ELLERBE — The Ellerbe Town Council adopted a resolution supporting efforts to keep Ellerbe Middle School open during its June meeting.
“We’ve been having a lot of meetings… We’ve had some ideas to save the school, but most important of all, we want to stress, no matter what we do at this school, we want to keep the doors open, and we want to keep it here—this is gonna emphasize that,” said Mayor Lee Berry.
The resolution reads:
“WHEREAS, Ellerbe Middle School has served the Town of Ellerbe and the northern region of Richmond County for generations as a vital educational institution and community anchor; and
WHEREAS, the continued operation of Ellerbe Middle School is essential to the well-being of local families, the stability of the community, and the long-term vitality of the Town of Ellerbe; and
WHEREAS, closing Ellerbe Middle School would create significant hardships for students and families, including longer bus routes, reduced access to neighborhood-based education, increased transportation burdens, and diminished opportunities for parental involvement; and
WHEREAS, the presence of a middle school within the Town of Ellerbe contributes to community identity, supports local economic activity, and strengthens the town’s ability to attract and retain families; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Ellerbe recognizes that maintaining a middle school in the northern region of Richmond County is essential for equitable access to education and balanced countywide enrollment; and
WHEREAS, the residents, families, and community leaders of Ellerbe have expressed strong and consistent support for keeping Ellerbe Middle School open;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN OF ELLERBE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS THAT:
The Town of Ellerbe formally expresses its strong support for keeping Ellerbe Middle School open as a public middle school serving the northern region of Richmond County.
The Town urges the Richmond County Board of Education to continue operating Ellerbe Middle School and to prioritize solutions that preserve local access to middle-grade education.
The Town stands ready to collaborate with Richmond County Schools, community partners, and local stakeholders to support the long-term success and sustainability of Ellerbe Middle School.”
Town Commissioner Jimmy Bowles made the motion to approve the resolution, which was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem John Sears Jr. The board unanimously approved the measure.
Berry said he will present the resolution at the Richmond County Board of Education’s June meeting next week.
Earlier this year, during a March work session, the Richmond County Board of Education voted to conduct a comprehensive closure study of Ellerbe Middle School as a potential cost-saving measure. EMS is the only middle school located in the northern part of the county.
The vote to conduct the study was 4-2, with Chairman Cory Satterfield, Ronald Tillman, Jerry Ethridge and Bess Shuler voting in favor, and Scotty Baldwin and Bobbie Sue Ormsby voting against.
At the board’s April meeting, Superintendent Dr. Joe Ferrell acknowledged concerns raised by the Ellerbe community and apologized for how the closure study was initially presented.
“I own my mistakes and learn from them moving forward. Looking back on the presentation from the March 24th budget work session, I realize there is something that I probably should have handled differently,” Ferrell said in the April meeting.
Ferrell also outlined additional potential consolidation options, including a possible closure of West Rockingham Elementary School.
Following strong opposition from community members, the board later rescinded the proposed closure study for EMS. The motion to halt the study passed 4-3 after discussion among board members.
Vice Chairwoman Bobbie Sue Ormsby made the motion to rescind the study after consulting with the board attorney. The motion passed with Ormsby, Baldwin, Ethridge and Shuler voting in favor, while Tillman, Satterfield and Daryl Mason voted against.
Ellerbe residents and former educators have spoken during public forums, expressing concerns about the potential closure of the school.
In addition, the council adopted a Flag Day proclamation.