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Parents and educators urge delay and fuller plan for moving Halliburton Academy into Dron High School
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Summary
Dozens of parents, teachers and residents told the Burke County school board the proposed relocation of Halliburton Academy to Dron High School is rushed, poorly communicated and risks harming vulnerable students; district staff cited budget pressures and student supports.
Dozens of parents, teachers and school staff urged the Burke County Board of Education on March 9 to slow a plan to relocate Halliburton Academy into Dron High School, saying the district rolled out the idea with insufficient communication and unanswered operational questions.
In roughly two hours of public comment, speakers raised concerns about safety, stigma, classroom capacity and the district’s outreach. "The first official discussion to our community by Burke County Public Schools was a Facebook post. A Facebook post is not leadership," said Becca Stevens, a parent. Trinity Lambert, a teacher and 2018 Dron High School graduate, said, "If we had the details, we could understand," and pressed the board for specifics on lunch schedules, PE, evacuation procedures and law-enforcement coverage.
Supporters of the consolidation framed it as a budget and program decision. Jackie Clark, a Burke County teacher, told the board the consolidation could produce "significant savings" equivalent to nearly 10 teaching positions and argued the plan is intended to strengthen Halliburton Academy by preserving its identity while giving students access to improved facilities. "This isn't about taking something away. It's about strengthening it," Clark said.
Several longtime educators and staff defended Halliburton’s role as an alternative program that yields success stories. "Halliburton represents second chances," said Becca Zimmerman, a high-school behavior specialist for Burke County Public Schools, who also noted the district is facing a reported $4,000,000 budget shortfall. Susan Petit McGee, a 25-year district educator, described Halliburton’s security and supports — students surrender phones and pass through metal detectors — and said consolidation risks removing a safe, effective environment for students who have struggled in traditional settings.
Other speakers called for independent review and for the district to present more data before making a final decision. One commenter cited a prior outside review (Rives and Associates) that recommended pausing closures until additional analysis and public hearings were completed.
Drexel’s mayor, Dennis Anthony, who introduced himself during public comment, said the town has no interest in acquiring the Halliburton building and emphasized local development projects, saying Drexel has invested in a 100-acre site to attract industry.
The public comment period closed after multiple speakers; the board did not record a final vote on the relocation during the session and proceeded to routine agenda business. The transcript does not record any formal board action on the Halliburton relocation at this meeting.
