Alumni and PTA press Wake County board to preserve Garner Consolidated history; Ligon PTA backs new‑site build option

Community members urged the Wake County Board of Education to protect local school history and to choose a specific construction option for Ligon Magnet School.

Jesse Henson and several alumni representing Garner Consolidated alumni groups asked the board to preserve Building D on the Garner Consolidated campus for historical purposes and to support archival and educational uses. Henson described research into early teachers and the Rosenwald school history connected to Garner Consolidated.

Kelly Wood, representing the Ligon PTA board, formally endorsed "option 3" to construct a new Ligon Magnet School on existing ball fields. Wood argued option 3 best preserves the school's history and allows students to remain in the existing building during construction, prioritizes student stability and safety, and is fiscally responsible. In remarks she said assessments show the current structure cannot meet future needs and provided a cited comparison that "option 2" would cost approximately $147,000,000 and include about $26,000,000 for a temporary mobile campus—figures Wood offered in support of option 3.

Board members thanked alumni and PTA presenters and acknowledged the role of historical preservation and community legacy. No binding decision on Ligon's construction approach or formal preservation action for Garner Consolidated Building D was recorded during the Feb. 17 meeting; presenters requested that the district preserve history and pursue archival/public‑history planning.

The board will consider capital planning options in future facilities discussions and budget cycles.