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INSIDE ▼ 7 tips for good bathroom etiquette PAGE 3A Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 31
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UCPS doesn't sign county agreement by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MONROE – Members of the Union County Board of Education could not agree to accept an interlocal agreement with Union County that would have freed up $3.8 million in funding set aside for teacher and teacher assistant supplements. County commissioners held the $3.8 million contingent on a
signed interlocal agreement while seeking greater transparency in Union County Public Schools’ budgets. Commissioners wanted to see line-item budgets that show how the district spends local, state and federal funding. They also wanted to know the number of employees fully or partially funded from local tax dollars. Jimmy Bention Sr., who chairs the school board, said he was concerned about the tone
and structure of the interlocal agreement. He described it as “an agreement of manufactured mistrust.” “An interlocal agreement should serve as a bridge between governing bodies, not a barrier,” Bention said during the Aug. 4 school board meeting. “It should strengthen confidence, clarify responsibilities and promote collaboration. Instead, this proposal appears to create
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the perception that one elected board cannot be fully trusted without additional oversight and restrictions imposed by another. That perception concerns me.” Sandra Greene agreed with Bention. “This is manipulation from one board trying to control the other,” Greene said. “That’s corruption. That’s not how I fly. I don’t ever do that. I always stand on the side of truth, whether it’s liked by the
public or not.” John Kirkpatrick IV and Joe Morreale were willing to accept the interlocal agreement to secure the supplements for teachers and teacher assistants. “I can’t take money away that’s being offered to pay our teachers,” Morreale said, noting the district has nothing to hide and can produce the financial see BUDGET, Page 3A
Superintendent says district is ready for school by Andrew Houlihan UCPS Superintendent
Market to host 55 top artists for 20th anniversary event
I
t is August, and that means school is back in session. We have already begun classes at two schools: Wolfe School and Union County Early College. Wolfe started in July, and UCEC returned yesterday. I’ve had the chance to visit both schools already on their first day and want to say a big congratulations to our teachers, staff and students, who are already engaged in high-quality instruction. I want to say thank you, especially to our principals and facilities staff members, for working hard to make sure those two buildings were ready for our kids. Aug. 24 is just around the corner. That is the day students on our traditional calendar will head back to school. Parents, please check your email and follow your schools and the UCPS social media pages for updates and information. Our back-to-school webpage can be accessed from the UCPS homepage. You will find information about transportation, school nutrition, calendars and more. We hope that our teachers and staff who have not yet returned enjoy their last couple of weeks before coming back on Aug. 17, and we look forward to a phenomenal 2026-27 school year. Finally, I have a special recognition. This evening is Ms. Donna Mullarkey’s final meeting as my administrative assistant and clerk to the board. I just want to say, Donna, thank you for your 20-plus years of service to UCPS. Thank you for the work that you’ve done to support the board and me personally and professionally. You will be greatly missed, and we have huge shoes to fill. Congratulations on your retirement.
See story on page 2B
Superintendent Andrew Houlihan made these remarks during the Aug. 4 school board meeting.
Waxhaw leaders and parents worry about school traffic by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MONROE – Three public speakers asked Union County Public Schools to reconsider budget cuts affecting traffic directors at several schools during the Aug. 4 board of education meeting. Katie Fisher not only spoke about the loss of a traffic director at Waxhaw Elementary but also about concerns neighbors have about being directed to make
only right turns out of the school parking lot. “I would guess at least half of the families live to the left of the school, not to mention all of the buses to Parkwood that now need to be rerouted,” Fisher said. “The district is now asking all of those families and buses to turn right during rush-hour traffic and then somehow find somewhere to turn around. Where do you imagine all of these vehicles will turn around?” Fisher questioned whether the
cuts could have been sustained elsewhere in the budget, especially since traffic directors work part time. “What could be more vital than someone overseeing the safety in and out of the school?” she asked. Linda Robinson asked the school board how students are supposed to get to school safely and why members didn’t consult with schools, police or people who drive the roads daily before making this decision. “I beg you to meet with the
leaders of the communities that this is affecting and go to those meetings not with canned responses but with an open mind and an open heart to understand what they’re really saying,” Robinson said. “Then leave those meetings realizing that the money that’s being saved is not worth the lives of our children.” The Town of Waxhaw learned of changes to Waxhaw Elementary’s traffic pattern on July 28. Town Manager Scott Dadson told commissioners July
28 that staff had already been “inundated with concern” about the issue. “UCPS has stated the reasoning (for changes) is budgetary and UCPS is confident that these changes will not compromise student safety,” Waxhaw engineer James Kelly told commissioners. “We disagree. We have several safety concerns.” Waxhaw Police Chief Dexter Wilson said the biggest concern see TRAFFIC, Page 3A