Because the proposed $3 million expansion would also mean consolidating Wagram and Shaw primary schools and closure of East Laurinburg campus, the school board may also need to convince parents, educators and residents near the affected schools.
The plan calls for an addition at the Wagram school to house the students from Shaw Primary School.
East Laurinburg Alternative School will then be moved to the Shaw campus and the East Laurinburg campus will be closed. Some school officials see the change as a way to cut costs, reduce overcrowding and improve academic achievement.
But not everyone is pleased with the proposal.
Shaw Elementary School Principal Jack Davern said until recently, he thought the plan had been shelved.
"I was under the impression that was just a thought ... that it was not going happen," Davern said. "Dr. Prince said there would not be funding for a project like that."
Davern added that his school has made some tremendous strides this year in academic achievement and hopes the board will consider that as part of its deliberations.
"I'm opposed to it being done until all the facts have been presented," he said. "I would like for us to look at all of our options. We should be consolidating based on the needs of the students."
But some on the school board say that is why the change is warranted.
School board member Cal Newton said the transition between schools has often had a negative impact on students' academic success. He said that is expecially true for elementary-aged children. The plan would move the 4th and 5th graders attending Shaw to the Wagram school. There are approximately 203 students at Shaw.
"We talked about the sixth-grade slump when they go to middle school," Newton said. "We always see a little bit of slump ... They level out by seventh grade, but you always see a little bit of a curve. Right now, we are seeing this in fourth."
The results of the recent end-of-grade tests for Shaw have not been released.
"If low-student achievement is the reason or a strong argument for this change, I'm confident that once those scores have been released, it will cast a very different picture of this school," Davern said.
East Laurinburg
East Laurinburg Commissioner Marshall Stevens said he was opposed to the alternative school closing there. He said residents like having the school there. He said Principal John Teal has been involved in the town of 300 and has opened up the East Laurinburg Alternative School for community use.
"I hate that they are doing this," Stevens said. "We are losing the kids and everything over there. I enjoy having them."
School system spokesman Andy Cagle said while project may be a blow to the town of East Laurinburg, it will greatly benefit the alternative school.
"In the East Laurinburg community, it's been a staple," Cagle said. "But we have to look at what's best for the program. From an energy and a teaching standpoint, it's a win-win situation."
School officials also said closing the school would be cost effective.
Roger Ammons, director of plant operations and maintenance for the school system, said the system would save round $100,000 a year in energy and maintenance costs. He referred to the building as the system's "least energy efficient."
The system would also save an estimated $8,000 a year in costs that had been associated with four trailers at Wagram Primary, according to Ammons.
But the move may come with it own price tag, in addition to the $3 million expansion. Those additional costs could include more personnel, renovations to accommodate older students such as water fountains, restrooms, desks and equipment.
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