North Carolina has a new budget, signed, sealed, and delivered by the General Assembly and Gov. Josh Stein, finally giving teachers across the state, including Burke, their first raise in nearly three years — albeit a year past the state government’s deadline.
The Burke County Board of Education voted Monday to demolish Chesterfield Elementary School rather than risk the vacant building being purchased by a charter school, ending months of debate over the future of the property.
The new central office for Burke County Public Schools hit a snag in development, pushing the expected move-in date to February of next year and putting a hold on the county’s plans for renovation at the current building occupied by BCPS on East Parker Road in Morganton.
When Table Rock Middle School finishes refurbishing its gym floor later this summer, visitors can expect a former educator’s name to be stained into one corner in memory of all the time and work she’s dedicated to the school.
Although school’s out for the summer, the Burke County Board of Education spent part of its June 8 meeting debating how to sell Chesterfield Elementary and the land it sits on and who decides when school facilities should be dedicated to educators.
The Northwest Regional Educational Service Alliance (NWRESA) has named Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Swan the 2027 Regional Superintendent of the Year, recognizing his innovative leadership, commitment to student success and dedication to strengthening public education across Western North Carolina.
The cost of the new eastern elementary school leapt by more than 20% this past week to approximately $66.7 million, forcing the district to reconsider how it will fund the school that was previously slated for debt-free construction.
Walking through the hallways of Freedom High School on May 8, the scent of fresh-cooked chicken and salmon hit the nose before the clattering pots, pans, and utensils reached the ears. The annual Chartwells-hosted Chopped competition was underway.
The cost of the new eastern elementary school leapt by more than 20% this past week to approximately $66.7 million, forcing the district to reconsider how it will fund the school that was previously slated for debt-free construction.
North Carolina is among the top states in the nation for business and population growth, but is projected to be in the bottom five for teacher salaries this year, raising red flags for Burke educators who’ve been in the field for decades.
