The Martin County Board of Education South Creek Middle School Study Presented by Dr. Chris Mansfield, Superintendent May 2018

In keeping with North Carolina General Statute 115C-72: What follows is a thorough study of South Creek Middle School, having in mind primarily the welfare of the students to be affected by a proposed closing or consolidation and including such other factors as geographic conditions, anticipated increase or decrease in school enrollment, the inconvenience or hardship that might result to the pupils being affected by such closing or consolidation, the cost of providing additional school facilities in the event of such closing or consolidation, and such other factors as the Board shall consider germane.

Rationale and Objective For some time the Martin County Board of Education has discussed a plan to reorganize the county’s schools. This plan would ultimately lead to a configuration consisting of one high school to be located at what is now Riverside High School, one middle school at what is now South Creek High School, and five elementary schools.

Rationale and Objective continued One step in pursuing this new configuration involves the closing of South Creek Middle School so that it can be converted into a PreK-5 elementary school. This study addresses the closure of South Creek Middle School as part of that reorganization. This study also provides board members current information on the enrollment status, curricular and extracurricular considerations, financial impact on the school system, and transportation considerations.

Background The Martin County Board of Education is confronted with the fact that county population, student population, and the resources needed to operate the county’s schools continue to decline.

Current Trends for Martin County

County Population The 2010 census reported that Martin County lost over 4% of its population between the years 2000 and 2010. In 2000, the county’s population was 25,593 and in 2010, the population was 24,505. A 2016 estimate placed the county population at 23,172. Martin County also has an aging population. The median age of its citizens in 2000 was 38.2 and in 2010 the median age was 44. The 2011-2015 American Community Survey placed the median age at 46

Martin County Population by Age 0-19 years 24.00% 20-29 years 10.00% 30-39 years 10.20% 40-49 years 13.00% 50 years & older 42.80%

Student Population The Department of Public Instruction studies show that Martin County Schools had an average daily membership of 4,998 during the 1997-98 school year. Since that time, there has been a steady decline in membership. By the 2002-03 school year, average daily membership had fallen to 4,539. That trend has continued so that in 2016-17, the 9th month enrollment was 3,139, and in the current 2017-18 school year, 2nd month enrollment is currently 3,058 (not including Pre-K).

Student Population continued This equates to a total loss of 1,859 students between 1997-1998 and 2017-2018, or 38.8%. A recent Department of Public Instruction projection indicates that average daily membership will continue to decline and hit approximately 2,900 by 2025-26 (accounting for students attending charter schools).

Martin County Schools ADM NCDPI Actual

Resources For some time, the Martin County Board of Education has struggled to operate its schools with fewer and fewer resources. Local, State, and Federal monies available to the Board have been reduced over the past several years.

Financial Resources (Current Expense) Local State Federal Fund Balance Appropriated 2011-2012 5,635,713.48 25,604,945.54 5,232,348.25 2012-2013 5,296,261.20 24,037,379.00 4,048,172.83 2013-2014 4,947,024.75 23,888,543.59 3,602,577.35 318,718.63 2014-2015 4,821,592.25 24,016,144.98 3,305,013.58 356,727.05 2015-2016 4,988,144.24 23,866,906.41 3,302,587.47 260,551.78 2016-2017 5,039,163.51 23,556,130.25 3,520,935.14 699,289.03 2017-2018 5,140,158.00 23,654,435.23 3,327,123.86 575,209.00 (budgeted) 2018-2019 5,460,255.00 (requested) Unknown at this time

Personnel Total Employees Licensed Employees Classified Employees 2008-2009 665 393 272 2012-2013 552 328 224 2013-2014 541 321 220 2014-2015 533 319 214 2015-2016 512 311 201 2016-2017 503 308 195 2017-2018 499* 299 198 *does not reflect current vacancies or part-time employees.

Personnel Position Reductions (2008-09 through 2017-18) 94 Licensed Employees 74 Classified Employees 25 % Reduction in Total Staff (due to declining population and decreased funding) Teacher Assistant Time Reductions Reduction in Teacher Assistant Hours Per Week 40 hrs. per week 35 hrs. per week for most Reduction in Teacher Assistant Days 215 days per year 203 days per year

Middle School Student Population Along with a decline in overall ADM, middle school student membership has also shown a decline. Average daily membership for grades 6-8 was 1,161 for the 2002-03 school year. By 2012-13, that number had fallen to 845. Currently, for 2017-18, the enrollment for students in grades 6-8 is about 685.

Enrollment at South Creek Middle School 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 394 386 280 240 225* 236* 224* 214** *9th school month **4th school month

Facility Issues 1. Total school enrollment would be approximately 485. The capacity of South Creek High is about 665. 2. Middle school students would be located on Halls 1 and 2; high school students would be located on Halls 3 and 4. 3. Each grade span would have a separate lunch period. 4. Common areas would include the auditorium, cafeteria, office area, and gymnasium. 5. SCMS already utilizes the high school athletic fields for baseball, softball, and football. The existing SCMS gymnasium would likely be accessible should the need arise. 6. A proposed floor plan is attached.

Transportation Issues There would be essentially no change in transportation costs or student ride times for the middle or high school students. 1. The two schools are across NC Highway 903 from one another. 2. SCMS and SCHS students currently share buses and would continue to do so under this plan.

Curriculum Enhancements Middle school students may be able to enroll in enhanced curriculum or extracurricular programs including but not limited to the following: Agriculture Technology Weight Training Marching Band Clubs and Activities

Other Factors to Be Considered by the Board 1. The closure of South Creek Middle School and movement of the students to SCHS is necessary to convert the SCMS facility into a PK-5 elementary school. 2. Merging SCMS and SCHS will require the addition of 2-3 mobile units. The cost to relocate and renovate MCS-owned mobile units to the SCHS campus is estimated between $20,000 and $30,000. The cost would include movement, set-up, new HVAC systems, and electrical connection.

Other Factors (continued) 3. The Board of Education purchased five acres of land behind South Creek Middle School a few years ago. This land would provide plenty of playground space. 4. Upon closure, the state will continue to fund the SCMS principal position for two years. 5. The combination of middle and high school grades is not unusual. Martin County Schools operated Bear Grass High and Jamesville High for many years as 7-12 schools. Princeton High School in Johnston County is a 6-12 campus with an enrollment of approximately 1,000. North Duplin Jr.-Sr. High is a 7-12 campus serving approximately 496. students.

Staff Savings (assumes no “Hold Harmless” provision) Current Position New Position Potential Savings 1 Receptionists/Bookkeeper Position May replace vacant position. $43,871.00 2 Custodian Positions (SCMS) Replace 2 retirement vacancies at SCHS. $81,770.00 1 Media Coordinator Position May be converted to ITF or other position. $75,454.00 1 Principal Position (SCMS) State maintains funding for 2 years. 1 SRO Provide services to elementary schools. 1 Cafeteria Employee (SCMS) Retiring. $29,704.00 1 Nurse (2.5 days/week) Reallocated to other schools. Total potential savings = $230,799.00

Staff Transfers (SCMS to SCHS) Current Position and Grades Served New Position and Grades Served Core Teachers 6-8 1 Art Teacher 6-8 1 Art 6-12 1 Health & PE Teacher 6-8 1 Health & PE 6-12 1 Business Teacher 6-8 1 Business 6-12 2 EC Teachers 6-8 2 EC Assistants 6-8 1 Social Worker 6-8 1 Social Worker 6-12 1 Nurse 6-8 1 Nurse 6-12 1 Counselor 6-8 1 Assistant Principal 6-8 1 ISS Assistant 6-8

Proposed South Creek Middle-High high school classes middle school classes

Proposed South Creek Elementary