Community works to save school amid Rowan-Salisbury consolidation plan

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A school in Rowan County is at the center of a heated debate after the county said it wants to shut down Faith Elementary School. But, some parents and neighbors said this would be a mistake.

The Rowan-Salisbury School Board introduced a plan back in the fall with a proposal that would either close or consolidate schools to cut costs.

Faith Elementary School is on the list to potentially close as part of the consolidation plan.

It is a three tier plan and it would cost nearly $250 million for the first two tiers alone.

[Click here to learn more about the plan]

The board said it has not officially made a decision.

"It's been a part of Faith forever it seems like. We can't just shut those doors. It's time we step up and let the school board figure out another solution besides trying to relocate these schools," resident Andrew Brown said.

Residents said Faith's community is known for their yearly 4th of July celebration and a presidential visit in the 90s.

"George W. Bush Sr. came here one time," Brown said. "The very ball field he took a swing at a bat to play a ball game there is now looking at being all in jeopardy."

Residents said the small town is saturated in rich history and closing the doors of the small school would impact them in a much bigger way.

[ALSO READ: Rowan-Salisbury School officials ready for changes under 'renewal school system']

"We just want to save our school," resident Randall Barger said. "We just don't know where our children, my grandchildren will go to school."

"A lot of parents jobs will be in jeopardy if we close Faith School and it would impact the children," Brown said.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Thursday at Faith School Auditorium. Organizors said they are expecting a couple hundred people.

Cox Media Group