Nash County breaks record for receiving largest grant to support education in its history

About 800 students attend Southern Nash Middle School. It is one of several schools in the county that is over capacity.

With the help of a $40 million grant, a solution is coming.

A needs-based grant program supported by the North Carolina Education Lottery awarded the grant to Nash County. With an additional $4 million contribution from the county, it plans to build a new Southern Nash Middle School.

Boots Vandemark has deep roots in Nash County. Her husband grew up in the area and she has two kids enrolled in Nash County Public Schools.

"There’s a lot of pride that comes with a good school and school system," Vandemark said.

Vandemark is one of many celebrating investments in education in Nash County.

The new facility is expected to accommodate around 1,100 students.

"Middle school can be tough," Vandemark said. "You learn to be who you want to be and try to figure out who that is. To have an environment that is safe and it supports that growth and development is very important."

The growth from Wake County and the Interstate 95 Wilson Corridor has increased housing and business development in Nash County. With current schools at capacity, the new middle school aims to alleviate overcrowding, enhance educational offerings with modern facilities and support community development.

Nash County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Steven Ellis said the school will help prepare the county for even more growth.

"Instead of us being reactive to growth in his county, we’re going to be proactive, and building the school right now starts that," he said.

The Nash County Board of Commissioners Chair, Robbie Davis, said the board has worked toward this funding for several years.

"As hard as we’ve all worked, I think it may have been one of the better days of our lives when we realized that day that we were indeed gonna get this need-based grant," Davis said.

Davis said he expects the school to entice more people to move to Nash County.

"A big part of our plate is to attract new industries to the area. A key element to that is to have an education system that reads well," Davis said.

The Southern Nash Middle School will be renovated to serve the growing elementary school needs.

"This is a good structure, so it’s only gonna take a few small things to make it fit for an elementary school," Ellis said.

Vandemark is proud that the county she’s called home for over 20 years is taking steps toward better education.

"The schools are invaluable. You’re creating a foundation these children can build upon their entire lives," Vandemark said.

The new school is expected to be completed in the next three years. A location for the school has not yet been determined.