Rockingham County commissioners approve submission of two state school-construction grant applications

Rockingham County commissioners voted to submit two state needs-based public school capital grant applications on the recommendation of Rockingham County Schools Superintendent Dr. John Stover, who told the board the applications must be filed by Oct. 3. The district is seeking funds to build a consolidated Reidsville elementary (combining South End and Moss Street) and to rebuild Stoneville Elementary. The board voted on a motion by Commissioner Mark Richardson, seconded by Commissioner Barrow, to submit both applications; the motion passed by voice vote. The applications rely on state needs-based grant criteria funded by lottery proceeds and would require a county match.

The superintendent said the Reidsville option would combine South End and Moss Street on the South End site, enabling the district to close Booker T. Washington Learning Center and Lawsonville and to repurpose Moss Street for head start, the SCORE Center and day treatment classrooms. "The South End grant, because we are merging these schools together, scores 6 out of 7 on the grant needs-based criterion," Stover said. He described age and condition problems at South End, noting the main building dates to 1935 and that the school lacks modern safety lobbies and adequate restrooms. "We have some of our specials and other classes in module units that are not meant to be…