Sampson County Board of Education members will try to cut at least two viable options (of five) for the reconfiguration of the Midway District when they meet Monday night at Union High School.

At two separate committee meetings held this week, members discussed exactly what those options were.

“This is something that we will really need to discuss and narrow down within the next two months, so we can let people know what we are thinking,” said Sampson County Schools superintendent Dr. Ethan Lenker. “I do feel that we really should select the top three or four choices and move on.”

Out of the five options presented to committee members, an end to one (closing Midway Elementary and move the students to the old Midway High School) would effectively scratch a second one, listed as “option 5” which called for closing Midway Elementary and moving Midway Middle sixth graders to the elementary school and the seventh and eighth graders to the old Midway High School.

“If you don’t select option one, you have to cut option five as well,” Lenker told both committees. “That leaves you with three. But, of course, that it is up to your discretion ...”

One issue that came up with both option one and five, was the number of mobile units that would be used — option one comes with eight mobile units; option five with six.

“That was the whole idea, to get rid of some of those units, right?,” asked Auxiliary Services/Finance Committee board member Faye Gay.

“That is exactly right,” said Anthony Vann, executive director of auxiliary services for Sampson County Schools. “That is the goal.”

The other options presented were to move grades K-2 to Midway Elementary and grades 3-5 to the old Midway High School (option 2); move grades 5 and 6 to the old Midway High School (option 3); and to move grades 7 and 8 to the old Midway High School and move grades 5 and 6 to Midway Middle School (option 3). The total costs of the individual options are: Option 1 —$590,000; Option 2 —$679,329; Option 3 —$913,242; Option 4 — $1,118,157 and Option 5 — $854,387.

However, in both committee meetings, the only vocal member was Personnel/Curriculum member Doris Warren.

“I vote for option two,” she said. “To me, it makes the most sense ... I don’t want us to close the school ... No. 2 justifies grades 3-5 that would be normally going to Midway Elementary. I know that Clement is vehement about not wanting their fifth graders to come, but what happens when that school becomes overcrowded? Plain View is overcrowded ... this (No. 2 option) really gives us a chance to respond to the system’s needs.”

“It does gives us some flexibility down the road,” said Lenker.

“I do like the flexibility that it affords us,” said Warren.

“We want everyone to realize that nothing here is set in stone,” said Lenker. “This is just something for us to look at and to think about. It is here because we can look at these options and pick three or four or how many you want ... just to get the options down.”

“I think we should have some kind of decision before the end of the school year,” said Auxiliary Services/Finance Committee chairman G.H. Wilson. “At least we should try and make some kind of decision (on the options) so we can get everything together and then set up a meeting with the parents so they will know ...”

“I think by April or May,” said Lenker. “This way we can gather all the information and then set up a meeting with the parents in that district around that same time and get their feelings. Because we want to put closure to this.”

In addition, Lenker said the April or May deadline will be about the same time for the expected QZAB funding ($395,000) that will come into the system.

“If we know what direction we are going in, it will be easier to work with those funds for the re-design plans,” Lenker added.

Monday’s Board of Education meeting will be held at Union High School, beginning at 7 p.m.

To reach Doug Clark call (910) 592-8137 ext. 139 or send email to sisports@myclintonnc.com.