Murphy- Hiwassee Dam-Andrews consolidation

[LetsGetIt7]

Here's a thought though, How many of you think we will see more and more school systems consolidating. Such As Wilkes County has 4 high schools, 3 small 2A and 1 1A. Way more than they need at this point with shrinking enrollments. Surry County Has 2 2A's and another 1A, not counting the 2 city school systems. Yadkin County Starmount continues to shrink. Is travel the only concern legitment concern against it?

 

[Thunder_struck8712]

No reason Yadkin shouldn't consolidate. But didn't they just do additions onto Forbush? You'd have to build a new school in Yadkinville.

Consolidation in Wilkes isn't a good idea due to topography and it being such a huge county. 3 of the schools just had new facilities built in the last 15 years. East Wilkes is a good haul over some hills to other areas. They're almost as remote to the rest of the county as South Davidson is in Davidson County.

Surry would benefit from consolidating the 3 systems into 1. Then consolidating Mount Airy and North Surry. But it will never happen.

 

[LetsGetIt7]

I think those 3 school system especially are dead set against it. It would make so much sense if they did though. I think Wilkes could get down to 2 instead of 4, but those small communities, Ronda, Hayes, Millers Creek, and Moravian Falls are very attached to "There" school. I think If Yadkin does it they will build 1 new High school somewhere in the Yadkinville area. Look Even at say Stanley County no reason they need 3 1A schools and 1 2A, I think its all across the state we may see even more of this

 

[Thunder_struck8712]

I just don't think it would be cost effective for Wilkes to build new high schools after just building new ones. Where would you stick 2 high schools?

Yadkin should have built a high school instead of middle schools and just put the middle schools at the high schools.

 

[Highschoolgridiron]

Are you hearing proposed names and mascots for the new school in Cherokee County?

 

[Gentle Knight]

Are you hearing proposed names and mascots for the new school in Cherokee County?

I think they finalized the Cherokee County Wild Dam Dogs

 

[BK13T-$]

I wish they would come up with something besides Cherokee County.

 

[mbdfan]

I'm still partial to Valley River High personally

 

[mbdfan]

Sounds like it may not happen after all, commissioners tabled the vote tonight, literally no other reason to do that unless someone is getting cold feet because too many old timers that dont have any skin in the game (school age children or children still in school by the time it happens) are pressuring the commissioners and threatening to have them voted out if they go through with it.

It would be one thing I guess if it were about tax dollars (even though that argument is bunk based on the repair costs if they dont do consolidation) but that isnt even why, most dont want it to happen simply because of sentiment and nostalgia. That's their prerogative of course but good luck supporting these schools in the long run with ever rapidly declining enrollments and facilities, some of these schools will be lucky to field some athletic teams in 10 years at the current rate. Those "glory years" that they are pining over will be a distant memory.

I love the county, born and raised but if they dont do this consolidation or at least rebuild Murphy High then I'll be taking my kids across state lines come high school time and I'm quite certain I'll be far from the only one in the future.

 

[Thunder_struck8712]

Ah old folks with no skin in the game with disregard for the best interest of our students. From the local to the state level. They don't have to sit in tiny moldy classrooms.

 

[ObserveAndReport]

Sounds like it may not happen after all, commissioners tabled the vote tonight, literally no other reason to do that unless someone (one or both of the two up for reelection in 2022) is getting cold feet because too many old timers that dont have any skin in the game (school age children or children still in school by the time it happens) are pressuring the commissioners and threatening to have them voted out if they go through with it.

It would be one thing I guess if it were about tax dollars (even though that argument is bunk based on the repair costs if they dont do consolidation) but that isnt even why, most dont want it to happen simply because of sentiment and nostalgia. That's their prerogative of course but good luck supporting these schools in the long run with ever rapidly declining enrollments and facilities, some of these schools will be lucky to field some athletic teams in 10 years at the current rate. Those "glory years" that they are pining over will be a distant memory.

I love the county, born and raised but if they dont do this consolidation or at least rebuild Murphy High then I'll be taking my kids across state lines come high school time and I'm quite certain I'll be far from the only one in the future.

Thanks for the update, tried to watch but couldn’t take it.

 

[mbdfan]

Thanks for the update, tried to watch but couldn’t take it.

I didn't watch because I knew it was going to be like a bad reality TV episode. I got word after the meeting that they decided to table the vote. Why table it? these "crusaders" aren't going away, they'll just show up at the next meeting and the next one. Sack up and vote one way or the other.

 

[ObserveAndReport]

I didn't watch because I knew it was going to be like a bad reality TV episode. I got word after the meeting that they decided to table the vote. Why table it? these "crusaders" aren't going away, they'll just show up at the next meeting and the next one. Sack up and vote one way or the other.

Did they table it for a certain time? Or until certain acts get done or certain figures get in?

 

[mbdfan]

Did they table it for a certain time?

They have another meeting in 2 weeks I think

 

[ObserveAndReport]

They have another meeting in 2 weeks I think

Thanks. I'm not necessarily against consolidation, but I still think the sales pitch has been pretty over the top saying this will lead to Peachtree becoming a health/education hub like the Duke area or that the new high school will have sports like lacrosse. I had previously mentioned an erroneous statement about no neighboring counties having multiple high schools (which I do appreciate the school board member coming on here to own up to and clarify that he meant NC counties). This time, in the few minutes I watched there was a lot of discussion about dropping enrollment, and a different person associated with the school system represented that Andrews had gone from 450 in 1991 to 195 now. Looking at the 1992 realignment ADM's, Andrews' ADM was 223. Granted, ADM's were 10-12 back then, but that would still give a 9-12 enrollment around 300 in the early 90s and nowhere near 450. I am guessing 450 would’ve been a 7-12 enrollment, but it’s a little misleading and already plenty convincing that 1/3 of the 9-12 student body is gone since the 90s. Just think the side saying "let's put facts over emotion" needs to be clearer with the facts they put out there.

 

[WhoaMule]

Just a question from a casual observer. I remember the seemingly endless tract of fairly level land between say, Marble and Murphy driving past on the way to the lake. Seems to me there ought to be a parcel near there that would accommodate a school and all fields needed if it could be purchased. (or better yet traded for in exchange of land currently owned by the county? Is this a feasible option? Close to murphy and closer to Andrews, HD I am not sure exactly how far that is, but I know it can not be further than many of the kids in Madison county have to travel to get to Madison high. And on LOTS worse and crooked roads. Just a thought.

 

[sawmill53]

Just a question from a casual observer. I remember the seemingly endless tract of fairly level land between say, Marble and Murphy driving past on the way to the lake. Seems to me there ought to be a parcel near there that would accommodate a school and all fields needed if it could be purchased. (or better yet traded for in exchange of land currently owned by the county? Is this a feasible option? Close to murphy and closer to Andrews, HD I am not sure exactly how far that is, but I know it can not be further than many of the kids in Madison county have to travel to get to Madison high. And on LOTS worse and crooked roads. Just a thought.

The EBCI owns several adjacent parcels between Maltby and Tomotla totaling about 300 acres. They purchased about 10 years ago and talked about building the casino there. It has good access to the 4 lane and lies about halfway between Marble and Murphy.

 

[mbdfan]

Thanks for the update, tried to watch but couldn’t take it.

the vote to fund passed 3-2 tonight

 

[Gentle Knight]

The EBCI owns several adjacent parcels between Maltby and Tomotla totaling about 300 acres. They purchased about 10 years ago and talked about building the casino there. It has good access to the 4 lane and lies about halfway between Marble and Murphy.

There are lots of places in Cherokee County to build a school..That is not the point. The entire purpose of the new location is to give high school kids a chance at a college education while still in high school..Training for trades such as plumbing, welding, nursing, etc.

 

[Wildcat10fan]

No more Andrews Wildcats, no more Hiwassee Dam Eagles & no more Murphy Bulldogs !!!! All 3 schools will have many great memories till all who attended pass on !!

 

[KW23]

When will this take effect?

 

[mbdfan]

When will this take effect?

tentatively fall of 2025

 

[Wildcat10fan]

When will this take effect?

I’m not sure !! I’ve stayed clear of the process since my children are in college now.

 

[Wildcat10fan]

tentatively fall of 2025

Is this the completion date or start of construction

 

[mbdfan]

Is this the completion date or start of construction

That's when they hope to have it completed. You know as well as I do with how slow things get done around here it could well be a year or two after that though. Lol

 

[Wildcat10fan]

That's when they hope to have it completed. You know as well as I do with how slow things get done around here it could well be a year or two after that though. Lol

For sure lol

 

[ObserveAndReport]

I've pretty much come around to it. A lot of people now against say they want consolidation into two high schools--but everybody hated that and showed up to give the school board a piece of their mind when that was on the table 3-4 years ago. Something had to be done with enrollment plummeting (and the charter school adding high school, which will take even more kids out of the county system). My biggest concern is, if my son is as bad a driver as I was in high school I don't like the idea of him driving 141 each way every day. But he won't be driving for over a decade and who knows if the school will even be done by then!

 

[mbdfan]

I've pretty much come around to it. A lot of people now against say they want consolidation into two high schools--but everybody hated that and showed up to give the school board a piece of their mind when that was on the table 3-4 years ago. Something had to be done with enrollment plummeting (and the charter school adding high school, which will take even more kids out of the county system). My biggest concern is, if my son is as bad a driver as I was in high school I don't like the idea of him driving 141 each way every day. But he won't be driving for over a decade and who knows if the school will even be done by then!

I would have never supported a two high system because it would have split up Murphy's student body. I think the school board correctly realized that nobody from Murphy would have ever supported that plan and pivoted towards one high. It wouldn't have made sense in the long run either, those two schools would have just ended up consolidating eventually anyway too with the county wide decline in enrollment.

I wasn't a fan of the Peachtree location as it's not the geographically central location but after more thought on it with how integrated this school is basically going to be with TCCC in a lot of ways, I suppose it does make sense to put the school in Peachtree.

 

[Mitchell county mountie]

Reckon they'll consolidate sports before the building is completed? I know that's what avery, madison, mitchell, Mountain Heritage, Washington county and Montgomery Central did...

 

[mbdfan]

Reckon they'll consolidate sports before the building is completed? I know that's what avery, madison, mitchell, Mountain Heritage, Washington county and Montgomery Central did...

I've wondered about this as well. My guess is no if it's completed by fall of 2025 with that being the first year of a new NCHSAA realignment. Now if construction runs over that date by a year or so then I could see them considering consolidating the athletic programs before the school officially opens.

 

[Junglejimk]

So, if Cherokee County starts over with a consolidated school, I wonder if the stupid sUmbI+Chs that wait along the staircase down to the dog pound will quit spitting on the opposing team as they take the field?

 

[GreyGod623]

So, if Cherokee County starts over with a consolidated school, I wonder if the stupid sUmbI+Chs that wait along the staircase down to the dog pound will quit spitting on the opposing team as they take the field?

That is a fabricated statement if I've ever seen one. First of all, no one lines the steps down the hill. Cheerleaders and parents will form a "tunnel" for the Murphy players when they come off the steps, but don't firm it until after visiting team takes field. Save your lie for when you lie down to sleep. Maybe it'll console your memories of your loss on that field.

 

[mhs95]

 

[dogman35]

So, if Cherokee County starts over with a consolidated school, I wonder if the stupid sUmbI+Chs that wait along the staircase down to the dog pound will quit spitting on the opposing team as they take the field?

What a clown.

 

[dogtuff]

So, if Cherokee County starts over with a consolidated school, I wonder if the stupid sUmbI+Chs that wait along the staircase down to the dog pound will quit spitting on the opposing team as they take the field?

YES!

 

[PisgahBear9975]

YES!

If it happens, will the school fall in 2A?

 

[mbdfan]

If it happens, will the school fall in 2A?

Yes, probably be a short stay in 2A though with the charter high school opening in Murphy this fall and the early college siphoning off kids.

 

[PisgahBear9975]

Yes, probably be a short stay in 2A though with the charter high school opening in Murphy this fall and the early college siphoning off kids.

Long way to other 2A teams. Brevard is probably the closest?

 

[Mbulld]

Yes, probably be a short stay in 2A though with the charter high school opening in Murphy this fall and the early college siphoning off kids.

TMI

 

[ObserveAndReport]

Long way to other 2A teams. Brevard is probably the closest?

Currently, yes. But hard to tell if Franklin, Smoky, Tuscola and Pisgah will all still be 3A in 2025 alignment...not unforeseeable that some go 2A.

If things stay the same as 2021 alignment, I think it could be interesting to have a 1A/2A split with the same schools that were the SMC in the 90s, plus Brevard stepping in for the 2d Cherokee County team. Would be a 9 team league with Cherokee Co. Consolidated, Polk, Hendersonville and Brevard in 2A. Hayesville, Robbinsville, Rosman, Swain and Cherokee in 1A. Just a thought.