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Residents urge Richmond County Schools board to keep Elby Middle School open
Summary
At the June 9 meeting, a town representative and other public commenters urged the board to keep Elby Middle School open, delivering a town resolution and emotional testimony emphasizing community identity, transportation burdens and parental involvement concerns if the school were closed.
Mr. Lee Barry, speaking on behalf of the town of Elby during the public‑comment portion of the June 9 Richmond County Board of Education meeting, presented a formal resolution urging the board to keep Elby Middle School open.
Barry read the resolution and told the board the town "formally expresses a strong support to keep Elby Middle School open as a public middle school serving the northern region of Richmond County," saying the town stands ready to collaborate with Richmond County Schools, community partners and stakeholders to "support the long‑term success and sustainability of Elby Middle." He emphasized the resolution was transmitted to the superintendent and board and asked the board to prioritize solutions to preserve local access to middle‑grade education.
A teacher who identified herself as an EC teacher followed in public comment and read a poem that appealed to the board to center emotions and students in decision‑making. "Our students come first," she said, urging the board to consider the human and community impacts of policy and planning.
Board members acknowledged receipt of the resolution and told the speakers that public comment would be considered as staff and the board continue work sessions and planning. No formal action on Elby Middle School occurred at the meeting; speakers and the town representative said they understood decisions would be taken in work sessions and future meetings.
