The Moore County Board of Education addressed a broad agenda during its eight-hour meeting on Monday, Feb. 9.
Pay Increase for Transportation Mechanics on the Horizon
The board reviewed a proposal to raise pay for transportation mechanics and reclassify a supervisory role, noting staffing shortages, rising repair costs, and safety compliance concerns.
A report presented to the board revealed that Moore County Schools pays bus mechanics between $16.50 and $24.88 per hour, the lowest range among nearby school systems and public agencies. Comparable employers, including Lee County Schools, Montgomery County Schools, NCDOT, Moore County government, and FirstHealth, offer significantly higher wages.
The department is budgeted for seven mechanics but currently employs one certified mechanic and two apprentices. The shortfall has forced the district to rely on third-party contractors at a cost of $160 per hour per mechanic, increased bus downtime, and raised the risk of missed state inspections.
The proposal recommends adopting a new regional pay scale of $18.46 to $30.88 per hour and creating a three-tier classification system based on experience and certification. Current employees would be placed on the new scale accordingly.
The agenda also calls for reclassifying the Transportation Mechanic Technician Supervisor position, raising the pay range from $41,121.60–$55,432 to $49,545.60–$66,788.80.
All proposed increases would be funded through state transportation funds and would not affect the district’s local budget. The superintendent plans to recommend board approval, with the changes taking effect on March 1.
“We’ve had a couple mechanics who’ve left who said, ‘if you could just pay me what I can make right down the road, I’d be happy to come back,’ which says they’re happy in this shop,” said Assistant Superintendent for Operations Jenny Purvis. “It’s just too close to home that they can make a lot more per hour, so hopefully we can gain a couple back quickly.”
Artificial Turf at Union Pines
The Union Pines High School Synthetic Turf Project emerged as a priority after the school’s natural grass field deteriorated to a point where it could no longer sustain regular athletic use in June of 2025.
Although the Union Pines Boosters initially pushed for turf last year, the district opted to install temporary grass so the football team, expected to have a strong season, would not lose use of its home field. This interim solution ensured senior athletes could play on campus, but it was always intended as a short‑term measure.
As the district revisited the long‑term plan, Moore County Commissioners allocated $600,000 in bond‑interest revenue, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau supplemented this with an additional $120,000, both explicitly designated to support the installation of synthetic turf.
The construction committee recommended FieldTurf, the same vendor used successfully at Pinecrest High School and for municipal fields, including Cannon Park and Rassie Wicker Park, citing FieldTurf’s quality of work and quick responsiveness to maintenance needs.
Within FieldTurf’s product options, the committee preferred the upgraded system featuring “Cool Play” infill, which keeps the surface up to 35 degrees cooler during hot weather.
However, this enhanced infill added roughly $90,000 to the overall cost. In response, the Union Pines Athletic Boosters committed $80,000, and the Band Boosters pledged $10,000, fully covering the additional amount required for the Cool Play upgrade.
At a Board of Commissioners meeting on January 20, the Commissioners directed Moore County Schools to utilize funds saved from School Resource Officer (SRO) vacancies to cover the remaining balance required for the turf installation.
The total project cost is $1,383,100, and after subtracting the commissioners’ and CVB contributions, the remaining $663,100 will be funded using the district’s Fund 8 restricted revenue, which does not affect money designated for school resource officers or security. Once the project is complete, the district will invoice the boosters to recover their combined $90,000 pledge, effectively reducing the district’s net contribution to $573,100.
The work is scheduled to begin the day after Union Pines’ graduation to avoid interfering with school activities, and the current sod will be professionally cut and rolled for reuse on a new practice field.
Although board members debated concerns about fairness, particularly since Pinecrest’s turf was reportedly entirely booster‑funded, and about ensuring a consistent, transparent process for how projects reach the commissioners, they ultimately agreed that synthetic turf is in the best interest of students.
With ongoing drainage and irrigation challenges at Union Pines, turf will reportedly improve field durability, reduce maintenance burdens, expand year‑round usability, and provide a safer, higher‑quality surface for athletic teams, marching band, physical education classes, and community events.
Other Business
Additionally, the board discussed and debated several other topics:
Review and approval of the public survey for the superintendent search.
Out-of-State Field Trips: Approval of trips involving Union Pines, North Moore, and Southern Middle on excursions including national competitions, performances, and JROTC trips.
Approval to request $3.3 million in lottery funds for the replacement of an IT building, given that the current facility reportedly has leaks, bad HVAC, inadequate space, and off-site warehouse needs.
Recognition of Superintendent Dr. Tim Locklair as a nominee for State Superintendent of the Year 2026 and a video tribute in advance of his upcoming retirement.
A review of budget Foundations for FY 2026–2027
Photo by Sandhills Sentinel photographer Melissa Schaub.
Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Written by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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