Mitchell Commissioners have unanimously approved moving forward with applying for a NC Education Lottery grant of $40 million to help fund a new school for grades 3 through 8. According to Mitchell County Superintendent Chad Calhoun, receiving the grant is the only way the project can move forward. Calhoun expects the school system to have saved $5.9 million toward the project by the time the project will begin. Exact costs and plans cannot be finalized yet so preliminary plans are allowing for highest potential costs due to inflation. The preliminary estimates do not include an auxiliary gym. The NC Department of Public Instruction also must approve all the details including width of hallways and number of bathrooms. Superintendent Calhoun said his goal is to build the new school without putting a burden on Mitchell County taxpayers. The new school would replace Bowman, Deyton, and Harris. A 2011 study by the NC Department of Public Instruction suggested Harris and Deyton could operate for a maximum of 10 years and Bowman should only operate 5 years. All three schools have exceeded those limits. If the grant comes through and plans proceed an estimated date for occupation would be August of 2024. Grant recipients are expected to be announced in April.
Mitchell Commissioners also unanimously approved applying for a $500,000 matching grant from the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for a new multi-use recreation facility. Ideas for the new facility include a home for county recreation sports, area for walking and exercise and possibly an indoor gymnasium and track. Plans are being developed for a May 2 grant filing deadline. Mitchell County Recreation Director Brock Duncan says it will be a place for everyone, with the facility open from 9 am to 9 pm daily. Duncan plans on fundraising to help with the matching county funds.
