It’s back to school time for Gaston County Schools

It’s back to school time for Gaston County Schools

Students return to class on Wednesday, August 12 to begin the 2026-2027 school year

It’s back-to-school time in Gaston County!  On Wednesday, August 12, approximately 30,000 students (pre-kindergarten through high school) and 1,650 teachers return to class in Gaston County Schools to begin the 2026-2027 academic year.

Students, parents, and school employees are looking ahead to the new school year with enthusiasm and optimism.  It is the goal of all teachers and employees to provide quality learning and enrichment opportunities for students at the district’s 56 schools.  Elementary schools operate from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., and middle schools and high schools operate from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.  Parents should check with their child’s school for the exact schedule as start/end times for some schools may vary.

Superintendent of Schools Morgen A. Houchard stated, “We are ready for another productive year for high quality teaching and learning in Gaston County Schools, and we eagerly anticipate the first day of school on Wednesday, August 12.  I would like to thank our teachers, administrators, and all employees for the work they have done to prepare for the start of school.  Our schools are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment where students can learn, grow, and thrive, and I am confident that our students will experience success in academics, athletics, the fine arts, extracurricular activities, and other areas this school year.”

Schools have worked diligently over the summer to fill employee vacancies for the 2026-2027 year. As of August 3, there were 63 teacher vacancies (44 general education teachers and 19 special education teachers); at the same time last year, the district had 49 teacher vacancies, and there were 73 teacher vacancies at the start of school two years ago.  The school district is welcoming more than 90 teachers who are either new to the education profession or new to Gaston County Schools.

Additionally, there are 21 openings for school bus drivers (this is typical; at any given time, the district has 20-25 vacancies for bus drivers).  The school district’s two-tier model for bus transportation has helped to address the ongoing shortage of bus drivers.  The two-tier model makes it possible for a bus driver to complete two routes in the morning and two routes in the afternoon rather than just one – a driver has an elementary route first and then a middle school or a high school route.

Parents will receive information from their child’s school about bus routes, pick-up and drop-off times, and bus rules and expectations. If parents have a question or concern about bus transportation, they are encouraged to contact the school office and/or the principal. Parents are asked to be patient and understanding during the first few weeks of school as schools adjust bus routes, stops, and schedules based on ridership.

Motorists are reminded about the likelihood of heavy traffic near schools in the early morning and mid-afternoon hours.  It is important for motorists to decrease speed in school zones, watch for pedestrians, and use caution when they see a school bus.  Whenever a school bus is stopped (with stop sign extended and red lights flashing) to pick up or drop off students, motorists must stop for the bus. 

Back-To-School Highlights 
Here is a look at some back-to-school highlights for Gaston County Schools.

▪ First school year for new strategic plan 
2026-2027 is the first full school year for Gaston County Schools operating under its new strategic plan.  Adopted by the Board of Education in February, the strategic plan serves as the school district’s “road map” for the next five years.  It includes the school district’s vision, mission, core values, priorities, and goals.

The strategic plan focuses on six priority areas: Academics that Build Pathways to Student Success, Sustainable Financial Stewardship, Efficient and Responsive Operations and Technology, Comprehensive Student Support, Talent and Workforce Development, and Effective Communication and Partnerships.  The strategic plan is available online; it is designed to guide the school district’s focus, work, and decision-making through 2030.

▪ Addition of professional development workdays to the calendar
New to the school calendar are four Wednesday dates for teacher professional development: September 16, October 28, February 10, and April 14.  Students will not attend school on these four dates, which are mandatory teacher workdays.  Teachers will use this time to be involved in academics-related training that focuses on effective teaching practices, content and grade level standards (what students are expected to learn), student progress monitoring, data analysis, classroom management, and other topics. 

▪ Improvement in student performance and academic growth 
Test results for the 2025-2026 school year will be released by the N.C. State Board of Education on September 2.  Gaston County Schools anticipates overall increases in student performance in reading, math, science, and academic growth when compared to the previous year (specific information is embargoed until the results are officially announced by the state).

The school district credits its anticipated academic improvements to professional development/training for teachers and school staff that relates to standards-based teaching practices, collaboration, leadership, instructional coaching, data analysis, student progress monitoring, and effective classroom management. 

▪ Increase in school meal prices for non-CEP schools
School breakfast and lunch meal prices are increasing by 25 cents for the schools not involved in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) federal program that makes meals available to students free-of-charge.  The breakfast meal price increases to $1.65 for students.  The lunch meal price at elementary schools increases to $3.15 for students, and the lunch meal price at middle schools and high schools increases to $3.25 for students.  

The meal price increases are in effect at eight schools that do not qualify for the CEP program:  Belmont Central Elementary, Belmont Middle, Cramerton Middle, Hawks Nest STEAM Academy, Highland School of Technology, New Hope Elementary, Page Primary, and South Point High School.      

▪ Two schools added to Innovation Schools initiative
Bessemer City Middle School and Bessemer City High School are being added to Gaston County Schools’ Innovation Schools initiative, which is an intensive academic program that focuses on improving student achievement.  Now, the program involves 12 schools.  

Kimberly Reese, the former principal at Pinewood Elementary School in Mount Holly, is the new principal at Bessemer City Middle School, and Dr. Josh Bromley, the former principal at Belmont Middle School, is the new principal at Bessemer City High School.  They will be responsible for leading their school’s Innovation School efforts.

The Innovation Schools concept was introduced last school year to boost student achievement at 10 schools that have performed below academic expectations in recent years:  H.H. Beam Elementary, Bessemer City Central Elementary, Lingerfeldt Elementary, Pleasant Ridge Elementary, Sherwood Elementary, Woodhill Elementary, W.P. Grier Middle, Southwest Middle, Ashbrook High, and Hunter Huss High.

At an Innovation School, all stakeholders (administrators, teachers, staff, parents, etc.) are challenged to embrace change and think with strategy, act with intent, and work with enthusiasm to reach a common goal of improving student achievement.  Priorities at an Innovation School involve working collaboratively on strengthening instructional practices, elevating the school setting, and achieving higher student performance and academic growth.

▪ 14 new school buses for transportation fleet
Fourteen new yellow school buses are being added to the Gaston County Schools transportation fleet.  The buses, which are provided by the state, are replacing ones that have reached the end-of-use phase (20 years or 200,000 miles).  The new buses are equipped with various safety features, including GPS technology and vehicle tracking, interior surveillance cameras, and stop-arm cameras to aid in identifying vehicles that illegally pass a stopped school bus.   

▪ Summertime repair and renovation projects
A number of school repairs and renovations began this summer, and the projects are complete or nearing completion ahead of the new school year.  The projects include flooring, ceiling, HVAC, paving, and plumbing work at various schools; life safety upgrades (cameras, fire alarms, and intercom systems) at four elementary schools: Belmont Central, Catawba Heights, Cherryville, and Kiser; and lighting improvements at five elementary schools: Cherryville, Costner, Gardner Park, Lingerfeldt, and Woodhill.

Additionally, main entrance vestibules are being installed at Ashbrook High School, Bessemer City Primary, Cherryville Elementary, Sherwood Elementary, and East Gaston High School to enhance safety and security.  Improvements to the stadium field at Forestview High School, including drainage work and the installation of turf, should be complete in the next month.  Further, water fountains are being replaced at various schools with bottle filling stations.  

In the months ahead, projects include the planning and design of classroom additions at Belmont Central Elementary and New Hope Elementary, replacing damaged concession stands at Bessemer City High School and South Point High School, preparing to renovate Career and Technical Education (CTE) and science labs, and determining what schools will be involved in the next phase of upgrades for life safety systems, HVAC, lighting, bottle filling stations, and security vestibules.