The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education has approved major changes to attendance boundaries for South Iredell and Lake Norman high schools. According to the Iredell Free News, the 5-2 vote came Monday night (September 15) following a lengthy meeting focused on three options for assigning students to the new Weathers Creek High School, which is scheduled to open next fall.

The board selected Option One, which will move some students from Lake Norman High School into the South Iredell district, in addition to assigning students from both existing districts to Weathers Creek. A consultant called the option the most financially efficient of the three, as well as the most efficient for bus transportation.

Weathers Creek will open with 759 students, while Lake Norman High’s enrollment is expected to drop from 1,803 to 1,501 students. South Iredell High’s enrollment will decrease from 1,726 to 1,102 students. Students who will be seniors next year at Lake Norman or South Iredell will not be reassigned to Weathers Creek. The new school will initially serve grades nine through eleven.

Board members Anita Kurn and Mike Kubiniec opposed the plan. Kurn had pushed for Option Two, which would not have moved Lake Norman students to South Iredell. Several Lake Norman parents had urged the board to keep their district intact.

The board’s decision means the new attendance boundaries will impact more families than either of the other options considered. Weathers Creek High School opens in August, 2027.