Community Update and Frequently Asked Questions
Recent changes in our school's leadership and staff have raised questions across our community, and we understand why. We want to provide accurate information, answer common questions, and explain how families and community members can stay informed and engaged.
A note about who we are: The New Dimensions School (NDS) Board of Directors is a group of unpaid volunteers. Many of us are current NDS parents.
What Actually Changed
As at every school, the close of one year and the start of the next bring staffing changes. The numbers this year were higher than usual, and we want to be precise about them rather than let rumors fill the gap. Here is the accurate breakdown:
Context: Before these changes, the school had about 85 employees. Our current count, including contracts that have been offered and are in process, is 83. Retirements and resignations are within our normal annual range. Non-renewals were higher than average this year. Non-renewal decisions are made by the school director as part of the annual evaluation process and in response to the school's staffing needs.
We are not able to discuss any individual’s departure. Personnel matters are confidential by law and by basic fairness to the people involved, whether they retired, resigned, or were not renewed. Out of respect for every staff member, we will not characterize why any one person left, and we would ask the community to extend that same grace.
Is it true some staff left rather than retired?
Yes. Our earlier message thanked retiring educators, but retirements were only part of the picture. The table above separates retirements, personal departures, resignations, and non-renewals so the full account is on the record. We are grateful to everyone who served NDS, regardless of how their time here ended.
Were all the positions filled, or is the school still hiring?
Both statements have been true at different moments. As of early June, all but two roles had been filled or had contracts in process. Final staffing for the coming year is being confirmed by the interim director as part of her onboarding. Encouragingly, since the news broke, former NDS teachers have already applied to return.
How the School Is Governed
What does the board actually oversee?
The board hires, evaluates, and supports one person: the School Director. The director manages everything else, including all hiring, supervision, discipline, dress code, and day-to-day operations. The board ratifies contracts but does not manage individual employees or run the building. This is why much of what families are asking about falls to the director, not the board.
Why isn’t the board elected by parents?
NDS is a public school, but it is run by a private nonprofit board, which is the standard structure for North Carolina charter schools. Board members are not elected by the public. They apply through an annual application and interview process, are approved by the existing board, and then serve without pay. We know that structure is unfamiliar to many families, so we want to be transparent about it rather than make it seem hidden.
Why does the board choose its own members?
Because state law places responsibility for the school’s charter with this nonprofit board, the board is legally accountable for selecting members capable of carrying out that responsibility. To keep that healthy and open, we are actively recruiting new members, and we especially want parents and community voices at the table. Applications and our bylaws are posted on ndschool.org under About > Board of Directors.
Are staff vetted, and are students safe?
Student safety is the first responsibility of both the Board and the School Director. NDS conducts criminal background checks on employees consistent with North Carolina law before an unconditional offer of employment (N.C. Gen. Stat. 115C-218.90 and 115C-332). Our teachers meet state licensure requirements for charter schools, and the school is held to the same testing, accountability, and financial audit standards as any North Carolina public school.
Does anyone oversee a charter school like NDS?
Yes. NDS is authorized and overseen by the North Carolina State Board of Education through the Office of Charter Schools at the Department of Public Instruction. In January 2026, the state renewed our charter for a full ten years, the longest renewal term available and a strong signal of confidence in the school. We are subject to the same student testing and accountability system as district schools, and to state financial audit requirements. A charter is a public trust, and it can be reviewed or revoked by the state.
How to be heard, and how board meetings work
Why doesn’t the board respond to comments during the meeting?
Board meetings are open to the public, and we welcome community members. Like other public boards, including Burke County Public Schools, our board generally does not debate or respond to public comments in the moment. This procedure is in place in order to give the Board adequate time to consider the comments and respond as a group. It would be inappropriate for any individual Board member to offer an off-the-cuff response that could appear to speak on behalf of the entire Board, especially when dealing with sensitive or complex topics. Sometimes the law prevents a response entirely: many questions touch on personnel or legal matters that cannot be discussed in open session. Comments made at a meeting are heard, documented, and considered by the Board.
What is the right way to raise a concern?
Different concerns are handled at different levels, and going to the right place is the fastest way to get a real answer:
About a classroom or a teacher: start with the teacher, then your child’s principal (K-5 or Middle School).
About a grade-level or building issue: contact the K-5 or Middle School principal, who oversees day-to-day operationsin their building.
About school-wide operations, discipline, dress code, or programs: if it is not resolved at the principal level, contact the interim director.
About governance, board policy, or the director: email governance@ndschool.org or attend a board meeting.
The interim director is planning family listening sessions this summer, designed specifically to address the kinds of questions families have been raising.
Are other ways my voice can be heard?
Yes. In fact, much of the Board’s work happens through committees between regular Board meetings. Chaired by a Board member, committees include parents, staff, and community members who help discuss issues, explore solutions and make recommendations to the Board. If you’d like to become more involved, joining a committee is one of the best ways to have a voice in NDS's future. Except for Governance, anyone in our school community can join a committee.
A few more questions we have heard
What happened with the dress code and uniforms?
The dress code discussion began last year when a uniform proposal was considered but ultimately did not move forward. This year, the director recommended changes to the dress code based on feedback from staff and school leadership. The Board affirmed that dress code decisions fall within the director's authority as part of day-to-day school operations. We have heard from families who would like earlier notice and more opportunities for input, and that feedback is helping shape future communication. Please share your views at governance@ndschool.org or at the interim director’s upcoming listening sessions.
Who serves on the board?
Our board members are volunteers chosen through an annual application and interview process for the experience they bring in areas such as education, finance, governance, communications, and community leadership. Many are current or former NDS parents. You can read individual board member profiles at ndschool.org/bod.
We are listening
This is a hard and emotional moment, and the strength of feeling reflects how much this community loves this school. We do too. Our commitment in the months ahead is simple: more communication, more opportunities to listen and clear ways for you to be heard. Please reach out, and please come to the meeting.
Questions or concerns
governance@ndschool.org
School office
(828) 437-5753 • info@ndschool.org
Next board meeting
Thursday, June 25, 2026, 4:00 PM. Open to the public. Schedule and location at ndschool.org.
Board meetings
Generally the third Thursday of each month at 4:00 PM (no December meeting). Exceptions posted at ndschool.org.
In partnership,
The NDS Board of Directors
