McDowell superintendent recommends consolidating Marion Elementary and Eastfield Global Magnet to pursue state capital grant

McDowell County Schools Superintendent told the board he will recommend next month that the district consolidate Marion Elementary and Eastfield Global Magnet School and pursue state capital grant funding for a new, consolidated facility.

"My recommendation for you, and we would vote on this next month, would be that we consolidate Marion Elementary and Eastfield Global Magnet School into one of those schools," the superintendent said, framing the step as necessary to rank higher on the state's capital-grant rubric and be "shovel ready" by the December application window.

The superintendent reviewed two prior studies—one by Dr. Jim Watson and another by North Carolina State University—that identified potential consolidation and recommended site selection within about 1.5 miles of East Middle School. He told the board county commissioners had already approved two land contracts and that phase‑1 site work and due diligence were underway for both parcels, with a 120‑day due‑diligence period in effect.

Board members discussed likely enrollment and facilities impacts. The superintendent said combining Eastfield and Marion, plus Head Start, would yield roughly 650 students and would allow the district to vacate multiple buildings, potentially returning them to county use. "When we vacate a property, we offer it back to the county," he said, noting the county is exploring grants to repurpose vacated buildings for services such as the county's Department of Social Services.

He cautioned that receiving a state grant does not mean immediate construction: the district should move quickly to secure sites and funding applications but then "slow down and really get your ducks in a row" before breaking ground. The superintendent estimated a timeline of about four to five years from award to completion if the district receives funding this year and flagged the need to issue an RFQ for an architect so site plans and footprints are available for grant materials.

No formal vote on consolidation occurred during the meeting; the superintendent said he will present a formal recommendation and ask the board to act at the next regular meeting. The board did discuss the fiscal and community implications of consolidation—including questions about name, mascot and community input—and heard reminders that capital funds are restricted to facilities and cannot be used for salaries.

If the board votes to consolidate next month, staff said they will continue site due diligence, prepare RFQ materials for design services, and coordinate with county officials and state legislators as part of the grant application process.