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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Current Trends for Martin County

7. 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 The American Community Survey placed the median age at 46

8. 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%

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

10. Student Population continued
This equates to a total loss of 1,859 students between and , 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 (accounting for students attending charter schools).

11. Martin County Schools ADM
NCDPI Actual

12. 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.

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

14. Personnel Total Employees Licensed Employees Classified Employees
665
393
272
552
328
224
541
321
220
533
319
214
512
311
201
503
308
195
499*
299
198
*does not reflect current vacancies or part-time employees.

15. Personnel Position Reductions (2008-09 through 2017-18)
Licensed Employees
Classified Employees
% 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 hrs. per week for most
Reduction in Teacher Assistant Days
215 days per year days per year

16. 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 school year. By , that number had fallen to 845.
Currently, for , the enrollment for students in grades 6-8 is about 685.

17. Enrollment at South Creek Middle School
394
386
280
240
225*
236*
224*
214**
*9th school month
**4th school month

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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, The cost would include movement, set-up, new HVAC systems, and electrical connection.

22. 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, North Duplin Jr.-Sr. High is a 7-12 campus serving approximately students.

23. 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

24. 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
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

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

26. Proposed South Creek Elementary