Board authorizes study to examine closing Ellerbe Middle School as district faces declining enrollment

Superintendent Dr. Ferrell told the board the district has lost about 1,100 students from 2017 to 2026 and the fund balance has fallen from about $4.8 million to roughly $1.6 million as ESSER funds ended and costs rose. He presented options from a facilities study that included closing one or more aging schools, consolidating schools, or building new facilities long-term.

Dr. Ferrell said staff estimated that Ellerbe Middle School costs about $1,700 more per pupil than other middle schools—roughly a $330,000 annual premium tied to declining enrollment—and that closing and consolidating Ellerbe could yield about $1.6 million in annual savings when staffing and facilities costs are combined, while incurring one-time transition and redistricting costs and an estimated ongoing transportation increase of about $40,000.

Board members raised questions about community impact, class‑size law constraints, bus ride times in a geographically large county and program equity for students at smaller schools. Dr. Ferrell emphasized the board would not be voting to close the school now; the requested study would produce a comprehensive financial analysis, redistricting scenarios, transition cost estimates and public‑hearing planning.

Mr. Tillman moved and Ms. Schuler seconded a motion to conduct the school‑closure study focused on Ellerbe Middle School; the board approved the motion by raised hands. The motion authorizes staff to develop the study and to plan community outreach and required public hearings if the study’s findings lead to possible closure recommendations in the future.