HAMLET — The matter of whether to close Ellerbe Middle School, among three others, continued to resonate at the Richmond County Board of Education's July 29 work session.
Concerned Ellerbe resident Debra Quick appeared to set the meeting's tone, in part, as the only person to address the board during opening public comments. Quick made the case for developing EMS as a STEM magnet school which would emphasize agricultural and solar-based vocations.
Superintendent Dr. Joe Ferrell continued his praise from the June 30 close-out session, where he pointed to across-the-board efforts from staff in both the central office, and the schools, in finding savings to return a $25,000 surplus to the system's fund balance. That balance serves as the schools' savings account.
Richmond County is one of a few systems, statewide, to show a surplus for 2025-2026.
Ferrell quickly turned to the system's financial concerns. Current projections point to a reduction of approximately $705,000 in state funding to the local system.
The superintendent noted 32 major suggestions since mid-April from community members, and from school system personnel, for cost savings. While Ferrell praised the quality of ideas, he noted that a number of "hard cuts" have already been implemented, i.e., support staff, teaching positions and assistants, assistant principals, and programs such as arts, music and physical education reductions.
Ferrell emphasized that no employee has lost a job due to cuts as normal attrition has resulted in staff reductions. He observed that the system has executed as many cuts as is feasible, however, without negatively impacting the county's students.
Lengthy discussion ensued among the board members about direction requested by Ferrell about two primary issues: possible school closures; and, development of Ellerbe Middle as a magnet school.
Three motions passed as a result of those spirited discussions.
On a 5-2 vote, the board approved member Jerry Ethridge's motion to seek more information about converting Ellerbe Middle School into a magnet facility. Chairman Cory Satterfield and Vice-Chair Scotty Baldwin cast the dissenting votes.
On a 6-1 vote, board members approved Baldwin's motion to attain bids from disinterested (out-of-system) parties to perform school closure studies on Ellerbe and Cordova Middle Schools, West Rockingham Elementary School and Ashley Chapel Education Center. Ethridge cast the lone dissent.
On a 4-3 vote, the board approved Satterfield's motion to attain third-party bids for school closure studies prior to seeking information about Ellerbe Middle as a prospective magnet school. Members Bobbi Sue Ormsby, Bess Shuler and Ethridge cast the dissents.
Total costs of the closure studies for the four schools were preliminarily estimated at $40,000. Ferrell noted that state law requires that a school system perform a closure study for any school under such consideration. He reminded the board that the law requires a system to maintain an alternative school, and closure of the Ashley Chapel facility would require an acceptable plan to comply with that directive.
Board members exhibited some contention in their discussions. While the idea of a magnet school is appealing, funding could present an obstacle as magnet facilities typically depend upon grants that may, or may not, be renewed. The disposition of students not interested in a magnet school in their area would need to be addressed.
Satterfield observed that the system "is not in a financial position to start a magnet school." Further, they present more challenges in rural areas.
Regarding closures, Ferrell observed that Richmond County has lost some 1,100 pupils since the last school closure. Buildings are operating below capacity, and while nine mobile classrooms have been eliminated, there are 21 more in operation.
Satterfield clearly encouraged consideration of closures before turning to discussion of a possible magnet school.
"We have too many buildings [and] too many mobile units," Satterfield said, adding that the district is "putting the cart before the horse if we consider a magnet facility before taking care of buildings."
Board member Ron Tillman observed, "Everyone sitting here has their own opinions of what they think works best. We've got some tough decisions to make, it's as simple as that."
