A group of concerned citizens have retained the law firm of Anderson, Johnson, Lawrence and Butler of Fayetteville to represent their interests in the matter of the proposed closure of the Clarkton School of Discovery and Booker T. Washington Primary School.
A letter was sent to the Bladen County Board of Commissioners and Bladen County Board of Education on Friday by Attorney Steven C. Lawrence advising the two boards that an initial evaluation of the information provided thus far “indicates that the initial proposal and recommendation to the Board by the superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor, was submitted without the appropriate evaluation required by NC General Statute 115C-72” reads the letter.
The statute reads, “In any question involving the closing or consolidation of any public school, the local board of education of the school administrative unit in which such school is located shall cause a thorough study of such school to be made, having in mind primarily the welfare of the students to be affected by a proposed closing or consolidation and including in such study, among other factors, geographic conditions, anticipated increase or decrease in school enrollment, the inconvenience or hardship that might result to the pupils to be affected by such closing or consolidation, the cost of providing additional school facilities in the event of such closing or consolidation, and such other factors as the board shall consider germane.
Before the entry of any order of closing or consolidation, the local board of education shall provide for a public hearing in regard to such proposed closing or consolidation, at which hearing the public shall be afforded an opportunity to express their views. Upon the basis of the study so made and after such hearing, said board may, in the exercise of its discretion, approve the closing or consolidation proposed.”
The letter notes that when the proposal was submitted by Taylor to the board, citizens who requested the evaluation data were unable to obtain it for review.
Lawrence’s letter notes that cost calculations would indicate it would be more effective to keep both schools open. He also notes that the hardship that would be placed on the citizens of the town of Clarkton by consolidation would far outweigh any savings.
Lawrence notes that the town of Clarkton itself would also be damaged by the closure of both its schools. He notes that the schools are an integral part of the community and are just one of the tools that the town uses in attracting new residents to the town.
Lawrence requests in his letter that the board not advance the proposed consolidation any further.
The Bladen County Board of Education will meet on Monday, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. On the agenda, the board if scheduled to discuss an “updated” school consolidation plan and set a date for public hearings.
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