Catawba County News

School Options Finalized with County Boundary Change

School Options Finalized with County Boundary Change

Published: February 04, 2025

CATAWBA COUNTY NEWS RELEASE
February 3, 2025

Catawba County finalizes school options for residents affected by boundary line change

NEWTON, NC - Catawba County announced today that current students enrolled in Lincoln County Schools who are affected by the boundary-line shift between Catawba and Lincoln counties may choose to remain in Lincoln County Schools through their high school graduation. This includes students living in the impacted neighborhoods set to enroll in kindergarten next school year.

These students also have the option to enroll in Catawba County Schools beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

On February 2, the state-defined boundary between Catawba and Lincoln counties became effective. This boundary was re-established in accordance with a survey conducted by the North Carolina Geodetic Survey, shifting 372 residences into Catawba County. The shift affects an estimated 119 students currently enrolled in Lincoln County Schools.

This decision was reached through collaborative discussions between Catawba and Lincoln counties as well as their respective county Boards of Education. Catawba County has been committed to minimizing student disruption through this transition, positioning parent choice as a key component of the path forward.

With this decision, all major aspects of county service transition related to the re-established line between Catawba and Lincoln counties have been resolved.

Catawba County has a county boundary line open house scheduled for Tuesday, February 4 from 6 to 8 pm at Maiden High School. Affected residents are invited to drop by and talk with County representatives to learn about any services that may be affected by the boundary line transition.