Merger Information
Latest Update: State Board Review
The proposed merger of Hickory City Schools, Newton-Conover City Schools, and Catawba County Schools is now under review by the North Carolina State Board of Education.
During a recent State Board meeting, Chairman Eric Davis shared that the Board received the Catawba County Board of Commissioners' original merger proposal on June 25, followed by an updated proposal on July 7.
The State Board will carefully review the proposal and accompanying materials using the criteria established by North Carolina law. Chairman Davis indicated that the Board plans to discuss its review process, timeline, and appropriate next steps during its September 2–3, 2026 meeting.
The merger is not final.
Hickory City Schools will continue to monitor the State Board's review and provide updates as additional information becomes available. Our focus has always been, and will continue to be, our students. We remain committed to advocating for the educational opportunities, relationships, resources, and programs that support their success.
Next State Board Meeting: September 2–3, 2026
The State Board plans to discuss the process and timeline for reviewing the merger proposal and appropriate next steps during its September 2–3 meeting.
We encourage our community to continue making its voice heard before the September meeting.
What Happens Next
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The State Board is currently reviewing the merger proposal and accompanying materials.
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The merger has not received final approval.
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The State Board's next meeting is September 2–3, 2026, when members plan to discuss the process and timeline for reviewing the proposal and appropriate next steps.
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Community members are encouraged to continue sharing their perspectives before the September meeting.
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Hickory City Schools will continue to monitor the process and provide updates as information becomes available.
Your Voice Matters
State Board Chairman Eric Davis shared that the Board has already received hundreds of emails regarding the proposed merger and that those messages are being carefully read and given thoughtful consideration.
To everyone who has already written, attended meetings, stayed informed, and advocated for our students and community—thank you. Your voices are being heard.
We encourage you to continue sharing your perspective with the North Carolina State Board of Education before its September 2–3 meeting. Share your personal connection to our schools and the issues that matter most to you. Respectful, factual, and personal messages help State Board members understand how this decision could affect students, families, educators, and communities.
North Carolina State Board of Education Contacts
For your convenience, you may copy and paste the email addresses below into your message:
mo.green@dpi.nc.gov; eric.davis@dpi.nc.gov; alan.duncan@dpi.nc.gov; rachel.hunt@dpi.nc.gov; brad.briner@dpi.nc.gov; olivia.oxendine@dpi.nc.gov; reginald.kenan@dpi.nc.gov; jill.camnitz@dpi.nc.gov; jwendell.hall@dpi.nc.gov; john.blackburn@dpi.nc.gov; catty.moore@dpi.nc.gov; janet.mason@dpi.nc.gov; tiffany.lucas@dpi.nc.gov
Written comments regarding the proposed merger may also be submitted directly to:
Tiffany Lucas, General Counsel
tiffany.lucas@dpi.nc.gov
Why This Matters for Hickory Families
A merger could include:
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Additional expenses: Technology integration alone is projected to cost $8–12 million over 2–3 years. Legal fees, rebranding, and consolidation of financial systems could add additional costs.
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Changes in funding: Certain state funding protections continue temporarily following consolidation, but funding formulas change after the transition period.
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Student reassignment: School attendance lines could be redrawn, affecting school assignments, feeder patterns, and transportation.
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Reduced local representation: A countywide system would replace three locally focused school boards with one governing board serving more than 22,000 students.
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Changes to programs and services: Questions remain about the long-term protection of specialized programs and services currently offered by the three districts.
The Hidden Costs
Consolidating three school systems involves much more than combining administrative structures. Technology platforms, transportation systems, employee compensation and benefits, financial systems, contracts, policies, curricula, and operational procedures would all need to be aligned.
State and federal funding formulas may also change when three districts with different student populations and poverty concentrations become one system. These changes could affect funding for CTE, Title I, English learner services, at-risk students, school health personnel, and other student supports.
Stay Informed
Review and share our Merger Information Materials.
Continue checking this page for updates as the North Carolina State Board of Education reviews the proposal.
Our focus has always been, and will continue to be, our students.