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Burke County board approves accountability model, capital projects and names Table Rock gym floor
Summary
The Burke County Public Schools board unanimously approved an alternative accountability model for alternative schools, approved consent and personnel items, authorized capital projects, approved board training credits, and unanimously approved naming Table Rock Middle School's gym floor for retired educator Janet Green; Chesterfield Elementary demolition was discussed and a commercial realtor will present valuation options on June 22.
At its June 8 meeting, the Burke County Public Schools board approved multiple action items on a largely unanimous set of voice votes and discussed options for a vacant elementary school.
The board approved the district's recommended 2026-27 alternative school accountability participation plan (Option B), which uses a three-year data window, counts growth as 60% of the measure for alternative settings and is intended to better reflect transient student populations. Dr. Abernathy presented the three state-allowed options and said the district recommends Option B; the motion to approve (by Mr. Johnson; second by Mrs. Rocket) passed by voice vote.
The consent agenda (minutes from April 14; May 11'12; May 18; and May 12 closed session minutes), the personnel board action report (0608-2026) and board training credits from a recent planning session were all approved by voice vote.
Facilities and capital items: Mr. Lawson presented a June 2026 capital request that included eight projects, two of which would use state repair-and-renovation lottery funds while the rest use local capital funding. The board moved to approve the capital request and the motion carried by voice vote.
Naming: Board members debated whether naming a gym floor constituted a facility decision under policy 9300. After discussion about consistency and community sentiment, the board voted to approve adding retired educator Janet Green's name to the Table Rock Middle School gym floor (motion by Mr. Johnson; second by Mrs. Taylor; voice vote unanimous).
Chesterfield Elementary: The board revisited a prior DH Griffin demolition quote (the work, as discussed, would exclude certain utility rerouting and hazardous-material remediation). Board members noted a quoted demolition cost of roughly $250,000 and an estimated market value of about $300,000 for the parcel "as is," and they debated selling the site as-is versus demolishing and then selling. Members directed staff to invite a commercial realtor/developer to the June 22 meeting to provide valuation guidance and options before any demolition decision.
What happens next: staff will submit the alternative-school plan to the state as approved, administer the capital work over the summer, and invite a local commercial realtor to present options for Chesterfield on June 22.
