Parents disagree with decision to close Oakboro Elementary

STANLY COUNTY, N.C. — The more than 330 students who attend Oakboro Elementary School will be forced to go to a nearby school next year.

On Wednesday, the school board voted to close the school. District leaders said the decision was made based on decreased enrollment and funding.

Some parents disagree with the decision and plan to fight it.

“I’m heartbroken,” said April Hiatt, who has two children enrolled in Oakboro. “My son cried. This school has been here forever. It’s the heart of the community.”

“The vote was devastating,” said Anabel Speight, who years ago helped launch the group Save Oakboro School. “I burst into tears.”

Parents and even a board member told Channel 9 the vote came as a surprise.

Discussions to consolidate attendance zones in the district centered on a plan known as Plan B. The plan is more than 100 pages and takes a close look at enrollment at each of the district’s 21 schools, as well as aging facilities and instructional resources. The plan also discusses potentially closing three schools, including Oakboro Elementary School.

Opponents of the plan said they didn’t know the board would be voting on whether to close only Oakboro Elementary School.

“No discussion had been made and if it did it was behind closed doors,” said Mike Barbee, who has been a member of the school board for the past 10 years. “I was not involved in any discussion.”

Barbee claims he was the only member to vote no during last night’s vote. Barbee said he doesn’t believe closing Oakboro would solve the district’s funding issue and said he questions the motives of some members.

“This is not solely a money-saving proposition,” said Barbee.

Channel 9 reached out to the superintendent of the district.

Dr. Terry Griffin said in a phone interview that decreased enrollment and funding were big drivers in the decision to close the school. Griffin pointed out the district’s $75.9 million budget is being slashed by approximately $800,000 next school year.

“"It's no longer a matter of reinvestment of the dollars that we were just reinvesting to provide for academic opportunities,” said Griffin.

Griffin said the district will do its best to ensure students make a smooth transition. She added students should receive their new school assignment by May.

In the meantime, parents told Channel 9 they plan to file an injunction and hope change will come to the board in November.

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