Architect Vern McKissick (center) explains plans for the new central office building to members of the Board of Education and several members of the district’s administrative staff. The group toured the former Burke United Christian Ministries facility on Monday morning. The school system hopes to be in the remodeled building by the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.
An architectural rendering of plans for the exterior of the new Burke County Public Schools’ central office, which will be in the former BUCM building on West Union Street in Morganton.
Architect Vern McKissick (center) explains plans for the new central office building to members of the Board of Education and several members of the district’s administrative staff. The group toured the former Burke United Christian Ministries facility on Monday morning. The school system hopes to be in the remodeled building by the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.
Members of the Board of Education and school administrative staff toured the future site of the district’s central office on Monday.
SANDRA WILKERSON QUEEN / THE PAPER
An architectural rendering of plans for the exterior of the new Burke County Public Schools’ central office, which will be in the former BUCM building on West Union Street in Morganton.
Burke County Board of Education members toured their future central office at 305 W. Union St., marking progress toward relocating by the 2026-27 school year. The $10 million project is out for contractor bids, with demolition planned this summer.
New home: Former BUCM building to become district’s administrative center.
Renovation timeline: Selective demolition starts in June; construction around Labor Day.
Design elements: 45% of interior walls and some materials to be reused.
Facility upgrades: New teaching kitchen, meeting spaces, and outdoor patio planned.
Community coordination: Project meets city zoning and residential buffer requirements.
A full version of this story by education reporter/A&E editor Sandra Wilkerson Queen will be included in Saturday's edition of The Paper.
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