WSPC Local News Update for 9-16-25

September 16, 2025

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

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Tuesday, September 16, 2025

🕙 Your mid-morning briefing from Dave Andrews in the WSPC newsroom

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🏫 Schools Seek $52 Million Grant for Overcrowding & Aging Buildings

The Stanly County Board of Education is moving forward with a proposal to address overcrowding and deteriorating facilities in the western part of the county.

At issue is a state needs-based capital funding grant worth up to $52 million.
The plan includes:
- An addition at West Stanly Middle School
- Construction of a new Oakboro Elementary School

📣 Superintendent Dr. Jared Dennis, speaking before the Locust City Council:

“We have to holistically look at how we can satisfy the need for capacity. What we’re going after is a needs-based capital funding grant from the state … an addition to West Stanly Middle and a new Oakboro Elementary School, not just for capacity but also because of the condition of the school.”

📈 Growth Puts Pressure on Schools

Finance Committee Chairman Dustin Lisk told the council that rapid growth in Locust, Stanfield, and surrounding areas has pushed several schools beyond their limits.

Locust Elementary is at 115% capacity
West Stanly Middle is projected to reach 162% capacity within 7 years

In addition, Oakboro Elementary faces serious structural issues:

Buckling gym walls
Load-bearing wall problems
Temporary fire exits required for safety

One official said bluntly: “The building is falling down.”

💰 Local Match Required for Grant

To qualify for the state grant, county commissioners must approve a 5% local match — about $2.6 million. Without it, the application cannot move forward.

A joint meeting of the Board of Education and Stanly County Commissioners is set for September 22nd in Albemarle.
The grant application deadline is October 3rd.

Dustin Lisk emphasized the cost savings:

“I’d rather see the county spend $30 million instead of $80 million. This is a no-brainer for taxpayers.”

🏛️ Local Support Builds

Both Oakboro and Stanfield have approved resolutions backing the grant application. At its most recent meeting, the Locust City Council also voted in support.

Lisk reminded leaders that schools cannot raise funds on their own:

“The school system doesn’t have the ability to levy taxes or pass a bond. That’s done by statute through the county commissioners. They have to sign off on this grant application.”

If approved, design work would take about a year, with new facilities opening no earlier than August 2028.

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