Commissioners aired their concerns with funding the project, however, and will require the school system to reduce operating costs if current plans for funding a proposed bond measure fall through.
Commissioners were quick to point out that the county, not the school system, is ultimately liable to repay the $3 million bond proposed for the Wagram Primary addition.
County officials say they can't pick up that tab.
"We are the highest taxed [county] – we can not afford to take that risk," Commissioner Betty Gholston said. "At no point can we put more burden on the taxpayers of Scotland County. How can we be sure we don't place a burden on Scotland County?"
The biggest question was what does the school board do lottery money doesn't come down?
"You can take the lottery money and use it to pay down the debt, but what if it drops?" County Chairman Willis asked.
He noted that the county was still paying for a previous school bond, one which funded new school construction a decade ago.
Willis said the school needs to come up with a contingency plan that would call for cutting costs elsewhere to fund the project within the schools normal budget.
School officials and board members tried to allay the commissioners fears.
Superintendent Rick Stout said the system would rein in costs if it has to for this project and tried to assure commissioners that the county would not take on extra costs.
"I will, as long as I am here, try to spend dollars wisely," Stout said. "We can't say what the General Assembly is going to do from now to then but... [we] are going to try to do all we can for the taxpayers."
School board Chairman Jimmy Bennett says that, as a county taxpayer, he wants to avoid adding costs tot eh county.
"As long as I am here, I don't want to see any taxes raised," Bennett said.
While commissioners showed concern over the project's funding, they were supportive of the overall project.
"We all agree that it's needed," Willis said. "It's just how do we get there?"
Commissioner John Alford says he's happy with closing the East Laurinburg campus.
"I am just so proud we are going to close East Laurinburg," Alford said. "Its well past time."
Alford says he has faith that the lottery money will come through.
Commissioner Bob Davis said that, while he is also concerned about bond repayment, he feels the county should back the project.
"I feel that we would be foolish not to take advantage of this zero interest bond to do something we'll do in two years anyways," Davis said.
Commissioner Guy McCook took issue with the timeframe the county has to approve the measure.
He said it is difficult "for us to hear this and try to make a decision in a week."
The commissioner suggested the school system create a long-range facility plan so the county will know what the system needs.
Stout agreed with that need, promising the school system would comply with his request in the next year.
Attorneys for the two boards meet to create a proposal that would require the school board to reduce its budget to make the $250,000 bond payments should state lottery moneys be decreased or withheld before the $3 million sum is paid off.
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.
The $3 million initiative will be funded by zero interest loans from the Qualified School Construction Bonds Program, which is part of the Federal Stimulus Plan. The deadline for the loan application is July 31.
Approximately $275 million has been appropriated with North Carolina, with the state guaranteeing $1.5 million to the county. The funds can only be used for building, renovating or making additions to schools.
The county Board of Commissioners will meet Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Scotland County Annex to discuss and vote on a final agreement.
The Scotland County School Board will also meet to approve the agreement, however no date has been set.
Deadline for the bond request is July 31.
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