At Monday night’s meeting, the Caldwell County school board approved the tax rates for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and welcomed the new student board member for the current school year.
After the meeting was called to order, Board Chair Tim Kennaday welcomed Harper Ritchey as the new student board member, who was sworn in by Board Secretary LeAnne Orange.
Ritchey, a senior at the high school, was one of four Caldwell County students selected for the Governor’s Scholar Program this summer. She is also a member of the Caldwell County FFA Chapter leadership team and attended FFA Camp in June. Additionally, Ritchey is a member of the Caldwell County High School Soccer Team.
In action items on the agenda, the board unanimously approved keeping the current rate of 44.6 cents per $100 of assessed value for real estate and personal property, set the motor vehicle tax rate at 53.8 cents, and kept the utility tax unchanged at 3%.
As this was the first school board meeting since the start of the new school year, Dr. Jeremy Roach highlighted some positive developments in the district during his superintendent report. He said they are pleased with the high attendance rate the first four days of school, with 1,759 students enrolled.
He also highlighted the recent landscaping improvements and announced the completion of all safety vestibule projects.
Additionally, he reported that the primary school’s HVAC project was completed over the summer, despite a “minor hiccup” on the first day of school.
click to download audioDr. Roach also noted that the high school gym painting project has been completed.
click to download audioFurthermore, he mentioned that transportation has been running smoothly during the first few days of school.
click to download audioRoach also provided an update on the current student activities within the district and the curriculum instruction programs that were implemented last year.
In addition to setting the property tax rates, the board unanimously approved adjusting the substitute bus driver pay from $15 per hour to $15.75 per hour, reflecting a 5% raise as part of the staffing increase approved at a previous board meeting.
