Caldwell County Schools sets Nov. 2 public hearing for Kings Creek closure
Kings Creek School has only seven kindergartners this school year, and is operating at about one-third its capacity.
Caldwell County Schools
Though a vote to close the school has not been taken yet, Caldwell County Schools board members voted unanimously on Monday to set in motion the process of permanently closing Kings Creek School.
A public hearing was also scheduled for Nov. 2.
The board cannot vote to close the school before a public hearing is held, where more details will be discussed and the public will have the opportunity to share feedback. The district said there may be multiple hearings or information sessions for families, after which the board will vote on how to proceed.
Should the board choose to close Kings Creek, the change will not take effect until the 2027-28 school year.
DECLINING ENROLLMENT MEANS DECLINING FUNDS
Kings Creek, a 100-year-old school in northeast Caldwell County, faces declining enrollment with only seven kindergarten students this year. That is a steep drop from five years ago, when there were 20 kindergartners.
The school has a total of 120 students, but was built to accommodate almost three times that amount with its capacity for 358.
School funding is directly tied to enrollment. Most funding comes from the state, which provides a certain amount per student.
“A school building doesn’t shrink when enrollment does,” district staff said. “Kings Creek still needs a principal, an office, a cafeteria, a custodian, heat, lights, and a teacher in every grade whether a class has seven students or 20.”
Heating, cooling, electricity, and maintenance at Kings Creek cost $786 per student each year, according to the district. The district average is $291 per student.
“None of this means a Kings Creek education is worth less, or that its teachers aren’t doing good work. It means the same dollars stretch further when a school is closer to the size it was built for. When dollars stretch further, more dollars are available to pay for teachers, programs, and student support,” district staff said.
Additionally, a study by Winston-Salem company BAISCA (Building Asset Inventory Single Component Assessment) estimated Kings Creek would cost up to $2.4 million in repairs and replacement over the next 10 years.
WHAT NOW?
Caldwell County Schools will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, at the Education Center at 1914 Hickory Blvd. SW in Lenoir.
Members of the public can register to speak at the hearing online at www.caldwellschools.com/kings-creek-school-exploration. The same webpage contains a full compilation of reasons behind the decision, an FAQ, and information about the recent study conducted by McKissick Associates.
The public may also submit comments to the board and confidential questions to the district.
The resolution adopted by the board on Monday and the study from McKissick can be viewed by going to caldwellschools.com and clicking “Board of Education.” On the new webpage, click “Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes,” then “Kings Creek Documents.”
