Although it took less than a minute to discuss, members of the Sampson County Board of Education made their thoughts about the Charles E. Perry clear during a meeting earlier this week — it should be at the top of the priority list.

The issue returned to the table earlier this month after a joint meeting with the Sampson County Board of Commissioners. It was clear after that meeting that the board needed to prioritize current facility projects.

“At the work session last week, we came up with the decision that the first facility that Sampson County needs to build is Charles E. Perry,” said board chairwoman Doris Warren. “The second would be to do whatever it takes to do whatever we need to the old Midway High School. Is there a motion to that effect?”

Board member Telfair Simpson made the motion and Roosevelt Wright offered the second.

“Is there any discussion?” asked Warren.

With no one answering, the chairwoman asked for a vote, which was unanimous.

At a committee meeting last week, superintendent Dr. Ethan Lenker asked the board to make a decision on what should be first with regards to construction priorities for the school system.

“We had a meeting with the county commissioners, and when we talked about Charles E. Perry, I thought their reaction was very encouraging and positive,” he said. “This board needs to prioritize their feelings and give the county commissioners some real direction on which way we want to go.”

Lenker said he felt opening the old Midway High School before a new Charles E. Perry is built would not happen.

“You heard the comments,” he said. “I don’t think there is much of a chance that we will get to open the old Midway High School before a new Charles E. Perry is built ...”

Lenker noted that the reason had to do with the cost per site, which would be too great if both schools were completed at the same time.

“So that would be a four cent tax increase (for both) versus a two cent, if at all?” Simpson asked.

“If they have to do one, they would rather just do two cents,” answered Lenker, about a possible property tax hike to help pay for the construction.

Overcrowding, which is more immediate in the Roseboro/Salemburg District than in the Midway District, was another factor in any future construction decision.

At Midway Elementary, there are 11 mobile units and at Plain View Elementary, the only other school in the district which has mobile units, there is one.

In the Lakewood District, however, there are mobile units currently at every school. At Charles E. Perry, there are eight; at Lakewood High School there are 11; at Roseboro-Salemburg there are two; and at Salemburg Elementary mobile units total five.

“It is pretty obvious, my feeling is that Charles E. Perry needs to be built,” said Simpson, who lives in the Lakewood District.

“That should be our number one priority, and it got bumped. It needs to be built. Also for the future of Roseboro, with the economy and bringing people in, we need a new school for the viability of our community. It needs to be built, flat out.”

“Also with BRAC coming in, it may help bring more people into the community,” Lenker added.

Simpson also said that the timing could be a cost saver.

“With the cost looking to increase in spring, if we do it now, we are going to save money,” said Simpson.

“You aren’t going to get a better loan to build a school,” said Lenker.

“I am afraid if we don’t take advantage of that loan now, we will never get it back,” said Warren. “And we need to put Charles E. Perry first — we made a promise to that community.”

Roosevelt Wright, who is also from the Lakewood District, added, “I think that is the big concern in the community, because we continue to put these other projects out there and refuse to do what was promised for that community. They have been relatively quiet. But as new projects keep popping up, they are not looking at where that money is coming from, they are looking at something getting ahead of the decision that was made back then (to put them on the back burner).”

“They have been quiet but they haven’t forgotten,” said Warren.

Warren, along with G.H. Wilson, Nathan Gay, Keith Warwick and Glenn Tart, voted in March 2005 to build new Midway and Union high schools over Perry, which had been first on the priority list from the beginning. Wright and Brown did not attend the meeting that dealt with those priorities. Wright was reportedly at a basketball tournament instead.

“I agree with Mr. Simpson,” said Tart. “But also, I think that we also need to make a decision on what we would do with the old Charles E. Perry once a new one is built. Are we going to keep it or give it back to the county? I think that is a sticking point with some board (commissioners) members. My opinion is we turn it back over to the county if we can’t find a good use for it. Before we make a decision on a new school, we need to make a decision on the old one.”

“Some of it can be used,” said Wright, “but there are some places in that school cannot be used.”

“We can tear it down or sell it,” said Lenker.

“We look at the experiences that occurred with some of the other schools,” said Wright. “Take Clear Run, for example. It was in excellent shape when it was turned over, now look at it.”

“It was a pretty school,” agreed Warren.

“Unfortunately that is what happens sometimes,” said Simpson. “We can have these grandiose plans, but there are a lot of things that can happen with making a decision like this.”

“So, we are in agreement that the priority is Charles E. Perry?” said Warren.

All board members were in agreement.

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