HAMLET — L.J. Bell School construction updates, and school system policy changes, were among key items on the Richmond County Board of Education's agenda at its Sept. 8 meeting.
Blair Bordeaux, president of Bordeaux Construction Company, Inc., appeared for a brief update of the Bell school construction project, and to seek a board decision between either of two options for building completion and move-in time frame. He noted that "design development is now about 40% complete."
Bordeaux pointed out that a December 2028 completion would be "as fast as we could deliver the school." That option would require an "early site package," adding costs which could, perhaps, apply to other aspects of the school. That quicker date would likely reduce flexibility of district input in the building's design and construction. Potentially, that option could also affect the grant's funding.
On a motion by Ronald Tillman, the board unanimously approved the August 2029 target option for opening the new L. J. Bell Elementary School.
On another motion, members also unanimously approved a pre-construction contract with the Bordeaux Company, including a $282,188 fee.
Recent N.C. General Assembly policy changes regarding outreach to minority businesses and contractors drew the board's focus.
One section of Richmond County Schools policies, dated as long ago as 2004, with recent revisions, states: "The board affirms the State's commitment to encourage participation of minority businesses in the school system's construction contracts." Eliminating that, and similar language, would bring local policies in line to reflect current state directives.
Tillman expressed concern, noting the change "feels like an attack on DEI initiatives (Diversity Equity Inclusion). "It's hard for me," he continued, "to support policies that [negatively] affect me and my community."
Fellow member Daryl Mason deplored "trickle-down from the federal level," noting, "somebody's got to take a stand" against "disenfranchising" minority businesses.
"It's my hope that Richmond County Schools, as a whole, would not look at the color of somebody's skin before doing business with them," Board Vice Chairman Scotty Baldwin observed.
On a motion by Baldwin, the board approved the proposed changes, 4-3, with Bess Shuler joining Mason and Tillman in opposition.
Steven King, director of construction and maintenance for Richmond County Schools, described a modular elevator system for the new L.J. Bell facility. The modular elevator is assembled off-site for delivery and set up before building construction begins around the unit.
In other items, King noted that 450 feet of fencing has been erected around the East Rockingham Elementary School site to combat ongoing damage from the encroachment of all-terrain vehicles. This has been a problem over a course of years.
Third base-line fencing at Raider Field is now complete. Athletic field sound systems, and graduation stage upgrades at Richmond Senior High are among projects now in the works.
Dale Smith, a CPA with the Rockingham office of Anderson Smith & Wike, PLLC, presented results of an independent audit of the county schools' finances. Smith cited a clean audit report, and that, "overall, things look very good."
On the balance sheet, local schools are carrying a fund balance of more than $1,614,000, a $25,000 increase over the 2024-25 school year, drawing praise from the auditor.
Melvin Ingram, assistant superintendent of safety and support, described "Let's Go Learn," a contracted, grant-funded, program designed to provide behavioral support within the county's schools.
Ideally, the program would provide more effective support, sooner, for students exhibiting disciplinary or behavioral problems. "LGL" creates problem-solving teams within each school to reach students before issues escalate, and teach them to regulate behavior, while fostering more effective responses among staff.
Ingram credits the program, largely, for a 20% drop in lost-learning days, systemwide, over two school years, among affected students.
