Jackson awarded $52 million for traditional middle school
The school system announced Sept. 26 that it had been awarded the highest amount possible for a middle school project from the Needs-Based Grant from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
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Jackson County Public Schools is finally on track to building its first traditional middle school after securing $52 million in grant funds from the state.
“Receiving this grant is a transformative moment for our school district and community,” said Jackson County Schools Superintendent Dana Ayers.
The school system announced Sept. 26 that it had been awarded the highest amount possible for a middle school project from the Needs-Based Grant from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
The Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund, awarded through NCDPI, draws on money from the North Carolina Education Lottery. School systems can apply for funds for construction of new school buildings, as well as additions, repairs and renovations. Counties with an adjusted market value of taxable property of less than $40 billion are eligible to apply for the grant, meaning only seven counties in the state are excluded.
For the past three grant cycles, JCPS has applied for a grant to fund a combination of three large projects — ADA upgrades at Smoky Mountain High School, upgrades at Blue Ridge School, additional classroom space at Fairview and renovations to its cafeteria. JCPS did not receive any funds for those projects.
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“Doing some research, we learned that they are really looking at projects that are addressing consolidation and new buildings, as is evidenced by what’s happening in Macon County with Franklin High School,” Ayers told the county commission last month.
In January, State Superintendent Catherine Truitt announced Macon County Schools had been awarded $62 million through the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund for the construction of its new high school.
So, this time around, JCPS applied for grant funds to build a new traditional middle school.
The maximum amount awarded for a traditional middle school through the state program is $52 million. To receive the grant, the county had to commit to a 15% match, which would put Jackson County on the hook for about $8 million. The board agreed to this in September.
“We’re hoping to build a traditional middle school for that total of $60 million,” Ayers said at the time.
However, in addition to that estimated price tag for construction of the school, Jackson County would also need to find and purchase land for the new school.
According to school administration, the planning and design process for the new middle school will begin soon, with input from educators, parents and community stakeholders to ensure that the facility meets the needs of all students. Property for the middle school has already been identified. The goal is to break ground in the next 18 months and open the school, tentatively, in time for the 2029 academic year.
“We are excited about the positive impact this new middle school will have on our students and the entire community,” said Board of Education Chairman Wes Jamison. “This investment in education reflects our dedication to providing every child with the tools they need to succeed. This is a historic moment for education in our community.”
Jackson County has never had a traditional middle school. Instead, there are four K-8 schools, that serve a total of 724 middle grade students.
At the beginning of 2023, when the school system outlined its top budget priorities and capital needs, a traditional middle school was second on the list behind expansion at Fairview School to create space for a cafeteria and additional classrooms.
With commissioners voting this summer to fund the renovations at Fairview, the school system now has its sights set on a middle school.
“I am enormously grateful for the support from NCDPI, which will allow us to create a learning environment that inspires our students and prepares them for success in the future,” said Ayers. “Likewise, this could not have occurred without the unwavering financial support of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. This has been a long time coming for Jackson County.”
