ELLERBE — The Ellerbe Town Council adopted a resolution in support of Ellerbe Middle as a Solar Agri-Science STEM Magnet School at its July meeting.
“We did one last month, a letter of support, and I went and presented that to the school board members,” said Mayor Lee Berry. “We’re going to present this too. Just stating that this is an option for Ellerbe Middle to be turned into a solar STEM school. We’re supporting it [EMS] no matter what— we want the school to be open.”
The resolution reads:
“WHEREAS, Ellerbe Middle School (EMS) is a vital educational, cultural, and economic anchor for the Town of Ellerbe and the northern region of Richmond County; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Ellerbe recognizes the importance of strengthening rural schools, expanding high-quality academic options, and ensuring that students in the EMS attendance zone have access to innovative, future-ready learning opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Solar Agri-Science STEM Magnet School with Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways aligns with Ellerbe’s agricultural heritage, the region’s workforce needs, and the growing demand for careers in renewable energy, agricultural technology, environmental science, and STEM fields; and
WHEREAS, converting EMS into a Neighborhood Magnet School ensures that all students residing in the EMS attendance zone retain guaranteed access to the program, while also attracting additional students from across Richmond County who seek specialized STEM and CTE opportunities; and
WHEREAS, this transformation would strengthen enrollment, enhance academic outcomes, support districtwide solar initiatives, and contribute to long-term economic development for the Town of Ellerbe and Richmond County; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Ellerbe believes that establishing EMS as a Solar Agri-Science
STEM Magnet School represents a fiscally responsible, community-supported, and forward-looking solution that benefits students, families, and the district as a whole.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
that the Town of Ellerbe formally expresses its full support for the Richmond County Board of Education to designate Ellerbe Middle School as a Solar Agri-Science STEM
Magnet School with CTE pathways, serving all students in the EMS attendance zone and welcoming magnet applicants from across the district.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
that the Town of Ellerbe respectfully requests that the Richmond County Board of Education take all necessary steps to implement this magnet conversion and include EMS in districtwide solar planning and STEM expansion initiatives.”
The board unanimously approved the resolution.
Berry said he will present the resolution at the Richmond County Board of Education’s August meeting.
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 bud 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.