MAXTON — A meeting of those concerned about the proposed school consolidation plan for Robeson County’s public schools will be held on Tuesday.
Mayor Emmett “Chip” Morton told town commissioners this week that the “school situation” will be discussed during the public forum that will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Gilbert Patterson Library.
“I’m not against consolidation,” Morton said, “but any plan needs to be sure to include a school is in Maxton.”
The Raleigh firm of sfL+a Architects has presented a plan to close 30 county schools and construct 14 new schools, 13 of which would house pre-K through 8th-grade students and also a career and technical high school. A study would propose locations for the schools, but the Board of Education for the Public Schools of Robeson County would have final say.
In other business, the town board gave approval for bathroom facilities to be constructed at the football field on Carolina Street. Although there are no bathrooms currently at the site, the football field has long been used by students from Townsend Middle School.
Commissioner Paul McDowell asked commissioners to allow Agape Outreach Ministry to have bathrooms built on the property. McDowell, the executive director of Agape, said his organization will pay for the construction of the bathrooms with a $10,000 grant.
After construction of the bathrooms, Townsend Middle School will assume responsibility for the upkeep of the facilities, McDowell told the board.
In other business, the commissioners:
— Recognized Maxton’s police chief, Tammy Deese, as the town’s Employee of the Month. She has served as Maxton’s chief since 2012.
Deese was also commended for recently earning a master’s degree in Public Administration.
— Adopted a resolution agreeing to follow all rules and regulations included in the Clean Water Act Amendment of 1987. Morton said that the resolution is required as part of the application process for receiving an asset management plan grant that provides information on the condition of pipes, manholes and valves in the sewer system.
— Approved a resolution proclaiming May as Older Americans Month.
— Reported that new recycling bins are now located on Water Street. Morton asked residents to use the bins only for recyclable items, noting that the company supplying the bins, All Points, will remove them if they are not used properly.