Residents urge school board and county leaders to reject Vast Carthage Road site for new Carthage Elementary

Several Carthage-area residents used the board’s public-comment period to urge county and school leaders to reject the proposed site for the new Carthage Elementary School on Vast Carthage Road and instead locate the school closer to the town center.

“My name is Sarah Price. I live in Pinehurst. ... I'm committed to the best interest of our children for a new school in Carthage. However, the proposed site is not in the best interest of the children due to child endangerment,” said Sarah Price during the board’s public-comment period.

Speakers described recent crashes and growing traffic on nearby roads. John Baker, who said he has lived on Joel Road since 1971, said traffic has increased “tenfold” with recent development and recounted a crash at the Ash/Carthage/Joel Road corner that happened in front of his house. He said morning and evening peak traffic can make crossing major roads difficult and questioned whether putting a school at the proposed site would be a short-term fix that leaves the county with the same capacity and traffic problems in a decade.

Other speakers raised safety concerns tied to three ponds that adjoin the proposed site and cited child-elopement risks for students with developmental delays. Hammond Bennett said the neighborhood is “not opposed to a new Carthage Elementary School,” but wants a safer, better-located site and asked commissioners to use their influence with the school board. Daryl Russell said moving the school outside the town center would reduce daily foot traffic that supports local businesses and could lengthen emergency response times in a crisis.

Several speakers suggested alternative locations inside or nearer the town of Carthage, noting advantages such as proximity to police and fire services and better support for downtown businesses.

The comments were offered during the public-comment portion of the October 7, 2025 agenda meeting; commissioners did not take an official vote on school siting at this meeting. The board’s chair and other commissioners acknowledged receipt of the testimony and noted that school-siting authority rests with the school board, though commissioners said they could use their influence to encourage alternative sites.