Summaries and Meeting Recordings for all Discussions about the Bond by the PCS Board of Education and Person County Board of Commissioners

Meetings held that included discussion of the process:

March 13, 2025: PCS Board of Education Regular Meeting - View Video Recording of the Meeting - See BOE Minutes Here

Summary of Superintendent's Report Item 1: Dr. Rodney Peterson, Superintendent, proposed changes to attendance boundaries to manage growth from new developments, anticipating 1,746 new homes and a possible influx of 972 students in the South Elementary zone over the next five years. During the April Board meeting, the board will hold a public hearing to gather input from the public.

April 13, 2025: PCS Board of Education Regular Meeting - View Video Recording of the Meeting - See BOE Minutes Here

Summary of Public Hearing: Public Hearing on Proposed Changes to Attendance Boundaries: There were no public comments on the proposed changes to the attendance boundaries.

Summary of Work Session Item C: 2030 Facility Plan: Dr. Rodney Peterson, Superintendent, provided the board with details about the phase III timeline of the 2030 Facility Plan. This includes preparations for ADA safety projects and planning for a new middle school.

Summary of Superintendent's Report Item 3: Attendance Boundary Recommendation: Superintendent Dr. Rodney Peterson recommended to the Board the approval of the proposed attendance boundary changes for South Elementary, Helena Elementary, North End Elementary, and Stories Creek Elementary Schools. Margaret Bradsher made a motion to accept the recommendation as presented. Harriett Tillett seconded the motion. The motion was approved with 5 votes in favor and 0 against.

September 25, 2025: PCS Board of Education Special Called Meeting - View Video Recording of the Meeting - See BOE Minutes Here

Summary of Superintendent's Report Item 1: Dr. Rodney Peterson recommended board approval to authorize working with Performance Services to submit a needs-based grant and a five-year facilities survey, with the aim of securing funding for a new middle school. Nichole Rea, Business Development Manager with Performance Services, provided the Board with an overview of the company’s approach to designing and constructing school facilities. Margaret Bradsher made a motion to accept the recommendation as presented. Harriett Tillett seconded the motion. The motion was approved with 5 votes in favor and 0 against.

November 20, 2025: PCS Board of Education Regular Meeting - View Video Recording of the Meeting - See BOE Minutes Here

Summary of Superintendent's Report Item 3: Superintendent Dr. Rodney Peterson recommended that the Board approve collaborating with Performance Services for the Architecture and Planning RFQ. The contract fees will be covered by the second tranche of ADA/Safety debt from the county bond issuance. Margaret Bradsher made a motion to accept the recommendation as presented, and Phillip Gillis seconded the motion. The motion was approved with 5 votes in favor and 0 against.

February 19, 2026: PCS Board of Education Work Session and Regular Meeting - View Video Recording of the Meeting - See BOE Minutes Here

Summary of Work Session Item F: Superintendent Dr. Rodney Peterson presented information on the district’s 2030 Facility Vision, outlining three proposed options to address enrollment growth and ADA compliance: construction of a new middle school, a facility retrofit, or ADA upgrades at Woodland. The plan includes completion of a facility study, community engagement, and identification of capital funding sources. A special-called meeting will be held on March 31st to review the facility study results. The consulting group will present proposed construction bond options, including potential school consolidation, with cost and feasibility information. The Board will determine the next steps at the April 16 meeting.

Presentation file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P1GMt6xYsNscatAhenrs9pnCQ2YfC42a/view

March 31, 2026: PCS Board of Education Special Called Meeting - View Video Recording of the Meeting - See BOE Minutes Here

Summary of Work Session Item 2: Dr. Rodney Peterson, Superintendent, along with the Program Services Team: Nicole Rea, Bob Wede, Rodney Shotwell, and Kevin Utsey, presented the Person County Schools 2030 Facility Plan options for information only. The team outlined recommendations and strategies to address current enrollment, capacity needs, and necessary facility upgrades. Three concepts were presented: scenarios for consolidating middle schools and the possibility of building a new middle school. Option 1 proposes consolidation at Southern Middle School (SMS), with Northern Middle School (NMS) converted into a renovated elementary school. Option 2 proposes consolidation at NMS, with SMS converted into a renovated elementary school. Option 3 includes constructing a new middle school, along with renovations to both NMS and SMS to be used as elementary schools.

Presentation file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TvxF_tfh1EyWorgRvLsyExvEXNkTIJT7/view

April 16, 2026: PCS Board of Education Work Session and Regular Meeting - View Video Recording of the Meeting - See BOE Minutes Here

Summary of Work Session Item 2: Dr. Rodney Peterson, Superintendent, thoroughly reviewed the 2030 Strategic/Facility Plan and briefed the board on recent Program Services proposals outlining three strategies to address enrollment, capacity, and facility needs. Building a new middle school is the best approach to support growth, or a phased plan that divides current needs into multiple stages. He detailed his recommendations for the next steps to ensure an informed decision. He emphasized the importance of securing additional seats to accommodate the growing student population and suggested scheduling a work session with the County Commissioners to proactively address needs and concerns.

Presentation file: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1h1t7t1AhdxfsJy8rF-wx1VS-OQ4XN7hITLn6vvW_018/edit?slide=id.g3d6a6c50454_0_912#slide=id.g3d6a6c50454_0_912

Summary of Superintendent's Report Item 3: PCS2030 Strategic/Facility Plan Update: Dr. Rodney Peterson recommended to the Board that they proceed with determining the next steps and selecting an option for the 2030 Facility Plan. Harriett Tillett moved to approve Option 3: Building a new middle school. Phillip Gillis seconded the motion. The motion was approved with 5 votes in favor and 0 against.

May 18, 2026: Person County Board of Commissioner's Regularly Scheduled Meeting - View Video Recording of the Meeting - See Agenda Packet Here - See Minutes Here

Summary of New Business Item D: A motion was made by Chairman Puryear and carried 5-0 to adopt a Resolution Directing the Publication of Notice of Intention to Apply to the Local Government Commission (LGC) for Approval of Bonds. A motion was made by Chairman Puryear and carried 5-0 to adopt a Resolution Making Certain Statements of Fact Concerning the Proposed Bond Issue and Authorizing the Application of the LGC.

June 11, 2026: PCS Board of Education Meeting - View Video Recording of the Meeting - See BOE Minutes Here

Summary: Performance Services Contract: Dr. Rodney Peterson, Superintendent, presented a recommendation to the board for approval of the contract agreement with Performance Services. This encompasses a district-wide facilities assessment, consideration of new design concepts for existing facilities, and the possibility of new construction and renovation pending approval by the Person County Board of Education, the Person County Board of Commissioners, and the NC LGC for the third tranche of debt to be issued in 2026, not to exceed $9,000,000.00. Jason Torian made a motion to accept the recommendation as presented. Harriett Tillett seconded the motion. The motion was approved with 4 votes in favor and 0 against.

June 15, 2026: Person County Board of Commissioner's Regularly Scheduled Meeting - View Video Recording of the Meeting - See Agenda Packet Here - See Minutes Here

NOVEMBER 2026 GO BOND REFERENDUM

Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon presented statutory requirements for advancing the $107 million school bond referendum, including:

1. Resolution calling for a public hearing on July 6, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.

2. Publication of the notice in the June 25, 2026 edition of The Courier- Times

3. Authorization for filing of the sworn statement of debt and disclosure with the LGC

A motion was made by Vice-Chair Wilborn and carried 5-0 to adopt the resolution calling for a public hearing on the bond order to be heard on July 6, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.

A motion was made by Commissioner Royster and carried 5-0 to direct the clerk to publish the public hearing notice in the June 25, 2026 edition of The Courier-Times.

A motion was made by Commissioner Thomas and carried 5-0 authorizing the Chief Financial Officer to file the Sworn Statement of Debt and the Statement of Disclosure with the Local Government Commission (LGC).

June 25, 2026: PCS Board of Education Meeting - View Video Recording of the Meeting - See Agenda Packet Here

Summary: Authorize Design-Build, in compliance with G.S. 143-128.1A, as the project delivery method for proposed referendum projects. Following voter approval of the school construction bond, the district must deliver a middle school within a fixed occupancy deadline to meet the PCS30 Facility plan. Under North Carolina law, public entities (including school districts) may use multiple delivery methods, including:

Design‑Bid‑Build (traditional), Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), Design‑Build 

State law requires the district to evaluate and document the appropriateness of design‑build prior to use.

July 6, 2026: Person County Commissioner's Regularly Scheduled Meeting - View Video Recording of the Meeting - See Agenda Packet Here - See Minutes Here

PUBLIC HEARING: BOND ORDER AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF $107,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS

A motion was made by Commissioner Thomas and carried 4-0 to open the duly advertised public hearing for the Bond Order Authorizing Issuance of $107,000,000 in General Obligation School Bonds.

Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon stated that the Board is progressing through the next steps of the General Obligation (GO) School Bond referendum process.

She stated the following:

• The proposed $107 million GO School Bond would fund:

1. Construction of a new middle school

2. Renovations to vacated Northern and Southern Middle School buildings for

   conversion to elementary schools as part of school consolidation

• A sworn statement of county debt is filed with the Clerk and available for public

  inspection.

• The bond order becomes effective only if approved by voters in the November 3,

  2026 referendum.

• Solomon requested approval of:

1. The bond order authorizing issuance of $107 million in GO school bonds

2. The resolution setting a special bond referendum, directing publication of notice in the Courier-Times, and notifying the Board of Elections

She stated that CFO Tracy Clayton and representatives of the school board were in attendance if the Board had any questions.

There were no individuals that appeared before the Board to speak in favor of or in opposition of the Bond Order Authorizing Issuance of $107,000,000 in General Obligation School Bonds.

A motion was made by Commissioner Royster and carried 4-0 to close the duly advertised public hearing for the Bond Order Authorizing Issuance of $107,000,000 in General Obligation School Bonds.

CONSIDERATION TO GRANT OR DENY THE BOND ORDER AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF $107,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS

A motion was made by Commissioner Long and carried 4-0 to adopt the Bond Order Authorizing the Issuance of $107,000,000 in General Obligation School Bonds for the County of Person, NC.

A motion was made by Commissioner Long and carried 4-0 to adopt the Resolution Setting a Special Bond Referendum and Directing the Publication of Notice of a Special Bond Referendum and Notification of the Board of Elections.