Ten school districts across the state will receive grants for school construction and renovation projects funded by a $392 million state lottery fund, according to a press release from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
The Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund is the largest allocation of funding from North Carolina Education Lottery’s revenues, the release said. The grants will be used to build new or replacement school buildings at seven elementary schools, two high schools, and one Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center. These projects include the renovation of two schools and the replacement of 14 schools.
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During a press conference highlighting the funds on Wednesday, state Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green celebrated the grants’ disbursement to economically distressed districts.
“These grants, which will directly impact the lives of thousands of students, educators, and families across our state, ensure that North Carolina students get a safe, modern, accessible learning environment that tells them their education matters,” Green said.
DPI received 92 applications totaling nearly $2 billion in requested funding, the release said. DPI then evaluated these applications based on several criteria established by statute. Districts could receive up to $42 million for elementary school projects, $52 million for middle school projects, and $62 million for high school projects.
Nathan Maune, DPI’s director of the Office of School Facilities, said the $2 billion in requested funds was only a fraction of schools’ needs. He said that in a 2021 survey from his office, districts reported an aggregate need of more than $13 billion.
“We know construction costs have increased significantly since 2020,” Maune said. “We expect to see a reflection of that in our upcoming 25-26 statewide facility survey that will be released next year.”
Maune said some of the grants will go towards replacing or renovating school buildings in use since the 1950s.
“Those buildings are way beyond their intended useful life cycle, and we are excited to be able to assist with funding that was appropriated by the General Assembly to address some of these needs statewide,” he said. “These projects will transform the learning environments and positively impact the daily lives of thousands of children and families across the state.”
Dr. Lisa Fletcher, superintendent of Transylvania County Schools, said the grant is a “game changer” for every student in her district.
“They aren’t just old buildings. They’re barriers to opportunity and the kind of education our students deserve,” Fletcher said, “Our teachers are doing amazing work, but they’re doing it in spaces that were never designed for today’s technology, today’s careers or today’s students.”
Tyrrell County Schools, the state’s smallest district by population, will build a pre-K through grade 13 campus that consolidates all three existing schools onto one site with a single, secure entry point, said Brianna Williams, the district’s new superintendent.
Through a partnership with Beaufort County Community College, students can earn associate of arts and associate of science degrees, as well as workforce credentials in CTE pathways.
“Christmas has come early in Tyrrell County, and we are extremely excited,” Williams said.
The General Assembly created the fund in 2017 to supplement two preexisting, state-lottery funds — the Public School Building Capital Fund and the Public School Building Repair and Renovation Fund — which provide all districts with annual allocations.
As stated in the press release, the awards include:
- Caswell County Schools — $18.8 million. Complete renovation of Oakwood Elementary School to address major safety and operational issues affecting the learning environment.
- Duplin County Schools — $32.4 million. Complete renovation of East Duplin High School to enhance student learning and ensure a safe, modern educational environment.
- Greene County Schools — $42 million. Replacement of West Greene Elementary School to address increased enrollment and meet modern education, safety and accessibility standards.
- Hertford County Schools — $7.1 million. Renovation of Riverview Elementary School to construct a new gymnasium and new classrooms connected to the main school building, to address security and aging infrastructure.
- McDowell County Schools — $42 million. Construction of a new East Marion Elementary School to consolidate aging East Global Magnet and Marion Elementary schools.
- Richmond County Schools — $42 million. Complete replacement of L.J. Bell Elementary School to address aging facilities and ensure safe and effective learning environments.
- Rockingham County Schools — $42 million. Construction of a new Reidsville Elementary School to consolidate two under-resourced elementary schools.
- Transylvania County Schools — $62 million. Complete transformation of the Brevard High School campus to consolidate Davidson River Alternative School with Brevard High School while constructing a new CTE facility.
- Tyrrell County Schools — $62 million. Construction of a new pre-K-13 CTE facility to replace outdated and flood-prone buildings with a modern structure.
- Wilson County Schools ––$42 million. Construction of a new Wilson Elementary School to consolidate two outdated elementary schools into a safe, environmentally modern, and accessible building.
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