School Superintendent Presents Impact Study In Special School Board Meeting

Post date: Aug 25, 2016 4:41:26 PM

On Monday, August 22, 2016, the Yancey County Board of Education held a special meeting in the auditorium of Mountain Heritage High School to hear the results of an impact study on the possible consolidation of elementary schools in the county.

Superintendent Dr. Tony Tipton presented his findings on the study to consider the consolidation of Bald Creek, Bee Log, and Clearmont Elementary Schools into one single new elementary school on the west end of the county as well as a study to consider the consolidation of Micaville and South Toe Elementary Schools into one single new elementary school on the east end of the county.

Presenting to the school board and less than twenty members of the public, Dr. Tipton shared information he had compiled following guidelines and procedures from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, School Planning Section.

Items discussed included the continuing decline in student membership which is being experienced across the state as more charter, private, and home schools are being created for primary education.

Also presented was student operating costs by school showing a range of per student education cost of the lowest at $5,900 - Burnsville Elementary to the highest of $9,100 -Bee Log Elementary, with other schools falling between.

Transportation concerns as well as geographical considerations of new school sites were discussed as well as factors that will need to be considered should the board decide to consolidate, purchase land, and build a new school.

After presenting the impact study, the floor was opened for questions from the board, the public and for public comment.

In closing the meeting, Chair Mike Orr indicated to those in attendance that the Board will take the information presented in this meeting, study and deliberate, and return to a special meeting on September 19, 2016, in the auditorium at Mountain Heritage High School at 6:30 p.m. to either make a final decision or request another study from the superintendent.

Full copies of the Superintendent’s Impact Study as well as the final Facility Evaluation for Yancey County Elementary Schools as completed by Architectural Design Studios can be found on the Yancey County Schools website www.yanceync.net.

Anyone who has been unable to attend these meetings on the elementary facilities but has questions may submit those in email to ycswebpage@yanceync.net or in writing to PO Box 190, Burnsville, NC 28714. Questions should be submitted by Wednesday, September 14th. Responses will be provided during the Community Question and Answer portion of the September 19th meeting.