Superintendent Sit-Down: Columbus County Schools

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — From consolidation to transportation, Columbus County Schools Superintendent Alan Faulk stopped by Good Morning Carolina to talk issues in the school district.

One of the biggest issues in Columbus County is consolidating school districts. The Columbus County School Board unanimously approved a resolution to consolidate; however, Whiteville City Schools voted against the merger. Superintendent Alan Faulk said the county is pressed with budget issues and that consolidation could possibly help. Faulk said the city of Whiteville formed their own district back in the 1940s. He explained that Columbus County Commissioners along with representatives from both school districts are having meetings to continue the discussion.

A viewer asked: “Why does Columbus Career and College Academy (CCCA) have to ride other district school buses? We have our own buses but are sent to other schools to ride their buses home. Why isn’t a budget set aside to allow us to have our own separate routes?”. In response, Faulk said CCAC was formed on a grant that does not provide transportation; however, the district has been able to provide transportation through contingency funds set aside by the state.

“That school (CCAC)… is open to all the students in Columbus County and that’s about a 954 square mile county,” Faulk explained. “So, it’s pretty large and in order to offer the transportation, we have to work with the traditional high schools”.

Faulk also discussed the possibilities of new schools in the county. He said hopefully, the district will be able to build two new schools over the next couple of years and consolidate them. He said he hopes to go from 18 schools to 15 or less; however, officials do know that the size of the county and distance traveled to school can sometimes be an issue.

When it comes to the teacher rally in Raleigh this week, Faulk had a similar answer to other superintendents in our area. Although not as many teachers took off in Columbus County, Faulk said the district supports their teachers. He said he saw the rally as an opportunity for both teachers and legislators.

We are interviewing Whiteville City Schools Superintendent Kenny Garland on Monday, May 21. Send your questions for him to newsroom@wwaytv3.com.