One of the biggest concerns in the Midway District is overcrowding. Another is if and when the old Midway High School will be used. Both were addressed Monday night by Midway District Advisory Committee president Gene Jernigan during his report to the Board of Education.

A small crowd of residents also attended the meeting on a rainy Monday night in the Midway Elementary School gymnasium.

“We are very proud of all of the schools in the Midway District,” Jernigan said. “We want to thank you, the board, for continuing your tireless commitment to provide the best educational opportunities for our children ... There are many exciting things that are going on in our schools, accomplishments we have had and our many distinctions, and we are confident our administrators and staff will continue to strive for excellence in all areas for our students.”

However, after the pleasantries, Jernigan got down to concerns the advisory board, and parents, had, beginning with the utilization of the old Midway High School.

“Despite the many exciting things that are going on in our district, this is one of the main concerns we have,” he said. “We commend you for your continued study of this very sensitive issue and we are confident that the ultimate use of this building will be in the best interest of all of our students. Overcrowding (in the district) is a genuine concern and it is only fitting that we prepare this facility for optimum use. We realize, of course, that you are responsible for not only the children in the Midway District, but for all the students in Sampson County and that there are other facility needs in the county. However, we strongly encourage you to make all possible efforts to find the necessary funding to make use of this very valuable facility.”

Jernigan said the main concern of the advisory committee is that the longer the building sits, the more it will cost to repair.

“Second to that, the longer it remains unused, the further it will get pushed down on the calendar of events ...”

He also added that opening the old Midway High School would alleviate overcrowding in the district. As an example, Jernigan noted that Midway Elementary School currently utilizes 11 mobile units; Plain View Elementary has one.

He then carefully drew a comparison to the current situation of the old Plain View Elementary School, which has sat vacant for years.

“I think it would be in our best interest and the best interest for all in Sampson County to make use of the (old MHS) school,” he said. “The old Plain View school is an eyesore on Highway 421. I would certainly hate to see that happen with this facility across the street from our new high school. So we strongly encourage you tonight to continue to encourage our commissioners to find the funding so that we can utilize this school because overcrowding is a concern.”

After Jernigan sat down, there was no discussion on his comments, and the board moved on with the next item on the agenda.

Read what is going on with Charles E. Perry and the parking lot of the old Midway High School in upcoming editions of The Sampson Independent.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.