By Miles Layton

GATESVILLE — In a closely watched and at times emotional decision, the Gates County Board of Education voted 2-1 Tuesday night to close Buckland Elementary School, choosing instead to keep Gatesville Elementary School open as part of a long-debated consolidation plan driven by declining enrollment and mounting financial pressure.

The vote came under unusual circumstances, with the board reduced to three members after Ronnie Riddick’s resignation earlier in the meeting. Despite the diminished panel,

Board Chairman Leslie Byrum ruled that the remaining members – Sallie Ryan and Terri Riddick – constituted a quorum and could proceed with the decision.

“We owe this to our employees,” Byrum said. “Our employees are really, really wanting to know what school will close and, later on, what their future would be.”

The plan now heads to the Gates County Commission for final approval, with a presentation scheduled for Wednesday.

A letter Byrum wrote about the issue appears at the end of the story.

And for more context about Terri Riddick’s decision, her speech from the March 9th Board of Education meeting is also posted at the end of the story.

Resignation Sets the Stage

The meeting opened with a development that reshaped both the board’s makeup and the path forward.

Board member Terri Riddick made the motion to accept Ronnie Riddick’s resignation, who was not present at the meeting. Monday, March 16, Riddick resigned via an email sent to Board of Education members. His letter of resignation is published at the end of this story.

“Effective March 17, 2026, I respectfully submit my resignation from my position on the Gates County Board of Education for personal reasons,” the letter said. “It has been an honor to serve alongside my fellow board members and to represent the citizens of Gates County while supporting the work of our school system.”

The motion passed, leaving just three members — Byrum, Riddick, and Ryan — to take up the consolidation decision.

Byrum said he had consulted legal counsel and determined the board could act.

“I have spoken with legal counsel,” Byrum said. “We can make this decision because we have a quorum, which represents three people — a majority of the board.”

With that, the board moved directly into the long-anticipated vote.

Flashback — last week, Riddick voted with Byrum to close Gatesville Elementary during the March 9 meeting when the Board couldn’t come to a decision about whether to consolidate the county’s three elementary schools into two. That night ended in a 2-2 deadlock over which school should close.

Riddick said he was not prepared to make the final decision at that board meeting.

“I’m just not personally ready to make a decision,” he said. “I just want to make sure we’re making the right decision.”

Of course, the board has been hearing all sorts of presentations about these matters for many moons — I know because I’ve been to these long meetings.

Interestingly enough, Riddick’s letter of resignation says more about who he thinks would be a good replacement — Lola Rountree — for that seat on the board than about his reasons for resigning. If you’ll recall, Danny Hale (1,179) defeated Lola Rountree (1,085) in the March election for the Board of Education.

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Financial Pressures Drive Decision

Board members made clear that the consolidation decision was rooted in financial realities that have been building for years.

State funding for public schools in North Carolina is tied to Average Daily Membership, meaning districts receive less money as enrollment declines. Byrum said that trend has strained Gates County Schools while costs have continued to rise.

“Our students have dropped, our expenses have increased,” Byrum said. “To give you an example, in our exceptional children’s department, we are growing by leaps and bounds, but the funding money has not been there to support that. So we’ve had to use county monies to support that.”

He also pointed to the high cost of improving academic performance across the district. Over the past five years, Gates County Schools invested significant resources to pull three campuses out of low-performing status — a move Byrum said was necessary to avoid state intervention.

“It was extremely expensive to bring those three schools out of low-performing status,” Byrum said. “If we had not achieved this, the state of North Carolina would have taken over the school and earmarked it as low-performing after the third year in a row.”

Byrum said approximately $828,000 was reclassified from capital reserve funds to support those efforts.

“This amount of money did not affect the taxpayers,” he said.

Board member Terri Riddick said the district had reached a breaking point.

“We don’t have the funding to keep going the way that we are — not for another year — not with the projected allotment that’s coming down,” Riddick said. “I’ve said it all along that we’ve dragged this out too long, and we need to make a decision. We’ve got to let the families know, we’ve got to let the staff know, and we’ve got to let the central office have time to put things in motion. It’s not something that’s going to happen overnight.”

Byrum Makes Case for Buckland

Despite leading the meeting, Byrum ultimately cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing in favor of keeping Buckland Elementary open.

He said he conducted his own detailed comparison of the two schools before reaching his conclusion.

“I did a worksheet of the pros and cons,” Byrum said. “I put Gatesville School and I put Buckland School, and I’m going to explain my reasoning.”

Among his primary considerations was the structural difference between the buildings. Buckland is a brick-and-mortar facility, while Gatesville is not — a distinction Byrum said could matter significantly in severe weather situations.

“I don’t feel like Gatesville School would be the best school for handling some type of environmental event, like in case of a severe storm like a tornado,” Byrum said. “I do see that Buckland would.”

He also cited maintenance concerns at Gatesville, particularly issues with heating and air conditioning systems, as well as higher anticipated capital costs.

After weighing the factors, Byrum said his analysis slightly favored Buckland.

“I think I looked at it realistically and analyzed every situation that could happen,” he said.

His final tally: six favorable points for Buckland compared to five for Gatesville.

Even so, Byrum emphasized his commitment to the board’s final decision.

“Whatever decision is made tonight, I will accept the decision made by my fellow board members, and I will put children and staff first,” he said. “That’s what we’re here for — to see that every child, under the general statutes of North Carolina, receives the best education possible.”

Ryan’s Decisive Vote

The deciding vote came from board member Sallie Ryan, who outlined a series of practical considerations that led her to support keeping Gatesville Elementary open.

One of her primary concerns was the condition and layout of Buckland’s kitchen.

“Every one of those freezers, fryers, cookers — there is like this much space in between them,” Ryan said. “Everything is so close together that I don’t know where they will be able to put new things.”

Ryan also raised concerns about whether Buckland could adequately house the district’s pre-kindergarten students.

“I just don’t think there’s a place to house the pre-K at Buckland,” she said. “I know they have the trailers there, but I also know that these kids are used to classrooms and bathrooms, and we have to pass the state licensing.”

Under the plan approved Tuesday, Gatesville Elementary will house both the district’s pre-K program and the Head Start program currently located at Buckland— additions board members said had not been fully addressed in earlier consolidation discussions.

Ryan said she initially had concerns about Gatesville’s geothermal system, which she believed could create a significant expense tied to consolidation. However, that concern changed after further review.

“After talking to maintenance experts, I realized that’s going to have to be fixed one way or the other, because we’re going to keep whatever school does not have students in it operating and look at alternative uses,” Ryan said. “So I don’t think that’s a consolidation cost. I think that is a regular cost that this school has coming up.”

Transportation data also did not point strongly toward Buckland, she said.

“The morning ride for Gatesville is going to be on average six minutes greater than it is for Buckland. The evening ride is going to be on average five minutes later. It’s a difference of two miles from the student living the furthest,” Ryan said. “None of those numbers stood out and said you’ve got to decide on Buckland.”

Still, Ryan acknowledged the weight of the decision.

“It pains me,” she said. “All day, I rode down the road. But what I said last week, and what I just said, is what my heart tells me to do and my judgment tells me to do.”

The Motion and the Vote

Ryan made the motion that ultimately decided the issue.

“Chairman, I make a motion that we keep Gatesville Elementary School open. It will house pre-K, and it will also house the Head Start that is currently at Oakwood,” she said.

Terri Riddick seconded the motion.

The vote passed 2-1, with Byrum voting in opposition.

“Gatesville School will be the one that will be opened,” Byrum said after the tally. “I do respect my fellow board members for that decision.”

Superintendent Pay Addressed

During the meeting, Byrum also addressed criticism that had circulated publicly regarding Superintendent Barry Williams’ annual salary — $179,557.56

“When you compare the superintendent’s salary to other counties, they are fair,” he said. “When setting a salary, you need to look at experience, performance, and years working in the field.”

On that note, here are the annual salaries of area superintendents:

District	Superintendent
Pitt County Schools	$253,000.00
Dare County Schools	$222,077.59
Halifax	$216,984.00
Bertie County Public Schools	$189,109.08
Beaufort County Schools	$185,000.00
Hertford County Public Schools	$182,820.00
Northampton County Schools	$182,103.96
Gates County Public Schools	$179,557.56
Perquimans	$175,116.00
Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools	$169,400.00
Edenton-Chowan Public Schools	$160,000.00
Martin County Public Schools	$155,323.92
Weldon City Schools	$150,000.00
Washington County Schools	$131,760.00
Tyrrell County Schools	$120,000.00

Long-Term Vision and Growth

The consolidation decision comes as part of a broader conversation about the future of education in Gates County.

Byrum referenced a grant proposal seeking approximately $40 million to fund construction of a single consolidated elementary school, part of a long-range plan to move toward one elementary, one middle, and one high school in the county.

He said stronger collaboration with county commissioners would be necessary to improve the chances of securing funding.

“In order for us to be collaborative, each board needs to sit down together and design the best application and give the best sources so that we can present that in a way that will be more favorable for funding,” Byrum said.

He also called for accelerating the timeline for consolidation.

“I feel like that plan needs to be changed from ten years to five years,” Byrum said.

Pointing to residential development along Willington Road, he suggested the county could see future population growth that would impact school planning.

Next Steps and Upcoming Meetings

The board scheduled a special-called meeting for March 25 at 6 p.m. at Gatesville Elementary School, where members plan to swear in a new board member — JoJo Legg — and begin the process of filling the vacancy left by Ronnie Riddick’s resignation.

“It’s time for us to get back to five board members,” Byrum said.

Earlier that same day, board members will meet with Gates County commissioners from 1 to 4 p.m. at the historic courthouse for a budget work session.

Byrum said the district intends to present a streamlined financial plan focused on essential needs.

“I feel like our budget this year should be an essential budget,” he said. “Our commissioners have been gracious enough to give us additional monies, and if we give them the information that’s additionally needed, maybe they might give some additional monies. They do have a good fund balance. We do not have a good fund balance, so it’s time for us to restore our fund balance.”

Both the special meeting and the work session will be open to the public, though neither will include a public comment period. Regular board meetings will continue to include public comment as required by state law.

A Defining Moment for the District

Tuesday’s vote marks a significant turning point for Gates County Schools, bringing a long-running debate to a conclusion while setting the stage for further changes.

For families and staff, the decision provides clarity after prolonged uncertainty, even as it ushers in a period of transition.

As Byrum emphasized at the outset, the urgency behind the decision extended beyond budgets and buildings.

“We owe this to our employees,” he said.

Letter from BOE Chair Byrum

Ronnie Riddick’s Resignation Letter

March 16, 2026

To: Gates County Board of Education Chairman, Mr. Leslie Byrum

      

Board Members: Mrs.  Sallie Ryan and Mrs. Terri Riddick

Effective March 17, 2026, I respectfully submit my resignation from my position on the Gates County Board of Education for personal reasons. It has been an honor to serve alongside my fellow board members and to represent the citizens of Gates County while supporting the work of our school system.

As the board considers filling the remainder of my unexpired term, I would like to offer my sincere recommendation of Mrs. Lola N. Rountree. Mrs. Rountree brings 38 years of dedicated service to Gates County Schools, along with a deep understanding of the district’s operations, challenges, and opportunities. Her long-standing commitment to the school system has allowed her to develop strong relationships with staff, administrators, and the community while maintaining a clear focus on student success.

Mrs. Rountree has also been actively involved in supporting key district initiatives, including the recent consolidation study. In that process, she worked closely with Dr. Watson and various departments to provide essential data and information used in the preparation of the study. Her familiarity with district data, including student enrollment trends, testing outcomes, and accountability measures provides valuable insight that can assist the board in making informed decisions moving forward.

Equally important, Mrs. Rountree understands firsthand how board decisions affect students, teachers, families, and the community. Her experience within the district allows her to approach issues with both institutional knowledge and practical perspective, which can provide continuity and stability as the board continues its work on important matters facing the school system.

Because of her long-standing service and familiarity with the district’s current initiatives and challenges, Mrs. Rountree would be able to step into this role with immediate understanding and provide steady, informed leadership during this important time for our school system.

I believe Mrs. Rountree’s experience, commitment, and understanding of Gates County Schools will make her a valuable and effective member of this board to finish my unexpired term.

Ronnie Riddick

Speech from Terri Riddick at the March 9th meeting:

3/9/26

To consolidate or not:

The question of whether Gates County Schools should consolidate from three elementary schools down to two elementary schools is fully based on financial facts. We cannot afford to keep three elementary schools. This year, 2025-26, we have 1373 students in K-12, next year, 2026-27, DPI (Department of Public Instruction) has allocated us funding for 1323 students. That is a reduction of 50 students. This reduction in numbers means that we are receiving $451,287 LESS than we received from the state this year. 

At the end of this year, we will have a reduction in force (RIF) that would save us approximately $520,000. If you consider the $451,287 that is being cut from our state allotment, that is only a savings of $68,713. That is not even a full teacher salary with benefits included. In my opinion, that is not much of a cost savings. 

By consolidating down to two elementary schools, it was projected that we would have savings of $840,000, at our current budget. Take the reduction from the state for next year and that reduces that savings to $388,713. That number is nowhere near what we had hoped for, but it is much larger than $68,713. Those savings will allow us to be able to provide better educational services to all of our students. 

Consolidation is not just about financial resources, but people resources. Consolidation will allow us to better utilize our elementary and district staff, as well as curriculum resources.

One of the biggest concerns from parents has been class sizes. With the current reductions in force for next year, if we kept all three elementary schools open, all three of the schools would have some grade levels that would have 19 and 20 students per class, with 1 or 2 teachers per grade level. By consolidating to two schools class sizes for 1^st – 5^th would range from 14 to 18, with three teachers per grade level. Kindergarten is always an unknown until right before school starts.

Change is hard, but sometimes it is necessary. 

Which school BUILDING should we close?

It was deemed that the most efficient way to divide the county into two districts was to do so East & West. This means TS Cooper on the east and either Buckland or Gatesville on the west. 

The dilemma is whether all the students in the west will go to Buckland or Gatesville. 

This is how I approached it:

Square Footage and Capacity:

Buckland 44,354 sq ft full capacity 294 (90% = 264)

Gatesville 76,183 sq ft full capacity 429 (90% = 386)

Common space size (library, cafeteria, gym)

Buckland library/computer lab, cafeteria, and gym were all small and had less capacity 

Gatesville library/computer lab, cafeteria, and gym were all larger and had greater capacity

Building age and layout

Buckland: building is older, has two main halls, with an outside addition of four classrooms. Many classrooms have nonfunctional bathrooms. The front office is separate from the principal’s office. Bathrooms are outdated and need updates. Staff workrooms are spread throughout the building. Mobile classrooms (currently not used for classrooms). Land for potential building expansion.

Gatesville: the building is the newest elementary school of the three. The building has “pods”. Each pod has a staff workroom. The front office area, near the entrance, includes a front desk, the principal’s office, and a copier area. The guidance office is near the front entrance and the front office. Limited space for potential building expansion.

Other considerations:

There are currently 3 Pre-K classes (approximately 40 students) at Gatesville, serving the entire county. From the proposed space utilizations for Buckland, Pre-K was not included. These classrooms are required to meet different standards than K-5 classrooms and must be inspected by the state for approval prior to moving them, and then re-inspected after setup. This potentially could take multiple months if they were to be moved. Is there space at Buckland for them without using the 30-year-old mobile classrooms? Mobile classrooms are for temporary use, not long-term use. Pre-K is part of our school system. There are many benefits to having them remain with the higher grades. If there is no room for them at Buckland, then how are we going to feed them without a cafeteria and staff?

Cost of building updates

Buckland needs more cafeteria space. The cost of the cafeteria expansion is approximately $330,000.

In every presentation, the cost of updating the HVAC system at Gatesville has been given as $3.6M. In my opinion, this is not a cost of consolidation. This HVAC system upgrade is already part of the multi-year facility use plan. This needs to be done whether we consolidate or not. This is not a cost generated by consolidation. Being on the facility use plan allows us to apply for grant funding to help cover the cost. When inquiring about how this large project would be handled (when funding was available), it can be done over multiple summers, or, with strategic planning, it could be done in one summer (potentially summer 2027). One key thought for me about this issue… if we are going to utilize the building that we close for central office, meeting space (school board, conferences), support program offices (maintenance, transportation, etc.), supply storage, alternative education, testing center, and college-level skill training… the HVAC system still needs to be updated!! The idea of grant funding to help cover the cost of this is much more likely if the building is currently being used as a school. The facility use plan that goes to DPI will not be of any help if we do not have the building as school. 

With all these facts considered: Should we consolidate our three elementary schools down to two schools? YES

The next question is which building to close to students and ultimately repurpose? My opinion, why would we close our newest and largest elementary school to send students to our smallest school? There seems to be concerns about the possibility of there being an increase in enrollment in the coming years. This potential increase can be better accommodated by our two largest elementary schools, TS Cooper and Gatesville Elementary, and still have room for our Pre-K classes.

Terri Riddick