State facilities report flags aging Washington County schools; district details ESSER spending and capital plans

On Oct. 11, 2021, the Washington County Board of Commissioners heard a presentation from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction that flagged aging school buildings and recommended further study, while Washington County Schools officials outlined detailed spending plans for federal ESSER II and III funds.

Dr. Robert Taylor, Deputy State Superintendent for Student and School Advancement at DPI, summarized a 126-page facilities report. DPI told the boards that roofs and walls should be opened to assess hidden damage and recommended a district–county business plan study to clarify costs and options; "this is not a sprint—it's a steady race," DPI said during the presentation.

Why it matters: DPI's assessment and the district's spending plans will shape whether the county pursues repairs, renovations or new construction and how federal pandemic-relief dollars are used. Several spending lines target air quality, learning-loss interventions and summer learning programs that affect day-to-day operations for students and staff.

Washington County Schools Superintendent Linda Carr presented the district's allocations for federal relief funds. For ESSER II (PRC 171), the district reported receiving $2,946,526.21, with at least $786,630.65 earmarked for learning-loss interventions such as hiring instructional coaches and specialists, implementing AVID at the middle school and PGC at the high school, and expanding extended-day programming. The ESSER II plan also lists roughly $900,000 for air-quality improvements, $328,000 for sanitation supplies, $150,000 for educational technology and $95,000 for mental-health supports.

For ESSER III (PRC 181), the district reported $4,465,837.00 and said it has allotted at least $1,105,248 (20%) for learning-loss work. The ESSER III breakdown includes $500,000 for facility repairs (touchless fixtures and water filtration among the listed items), $117,754 for air-quality work, $288,244 for continued sanitation and maintenance staffing, $440,000 for technology and device repair or replacement, $300,000 for additional social-emotional learning staff and supports, and summer-learning allocations for 2023–24. The transcript also records an "additional release" of $2,201,899 in funding expected in 2022.

"Pines Elementary School is still a wonderful school and located at an ideal spot and a new school there would become a beacon for our County," Superintendent Linda Carr said, describing site and program possibilities. County Manager and County Attorney Curtis Potter told the boards the county has roughly $1.5 million available for school capital outlay.

Board of Education Chair Riddick urged the Board of Education and the Board of County Commissioners to begin formal 2-on-2 meetings (the customary joint planning group of two board officers and two county officers) to move planning forward.

The meeting ended without any formal action on construction or a capital project. Commissioner Ann Keyes moved to adjourn at 6:55 PM; Commissioner Carol Phelps seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: DPI recommended further investigation via a business plan study and the transcript indicates the BOE and BoCC will pursue 2-on-2 meetings to develop next steps for addressing facility needs and deploying ESSER funds.