Community urges Board to preserve J.W. Ligon on historic hilltop; board member schedules Nov. 24 meeting

Speakers at the Nov. 4 Wake County Board of Education meeting urged the board to preserve J.W. Ligon on its historic hilltop and to keep community input central to any renovation or reassignment decisions. Danny Coleman, speaking for community supporters, called for the school to remain visible and accessible on the hill and said local stakeholders want to be constructive partners as district planning moves forward.

Carol Gartrell, speaking earlier in public comment, said attendance is already difficult for alumni and urged the board to avoid processes that discourage participation, specifically raising concerns about registration requirements for community meetings. Board member Miss Rice (representing District 4) announced she had scheduled a community meeting for Nov. 24 at the Southeast Raleigh YMCA to hear local input. Rice said registration is preferred but not required and that the meeting was organized to ensure the community could be heard before district-led meetings follow.

Rice told the board the district's facilities team plans additional district-hosted meetings; she said her Nov. 24 session is intended to gather community concerns and priorities so she can advocate for them at the board table. She also said the meeting was scheduled with the community's preferred timing in mind and to allow sufficient outreach to residents. "No one is required to register. It is preferred. Why? Because Ligon has a large community and our YMCA partner is choosing to support us...so that we can plan appropriately," Rice said.

The board did not take formal action on renovation plans during the meeting. District staff said further community engagement and district-led sessions will follow.