School board votes 4–2 to consolidate Council students into new Southern Gap campus starting in August

The Buchanan County Public Schools Board voted 4–2 to consolidate Council High School students and willing staff into the new Southern Gap campus beginning in August.

Board member Brian Looney moved for consolidation, saying the change would "give every kid in this county the best education we could give" by expanding access to programs at the new facility. The motion, recorded by the board as moved by Mr. Looney and seconded by Miss McClanahan, passed after debate on capacity and community input.

The vote followed a lengthy discussion in which supporters argued the new campus will offer expanded career and technical education, labs and dual‑enrollment opportunities. Mr. Looney told colleagues the decision was grounded in budget realities and a desire to give Council students "the opportunity to participate in what we're gonna have at Southern Gap." Opponents, including Mr. Thompson, said they had not heard constituent demand in their districts: "I'm still a no," Thompson said during roll-call remarks.

Administrators acknowledged logistics remain to be worked out. Mr. Cooper, identified in the meeting as a principal-level administrator, said staff and faculty who want to join Southern Gap "will be incorporated into our classes" and pledged to treat Council families respectfully. The board directed staff to draft bus routes and transportation plans and set a public hearing in front of the next regular board meeting in March to gather community input.

Implementation steps and details — including exact student counts to move, coaching assignments and staffing changes — were left to the administration. The board’s motion authorized consolidation to begin in August; the public hearing and transportation planning are the next procedural steps.