CATAWBA COUNTY, NC — Three school districts in Catawba County could soon become one after county leaders voted 3-2 to move forward with a consolidation plan. The Catawba County Board of Commissioners approved the measure around 11:30 p.m. Monday, advancing a proposal to merge Hickory City Schoo ls, Newton-Conover City Schools and Catawba County Schools into a single district. The new, unified district will be known as the “Catawba County School District.” Before the consolidation can move forward, the North Carolina State Board of Education must review and approve the plan. If approved, the merger would take effect in 2028. Under the proposal, all employees from the three current districts would become part of the newly unified district. Officials have not yet relesed additional details about how the transition would be implemented. ...read more read less