Along any given street in Burke County, drivers pass a plethora of houses, churches, and businesses, all with signs congratulating graduates and celebrating the successes of students across the county.

Career and technical education funding in Burke County will decline for the fourth consecutive year, continuing a trend district officials say could strain workforce training programs in a county where nearly a quarter of graduates enter the workforce or military directly after high school.

Career and technical education funding in Burke County will decline for the fourth consecutive year, continuing a trend district officials say could strain workforce training programs in a county where nearly a quarter of graduates enter the workforce or military directly after high school.

Hallyburton Academy students will be moving to Draughn High School at the start of the 2026-27 academic year.

Discussions to relocate students from Hallyburton Academy, Burke County’s alternative school, have hit the table, but who and how many are still up in the air.

The Burke County Board of Education issued a written clarification by email about its decision to revoke special media access for The Paper, following a private meeting and a pending public records request seeking documents related to the board’s Dec. 15 action.

Prose, poetry, notable speeches and original oratory echoed through the halls of the Old Rock School in Valdese throughout the day Thursday as elementary and middle school students overcame nerves and faced most people’s biggest fear: public speaking.

In an unprecedented move, the Burke County Board of Education unanimously voted Monday to revoke The Paper’s special media access — a decision the newspaper’s legal counsel says violates the First Amendment and punishes protected speech.

Burke County Public Schools will host two community meetings to discuss a proposal for a new school in eastern Burke County.

As four members of the Burke County Board of Education prepare to conclude their tenure, they reflect on a legacy founded on unity and dedication to public education. Seth Hunt, Don Hemstreet, Jane Sohovich, and Wendi Craven highlight the board's achievements, including securing funding for new school construction, enhancing student policies, and maximizing federal resources during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.