JACKSON – It was a resounding no!

A large audience attended the Northampton County Board of Education’s public hearing information meeting Thursday night concerning the BOE’s request to the County Commissioners earlier this week for $800,000 to consolidate schools and change student populations at some schools.

Judging by the reactions of those attending the meeting held at the Northampton County Cultural & Wellness Center in Jackson, the school board’s plan was not popular. That objection is apparently not due to the costs associated with consolidation/grade reconfiguration plan, but because of where their children would start going to school in August 2016 because of the perceived threat of violence and gang activity.

Many parents from the east end of the county expressed worry about gang-related violence with the current Gaston Elementary and Gaston Middle schools because they are situated “next to the (housing) projects.”

At the end of the evening, BOE member Phil Matthews asked the audience if anyone supported this plan since no one spoke in favor of it.

No hands were raised.

The plan under consideration (Option #4) calls for moving high school students to the former Northampton-West High School in Gaston and closing the current Northampton County High School located near Creeksville. It includes:

Gaston Elementary would house students in grades 1-8 from the west side of the county;

Squire Elementary would house pre-K and Kindergarten students, high school students preparing for the Early College program at Halifax Community College, and an alternative learning center;

Conway Middle School would house students from the eastern portion of the county in grades 1-8;

Willis Hare Elementary in Pendleton will be for pre-K and Kindergarten students; and

Central Elementary School in Jackson would continue for grades pre-K through 5.

School Board members said this plan is one of seven the BOE studied, but was the one receiving the most votes.

The other plans under consideration, some that date back several years, include the following:

 

Option 1

Gaston Elementary (Prek-5) + modular units

Gaston Middle (9-12)

Close Squire

Central (PreK-5)

Northampton HS (6-8)

Conway Middle (PreK -5) + modular units

Close Willis Hare

Early College

 

Option 2

Gaston Elementary (PreK-5) + modular units

Gaston Middle (6-8)

Close Squire

Central (PreK-5)

Northampton HS (9-12)

Conway Middle (PreK -5) + modular units

Close Willis Hare

Early College

 

Option 3

Gaston Middle School (9-12)

Gaston Elementary (1-8) + modular

Squire (PreK, K + Early College)

Conway (1-8)

Willis Hare (PreK-K)

Central Elementary (PreK-8)

(HS campus closed) ALP at Seaboard or Squire

 

Option 5

Squire PreK + Early College

Gaston Elementary (K-5)

Gaston Middle (9-12)

Central Elementary (PreK-5)

Close HS, ALP Seaboard or other

Conway Middle (6-8)

Willis Hare (PreK-5)

 

Option 6

Squire (closed) or Pre K ONLY

Gaston Elementary (K-4) or (PreK-4)

Gaston Middle (5-8 and Early College and ALP)

Central Elementary (PreK-4)

High School (9-12)

Conway Middle (5-8)

Willis Hare (PreK-4)

 

Option 7

Squire Early College and ALP

Gaston Elementary (1-8)

Central Elementary (PreK-K)

Conway Middle (1-8)

Gaston Middle (9-12 at old NCHS-West HS)

Close Willis Hare

Close high school (Creeksville campus)

Dr. Monica Smith-Woofter, Northampton Public Schools Superintendent, did announce that the BOE is holding a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13 in the Central Services boardroom in Jackson to discuss this issue again. The public is invited to attend.