WSPC Local News Update for 9-25-25

September 25, 2025

📰 Today’s Local News from WSPC 107.3 FM & 1010 AM

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Thursday, September 25, 2025

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🏫 School Board & Commissioners Clash Over School Funding

The Stanly County School Board and Stanly County Commissioners met jointly Monday night to debate how to fund two major school projects:

A new Oakboro School
An addition to West Stanly Middle School

The school board is applying for a $52 million grant but needs a 5% match from the county. Beyond that, commissioners must figure out how to fund the additional $30 million needed for the combined projects, bringing the estimated cost to more than $80 million.

🔥 Contentious Exchange

School board member Dustin Lisk reminded commissioners of their legal obligation:

“The general statutes require 100% funding and building of schools by the county government, and that’s your responsibility. Considering Oakboro is falling down, you need to be figuring out how to pay for it.”

He also pointed out the county’s $36.8 million unassigned fund balance, lack of long-term debt, and ability to borrow through bonds.

🗣️ Commissioners Push Back

Commissioner Glenda Gibson questioned why the Commissioners hadn’t provided a funding plan sooner:

“You knew we had to have you put this in your budget. You’ve had one year. Have you added in your budget anywhere how you were gonna pay for this?”

County Manager Andy Lucas explained that while the county once had $36 million in reserve, much of it has been spent in the last two years on projects like:

$$600,000 thousand for the Endy Driveway project
$3.5 million for the livestock arena
$1.5 million for a waterline at Stanly Community College
$2.2 million for jail design
$1 million for 911 facility design

Lucas stressed the county is using cash responsibly to avoid overburdening taxpayers.

💰 Funding Options & Tax Concerns

Commissioner Bill Lawhon asked about revenue impacts:

A quarter-cent sales tax currently brings in $2.8 million annually
Borrowing $28 million would likely raise property taxes at least 3 cents

🏗️ Other Concerns Raised

Board member Carla Poplin worried about the long-term effect on other schools:

“If we go forward with this, we’re putting a lot of eggs in one basket in the western end of the county. We have 23 campuses, and many need improvements.”

⏳ Decision Deadline Approaches

School Board Chair Robin Whitaker reminded commissioners of the urgency:

“The needs-based grant deadline is October 3rd. We need a decision from you by the end of this week so we know what direction to go in.”

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