Warren County considers consolidating three elementary schools into one

Attending elementary school in Warren County could look different just years from now, with a plan on the table to consolidate its three schools into one new school.

Under the plan, here’s a look at the three schools that would consolidate at 219 US-158 Bypass in Warrenton:

The proposed location for the consolidated school is next to Warren County Middle School and right next to Warren County High School.

Warren County Schools Superintendent Keith Sutton the plan to consolidate was motivated by poor conditions in the existing schools.

“We are talking about buildings that are 60 and 70 years old," Sutton said. "They all have systems that are deteriorating.”

The school obtained a $30 million grant for the new school. Sutton said consolidating is the best option for the aging schools with the resources availiable.

"We simply don’t have enough resources to go build three new schools,” Sutton said.

Sherry Beale has been teaching for nine years at Mariam Boyd Elementary. She said she has become accustomed to the poor conditions. She would like to see a change.

"I feel like the students think that their school is falling apart," Beale said.

Beale said cracks in the wall, broken floor tiles and old pieces or furniture are easy to spot in her classroom.

“It would be sad to see it go,” Hargrove said.

Hargrove’s 10-year-old son now attends the same school he did. He is mostly in favor of the plan, but he said he will miss the building.

"It would be a sad situation because so many kids are from our area have enjoyed the schools, not just for schooling, but going down there and [using] the playground," he said.

WRAL News brought some concerns to Sutton, who said the pros of building a new school would outweigh the cons.

The meeting dates are as follows:

All the meetings will be from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.