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Parents, educators urge board to halt study shifting fifth grade to middle school
Summary
During public comment at the March 16 Gaston County Board of Education meeting, parents, principals and the Cherryville mayor urged the board not to move fifth graders into a 5–8 middle school model, citing developmental, safety and facility concerns and asking for clear financial data and public forums.
Parents, school leaders and local officials pressed the Gaston County Board of Education on March 16 to halt consideration of a plan that would move fifth graders from WB Beam Intermediate into Chavis Middle School.
Speakers at the public comment period argued the reconfiguration is premature and risky. Holly Skybo, a K–5 principal and parent, told the board the change would be a "high-risk liability with negligible return," saying district overhead costs would remain and academic and social harms reported in research — the so-called "middle school plunge" — could follow. Destiny Harris, a parent with fifth graders at Beam, said younger students are "not ready for the middle school environment" and warned of higher anxiety, bullying and disciplinary problems if the move proceeds.
Several speakers demanded more concrete fiscal and safety information. Angie Anthony asked the administration to provide exact projected dollar savings from the reconfiguration and whether Chavis Middle can physically separate and supervise fifth graders during the school day. Mayor Wade Stroop of Cherryville said the city will participate in forums and said local growth makes closing or repurposing facilities especially consequential.
Board chair Josh Chris acknowledged the comments, saying the concerns were "heard" and that the proposal is still in a research phase. He told the audience that no decisions have been made and that state law will require additional public meetings should the board move toward a school closure or reconfiguration.
The board's operations committee report earlier that night noted a recommended feasibility study to explore sending fourth graders to Cherryville Elementary and fifth graders to Chavis Middle School and other consolidation options. Committee materials and speakers also referenced alternatives such as housing Gaston Virtual Academy students with staff support at Macedonville Elementary and combining virtual middle and high school supports with Steuart Kramer High School.
Next steps described by board members and staff include conducting the feasibility study, holding additional community forums, and providing the public with specific facility, safety and dollar-savings analyses before any binding action.
Ending: The board did not vote on the reconfiguration; members said they would continue study and public engagement before any final decision.
