A proposal to add a K-5 Christian school draws controversy in Carolina Beach

"By taking money away from our public schools and giving them to private schools, it's not helping to fulfill that mandate."

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY)–New Hanover County School board member Tim Merrick does not like the idea of Seaside Chapel in Carolina Beach, wanting to add a private school K-5 to its church.

“It is the responsibility of North Carolina to make sure every child gets a sound basic education. By taking money away from our public schools and giving them to private schools, it’s not helping to fulfill that mandate,” Merrick said. “Traffic is a real problem. What its impact on another local school is another issue.”

Merrick, who is speaking as a concerned resident- not a school board member, was at the Carolina Beach town meeting Wednesday night, which had an item to “consider a K-5 school at 105 Dow Road at Seaside Chapel” on the agenda.

Reporter: “Do you live on the island?”
Merrick: “I do.”
Reporter: “So, you know about the traffic?”
Merrick: “100%, it can be tough.”

However, in a 2-3 vote, council members voted against the idea- not because of socioeconomic worries but for concerns the town could control- like stormwater, traffic, and rezoning.

“I would encourage you to not focus on that portion for your deliberation tonight, as it is a New Hanover County school, and it’s not something you should consider in your deliberation,” Noel Fox, the Town of Carolina Beach’s attorney.

The Town of Carolina Beach feels like New Hanover County can only control funding and resources for public schools, even though Carolina Beach Mayor Lynn Barbee was one of two who voted to approve the item.

“I decided to go with planning and zoning and the town’s staff recommendations for approval,” Barbee said.

However, this is what Dana Vess with Seaside Chapel had to rebuttal.

“I am supportive of all education, but I also believe that students excel in different environments,” Vess said.

Vess says their proposed 90 students wouldn’t take away resources from public schools. It would help accommodate students’ different needs.

“Would I say that no student would leave Carolina Beach? I wouldn’t say that. But, I wouldn’t say we would make a detrimental impact,” Vess said.

Governor Roy Cooper has consistently echoed Merrick, saying one of the reasons he’s opposed to private school vouchers is because having fewer children enrolled in public schools would lead to less funding for those public schools.