UPDATE: Bibb school board pushes back against Carter closure proposals

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Bibb County school board members pushed back Monday night against three consolidation options developed after the board directed the district to study possible school closures.

Two options would close Sonny Carter Elementary School. One would also close Hartley Elementary School, while a separate proposal would discontinue VIP Academy.

The process stems from the board’s June approval of the fiscal year 2027 budget. According to the district, that vote included a mandate to study consolidating or closing at least two elementary schools.

The district brought in consulting firm HPM Leadership to analyze enrollment trends, school utilization, attendance zones and possible consolidation opportunities.

HPM initially developed possible attendance-zone changes, but the firm said boundary changes alone would not resolve the district’s underused schools. HPM said feedback on those earlier proposals pointed toward consolidation as a more sustainable option.

The work is part of the district’s response to rising costs, declining enrollment and long-term financial concerns. The original fiscal year 2027 budget projected a $15 million general fund operating deficit.  

Superintendent Dr. Dan Sims and members of his cabinet told board members Monday that the administration worked with HPM to develop the options after the board requested the study.

That process produced three options for the board to consider Monday.

The district’s Board Brief newsletter summarized the board’s response directly: “Board members were not in favor of the options presented Monday night.”

The board took no action on the proposals during the called meeting at the Professional Learning Center.

Board members oppose the options

Board president Daryl Morton rejected the proposals in direct terms.

“You can go through whatever town halls you want to go through, I am not voting for this,” Morton said from his seat.

The statement drew a large round of applause from people attending the meeting.

After the meeting, Morton told 41NBC’s Bre’Anna Sheffield that he understands why the proposals have raised concerns.

“People are going to be upset when they think their school may be closed, and I understand that,” he said. “We want them to know we care. Our goal is to make sure your child receives the best education possible, and that means making our education as efficient as possible.”

Board member James Freeman said he was shocked Carter was among the schools presented for possible closure.

Freeman called for board members to be more involved in future discussions and said they should receive a broader range of options, including more schools with enrollment below 450 students.

HPM said elementary schools with more than 450 students qualify for additional state-funded staffing. The company also said per-student costs generally decline as enrollment increases.

Sims said administrators heard the board’s concerns clearly and would consider them as the process continues.

Future of the buildings has not been discussed

Board member Dr. Sundra Woodford asked what would happen to the school buildings if the board eventually approves closures.

Dr. Katika Lovett, speaking for the administration, said those discussions have not happened.

Lovett said the board would have to decide how the properties are used at a later date because the administration cannot make those decisions on its own.

Parents, teachers and former students speak out

Parents, teachers and former students were among the people who addressed the board during the meeting. Several spoke specifically against closing Carter, citing its high performance.

“Sonny Carter has been a part of this community for more than 30 years,” Jessica Ramsay said. “So, this isn’t about an empty building that no longer serves a purpose; it is the decision to sell property our school sits on in order to address your financial deficit. And I believe we have to ask ourselves, ‘Should our children, family and staff suffer for a financial problem they did not create?’ Because when you look at Sonny Carter, it’s not just property, it’s a school that is succeeding.”

First grade teacher Mrs. Williams described the relationships and sense of stability built within a school community.

“I have been entrusted to serve, and when we talk about closing a school, we cannot simply talk about closing a building,” she said. “A school is not just brick and mortar; it is a community, relationships, stability and trust.”

Carter nurse Mandy McKinney also urged the board to consider what closing the school would mean for the community.

“I only have my voice,” she said. “I will use it until it is gone to say if this school dies, the heart of this community goes with it.”

The room was packed, with several attendees wearing shirts bearing the names of district schools, including Sonny Carter Elementary.

Dozens of people attended Monday’s consolidation presentation (PHOTO: Bre’Anna Sheffield/41NBC)

Why Carter and Hartley were included

Although Carter would close under both primary options, HPM did not cite low enrollment as its reason for selecting the school.

The company said Carter is a no-walk-zone school, meaning all its students are eligible for bus transportation. HPM also said the building needs an estimated $10 million renovation.

HPM cited enrollment below 450 and Hartley’s proximity to the recently renovated Ingram-Pye Elementary School as reasons for considering Hartley.

Option 1: Close Carter and Hartley

Under the first option, Carter students would be divided among Heritage, Springdale, Union and John R. Lewis elementary schools. Part of the John R. Lewis attendance zone would move to Williams Elementary.

Hartley students would be divided between Ingram-Pye and Southfield elementary schools. Part of Ingram-Pye’s current attendance zone would also move to Southfield.

Related boundary changes would move some students from Howard Middle to Weaver Middle and from Howard High to Westside High. Part of the area currently feeding Central High would move to Southwest High.

The presentation says the changes would affect 878 elementary, 83 middle and 241 high school students.

HPM estimates the option would avoid between $1.75 million and $2.75 million in annual costs after accounting for increased transportation expenses. It would also avoid the estimated $10 million Carter renovation.

Closing Hartley could require five additional bus routes at an estimated cost of $50,000 per route.

Option 2: Close Carter

The second option would close only Carter and divide its students among Springdale, Heritage, John R. Lewis and Union elementary schools. Part of the John R. Lewis zone would move to Williams.

The proposal includes similar middle and high school boundary changes intended to improve feeder patterns.

HPM says the option would affect 513 elementary, 83 middle and 241 high school students.

The company estimates between $1 million and $1.5 million in annual cost avoidance, along with avoiding the estimated $10 million Carter renovation.

Both elementary school consolidation options would bring Springdale Elementary to 100% utilization.

Discontinue VIP Academy

The district could also discontinue VIP Academy under a separate proposal that could be combined with either consolidation option.

HPM said VIP Academy began as a temporary online program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The presentation cites declining enrollment and an increasing cost per student.

Students could return to their attendance-zone schools, while the district would continue offering virtual learning through in-school academies.

HPM estimates discontinuing VIP Academy would avoid between $800,000 and $950,000 in annual costs.

Millage rate presentation set for Wednesday

The district’s original fiscal year 2027 budget kept employees at their current salary steps. Board members later restored an estimated $1.5 million in salary step increases for eligible employees.

The board is scheduled Wednesday to consider tentative adoption of its millage rate. The district has not released its proposed rate or this year’s rollback rate.

The district says public engagement opportunities will be held before the board considers any consolidation or boundary changes. It also plans to launch a community survey with a school locator tool and complete facility assessments for schools included in future proposals.