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GATESVILLE – Will Gates County close one of its long-standing elementary schools?

At the current time, there is no definitive answer to that question, but Gates County leaders are engaged in discussion over the possible consolidation of two elementary schools.

At their meeting on Jan. 27, the Gates County Board of Commissioners discussed the consolidation of school facilities and related infrastructure, a measure they can take as provided by North Carolina General Statutes.

Commissioner Dave Forsythe said there has been dialogue between himself and Commission Chair Emily Truman with two Gates County School Board members and Schools Superintendent Dr. Barry Williams in regards to school consolidation.

Forsythe stated there needs to be a serious in-depth look at the infrastructure needs of the school system and that they provide an assessment with the likely outcome to be the elimination of at least one elementary school.

He referred to what he calls the “Sweet 5” (Jones, Washington, Camden, Alleghany, and Gates counties), notating that Gates County has more schools than any of the other four.

“We have more schools and more staff than those other counties. It’s a responsible action to do an assessment,” Forsythe stated.

Forsythe made a motion asking the School Board to seek a study on consolidation of the infrastructure with the likely outcome being the reduction of at least one elementary school. Commissioner Nathan Berryman seconded the motion, which was approved without objection.

In another matter regarding the Gates County Board of Education, the commissioners approved a measure calling for a realignment of the election calendar for the school board seats to coincide with the North Carolina General Election schedule in November rather than during the March Primary.

The thought process regarding moving the election of members of the Gates County Board of Education is if a sitting school board member is defeated in March, they remain in their seat until after the General Election in November while the winner must wait eight months to be seated on that board.

Berryman motioned for the realignment of the election calendar for Board of Education seats to coincide with the North Carolina General Election schedule in November. Forsythe seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Moving the school board election from March to November requires a local bill in the North Carolina General Assembly.

The commissioners asked the Gates County Board of Education to pass a resolution in support of the change.