N.C. DPI recommendation applauded

Proponents of North Carolina School for the Deaf in Morganton were happy to hear the school may not close soon but are still wary of what the future holds.

“I want to tell you that this is a breath of fresh air what (State Superintendent June Atkinson) said today,” Morganton Mayor Mel Cohen told a room of supporters in the City of Morganton Council Chambers. “We’ve got a ways to go as you know. I’m not sure if politically we’re standing in a good or different position.”

Atkinson announced Monday N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s response to N.C. Session Law 2011-145, Section 7.25(a), which required DPI to close one of the state’s three residential schools.

DPI proposed consolidating administrative services at Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh and Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf in Wilson. The blind school would continue to serve students as a satellite campus of ENCSD.

A large percentage of the blind school will be leased to an educational entity and empty or under-utilized rooms in Morganton and Wilson will also be used for multi-purpose educational opportunities, she added.

“It’s always been, we were the school to close over the years,” Cohen said. “Now it sounds like we stand in a better position to be open and the other two schools are seeing a little bit of reorganization.”

Cohen encouraged the supporters to be respectful to Atkinson as they respond to DPI’s recommendations.

N.C. Sen. Warrant Daniel, R-Burke, said the superintendent followed the guidance of the General Assembly, taking into account the five considerations outlined by the legislature.

Daniel said the recommendations are what was expected and believes it is good news for all the residential schools and for the community of Morganton.

“(NCSD) is an important part of our community, and I’m glad it’s going to stay,” Daniel said.

“I could not be more pleased,” said N.C. Rep. Hugh Blackwell, R-Burke. “I think this is an excellent decision.”

Blackwell said he believes the recommendations are the best for the students at the residential schools.

“Now the challenge is to make the schools the fine schools and improved schools we want them to be,” Blackwell said. “And get away from this constant worry about someone trying to close them.”

Burke County Board of Commissioners Chair Wayne Abele said he’s glad the school will remain open.

He also thanked Cohen for getting everyone involved in the effort to keep the school in Morganton.

Abele said the decision has more than just an educational impact, as NCSD Foundation in Morganton is planning to build a deaf retirement community across from the school.

“I don’t know if that would have happened if they would have moved (NCSD),” Abele said. “It’s not only an economic impact with our community, but it’s just, it’s part of our history.”

Blackwell echoed the thoughts about NCSD’s economic value to Morganton and Burke County.

“Ultimately, the state has to try to made decisions about state agencies that are based on sound public policy and not just providing jobs,” he said. “...But in this instance, it’s reassuring to know that when you’re advocating for the continuance of the deaf school that it’s not just because we want the jobs, which we obviously do, but it’s also, I think, clearly the right thing for deaf education.”

Many supporters applauded NCSD Foundation at Morganton President Sandy Turner’s hard work lobbying for the school.

Turner said she was happy with the news and glad students were the first priority.

“I applaud Superintendent Atkinson for keeping the student first and foremost,” Turner said.

She attended all three of DPI’s core committee public hearings. Turner said students at all the hearings had a common statement, “I need this school.”

And maybe more students will need the schools too.

NCSD Director Audrey Garvin said, “We are very well prepared to have a campus with more people coming on and having that multipurpose use that the superintendent has discussed. We’re ready and we’re open and we welcome it.”