School system planning new RSHS gym, adding classrooms

HAMLET — There are three new capital outlay projects that Richmond County Schools will be undertaking over the next few years.

There is a plan for Richmond Senior High School to have an auxiliary gym adjacent to their current gym. The project is expected to cost $8,177,904.

This cost also includes plans to build up to five classrooms, with dividers to potentially double the amount of classrooms. Two restrooms will also be added on.

Dr. Julian Carter, associate superintendent of HR, said auxiliary gym will allow students to share the the space more efficiently. Previously, students were returning home later than expected due to overcrowding of various athletic programs.

“[The project] will give us a lot of flexibility for our students,” Carter said. “It will allow us to bring kids over from the Ninth Grade Academy to the school.”

Chairman Wiley Mabe said moving students from the Academy to RSHS has always been a priority, but hasn’t been possible due to financial constraints.

“We’re hoping…that we’ll be ready for Fall of 2024,” Mabe said, although he cautioned there is no established timeline. He predicted this project would take around 24 months.

Elementary schools building classroom additions

Fairview Heights Elementary School is the only elementary school in the county without a gym. Through the ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds, there’s a plan to change that.

Carter, a former principal there, said he heard about the issues associated with the lack of a gym every day.

The projected cost of the gym is $2,523,276. It will be located at the back of the school next to the current third and fourth grade classrooms.

In the project outline, two restrooms, staff restrooms, some storage area and a janitor’s closet will be added.

Mineral Springs Elementary currently has nine trailers for students outside of the main building. The third and final capital outlay project is a six-classroom addition that would eliminate most, if not all, of Mineral Springs’ trailers, according to Carter.

Two restrooms, staff restrooms and a janitor’s closet are part of the project, for a total of $2,298,838.

Carter said that these classrooms could serve as a wing for two different grade levels.

The Board voted to authorize Superintendent Dr. Jeff Maples to advertise these projects and start generating interest and plans.

All three of the capital outlay projects are being financed through ESSER funds.

ESSER funds come from the U.S. Department of Education through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). Approximately 90% of those funds go to local education agencies. The percentage of money that each county receives is the same as their Title I allotment. Title I-eligible schools have low-income families make up 40% of their enrollment.