Davidson County School Board Faces Budget, Discipline Concerns
The Davidson County Board of Education recognized student achievements, discussed major budget concerns and heard emotional public comments during its recent meeting.
The meeting opened with a series of recognitions celebrating student success across the district, including students selected for the 2026 North Carolina Governor’s School, Davidson Early College High School’s Battle of the Books team, robotics teams, HOSA competitors and SkillsUSA welding students. North Davidson High School students Taylor Harrell and Kyra Lewis were also recognized for receiving North Carolina Teaching Fellows scholarships.
Students participating in the Teaching as a Profession program shared personal reflections about classroom internships and the impact educators have had on their lives. Instructor Lauren Norton and cooperating teachers across the district were praised for supporting future educators.
During the superintendent’s report, administrators highlighted upcoming graduation dates, testing schedules and Teacher Appreciation Week, calling for greater respect and support for educators.
One of the meeting’s most emotional moments came during public comments, where several speakers raised concerns about disciplinary practices involving an assistant principal at East Davidson High School. Parent Heather Lewis alleged her son was forced to complete hundreds of push-ups in front of other students after his truck and house keys were confiscated. She described the punishment as humiliating and abusive.
Additional speakers supported the family’s concerns, with one speaker alleging the student completed 268 push-ups during instructional time. Former district employee Scott Ford cited North Carolina corporal punishment statutes and questioned whether district procedures and required parental notifications were followed. Speakers urged the board to intervene and protect students.
Board members did not respond publicly during the comment period, in accordance with board policy.
The board later received extensive updates on curriculum and instructional planning through the district’s 100-Day Action Plan and Comprehensive Needs Assessment. Administrators discussed efforts to standardize curriculum resources, strengthen support for exceptional children and English learners and improve instructional consistency districtwide.
Testing and accountability updates also generated discussion as administrators explained new state recommendations aimed at increasing test security during End-of-Grade and End-of-Course testing. District leaders said teachers of record are now strongly discouraged from administering their own students’ tests and additional proctors will be needed across schools. Davidson County Schools is recruiting parents, retirees, church members and other community volunteers to help monitor testing sessions.
Board members also approved revisions to student search policies connected to the district’s Open Gate weapons detection system. The updated policy clarifies that searches of students will only be conducted by principals and assistant principals, while screening staff will operate equipment only.
The board heard a first reading of a proposed Athletic Review Committee policy designed to provide more structured review processes for student-athlete disciplinary matters involving suspensions longer than 30 days.
Financial concerns dominated much of the second half of the meeting as Chief Financial Officer Miss Crawford presented the proposed 2026-27 budget. Administrators outlined uncertainty surrounding state funding, projected enrollment declines, increasing utility and fuel costs and ongoing financial impacts from charter schools and voucher programs.
District leaders said the budget currently assumes significant uncertainty around state salary increases and healthcare costs for approximately 2,700 employees. Board members repeatedly emphasized a desire to avoid layoffs and preserve staffing levels whenever possible.
Board Member Yates-Davis also highlighted rising transportation fuel expenses, noting tanker costs have climbed significantly in recent months.
Rather than voting immediately, the board voted to postpone final budget approval until a specially called meeting so all members could participate in the decision.
The board also approved increased student fees for the upcoming school year, raising elementary fees from $7 to $12 and middle school fees from $16 to $20, while maintaining fee waiver options for qualifying families.
Additional approvals included a conditional overnight soccer camp trip for Ledford High School students and a districtwide rollout of Class Dojo as a unified communication platform for families and staff beginning in the 2026-27 school year. Administrators said the platform will improve translation capabilities and streamline communication across schools at no additional cost to the district.
