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This edition has an array of exciting topics to keep you informed and engaged.

• Superintendent presents 2024-2025 budget proposal
• Dr. Houlihan named the 2025 Southwest Regional Superintendent of the Year
• CATA earns IB authorization
• UCPS students win big at Union County Community Arts Council's inaugural short film festival
• Sun Valley High student turned teacher cadet

That's only a few of our highlights, enjoy the read and stay connected to the exciting happenings in our district.

Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan presented his proposed 2024-2025 budget at a special called Board of Education meeting on April 23. The recommended budget has four main priority areas: investing in our employees, investing in mandatory operational increases, investing in capital infrastructure and advancing academic performance. View the budget presentation.

The Board of Education will vote on the proposed budget at the May 7 meeting.

Exciting News! Dr. Andrew G. Houlihan has been named the 2025 Regional Superintendent of the Year, selected by the Southwest Education Alliance (Region 6). Dr. Houlihan was chosen by his peers, which includes superintendents from 11 school districts in the southwest region.

In his eighth year as Union County Public Schools superintendent, Dr. Houlihan has led initiatives to boost academic achievement, expand educational opportunities, strengthen partnerships and enhance student support services district-wide. From pioneering innovative K-12 academies to championing dual-language programs, his leadership continually keeps UCPS as one of the highest-performing districts in North Carolina.

He will now represent the southwest region in the state-level competition for the prestigious A. Craig Phillips State Superintendent of the Year award. Join us in celebrating Dr. Houlihan's commitment and visionary leadership as he continues to inspire excellence across our district and beyond!

What does Dr. Houlihan have to say about this honor?

“I want to thank my colleagues for this recognition and I humbly accept it; however, I don’t do this work alone,” Houlihan said. “Team UCPS is not just an expression. I work with some of the best educators and leaders in this state and I share this honor with our Board of Education, teachers, administrators, students and our entire community. I am blessed to serve as superintendent in this incredible school district.”

Central Academy of Technology and Arts (CATA) has joined the ranks of prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools for the Diploma Programme, alongside Marvin Ridge High. Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan commended Principal Kevin Beals and the CATA team for their dedication to this achievement, enhancing the district's commitment to advanced education.

Already offering the International Academy for ninth and 10th graders, CATA will seamlessly integrate the IB Diploma Programme, providing students with a comprehensive pathway. Starting next year, International Academy students can enroll in IB courses. This two-year program allows students to fulfill high school diploma requirements, earn an IB diploma and potentially receive college credits.

Forest Hills High School hosted its Agrotechnology (AgTech) Ambassador ceremony on April 24. Two students were officially inducted as ambassadors, while others were welcomed into the different pathways. The pathways include animal science/pre-vet, sustainable plant systems, agricultural mechanical skills, food systems and AgriBusiness. 

One of the newly appointed ambassadors shared that joining the program would bring her closer to a dream she has held dear since she was three.

"I'm in food systems because I want to own a restaurant," said Sandi Little, a ninth grader. "I wanted to be an ambassador. It feels like I'm starting something special for others that will come after me."

Ninth grader Jessie Crump is in the agricultural mechanical skills pathway because he likes to work with his hands. He would also like to take those skills and apply them to the military one day.

"I'd like to be a Marine. I know they would have jobs where I could use problem-solving, equipment operation and mechanical expertise," said Jessie. "Right now, I'm taking an introduction to engineering class."

Superintendent's Elementary Student Advisory Council explores middle school life

Dr. Andrew Houlihan, the superintendent of Union County Public Schools, has established student advisory councils at the elementary, middle and high school levels to encourage student voice, involvement and input. These councils serve as advisory bodies to the superintendent and senior leaders. All levels of student representation address diverse needs, promote student leadership and strengthen collaboration and communication. 

As part of their final meeting of the year on April 10, the elementary student leaders toured the middle schools within their clusters. They talked about schedules, clubs, sports, classes and more.

At East Union Middle, the elementary student leaders from Wingate, Rock Rest, Union and Marshville elementary schools gathered to discuss what they loved most about being on the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council and to brainstorm ideas for making the next year even better. Everyone had the chance to present their thoughts. 

The middle school leaders gave a concise and informative presentation that offered the elementary students a detailed understanding of different aspects of middle school life. After the presentation, the council members led the students on a school tour, highlighting the various facilities, classrooms and clubs available. The middle school guides were eager to show off their greenhouse since AgTech is a part of their curriculum. 

"Being on the council has helped me with my confidence. The tour taught me many things I didn't know about middle school," said Cherish Shine, a fourth-grader at Marshville Elementary. 

Jordan Gainey, a fourth-grader at Wingate Elementary, enjoyed visiting the Spanish class at the middle school. He said, "The Spanish teacher was playing an instrument and singing. You could see it was a fun class."

Zariyiah Lisemby, a seventh-grader, was one of the tour guides. She said, "Some of the students were shy at first, but you can tell they were interested in learning more about the school because they were asking some good questions."

Seventh grader Camden Leak was eager to show the younger students why his school was a good choice for them. He became part of the Superintendent's Middle School Advisory Council to help make improvements and changes. He said, "I want our school to be the best. This is one way to do it while exchanging ideas with other students around the district." 

Left to right: Jay Morong (Film Festival Juror), Bradley Lucore (Film Festival Juror), Michelle Avos (student), Asaph Munezero (student), Vivian Nguyen (student) and Melanie Miller (Union County Community Arts Council Executive Director)

Left to right: Jay Morong, Eden Shaw (student), Bradley Lucore and Melanie Miller.

Left to right: Jay Morong, Bradley Lucore, Melanie Miller and August Snively (student).

Left to right, Jay Morong, Bradley Lucore, Stephanie Delgado (student) and Melanie Miller.

Union County inagrual Student Short Film Festival

The Union County Community Arts Council, in collaboration with the Dowd Center Theatre and the Charlotte Film Festival, recently held its inaugural Union County Student Short Film Festival. Union County's young creators showcased their exceptional talents in this event that ignited passion for filmmaking, nurtured creativity and built teamwork. The theme was "I am. We are."

Entries were reviewed and scored by an anonymous selection committee of local arts professionals and high school students. The films were rated on their concept, originality, storytelling, and technical execution. Films were produced solely by students in grades 9-12 from Union County high schools, with entries no longer than seven minutes. 

First Place: "Yours Truly" - A heartfelt exploration of individuality and connection by Douce Munezero, Meagan Pham and Vivian Nguyen of Central Academy of Technology and Arts.

Second Place: "Roald Dahl" - A satirical take on contemporary issues, brimming with wit and originality by Eden Shaw of

Cuthbertson High School

Third Place: "In the Moment" - A poignant documentary reflecting on embracing joy in every moment by August Snively of Central Academy of Technology and Arts

Honorable Mention: "Pawley’s Island" - A moving tribute to grief and memory, skillfully crafted by Stephanie Delgado of Union County Early College.

Congratulations to all participants! 

Spring has arrived, bringing the perfect opportunity to declutter those shelves and make space for new things. UCPS is hosting a book drive for its Mobile Book Bus, accepting donations of new and gently used books until April 29. So, as you do your spring cleaning, consider giving those books a new home where they can continue to inspire others.

Drop-off locations are:

In its third year, the Parent Education Series remains a valuable resource for families in our community. The series addresses a wide range of topics that affect students and families. The Student Support Team has developed partnerships and connections with professionals to facilitate these discussions. To make this information more accessible to families with busy schedules, the team switched from in-person presentations to Facebook Live talks.

If you missed the FB Live, below are the links to two of the three sessions. One of the sessions is currently unavailable.

• Suicide Awareness Presenters: Belle Walker and Susan Slattery-Rodgers, UCPS Student Support Staff Watch

• Vaping Presenters: Carolyn Ford and Erica High, Community Engagement Specialist, Community Support and Outreach, Union County Government Watch

• Social Media Dangers Presenter: Eric Traceski, Senior Agent, U.S. Secret Service - Due to new Facebook rules, the presentation in February was inadvertently deleted.

The Family Engagement team held a job fair prep workshop for parents of Title I schools. The event provided valuable insights from a diverse panel of experts, equipping parents and caregivers with essential skills for navigating the job market. 

In addition, attendees benefited from sessions led by UCPS' Lori Peyton, instructional coach, and Jessica Garner, director of college readiness, who underscored the importance of school-to-home connections and college readiness, offering guidance on leveraging online resources for home-based learning and navigating the specifics of post-secondary education and careers, including insights into the UC Guarantee and FAFSA.

Following this, Amee Odom, senior librarian for references and information services at the Union County Library, Kristi Phifer, director of human resources development at South Piedmont Community College, Ruth Brooks, assistant career center leader/manager at NCWorks, and John Smith, regional career navigator at Goodwill, delved into practical job preparation strategies. From networking techniques to interviewing skills and resume crafting, attendees gained invaluable insights to excel in their job search.

Katrina Meyre received the John H. Crowder Service Award

Katrina Meyre embodies a blend of leadership, academic excellence and character. She has consistently pushed herself with honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Even in her last semester, she's tackling three AP classes, an honors class and an extra college course.

She's actively involved in her school's leadership, serving on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council and as a senior leader in the Ambassadors Program. Additionally, she holds positions as a BETA club officer and the vice president of the National Honors Society.

Get ready to celebrate our graduates! Union County Early College leads the way on May 8.

Here's what you need to know:

All traditional high school graduations will be live-streamed on the school’s YouTube page for public viewing. In the event of severe weather, rain dates have been set to reschedule ceremonies. Principals will communicate directly to seniors and their families if the date of their graduation is changed.

• April 26 - Traditional - Early Release Schedule
• May 7 - Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m.
• May 8 - Union County Early College Graduation, 6 p.m.

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