Classroom funds approved in Union County

The Union County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 approved an allocation of about $3 million to the Union County Board of Education to purchase 49 mobile classrooms.

During the past few months, the Board of Education has been evaluating options to ease overcrowding in some Union County schools. The primary remedy discussed to relieve overcrowding has been the redistricting of nearly 6,000 students.

According to a Jan. 23 presentation made to the education board, Superintendent Dr. Mary Ellis and Dr. Mike Webb, deputy superintendent for instructional technology and operations, one of the options that would eliminate the need to cap schools or redistrict students is the addition of mobile classrooms. The report indicated that 49 mobile classrooms would be needed over the next four years.

“The board of county commissioners has heard from parents and the business community on the redistricting issue, and the addition of mobile classrooms provides a short-term solution to the board of education to allow them time to develop a long-term solution for school growth,” said Vice Chairman Jerry Simpson. “The redistricting issue is tearing communities apart, and the proposal to provide funds for mobile classrooms is intended to keep communities and neighbors together while still protecting the taxpayers of Union County.”

The funds to pay for the mobile classrooms and operating costs will be obtained from debt service savings generated by the county’s refinancing of debt and from unassigned county funds.