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Richmond County Board directs staff to study possible agriscience/solar magnet at Ellerbe Middle
Summary
The board voted 5–2 to direct staff to gather detailed information on creating a solar/STEM agriscience magnet at Ellerbe Middle, including grant timelines and sustainability planning; staff will return findings for board consideration.
At the July 29 work session the Richmond County Board of Education voted to direct staff to gather more information about a proposed agriscience/solar magnet at Ellerbe Middle School.
A board member moved that staff prepare a full information package so the board can evaluate whether to pursue the magnet; after discussion about sequencing and district capacity the motion carried 5–2. "I'm making a motion that we move forward in the magnet school looking at that," the member said during debate. Board members emphasized the need to understand how a magnet would interact with ongoing facility and capacity work and whether grants would cover capital and operating needs.
Superintendent Dr. Farrell and staff said they would return a formal recommendation and that grant application timing would be a key input. Danielle Meeks, executive director of human resources, told the board the grant application has been written and staff will ask the board to consider approval of related actions on August 11 and submit the application August 14. Several members pressed for data on sustainability after grant funds end and for transparency about any overlap with a separate school‑closure process.
The board did not approve opening a magnet school; it approved only that staff gather the information needed for a future decision. The motion passed on a recorded show of hands, 5 in favor and 2 opposed.
