Public meeting held to discuss future of Martin County high schools

WILLIAMSTON, N.C. (WNCT) — Tuesday was the first of two public meetings for the community to give their input about possibly merging Riverside High School and South Creek High School in Martin County.

School officials say this is about helping with teacher shortages. The schools combined their athletic programs last fall and did it academically at the start of this calendar year. On April 22, the Martin County Board of Education voted to continue merging the schools.

School officials say it wasn’t a decision they wanted to make, but it’s best for the students of Martin County. Martin County Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle White said the teacher shortage meant some students would’ve gone all spring without a teacher. She also said it would’ve led to students taking online classes or having permanent substitutes.

“The goal of this consolidation is to ensure every single one of them gets the absolute best. Since we’ve merged, we’ve been able to give children more elective opportunities, more course options, more athletic opportunities, more extracurricular,” White said. “Our theme has become ‘Martin offers more.’ It’s not just something we say. It’s something we do every single day.”

During the meeting, parents were concerned about longer bus routes, but White said while some students may have a 10- to 15-minute longer bus ride, most will have shorter routes.

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