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Community speakers urge board to preserve Ellerbe Middle as magnet proposal is presented
Summary
Presenters outlined a proposed Ellerbe solar–agriscience magnet pilot and projected energy and enrollment benefits; multiple residents urged the Richmond County Board of Education not to close Ellerbe Middle, citing community ties, long bus rides and student safety.
Presenters asked the Richmond County Board of Education to formally review and implement a pilot magnet at Ellerbe that would automatically enroll students in the Ellerbe middle attendance zone and use STEM and solar programming to boost enrollment and revenue.
Willis Faby, who identified himself and gave an address in Ellerbe, said a district‑wide solar and microgrid feasibility plan would produce annual savings of roughly $159,000 to $274,000 across 15 schools and cumulative savings of $3 million to $5.5 million over 20 years, and argued solar‑focused magnets would qualify for STEM and workforce grants and strengthen community partnerships.
Bill Webb (self‑identified) described a solar–agriscience pathway linking L.R.B. Middle to Richmond Senior and community college certification programs, saying the magnet would provide hands‑on learning, improve attendance and create industry certification pathways for students. Webb and the Wildcat Committee asked that their proposal materials be made part of the official record and urged the board to exhaust alternatives before pursuing school closures.
Several public commenters followed. Beth McFadden Bryant, a retired Richmond County educator, said Ellerbe Middle is a community cornerstone and urged the board to pursue alternatives that preserve the K–8 school, arguing that consolidation harms rural students’ access to activities and local supports. Marsha Lambeth asked the board to ‘‘lead with fairness, compassion and courage,’’ citing past student deaths tied to long travel and to include non‑financial impacts in any decision. Sierra McQueen described multi‑generation ties to Ellerbe schools, long bus rides (one driver’s route described as up to two hours one way), and suggested the board consider alternative cuts rather than consolidation.
The comments came during the public‑comment period; no formal closure motion was before the board at this meeting. The presenters said the magnet pilot is intended as a pilot and a student‑opportunity plan; they asked the board to place the proposal materials in the official record and to review implementation timelines if the board approves the concept.
What’s next: The board moved on to its agenda after public comment; community members asked the board to consider alternatives to closure and to keep K–8 programming in Ellerbe if possible.
