Rowan-Salisbury leaders, parents meet over possible school consolidations, closures

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Parents in Rowan County got a chance to give their input on the district's plan to close and consolidate several schools.

There are still plenty of unanswered questions on how it will all work, and Eyewitness News reporter DaShawn Brown learned the district wants parents to be involved.

[Click here to learn more about the plan]

Everyone who attended Tuesday night’s meeting was handed a worksheet that breaks down which schools would either close or consolidate, and when.

“We cannot sit by any longer and not do anything,” parent Lea Campion said.

Leaders said they’re constantly in the hole by almost $3 million a year in a district with 35 schools and a maintenance bill of about $5 million

To fix that problem, the district would either consolidate or close more than a dozen local schools, including Knox, Overton, China Grove and Faith.

[ALSO READ: Rowan-Salisbury officials recommend plan to reshape district, close schools]

Parents and concerned citizens at the meeting were placed in small groups with the decision-makers.

“Even though it was tough for the community, it gives us a place to start,” School Board Chair Josh Wagner said. “Now, we can take this information, see what folks are actually saying.”

Important questions were raised at the meeting.

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

“How are they going to demolish these buildings without going through the proper channels?” resident Theresa Pitner said.

Community input sessions:

East Community

• Dec. 5; 5:30-6:30p.m.
• East Rowan High School

Southeast Community

• Dec. 11; 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Carson High School

South Community

• Dec. 12; 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• South Rowan High School

West Community

• Dec. 18; 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• West Rowan High School

North Community

• Dec. 19; 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• North Rowan High School

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