–27 school year. Because state funding is based on the previous year’s enrollment, the loss translated directly into fewer dollars. District leaders began planning months ahead of schedule, warning that larger class sizes, consolidations, and staffing reductions were all possibilities.

While administrators emphasized attrition as the preferred strategy, neither Superintendent Dr. Mike Swan nor the Board of Education would rule out layoffs entirely. It was a distinction that sparked community anxiety and later ignited a public dispute over language, transparency, and trust.

That dispute escalated in December, when the Board of Education voted unanimously to revoke The Paper’s special media access, citing alleged inaccuracies in coverage related to the budget and enrollment decline. Media attorneys called the move unconstitutional retaliation, while board members said the newspaper’s language had caused unnecessary fear among employees and families.

The episode marked one of the most controversial education moments in recent county history and underscored a growing tension between district leadership and public oversight at a time when confidence is fragile.

Even as finances tightened, leadership within the district shifted.

Swan announced a series of principal reassignments and dual administrative roles for the 2025–26 school year, largely driven by retirements. The changes were framed as both a necessity and an opportunity and as an attempt to maintain stability while operating more efficiently with fewer resources.

At the same time, BCPS pushed forward with one of its largest capital investments ever: a new $55 million elementary school in eastern Burke County.

Funded primarily by a $42 million needs-based grant from the NC Education Lottery, the project advanced significantly in 2025. The board selected Edifice Construction as construction manager at risk and approved McMillan Pazdan Smith to design the school using a prototype model. The county is expected to contribute $13 million from its capital fund balance, allowing the school to open essentially debt-free.

The district also reconsidered the school’s site, shifting focus to two parcels in Hildebran after storm-related delays reset the planning timeline. Community meetings were held and district leaders emphasized that renovating existing schools is not an option under the grant’s terms.

Beyond facilities and finances, safety and accountability remained unavoidable themes.

The arrest, termination, and later conviction of former Patton High School teacher Christopher Bailey on sex-related charges involving a minor reinforced the importance of mandatory reporting and swift district action. In another case, a former Drexel Elementary custodian filed a lawsuit alleging she was fired after raising school safety concerns. BCPS denied the claims which added to scrutiny of internal processes and employee protections.

Against this backdrop of strain, excellence in education still shone through.

Hildebran Elementary principal Caroline Johnson was named Burke County Public Schools Principal of the Year, earning peer recognition for her servant leadership and advancing to the state-level competition. Johnson’s career path — from classroom teacher to district leader — reflected the system’s investment in internal talent and long-term commitment to students.

At Draughn High School, science teacher Mallory Hartman was named Beginning Teacher of the Year, a recognition that highlighted both instructional quality and the district’s mentorship programs. A Burke County Schools graduate, Hartman credited BCPS’s support systems for helping her thrive in her first year, an encouraging signal at a time when teacher recruitment and retention remain statewide concerns.

Education conversations also extended beyond the county.

State Superintendent Mo Green brought his “Mo Wants to Know” listening tour to the region, inviting Burke County residents to help shape a new statewide strategic plan for public schools. His visit came amid uncertainty about federal education funding, adding urgency to local discussions about sustainability and advocacy.

At the North Carolina School for the Deaf, a moment of stability and celebration offered contrast. Dr. Kristin Todd was unanimously appointed superintendent after serving as interim director, drawing strong support from staff, students, and the Deaf community.

By year’s end, education in Burke County stood at a crossroads.

The district celebrated outstanding teachers and principals, committed millions to future classrooms, and continued to serve thousands of students each day — even as enrollment declined, budgets tightened, and trust between institutions and the public was tested.

— AKC