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Holliday schools Chamber of Commerce on projects
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Published: March 5, 2009
Iredell-Statesville Schools Superintendent Terry Holliday touted the district's educational successes and ongoing construction projects Wednesday during a Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting.
Holliday's hour-long presentation at the Statesville Civic Center focused on changes within the district, test scores, district rankings and more.
The meeting room was filled with educators, but sprinkled throughout were representatives from prominent local businesses and agencies such as Iredell Memorial Hospital, Barium Springs Home for Children, Wachovia, United Way member agencies, and the NAACP Statesville branch.
Holliday brought the guests up to speed on the happenings and progress within the district, focusing on areas including:
- SAT scores: I-SS has experienced six years of consecutive growth with scores now averaging 1,057;
- Graduation rates: The district is aiming to reach 90 percent in the next two years; and
- End-of-grade assessments: The district ranks in the top 20 statewide.
Holliday also spoke about the end-of-grade reading gap in which African-American students have fallen behind their white counterparts in reaching grade-level standards.
"If they can't read at grade level, they fall behind and eventually drop out," Holliday said.
The superintendent also provided an update on construction.
According to Holliday, Phase II projects are nearing completion and will cost $86.5 million.
This round of projects includes:
- Celeste Henkel: Replace 13 classrooms, add 12 classrooms, two resource rooms, new administration area and media center;
- East Iredell Elementary: Add 10 classrooms, four resource rooms and reconfigure existing classrooms;
- Coddle Creek Elementary: Slated to be built on Presbyterian Road will accommodate 880 students;
- Cloverleaf Elementary: Replaces Northview and Ebenezer Elementary;
- Shepherd Elementary: Add 21 classrooms and four resource rooms;
n South Iredell High School: Add 12 classrooms, new gymnasium, locker rooms and new media center; and
- Statesville High School: Complete main three-story building.
"We're almost through," Holliday said. "We got just a little bit left."
According to Chamber President and CEO David Bradley, education is always one of the top three inquiries potential businesses and families have when considering a move to the area.
"Education is the most critical building block of a successful community," he said. "We feel it's important for us to celebrate those components of the community that sets us apart from other people."
Sandra Bortree of Northside Mortgage Group attended the education breakfast. She said people looking to move into the area usually want to know about the local school district.
"Education is a big factor when people decide where they want to move," she said. "They want the best education for their children."
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