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The Rowan–Salisbury School System (also called Rowan–Salisbury Schools) is a PK-12 graded school district in North Carolina covering nearly all of Rowan County including the city of Salisbury. The 35 schools in the district serve 20,887 students as of 2009-2010. It was formed in 1989 with the merger of Rowan County Schools and Salisbury City Schools.

District information
For the 2009-2010 school year, Rowan–Salisbury Schools had a total population of 20,887 students and 1,392.81 teachers on a (FTE) basis.

The school district has no central office, instead spreading administrative tasks over five office locations across Rowan County.

Student Demographics
As of the 2009-2010 school year, out of the student total of 20,887, the gender ratio was 51% male to 49% female. The demographic group makeup of the student population was: White, 66%; Black, 23%; Hispanic, 10%; American Indian, 0%; and Asian/Pacific Islander, 1%. For the same school year, 55.50% of the students received free and reduced-cost lunches.

History
The Rowan–Salisbury School System was formed in 1989 with the merger of Rowan County Schools and Salisbury City Schools. Since the merger, the system has added

Rowan County Schools
Need some history on the Rowan County Schools.

Salisbury City Schools
Need some history on the Salisbury City Schools.

Merger
Need some history on the Merger of the two school systems.

Governance & Funding
Short intro needed on school system governance. Mention: The NC Department of Public Instruction? The National, State and County governments all have some say in the rules governing education? The County Commission?

The primary governing body of the Rowan–Salisbury School System follows a council–manager government format with a seven-member Board of Education appointing a Superintendent to run the day-to-day operations of the system.

Board of education
The seven-member Rowan–Salisbury Board of Education meets on the fourth Monday of each month. The members are chosen in non-partisan elections by the whole county, but must come from one of the six high school districts or the special area district. The board serves four-year, staggered terms with elections every two years. Its current members are: Dr. Jim Emerson (Chairperson), East area; W. Jean Kennedy (Vice-Chairperson), Special area; Bryce Beard, Salisbury area; Mike Caskey, South area; Linda Freeze, Southeast area; Dr. Richard Miller, North area; Kay Wright Norman, West area.

Superintendent
The current superintendent of the Rowan–Salisbury School System is Dr. Judy Grissom. A native of Rowan County, Dr. Grissom once worked for the school system and, most previously, was associate superintendent for the Alamance-Burlington School System. She was chosen to replace Dr. Wiley Doby as superintendent when his contract expired on April 1, 2006.

List of Superintendents

 * Dr. Don Martin (1989-1994)
 * Dr. Joe McCann (1995-2000)
 * Dr. Wiley Doby (2001-2006)
 * Dr. Judy Grissom (2006-present)

Funding
Like most school districts in North Carolina, the Rowan–Salisbury district does not have its own taxation authority. Much of the funding comes from State sources and property taxes collected by Rowan County. The Rowan County Board of Commissioners vote on funding levels proposed by the school system, primarily for construction costs. Other sources include State and Federal monies.

The Blanche & Julian Robertson Family Foundation has awarded several grants Rowan–Salisbury Schools.

Member Schools
The Rowan–Salisbury School System has 35 schools ranging from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade, including an early college high school. Those 35 schools are separated into 8 high schools, 7 middle schools and 20 elementary schools.

High Schools

 * East Rowan High School (Mustangs) - Granite Quarry
 * Henderson Independent High School (Eagles) - Salisbury
 * Jesse Carson High School (Cougars) - China Grove
 * North Rowan High School (Cavaliers) - Spencer
 * Rowan County Early College - Salisbury
 * Salisbury High School (Hornets) - Salisbury
 * South Rowan High School (Raiders) - China Grove
 * West Rowan High School (Falcons) - Mount Ulla

Middle Schools
There are seven middle schools in the system. Knox Middle School has been chosen to become the district's first STEM school.
 * China Grove Middle School (Red Devils) - China Grove
 * Corriher-Lipe Middle School (Yellow Jackets) - Landis
 * Erwin Middle School (Eagles) - Granite Quarry
 * Knox Middle School (Trojans) - Salisbury
 * North Rowan Middle School (Mavericks) - Spencer
 * Southeast Middle School (Patriots) - Salisbury
 * West Rowan Middle School (Bulldogs) - Cleveland

Elementary Schools

 * Bostian Elementary School (Bulldogs) - China Grove
 * China Grove Elementary School (Cardinals) - China Grove
 * Cleveland Elementary School (Eagles) - Cleveland
 * Enochville Elementary School (Wise Owls) - Enochville
 * Faith Elementary School (Firecrackers) - Faith
 * Granite Quarry Elementary School (Dragons) - Granite Quarry
 * Hanford-Dole Elementary School (Bobcats) - Salisbury
 * Hurley Elementary School (All Stars) - Salisbury
 * Isenberg Elementary School (Investigators) - Salisbury
 * Knollwood Elementary School (Knights) - Salisbury
 * Koontz Elementary School (Panthers) - Salisbury
 * Landis Elementary School (Mini Jackets) - Landis
 * Millbridge Elementary School (Musketeers) - China Grove
 * Morgan Elementary School (Broncos) - Gold Hill
 * Mount Ulla Elementary School (Monarchs) - Mount Ulla
 * North Rowan Elementary School (Steamers) - Spencer
 * Overton Elementary School (Explorers) - Salisbury
 * Rockwell Elementary School (Roadrunners) - Rockwell
 * Shive Elementary School (Stingers) - Rockwell
 * Woodleaf Elementary School (Eagles) - Woodleaf

Achievements & Awards
Two employees of the school district have won the North Carolina School Psychology Association Practitioner of the Year Award: Ann Hammonds Long in 1993 and Dr. Shirley Bowles in 2000.

Rowan–Salisbury School System has had two teachers recognized as an NC Dept. of Public Instruction Teacher of the Year: Cynthia B. Zeger-Ostherhus from Salisbury City Schools for 1987-88 and Sandra Davis Rogers from Rowan County Schools for 1989-90. None have won since the merger.