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Bertie County schools request $3.8M local funding; superintendent outlines $42M elementary consolidation plan
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Otis Smallwood presented a 2026‑27 school budget request including $3.8 million in local requests, $3 million in capital needs, and a long‑term proposal to consolidate three elementary schools into a new $42 million facility funded with lottery proceeds and grants.
Superintendent Dr. Otis Smallwood told the Bertie County commissioners the school system is seeking $3.8 million in local funding for the 2026‑27 planning budget, with state planning estimates of $17.77 million and federal planning estimates of $3.23 million.
Dr. Smallwood said the district recently saw academic improvements, citing that Bertie Middle School was removed from the state’s low‑performing list and noting increased ACT scores. He also described elevated capital outlay needs of about $3 million, far above the district’s typical $375,000 request, attributing the increase to aging infrastructure across the district.
As a long‑term option, Dr. Smallwood presented a proposal to consolidate the district’s three remaining elementary schools—West Bertie Elementary, Colerain Elementary and Windsor Elementary—into a single, centrally located elementary school. He estimated construction costs at approximately $42 million and said that the district would pursue lottery funds and grants before moving forward with the project.
Commissioners did not take formal action on the budget request during the work session; the presentation provided the board with planning figures and options for future capital planning. The superintendent asked county staff to consider facility‑use questions related to the district’s needs.
