The Vance County Board of Education approved Monday the closure of Carver and New Hope elementary schools, effective June 30, 2026.
This formal vote was the last step needed to complete the closure and consolidation process required by state law.
The board had been discussing the possibility of closing the two schools since its retreat in October 2025, citing low enrollment, aging buildings and funding.
A public hearing was held in January to give parents and others from the community the opportunity to hear more about the plan to close the schools and to have those students attend other schools.
The Carver students will go to E.O. Young Elementary and the New Hope students will go to Dabney Elementary. In comments during the public hearing, Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett stressed that school employees would have job security, adding that nobody would be out of a job if the two schools close.
“We are trying to find the best possible option for all in the district so that we have financial stability in a time of declining enrollment and declining funding,” Bennett said.
Bennett also provided current enrollment information for both schools at the public hearing. There are 123 students in grades PK – 5 at Carver; New Hope has 108 students.
It comes down to funding, Bennett said. The school district relies on local, state and federal funds to keep its schools open, and state funding follows the students. So if students leave traditional public schools for charter schools, that per-pupil-expenditure goes with the student.
A link on the school’s website contains information in FAQ format that provides details for the process of closure and consolidation. Find it at Website link with closure/consolidation info:
https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/board-of-education/consolidation-plans
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