By Miles Layton

GATESVILLE — The Gates County Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night to postpone appointing a new board member until after the March 3 election, and presented detailed information about a potential elementary school consolidation during a packed meeting at Gatesville Elementary School.

See our previous story about consolidation — here.

There are two information sessions where the community can learn more and provide valuable input on what you think about school consolidation.

• Jan. 6 at T.S. Cooper Elementary School at 6:30 pm.
• Jan. 7 at Buckland Elementary School at 6:30 pm.

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Appointment Delayed Until March Election

The board’s decision to delay the appointment came after extensive discussion about the sensitive timing of selecting from five candidates, three of whom are now running for the vacant seat left by former board member Ray Felton.

Board Vice Chair Sallie Ryan made the motion to defer the appointment, citing concerns about the political implications of choosing a candidate so close to the election.

“It is 54 days before the election,” Ryan said. “It is my feeling that if we go ahead and appoint someone tonight, that person does not win the election, then they’re gonna be with us until November. And if it were me, I would feel like I was a sitting duck, ’cause there wouldn’t be much that I could do.”

Ryan noted that while the board had “excellent people apply for the position,” three of the five applicants announced their candidacy after applying for the appointment. She expressed concern that selecting one candidate over others who are running could appear to favor or oppose specific candidates.

“I don’t want to ruffle anybody’s feathers,” Ryan said. “I don’t want anybody to say that the person we picked for the board seat, ‘That’s who we want.’ Or the person that we did not pick, for them to say, ‘That’s who the board does not want.’”

Board Member Terri Riddick supported the delay, noting practical and ethical considerations.

“The benefit of doing it that way, waiting until the election allows the community to decide,” Riddick said. “And it would not be a decision made solely amongst four people. It would be the community decides.”

Riddick also pointed out financial implications: “If we put someone forward and swear them in in January, then they have to go through the training for the Board of Education, the ethics training and all of that, that the board, the school system has to pay for. And then potentially have to turn around and do it again after the … well, in November or December.”

Board Member Ronnie Riddick agreed with the approach, saying it would be unfair to candidates currently running.

“If one of those candidates were selected, and then interviewed with another, we’d be throwing it to the other two candidates off,” he said. “We would much rather that the citizens of Gates County pick who will fill in the seat.”

Board Chair Leslie Byrum, who announced he will not seek reelection after 27 years on the board, acknowledged receiving numerous phone calls about the appointment but ultimately supported letting voters decide.

The person elected in March will serve until November before having to run again in 2028 to complete the remainder of Felton’s original term, giving them approximately seven additional months compared to an immediate appointment.

Consolidation Study Presents Financial Reality

The main focus of Monday’s meeting was the presentation of a comprehensive school consolidation study, with detailed information about the potential closure of one of the county’s three elementary schools: Gatesville, Buckland, or T.S. Cooper.

Superintendent Dr. Barry Williams explained that the consolidation study stems from declining enrollment and state funding cuts. According to Chief Financial Officer Steven Harrell, Gates County has lost 143 students over recent years, representing more than $1 million in lost state funding at approximately $9,800 per student.

“The money really never went anywhere, the money just stopped coming,” Harrell said. “After 2009, we started to drop off gradually. COVID was kind of a problem on many districts in the area. And after COVID, it’s even gotten worse.”

Dr. Williams said the county’s elementary enrollment currently stands at 611 students across three schools, with some unused classrooms visible in each building. He noted that a 2025 consolidation study by consultant Dr. Jim Watson indicated Buckland Elementary would likely be the school to close due to cafeteria size limitations and lack of classroom space.

Financial Projections Show Personnel Cuts Needed

According to the presentation, closing one school would save approximately $824,748 annually, but Dr. Williams emphasized that 92.7% of those savings would come from personnel cuts rather than operational costs.

“To save these savings, we are going to have to go into something called a RIF — a reduction in force,” Dr. Williams said. “You would have to cut 10 personnel positions to create the amount of money that would equate to $668,000.”

Harrell’s breakdown showed the potential eliminated positions would include:

• Five certified teaching positions ($80,162 each)
• One media specialist ($87,801)
• One guidance counselor ($87,801)
• One treasurer at schools ($70,764)
• One cafeteria manager ($55,812)
• One lead staff member ($38,610)
• One part-time custodian ($30,671)

All figures include benefits, with retirement costs at 24.67% and hospitalization at $8,500 per employee annually.

Dr. Williams noted the district hopes attrition through retirements and resignations would minimize the need for involuntary layoffs, but acknowledged “it’s likely, more than likely, most definitely likely that you are going to have to go into a reduction in force.”

Attendance Zones and Transportation Concerns

Director of Student Services Jeremy Wright outlined how consolidation would require redrawing attendance zones, with two main options: dividing the county east-west or north-south.

Current capacity estimates show:

• Gatesville Elementary: 360-380 students (360 recommended at 90% capacity)
• T.S. Cooper: 360-380 students (360 recommended)
• Buckland: 340-360 students (340 recommended)

Wright noted that two elementary schools could “easily handle” the current 611-student population but emphasized that boundary decisions couldn’t be finalized until the board determines which school to close.

Ryan asked about the possibility of reversing bus routes so students with longer rides could be picked up first in the morning and dropped off first in the afternoon. Transportation officials indicated this was possible depending on route efficiency and state requirements.

Hidden Costs Could Offset Savings

Human Resources Director Dr. Chante Jordan warned that consolidation would involve significant hidden costs that would offset projected savings:

• Possible reinstatement of two front office positions (elementary schools currently have only one person handling secretary, bookkeeper and nurse duties)
• Additional bus drivers to reduce student time on buses
• Increased cafeteria staff hours
• Additional cafeteria equipment (warmers, freezers, dishwashers)
• Enlarged parking lots at receiving schools
• Additional workdays for teachers to transition classrooms
• Maintenance time to move furniture and equipment
• Technology time to transition computers and printers

“These costs will offset the predicted savings,” Dr. Jordan said.

Facility and Infrastructure Challenges

Maintenance Director Johnny Greene highlighted significant infrastructure concerns, particularly at Gatesville Elementary, which has a 27-year-old geothermal heating and cooling system with 40 units that require service from 10-foot ladders rather than catwalks.

“The equipment here is about 27 years old,” Greene said. “We’re at a point where I’m working with the board relaying information on what costs there are to upgrade this system.”

Green also noted wastewater plant considerations. Gatesville operates a recirculating sand filter bed that requires regular testing and reporting to the Department of Water Quality. However, Gates County recently received grants to install pump stations at T.S. Cooper and Buckland, which would eliminate the need for wastewater plants at those locations.

Food Service Director Dr. Paula Simpson raised concerns about cafeteria capacity, particularly at Buckland, which has the smallest kitchen and only one serving line compared to two at Gatesville and T.S. Cooper.

“We need to make sure that enough time is built into the schedule to serve the larger group of students,” Simpson said, noting that Gatesville’s freezer is already too small to receive current deliveries and sometimes requires transporting food to the maintenance building for storage.

Curriculum and Technology Impact

Curriculum Director Susan Casper highlighted potential educational benefits of consolidation, including more consistent curriculum implementation, increased instructional quality, better distribution of teacher expertise, and reduced curriculum resource costs.

However, she acknowledged drawbacks: “There is some transitional disruption for both our teachers and our students. We do have the potential for larger class sizes, which can be less feedback by teachers, less personalized instruction.”

Technology Director John Smith reported minimal technology impact, with Chromebooks, iPads, and equipment redistributed between two schools. Smart panels, phone equipment, and network infrastructure would be preserved, with E-Rate federal funding covering approximately 80% of wide area network costs.

Gatesville Presentation Makes Case to Stay Open

Gatesville Elementary Principal Kristal Brooks delivered an emotional presentation highlighting her school’s strengths and capacity to accommodate consolidated enrollment.

Brooks noted that Gatesville has the largest square footage (76,183 square feet) among the three schools — 41.8% larger than Buckland (44,354 square feet) and 27.5% larger than T.S. Cooper (55,217 square feet). At 90% capacity, Gatesville could accommodate 386 students, compared to 264 at Buckland and 318 at Cooper.

The principal emphasized Gatesville’s infrastructure advantages:

• All facilities in one building with no trailers or separate structures
• Two exits in every classroom for safety
• Wide hallways allowing quick evacuations
• Student and staff bathrooms in each pod
• Four teacher workrooms with copy machines
• Largest cafeteria and gym among elementary schools
• Five gym exits and four library exits
• Two-lane car drop-off and pick-up capability in front parking lot

Brooks also highlighted that Gatesville has housed higher enrollment in the past, serving 309 students in 2013-14 (not including daycare and Head Start), demonstrating capacity to handle consolidated numbers.

The school currently serves three Pre-K classes (including a developmental day classroom) with 40 students, the largest population of low-income students, and the largest exceptional children and speech therapy population in the county.

However, Brooks emphasized unity over competition: “This is not a dirt throwing contest. This is going to affect all of our students, all of our teachers. It’s not about Gatesville, it’s not about Buckland, it’s not about TS Cooper, it’s about Gates County Schools.”

She concluded with an appeal for collaborative decision-making: “We are one county. We are one team. We should have one vision. Decisions may be difficult, but when the process concludes, we will continue forward together as Gates County Schools.”

Board Member Statement Explains Financial Reality

Before the presentations, Board Member Terri Riddick read a prepared statement explaining the consolidation study’s rationale.

“The decision to explore consolidation of Gates County’s three elementary schools is one of finances,” Riddick said. “Not just saving funds, but to be able to better utilize the funds provided by the state, local, and federal sources. There is absolutely no personal agenda in this consolidation process.”

Riddick explained how state funding works, noting the allocation is based on district-wide enrollment rather than individual school populations. She used a hypothetical example: if three schools have 25, 23, and 36 first-graders respectively (84 total), the state would fund only five teachers even though six might be needed to meet class size restrictions across three buildings.

“Having to divide our limited resources over three schools has become unsustainable,” Riddick said. “It seems more manageable to divide these resources between two schools.”

She emphasized that consolidation has been done before in Gates County and neighboring districts: “Some years ago, Gates County Schools had to restructure elementary education when Sunbury School was closed. Students had to change schools, and the community had to adapt to the change.”

Riddick compared schools to churches: “The church is its people. Where these people gather is just a building. It’s just bricks and mortar. People are what makes the church, just as it is the people that makes up our schools. If we close a building, it doesn’t change the people.”

Community Input Sessions Scheduled

Board Chair Byrum stressed that no decision would be made immediately and that the board is conducting three information sessions to gather community input.

“No decision will be made tonight, tomorrow night, or Wednesday night whether we will consolidate or not,” Byrum said. “We are here tonight to listen to you. We’re here to give you information as far as what’s considered in the consolidation study. And we’re here to educate you, and you’re here to educate us on your feelings of the community.”

Similar presentations are scheduled for Tuesday at T.S. Cooper Elementary and Wednesday at Buckland Elementary. All sessions will be live-streamed on YouTube for those unable to attend.

The board is also launching a consolidation survey, which will be available in hard copy and posted on the school district website. Community members are encouraged to complete the survey and provide feedback before any decision is made.

Director Wright indicated the survey would gather community perspectives on consolidation options and concerns.

Board members reminded attendees they can provide feedback through multiple channels, including phone calls, text messages, or contacting the central office directly. Public comment periods are included in each information session.

The board has not announced a timeline for making a final decision on consolidation but indicated additional meetings would be held in January and February before the March 3 election, which will fill the vacant board seat that could participate in the ultimate decision.

Byrum, concluding the meeting’s formal presentations, emphasized the board’s commitment to transparency: “We’re starting out new, and it’s a new year. And we’re going to be a better board, and we’re also going to give our staff and students the best education possible.”