In its meeting on January 15, 2026, the Union County Board of Education resolved several issues that had dominated workshop discussions over most of 2025.

The Board approved the guidelines and requirements to choose the student representative who will address the BOE at each meeting from the audience microphone. By state law, the number of student representatives cannot exceed the number of Board members. It was a little unclear, but the criteria appears to be based on a recommendation of Principal Lance Lay as refined by Director Greg Clay. Student representatives will be recommended by UCHS teachers and/or principal and must be in the 11th or 12th grade. Interviews by the counselors will result in recommendations to the director of those students who meet the attributes and are interested in being considered. Director Clay will then recommend the students to serve each semester. Mr. Clay asked Mary Caroline Mondaya to address the January workshop so the BOE could have an idea of what a student might say. Mary Caroline spoke of the many improvements in academics, coursework, and building use that had occurred from her freshman to her senior year. She outlined the many extracurricular activities and clubs that students could choose. She described the tremendous benefit of Middle College that will allow several students to graduate from high school with a diploma and an Associates Degree from Walters State Community College. Mary Caroline also expressed the excitement of the Winter Formal, Prom on April 24, and Graduation on May 15. Last but not least she mentioned the importance of honoring our Veterans and the opportunities for community service. Perhaps her presentation encouraged four board members to approve Board Policy Revision 1.1021 on the first and final reading.

The Board also approved a Teacher Incentive Plan with a budget expenditure cap of $50,000 with no individual teacher receiving more than $1,000. The criteria calls for a teacher to meet two of five categories to receive the bonus. Individual bonuses would be dictated by the number of teachers who qualify. The five categories include Teacher Longevity, Student Achievement and Growth, Serving High Needs Students, Teacher Evaluation Performance, and Teacher Attendance.

The Board also voted to double the cheerleading supplement to cover fall and spring sports at UCHS. In addition the Board approved the change orders to complete the new middle school softball and baseball fields. The Board established a Planning Committee to address future housing development and population growth that may impact the school system. The Board also authorized Mr. Clay to obtain a contract from Technology for Energy Corporation (TEC) for the attorney to review regarding a communications safety badge that can sink with the current UCHS alert system during an emergency. Finally, the Board took action on purchasing a right of way for access and the utilities for the new middle school.

All other routine business regarding minutes, school trips, and budget amendments were approved. The Board made several awards and recognitions during the workshop. The next meeting of the UCBOE will be on February 12, at 6:00 at UCHS. Union County Public Schools will hold an informational meeting for parents and other interested community members at 3:45 on February 2 at UCHS regarding the Title I Program and the district academic performance. The inclement weather date for this meeting is February 9.