Cumberland County Board Approves School Closure Timeline, Moves Up E.E. Smith High Construction

The Cumberland County Board of Education voted 5-3 on April 2 to approve a timeline for closing and combining schools. Groundbreaking for a new E.E. Smith High School will happen in January 2028.

Board members first rejected one proposed timeline with a 5-3 vote. They then approved a different option. This version accelerates E.E. Smith construction by two years compared to what officials originally suggested.

Design work for E.E. Smith starts during the 2026-27 school year under the approved plan. Construction begins in early 2028. Students should occupy the building during the 2030-31 school year.

Manchester Elementary sparked heated discussion among board members who opposed the closure plan. About 295 students attend the school, which was built for 407. That puts capacity at 72.5%. Repair needs total nearly $6 million, with $2.19 million included in the district's seven-year maintenance plan.

"If we close Manchester down then you're actually destroying that community," said Terra Jordan, per CityView NC

Deanna Jones worried about military families in Spring Lake. "If people don't have an elementary school, why would they move there?" said Jones.

Greg West pointed to nearby options. "Manchester is at 70% capacity," said West. "W.T. Brown is four minutes away, and by this plan, no child has a longer bus route."

Board members also questioned how closures might affect different student populations. Officials say the recommendations would eliminate more than $31 million in maintenance costs. Operating costs would decrease by more than $5 million each year.

The board will cast a final vote on the closures during its May 12 meeting.