The Carthage Elementary new school plan is taking a new direction after Moore County education and county leaders agreed to keep the replacement school at its historic downtown location rather than moving it to Vass-Carthage Road.
The Moore County Board of Education voted 6–1 to move forward with the revised approach following discussions with the Moore County Board of Commissioners. The decision marks a significant shift in one of the district’s highest-profile construction priorities.
What Changed in the Carthage Elementary New School Plan
Under the updated Carthage Elementary new school plan, commissioners have offered to pay cash for a smaller replacement school serving roughly 400 to 450 students on the existing Rockingham Street campus. In exchange, the school district will not pursue a general obligation bond referendum this November.
Superintendent Tim Locklair told board members the proposal emerged after recent leadership discussions between the two governing bodies. While some school board members expressed concern about the rapid timeline, most acknowledged the certainty of funding without risking a public bond vote.
The previous proposal called for building a larger 600-student school on newly purchased land off Vass-Carthage Road to accommodate long-term growth in the Area One region, which includes Carthage, Vass, Cameron, and Whispering Pines.
Capacity Concerns Still Loom
District leaders acknowledged the revised Carthage Elementary new school plan will not fully address future enrollment pressures. Assistant Superintendent Jenny Purvis noted commissioners understand additional solutions may be needed later to handle growth.
The existing Carthage Elementary campus is more than 75 years old and sits on a relatively small 7.5-acre site. Officials previously raised concerns that renovation would be too costly compared with new construction.
Under the new approach, students will remain on campus during construction and be temporarily housed in mobile units. Plans call for a two-story building to maximize the tight footprint.
Other Construction Plans Also Shift
The Carthage Elementary new school plan was part of a broader realignment of district building priorities. The school board also agreed to pause a request for $3.3 million in lottery funding for a new information technology building at the Vass-Carthage site.
Instead, leaders will explore placing that facility on approximately 3.5 acres available at New Century Middle School.
Additionally, the district will delay pursuing bond funding for a comprehensive new high school until at least 2028 while more data and community input are gathered.
Community and Board Reactions
Some board members voiced frustration about the sudden pivot. Board member Ken Benway said he was “taken aback” by how quickly the previous plan changed and expressed concern about making decisions without more detailed analysis.
Still, the majority ultimately supported the Carthage Elementary new school plan, emphasizing the importance of delivering a new facility for students and families in Carthage and surrounding Moore County communities.
District and county leaders are expected to continue refining timelines and construction details in the coming months.
For continuing coverage of Moore County Schools and Sandhills education news, stay connected with Star 102.5 and the Sandhills News team.
