Commissioners Webster, Johnson calling it quits

From left, Mayor John Woods, Commissioners Laurie Venzon and Brian Jenest, candidate Connie Wessner and Mayor Pro Tem Margo Williams fill out candidate forms at Mecklenburg Board of Elections in Charlotte Monday. (David Boraks photo)

Mayor John Woods and three members of the Davidson Town Board filed papers Monday to seek re-election this fall, while two other commissioners said they won’t run again. The first day of filing for the Nov. 3 local elections also brought out two newcomers who filed to run for Town Board. Read the full story

Lachlan Johnson

A half-dozen students from Woodlawn School traveled to National History Day in College Park, Md., last week, and one – eighth grader and Davidson resident Lachlan Johnson, finished 11th in the nation with her documentary video about Depression-era photographer Marion Post Walcott (watch it below) . Also below, news about new coaches at Cannon School, Bailey High’s new principal, and the need for international student host families at Davidson Day School.  Read the full story

Terri Cockerham

Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools has named a veteran leader as principal of the new Bailey Road High School in Cornelius. Dr. Terri Cockerham starts her job on July 1. The new school is under construction and will open for the 2010-11 school year, serving students from Davidson and elsewhere in north Mecklenburg, most of whom previously were in the North Mecklenburg and Hopewell High zones.

Dr. Cockerham has been principal at Providence High School in Charlotte since 2005 and has worked for CMS since 1983.

Read the full story

International students will be visiting Davidson Day School during the 2009-10 academic year, and the school is seeking local families to host them during their stays. Read the full story

Davidson Elementary Assistant Principal Charles Copeland (at left), parent Shannon Miller and Davidson Mayor John Woods cut through greenery to officially open the school's new Learning Bridge.

Davidson Elementary School celebrated the last week of the school year with a grand opening of the school’s new “Learning Bridge,” a wooden structure designed to encourage ecological studies.

Students gathered Monday morning to celebrate the new bridge, watch the official ribbon cutting and learn about the school’s Eco Trail, a path through the woods that curls behind the school building.

“I would like for you and others around you to enter your own made-up world as you walk through this trail,” wrote 5th grader Peyton Terry in remarks read at Monday’s ceremony. “Express your imagination and let it carry you through.” Read the full story

Bailey Road high school boundary proposal. Click to download a PDF.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board will hold a public hearing and vote Tuesday night in Charlotte on proposed boundaries for the new north high school on Bailey Road in Cornelius, which will serve Davidson and other parts of north Mecklenburg. Read the full story

It’s a busy week in and around Davidson, with important Town Board and school board meetings, a Concert on the Green Sunday, and a free outdoor movie downtown Wednesday. Most schools close their doors for the summer this week, with public schools getting out Wednesday.

Read our This Week calendar in The Guide, www.davidsonnews.net/guide

Terry Hall (at right) shook hands with Davidson Mayor John Woods and Davidson Elementary School PTA President-Elect Beth Cashion.

“This is your moment in the sun,” said Dr. Lory Morrow, executive director of the North Learning Community for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.  She was speaking to incoming Davidson Elementary School principal Terry Hall, and the comment drew laughs, since it was pouring rain outside.

However, inside the school cafeteria,  parents  were all smiles and full of questions for Ms. Hall.  The new school principal will officially start July 1, and was in town Thursday and Friday to meet parents, staff and members of the community.  Read the full story