Bladen County Schools to hold public hearings on proposed East Arcadia consolidation

Bladen County Schools administrators presented a consolidation study for East Arcadia School and recommended the board schedule the public hearings required by state statute; the board voted to approve scheduling those hearings.

Dr. Atkinson, the superintendent, told the board that the meeting’s purpose was not to close the school tonight but to proceed with the statutory public hearing process: “the recommendation from the administration to the board tonight is to hold the public hearing, that is required, by statute for the consolidation closure of East Arcadia with Clarkston School of Discovery.” The administration proposed at least two hearings—one in East Arcadia and one in Clarkton—and suggested publishing detailed materials and providing printed copies at affected schools.

The presentation said East Arcadia currently enrolls 58 students (an eight-year average of 67.6) and noted that North Carolina’s guideline for state-funded principal staffing is roughly 100 students; the district said local dollars have borne a principal position when enrollment falls below that threshold. The facility study identified major capital needs, including an aging septic system estimated at about $600,000 and roughly $2,000,000 in total recommended repairs and mitigation. Administration estimated some annual operating savings tied to consolidation—utilities, child nutrition losses and travel—at about $152,000 annually, and highlighted a reported meal-program loss at East Arcadia of $25,277 in the prior year.

Transportation staff answered board questions about routing and pickup times, explaining projected pickup times reflect different rider groupings and route shapes rather than necessarily longer ride times for every child. Board members raised concerns about early bus pickup times and access to emergency services in the area; administrators said the consolidation plan would include examining district attendance zones and service impacts before any final action.

The board approved the administration’s motion to proceed with public hearings. Administration and counsel said notices must show the hearing rules and meet statutory notice windows and that the board would follow the district’s public participation rules for speakers while allowing the public hearing process to proceed until all speakers are heard.

Next steps: the board directed the superintendent and chair to work with members to identify hearing dates and to publish the study materials and hearing notices as required by statute.