Commissioners press legislators for targeted school-construction funds and equity for marginalized neighborhoods
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Summary
Commissioners and representatives discussed school construction funding, the E. Smith replacement question and equity concerns; commissioners urged that funds and locations be prioritized to serve historically underserved neighborhoods.
During the delegation meeting, school funding and neighborhood equity were prominent themes as commissioners and legislators discussed how county and state dollars should be allocated.
Chair Sharon described county requests for $15,000,000 for infrastructure and $15,000,000 for new school construction (requests consistent with prior submissions) and reported the county board has allocated approximately $310,000,000 toward deferred maintenance and new construction in its budget. Commissioners emphasized using those investments to avoid teacher loss and to remain competitive in the region.
Several commissioners—Vice Chair Jones in particular—pressed legislators and county leadership to ensure marginalized neighborhoods receive attention. Jones named neighborhoods including E. Smith, Shaw Heights, Bonnydoon and Groveview Terrace and urged that the board and delegation not let allocation decisions leave those ZIP codes behind. Commissioners said they expect the school board to make location recommendations; the legislature can, however, craft appropriation language that designates funds for a named school if lawmakers choose to do so.
Representative Colby and others asked whether county-allocated funds intended to support a new E. Smith school would be guaranteed to reach that campus. County leaders said that if the legislature drafts language directing funding to a specific school, that is within the legislature’s authority, but as a practice the county expects to fund the school board’s recommendations for final location and design.
There was also a detailed exchange about the county’s decision earlier not to site a new school on Fort Bragg, a position the county said was intended to encourage development around the new school site. Commissioners asked the delegation to press for coordinated planning and to consider legislation or targeted appropriations where appropriate.
The meeting concluded with county staff offering to brief delegates in greater detail at follow-up sessions and with a pledge to maintain engagement while the school board finalizes recommendations.