NHCS addresses Williston Middle maintenance complaints as teachers call for improvements

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — New Hanover County Schools officials are responding after several teachers at Williston Middle School raised concerns about what they describe as deteriorating working conditions inside one of Wilmington’s oldest school buildings.

During a recent school board meeting, eighth-grade teacher Clancy Gray was among several educators who urged board members to address what they said are longstanding maintenance issues and a lack of funding at the school.

“Nobody would want to work in conditions like this,” Gray told WWAY.

Teachers described concerns over-time ranging from water-covered hallways and leaking ceilings to rat feces found inside cabinets. Gray shared photos and video documenting some of the conditions.

“What I’m asking for is just for the bare minimum, for bare minimum working conditions and for me to come into school every day and for every staff member to come into school not having to be on our toes not knowing what’s next or not knowing what’s going to break next,” Gray said.

Following the meeting, district officials invited WWAY inside the school to view current conditions.

Rob Morgan, assistant superintendent of operations, said district staff visited the school the day after Gray spoke to the board.

“We’ve came to look at some things that we’ve been talking about and looking specifically at what was brought up during the meeting,” Morgan said.

Morgan acknowledged the challenges associated with maintaining an aging facility.

“Given the age of this building, it’s one of the things that you want to continually stay on top of because the older things get, the harder they are to repair and the more expensive they are to fix,” he said.

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Barnes said the district has been responsive to maintenance concerns at the school. According to Barnes, 447 of 466 work orders submitted for Williston Middle School have been completed.

“I think we are very responsive when they have concerns. Our goal is to make sure that everyone is comfortable when they come here to work and learn,” Gray said.

In a memo, Barnes said the district has made significant investments in the Williston campus in recent years, including upgrades to HVAC systems and controls, replacement of steam boilers, auditorium ceiling repairs, pressure washing, landscaping improvements and interior painting in high-traffic areas.

“Our teachers are doing exactly what I asked them to do, which is focus on the well-being of students, and I never want them to feel like they can’t raise a concern,” Barnes said.

Barnes said he understands the concerns being raised but noted the district is facing financial challenges that affect facilities across the school system.

“We are facing significant financial concerns, but we want to be transparent,” Barnes said. “This week I heard that we are closing Williston, which is news to me. We have no purpose in hiding anything from anybody. However, I won’t say that we have all the money that we need.”