Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

JACKSON – The Northampton County Board of Education made their case again for more funding from the county commissioners during a joint board meeting held on Thursday, Jan. 16.

“I know that you have other places that you have to spend money, but my cry is for the children of this county,” said Board of Education member Dr. Marjorie Edwards in her remarks during the meeting.

Both boards met to continue discussions on how to address the cost overrun for the new high school construction project.

In 2022, Northampton County Schools received a Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund grant for $62 million to build a new centrally-located high school. The site is on Highway 305 just outside of the Jackson town limits. The grant funding comes from the state lottery proceeds, and does not require a county match to be used.

But due to rising costs from inflation, the construction bids came in well over budget. Even after adjusting the design and removing some features, a deficit of a few million dollars remained.

The Board of Education had hoped to cover that deficit with New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) funding. However, as reported at Thursday’s meeting, most of those funds have already run out and been spent elsewhere. A new funding cycle, however, would begin again in September.

“The news was a little disheartening,” said Commissioner Kelvin Edwards about the NMTC.

Earlier this month, representatives from the school district requested that the commissioners consider contributing $4,198,848 to the project as well as the expected $1.2 million sales tax reimbursement they would receive from the purchase of construction materials.

Moving forward with the assumption that they will not receive the NMTC funds, Dr. Atkins said their request remains the same: a contribution of $4.19 million from the county along with the $1.2 million tax reimbursement.

“We would not be able to move forward with one and not the other,” she confirmed.

Commissioner Edwards asked if the district would need the funding immediately or if they could wait until the end of the construction project. If the latter, that would mean they could spread the funding into two fiscal years, as the project was expected to be completed in July 2026.

“Yes, the funding can be at the end of the construction process,” Dr. Atkins said, explaining they had confirmed that with the school board’s attorney as well as the project’s construction manager.

Commissioner Melvetta Broadnax Taylor asked how the construction of previous schools in the district were funded.

Phil Matthews, who serves as Special Assistant to the Superintendent, explained that Central Elementary School, the current Northampton County High School (located in Gaston), and Conway Middle School were all funded through local bonds, while others had utilized a state bond.

BOE member Clinton Williams noted that this wasn’t the first time the district has tried to build a centrally-located high school. Back in 2012, he said, they tried to get financial assistance from the commissioners, but were unable to come to an agreement. The cost for that school project back then started off at only $18 million total. He also pointed out that the district had previously received $15 million from the Needs-Based fund a few years ago, but that required a $5 million match from the county. And since they were unable to come to an agreement on that, those grant funds were returned to the state.

BOE Chair Barbara Stephenson asked the commissioners for their thoughts on supporting the district’s efforts this time.

Commissioner Chair Ed Martin said they would need more discussions before they made a decision, and noted that two of their members – Keedra Whitaker and Keith Edwards – were unable to attend Thursday’s meeting because they were at state-mandated training for new commissioners.

“I would like to have them involved in the decision,” he emphasized.

He said he personally didn’t have a problem contributing the sales tax reimbursement money or waiving any permitting fees. But he added that it might be difficult to come up with the $4.19 million.

BOE member Dr. Marjorie Edwards asked how much money the county currently had in its Fund Balance.

County Manager Julian Phillips stated that he didn’t have the exact number, but estimated it was between $20 million and $23 million in unrestricted funds.

During the discussion, several school board members talked about why the school construction project was vital.

Dr. M. Edwards said, among other things, they needed a new school with a great CTE (Career and Technical Education) program, which would help boost the county’s economy.

Tony Burnette admitted that he had originally been opposed to the idea of building a new school, but he had been persuaded by his fellow board members over time. He urged the commissioners to work together with them on the project.

“I see us working together and making this happen. Our children are worth this. We need this to take place,” Burnette said.

Catherine Moody echoed similar sentiments, saying “we’re all on board with this project. We’re not going back. We’re going forward.”

Rhonda Taylor noted that the new school will be an investment in the county, and that the facilities – such as athletic fields and the auditorium – could be used by the public as well. She also pointed out that technology has changed a lot over the years, and a new facility would get them up to date.

“I feel sort of bad for our children because they deserve a new school,” Taylor continued, adding that several surrounding districts have been able to build new facilities in recent years.

In response, the commissioners spoke about their support for the school system.

“This is a partnership,” said Broadnax Taylor, who noted that if the school district is succeeding, then the county flourishes as well.

Commissioner Edwards acknowledged that they needed to find ways to fight back against population decline, and a strong CTE program is one way to help. He also noted that as a Tier One county, they have a lot of obstacles to overcome.

Martin said he supported the public school district, but also emphasized that they just couldn’t make any promises about funding yet.

“We’re not just blowing you off,” he said. “I believe in this school. I want this school to happen. We just got to figure out a way to make it happen.”

The commissioners are expected to discuss the $4.19 million funding request again during their regular meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 22.