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We want the Union County community to be informed about the school bond. On Nov. 5, Union County residents will vote on $39,421,448 in school bonds. This bond package addresses aging facilities at Parkwood High and East Union Middle. Take the time to read through the bond materials to learn more about the projects. All schools benefit when we value public schools.

This edition also includes the academic accountability results from the 2023-2024 school year. During the Sept. 5 Union County Board of Education meeting, UCPS staff presented data on district and grade-level proficiency rates, growth, school performance grades and the four-year cohort graduation rate. In addition, UCPS reported on several non-accountability performance indicators related to college and career readiness.

UCPS is offering four bond information meetings for the community in September and October. 

You are encouraged to attend the following meetings:

• Sept. 12 at Forest Hills High, 6 p.m.
• Sept. 19 at Parkwood High, 6 p.m.
• Oct. 3 at Parkwood High, 6 p.m.
• Oct. 17 at East Union Middle, 6 p.m.

Information about this bond referendum can also be found at www.ucps.k12.nc.us/bond2024. Register to vote at the Union County Board of Elections. 

Q. Why do we need bonds to renovate schools?

A. School renovation and construction projects are very expensive to fund at one time. Bonds spread the cost of major capital improvements over a number of years. This is similar to securing a mortgage on a home and spreading the cost of home buying over a period of years.

Q. How were the projects selected for the 2024 school bond?

A. The Board of Education recommended several projects from the long-range capital planning list to the Union County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) to be considered for the 2024 bond referendum. These two projects were approved for this bond by the BOCC.

Q. My child's school is not on this bond, why should I be concerned about these projects?

A. Union County Public Schools is committed to ensuring that all students receive a quality education in safe and efficient learning environments. All schools benefit when we value public schools. District improvements increase safety, support evolving educational practices, modernize aging facilities and directly improve the quality of life in Union County. With a successful bond, more projects will move up on the priority list for capital needs and future bonds.

Q. What is the estimated tax increase?

A. According to the Union County Board of Commissioners, the estimated maximum annual debt service impact is $4,077,755 beginning in FY 2026. The annual estimated amount of property tax liability increases for each S 100,000 of property tax value to service the cumulative cost over the life of the bond is estimated at $8.00 (based on 0.80 cents increase in the ad valorem property tax rate). This estimate is based on the legislative requirements of NC Session Law 2022-53 for bond referendums. Example: For each $100,000 in value, there would be an impact of approximately $8.00. 

UCPS has seen a number of increases in elementary, middle and high school academic areas. According to state reports, UCPS continues to outperform the state and the 12 largest districts in multiple testing and accountability areas. For the 2023-2024 school year, UCPS took the lead for overall proficiency at 69.5 percent among the largest districts, ranking UCPS number two in the state in this same testing area. 

Graduation rate

The 2024 Cohort Graduation Rate (CGR) is 93.3 percent, the highest CGR for the district under the current accountability model. It is also the highest among the 12 largest districts in North Carolina. The state’s four-year cohort graduation rate is 86.9 percent.

Student proficiency

State test results show that UCPS student proficiency rates are up for the fourth year in a row. Of the 12 largest districts, UCPS scored the highest in 50 of the 55 indicators, and tied for one more. In addition to overall proficiency at 69.5 percent, the district outperformed other districts at 70.1 percent in all End-of-Grade tests for grades three through eight. Also, high school End-of-Course proficiency is 67.7 percent, with other districts performing at 61.7 percent and lower.

Student performance grades

School Performance Grades (SPG) are an essential part of the NC Accountability Model. SPGs are comprised of 80 percent proficiency and 20 percent growth. State data shows that 88 percent or 44 out of 50 schools met or exceeded growth. This compares to 84 percent in the previous school year.

For the first time in recent history, all 11 high schools met or exceeded growth for the 2023-2024 school year. 

UCPS is proud to announce that East Union Middle exceeded growth for the 2023-2024 school year and has moved out of low-performing status. This is the first time East Union Middle has exited the state’s low-performing list since the current accountability model began in the 2013-2014 school year.

Non-accountability performance indicators

• UCPS students earned 13,161 Career and Technical Education (CTE) credentials, compared to 12,981 in 2022-2023.
• A total of 7,200 students took Advanced Placement (AP) exams in 2023-2024. This is up from 5,779 in the previous school year.
• The district’s Advanced Placement (AP) exam pass rate is 74 percent. The 2022-2023 pass rate was 69 percent.
• Early (K-2) reading proficiency data is consistently well above state levels, at or approaching 80 percent of students.

• Sept. 12 - School Bond 2024 Community Meeting, Forest Hills High, 6 p.m.
• Sept. 16 - Wolfe School Teacher Workday (No school for students)
• Sept. 17-Oct. 4 - Wolfe School Fall Intercession
• Sept. 19 - School Bond 2024 Community Meeting, Parkwood High, 6 p.m.
• Oct. 1 - Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m.

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