Parents plead with Gaston Co. School Board to not consolidate schools

GASTON CO., N.C. – Parents are speaking out about a plan to consolidate schools in Gaston County. The proposal would close W.B. Beam Intermediate School. One option would be to move fourth graders to Cherryville Elementary and fifth graders to John Chavis Middle School.

The district says the plan would save money and fill-up empty space at under-utilized schools. One parent told the school board Thursday night, “The school board has the power to consolidate, given broad authority by state law. It does, but I’m begging you have the power to make our schools better too, right? It doesn’t always have to be just worse. You don’t have to cut and cut and cut. We don’t even have art anymore in our middle school.”

A vote from the board of education is scheduled for Monday.