Residents share concerns
about future of campuses
Murphy – One thing was certain after the May 20 public hearing on a long-range plan to consolidate schools – the Cherokee County Board of Education has a difficult decision to make.
“This is not something we went into lightly,” Chairman Jeff Tatham said as the meeting concluded. “We welcome your prayers.”
About 50 people voiced their opinions to the board, with some in favor of the plan, some opposed and others opposed simply to making a decision on the plan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to circumstances dictated by state restrictions, the public was given the opportunity to speak by phone, in writing or in person, with one at time allowed in the Murphy High School gymnasium.
Each person was given three minutes to speak.
James “Jaybird” Ellis was the first to speak in person. He informed board members that since he is running unopposed for a seat on the board, he will be joining them after the general election Tuesday, Nov. 3.
“Consolidation is a terrible idea for Cherokee County,” he said. “I could never accept it.”
Ellis thought the county is too big. He is also concerned about the safety of high school students driving to Peachtree, the location of the proposed one high school campus.
He also didn’t think this was the right time for the board to make this decision.
“There’s not a lot of cars out there,” Ellis said, referring to the parking lot outside the gym. “That worries me.”
He wasn’t the only person concerned about the timing. A few people even noted that data in the study to support the plan may be outdated within a year due to the potential effects of the coronavirus.
Frank Maennle, Andrews High School’s basketball coach, was one of a few people concerned about how consolidation would affect high school sports. He said a consolidated high school would be in a different athletic conference, causing local teams to have to travel farther for competitions.
“I know your finances are going to suffer,” he said.
Others saw consolidation affecting the number of students who would be able to participate in sports. Several people in support of consolidating schools said they preferred a two high school model, instead of the proposed one high school.
Bill Grove was one parent who spoke out in favor of the plan in person. While he said no one wants consolidation to happen, it’s needed due the lack of funding to operate the campuses as they are. He added that the new high school construction could be funded by grants, as is the first phase of the plan, the Schools of Innovation.
“Consolidation will allow us to consolidate all our best resources,” he said.
Sonya Decker wrote that she was in favor of the plan.
“I believe this is a step our county needs to take,” she wrote. “Change is inevitable, and it’s time.”
Grove hoped people would be sympathetic with whatever decision the board makes.
“I don’t envy any of you,” he said.
Eight people spoke in person. A majority of people provided written responses, which were read aloud by Superintendent Jeana Conley. Some who called in also provided written statements, as they saw on the live feed of the meeting that some calls were difficult to understand. Board member Arnold Mathews was happy to get transcripts of those calls, which even he had trouble understanding inside the room. He and board member Joey Shore took notes throughout the meeting, and said they would need to look over those notes before making a decision.
Mathews was concerned about the number of people who thought the board had already made up their collective mind.
“I disagree with that statement,” he said after the meeting. “We want to hear from the people.”
Board member Joe Wood wanted to hear from more people, saying a global pandemic was not the time to be making this decision. He was also concerned about revenue shortages due to the virus.
“I think we need to postpone the process,” he said after the meeting.
Only one county commissioner, Gary “Hippie” Westmoreland, was in the gym to hear the public’s comments. He said there were some good things to consider in what the people were saying.
“It’s a decision that’s tough,” Westmoreland said. “The most important thing is what’s best for our kids.”