Sampson County commissioners have thrown their support behind the Clinton City Board of Education’s pursuit of a new $49 million elementary school that members say would consolidate two of the district’s oldest campuses and dramatically change how its youngest students move through the school system.
During a special-called meeting Tuesday, commissioners unanimously approved a resolution committing the county to a $2.1 million local match if the city system receives a $42 million Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund grant through the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.
The proposed 110,000-square-foot school would combine L.C. Kerr and Butler Avenue elementary schools into a single pre-K through second-grade campus capable of serving approximately 850 students. L.C. Kerr’s original building dates to 1954, while Butler Avenue dates to 1951.
Superintendent Dr. Wesley Johnson told commissioners the proposal has been years in the making, with the district examining not only the age and condition of the existing schools but student safety, instructional continuity and the number of transitions children currently make during their elementary years.
Under the proposal, students would attend the new school from pre-K through second grade before moving to Sunset Avenue School for grades 3-5, Sampson Middle School and eventually Clinton High School. That would reduce the district from five schools to four.
Johnson pointed particularly to the current arrangement in which students may spend only a short time at one school before transitioning to another.
“I cannot think of another school in North Carolina that you go to the school and leave in one year,” Johnson told commissioners.
He said parents and students have repeatedly expressed concerns about the number of transitions within the district. Consolidating the two elementary schools, Johnson explained, would give students greater consistency while allowing teachers and administrators to better align curriculum and instruction across the early grades.
Safety is another major factor, he said.
Both campuses have grown through additions constructed decades apart, requiring students, at times, to leave one building and enter another for activities such as physical education, lunch or visits to the library. Johnson said placing students and staff under one roof would reduce those movements and allow the new facility to incorporate modern security measures.
Plans have included discussions of a secured entrance or “security foyer,” limited exterior access points and technology considerations such as ensuring school resource officers and emergency personnel can communicate by radio throughout the building.
“We don’t need a fancy atrium at an elementary school,” Johnson remarked. “We need a school that meets the needs of our students and staff.”
Johnson said architects initially presented a project approaching $60 million, but school officials worked to scale the proposal back to what they believe is practical and necessary. The current estimated cost is $49 million and includes an 8% inflation factor intended to account for construction costs by the time work could begin.
The financing presented Tuesday calls for $42 million from the state grant, $2.1 million from Sampson County and an estimated $900,000 in sales tax refunds associated with construction. Together, those sources would provide approximately $45 million, leaving the city system responsible for an estimated $4 million.
Johnson told commissioners the district has several potential avenues for covering that difference, including fund balance, fundraising and possible proceeds involving the College Street property. Clinton City Schools administrators reported approximately $6.7 million collectively between its current fund balance and special revenue fund, although Johnson stressed that using those reserves to cover the entire remaining cost is not the district’s current plan.
“I really honestly don’t think that the $4 million that’s left there … I think we’re good,” Johnson said.
The county’s commitment is specifically limited under the resolution. Commissioners agreed to provide the $2.1 million local contribution only if Clinton City Schools receives the $42 million state grant. The resolution also states there are no additional county funds committed to the project and makes the city school board responsible for any funding shortages or additional costs beyond the grant, county contribution and anticipated sales tax refunds.
Commissioners also raised questions about future operating costs, staffing, security and what would happen to the existing L.C. Kerr and Butler Avenue properties.
Johnson said consolidation would produce some personnel savings, but emphasized that reducing staff is not driving the proposal. The new campus would likely have a principal and two assistant principals, while food service, custodial and other operations would be consolidated into one larger facility.
As for the existing schools, Johnson said the city adminitrators have discussed several possible future uses but has made no commitments. Those could include relocating the district’s alternative learning program, providing space for pre-K programming currently housed at College Street, accommodating YMCA programs or using space for child nutrition storage.
District officials have also identified property for the proposed new school and is in discussions with the landowners, though Johnson declined to publicly identify the location while negotiations continue. He said has there is backup site owned by the same family if its preferred location does not materialize.
If the grant is awarded, the district would have two years to reach the point of putting a “shovel into the ground,” according to Johnson, with construction then expected to take approximately two to 2 1/2 years. School officials indicated grant awards are typically announced around early December.
In comments following the meeting, Johnson said the school system has spent approximately 18 to 24 months developing its plans for the consolidation and is now prepared to formally submit the project to DPI.
“The time has come where we are ready to formally submit our grant to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction through their Needs-Based Public School Capital Grant,” Johnson stated. “This grant would provide Clinton City Schools with up to $42 million to assist with the construction of the new school.”
In a later interview he called Tuesday’s meeting with commissioners “a complete success,” pointing to the board’s formal support and commitment to the required match.
“Once again, our county commissioners and County Manager Allen Vann have shown their commitment to our public schools and continue to display a deep partnership and appreciation for the work being performed both in Clinton City and Sampson County schools,” Johnson added.
The resolution was unanimously approved after commissioners amended its wording to remove a reference to demolishing the existing L.C. Kerr and Butler Avenue buildings, leaving their ultimate futures open as system officials continue exploring potential uses.
With the county’s financial commitment secured, Johnson said system administrators plans to formally submit the application to DPI later this week, putting a project years in development before the state for consideration.
“I’m elated, honestly,” Johnson told commissioners following the vote. “I’m very excited about this project.”