Superintendent updates board on Phase 1 of growth plan; land, RFPs and funding concerns discussed

The Randolph County School System superintendent briefed the board Wednesday on Phase 1 of a multi-stage growth plan that includes land acquisition, architect selection and preconstruction work for existing schools while the district continues to plan for potential future schools linked to county economic growth.

The superintendent said the district identified a preferred site for a replacement or new Liberty Elementary and took the property to the county commissioners; the board was later asked to obtain an appraisal, which was completed. An environmental assessment is underway and the superintendent said the district would not finalize the purchase if the assessment identifies disqualifying issues.

The board has approved an architect selection for the program, the superintendent said. "We have selected the architect Smith Senate, and we brought that to you Dec. 9," he said, referring to the RFQ selection process. Staff said the district also expects to post an RFP soon for demolition work at the Braxton and Craven school sites; the plan is to preserve the gym at one site and demolish other structures to clear the parcel.

Staff reported they are ‘‘about ready’’ to contract a consulting firm to perform a student‑assignment study, which the superintendent said emerged as a priority in December. A student assignment study will analyze population nodes and project where new schools would be most needed; staff estimated that if the study starts soon, a student‑assignment process could be in place by the 2026–27 school year, with implementation and transition choices (for example, grandfathering students) extending after that.

The superintendent told the board that county commissioners previously approved funding tied to the work: $50,000 for a student assignment study and $500,000 for demolition of Braxton and Craven. Those approvals appeared to have been on the board of commissioners’ June 3 agenda, according to the superintendent. He said the district has those allocations designated but that broader county funding priorities and a statement from county staff and commissioners about limited available capital are complicating timing and scope.

Board members and the superintendent discussed alternatives if county capital is constrained, including renovating some existing high schools instead of building two new high schools. The superintendent outlined two options discussed with county leaders: proceed with new-building plans (estimated at significantly higher total cost) or prioritize renovations of three older high schools (Eastern Randolph, Southwest Randolph and Trinity High School). He said district staff once estimated new construction for two high schools could be in the $90 million-plus range each, while a renovation approach discussed informally would be lower per‑school — staff mentioned a ballpark of about $35 million for a substantial renovation in some scenarios — but stressed the district has not yet completed the architect-led cost analyses required to convert those rough figures into firm estimates.

The superintendent said the district has attempted to balance the risk of buying land early (paying now for property that may not be needed) against the risk of not securing land if growth accelerates. "There's a risk to buy land now and there's a risk not to buy land," he said. He told the board that the phase‑1 work focuses on existing schools and that phase‑2 would address future schools in growth corridors; he urged transparency and asked the board what direction to take next.

Board members urged a joint meeting with county commissioners to clarify funding expectations and next steps. The superintendent said the district will proceed with the RFP for demolition and with plans to finalize the student assignment study procurement while awaiting clearer county direction about capital funding and any constraints tied to state grant rules.