November 3, 2026 BOE Meeting Highlights

Posted Date: 11/04/26 (11:05 AM)

Board of Education

Meeting Highlights

November 3, 2026

Large outdoor sign with the following words written on it: Mooresville Graded School District Administrative Offices Founded in 1905

Welcome to our monthly Board of Education newsletter. Your engagement is crucial in building a better future for our community. Thank you for your continued support of MGSD!

Join us in person for our regular monthly meetings.
Watch past meetings on our MGSD YouTube Live channel.
Visit the MGSD Board of Education page for additional information.

Recognitions

Student of the Month

Each month the Board of Education recognizes a student who makes an impact at their school in a special way. These students also lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the meeting. The November 2026 Student of the Month is Nayyir Reed, Mooresville High School.

Nayyir has been selected as Student of the Month because of his dedication to Mooresville High School, the respect he consistently shows to both students and staff, and the positive example he sets for those around him.

This school year, Nayyir was selected to serve as the Freshman Class President, demonstrating his leadership potential and commitment to representing his peers. He exemplifies what it means to be a model student by making positive choices, treating others with respect, and doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

Nayyir represents the type of student we want leading our student body. His character, integrity, and dedication to MHS reflect the values of our Blue Devil family. We are proud to recognize Nayyir for his accomplishments and look forward to seeing him continue to grow as a leader.

Congratulations, Nayyir! Thank you for being ALL IN and representing the very best of Mooresville High School!

Dr. Gardner and Board Member Monica Donaldson stand on each side of the Mooresville High School Student of the Month. He is holding a certificate.

Artist of the Month

MGSD believes the arts are an important aspect of developing the whole child. We enjoy the opportunity to honor an Artist of the Month at our Board of Education meetings each month. Ellie Slusser, MHS, was recognized as the November 2026 Artist of the Month.

Ms. Katherine Hall, Art Teacher at MHS, nominated Ellie Slusser. She said, “Ellie is a talented 11th-grade student who truly embodies what it means to be “All In.”

Ms. Hall shared, “I have had the pleasure of teaching Ellie in Art I last year and Handcraft Arts this semester. In addition to her artistic talents, she is a member of the marching band, serves as the student creative lead for our upcoming musical, and is the president of the Creative Writing Club.

“Ellie is a dedicated, hardworking student who consistently finds opportunities to express her creativity. She often shares that when she has free time, she chooses to create. Her passion for the arts is evident in the quality of her work and her willingness to contribute her talents to our school community.

“I am proud to recognize Ellie for her creativity, dedication, and commitment to being involved in multiple areas of school life. She is an outstanding example of a student who is truly All In!”

Dr. Gardner and Board Member Monica Donaldson stand on each side of the Mooresville High School Artist of the Month. She is holding a certificate and all three are holding multiple pieces of art.

Above and Beyond the Call of Duty (ABCD) Award

MGSD loves recognizing those employees who go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty for our children by representing our core values. Ms. Monica Bourke, Teacher Assistant at MHS, was selected for the November 2026 ABCD Award.

Ms. Bourke is a true leader in the Learning Lab department and an invaluable member of the MHS family. For years, she has consistently gone above and beyond to support the students and staff she serves. While the Learning Lab has experienced changes in staffing over the years, Ms. Bourke has remained a constant source of stability, dedication, and support.

Ms. Bourke always gives her very best and remains committed to doing what is right for our students and what is best for MHS. Regardless of the task or challenge, she is someone we can depend on to step up, offer support, and help find a way forward. Her reliability, willingness to serve, and unwavering commitment to our school community exemplify what it means to be a leader.

Beyond her professionalism and dedication, Ms. Bourke brings a positive spirit and genuine joy to those around her. She makes a difference not only through the work she does but also through the encouragement, consistency, and positivity she brings each day.

We are truly blessed to have Ms. Bourke as part of the MHS family. Her years of dedicated service, leadership, and commitment to students and staff make her incredibly deserving of this recognition. Thank you, Ms. Bourke, for always being willing to go above and beyond and for showing us what it means to be ALL IN!

Dr. Gardner and Board Member Monica Donaldson stand on each side of the Ms. Monica Bourke who received the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty award. She is holding a plaque.

Academics

Inquiry-Based Learning Using SEPUP

Mooresville High School presented its adoption of the Science Education for Public Understanding Program (SEPUP). The hands-on, inquiry-based curriculum combines science with literacy development to strengthen critical thinking and establish consistency across classrooms. Aligned with North Carolina standards, the program successfully connects student learning to real-world issues while promoting teacher collaboration and student discovery. MHS Inquiry-Based Learning Presentation

Mooresville High School staff and students present to the Board of Education.

Board Business

Items for Information

At the November 3, 2026 Board of Education meeting, the proposed 2027–2028 School Calendar was presented for first read.

A calendar committee of staff, parents, and administrators evaluated two drafts:

Proposed Draft: The version currently before the Board, selected based on staff and parent feedback.
Alternative Draft: Featured a start date one week later and a 2-day fall break, but required students to stay in school through December 21 before winter break.

The Board will review the proposed calendar before taking final action at the December Board of Education meeting.

Why does the start date seem to get earlier each year? Next year's earlier start date is driven by three specific factors: how holidays fall on the calendar, the need to complete enough instructional days during the first semester, and launching on a Wednesday to support our staggered Kindergarten start.

Additional points to keep in mind:

Same overall time: The length of both the school year for students and summer break remains unchanged.
Earlier end date: Students will finish earlier in May this year as well as next year (proposed) to offset the early start.
Future Outlook (2028–2029): Looking ahead to the 2028–2029 calendar, we anticipate presenting an option that has students returning to school one week later – as well as ending a week later in May – as holiday placements naturally cycle back onto a later timeline.

Click on the "memo" link to access the proposed 2027 - 2028 Calendar and Board presentation.

2027-2028 MGSD Calendar (memo)

Items for Approval

Click on the "memo" link to access information and documents where applicable.

Budget Amendments (memo) ✅
Field Trip (memo) ✅

Upcoming MGSD Dates

November 5, 2026: Board of Education Called Work Session (6:00pm @ EMIS)

November 11, 2026: Veteran’s Day (No School)

November 24, 2026: Early Release Day (Mooresville Christmas Parade)

November 25th - 27th: Thanksgiving Break

December 1, 2026: Board of Education Meeting (6:00pm @ Mooresville Town Hall)

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out:

The words "We Are..." and then a large blue M with the word "Mooresville" in the middle of it.