The Moore County Board of Education addressed school security, grading, finances and pending litigation during its Oct. 12 meeting.
The board endorsed a memorandum of understanding with the Moore County Sheriff’s Office governing the district’s school resource officers. The agreement outlines the relationship between the district and Sheriff’s Office and distinguishes school discipline from matters that may require a criminal investigation.
District approves $187.5 million budget
Board members also approved a $187.5 million budget for the 2026-27 school year. The spending plan is approximately $4.43 million, or 2.43 percent, higher than the previous year.
According to reporting from Sandhills News, the budget includes salary and benefit adjustments averaging about 8 percent for certified employees and nearly 17 percent for new teachers. The district maintained a minimum $2 million general-fund reserve for cash flow.
Grade-floor policy revised
The board revised the district’s grade-floor policy following the state’s decision to lower the minimum passing grade to 60. Under the change, the threshold connected to a one-time grade reset was lowered from 50 to 40.
Lawsuit settlement announced
The board also announced an undisclosed settlement in a federal lawsuit involving a former Pinecrest High School student. The lawsuit alleged that a former teacher assistant assaulted the student, who is nonverbal and autistic, in 2021.
The settlement amount was not disclosed publicly. The allegations were contained in civil litigation, and this account does not make an independent determination concerning liability.
Source: Sandhills News. Meeting information and recordings are available through Moore County Schools.
