Lexington City Schools discuss grants and fundraising for new high school
Sharon Myers/Davidson Local
Lexington City Schools is taking another swing at applying for a state grant to build a new high school. The district is also planning to begin a capital fundraising campaign and new branding of the district.
Every year, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction offers need-based grants to school districts across the state for various projects, including new school construction, renovations, and capital improvements. These grants are part of the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund and are awarded from state lottery revenues.
Lexington City Schools most recently identified the need for a new high school as part of a its strategic plan, although it has been discussed for several years.
According to Lexington City Schools Superintendent Dr. Nakia Hardy, the need-based state grant process is incredibly competitive, and that the district has been denied these funds over the past several years.
To increase the probability of being awarded a potential $62 million need-based grant, the Lexington City Schools are working with an architect firm to strengthen their application. During a special called meeting on Aug. 27, the Lexington City Schools Board of Education approved a request for proposal from SfL+a Architects of Raleigh to submit designs.
“We need every little bit for them to see Lexington City Schools is the one that needs to be awarded,” said Hardy. “The reason this strengthens our application is it says to the state, we’re ready...This also shows them how organized and prepared you are as a board and a community to be ready for a new high school.”
Hardy said the application for the needs-based grant is due on Oct. 3, and will require at least $10 million in matching funds, which will have to be approved by the Davidson County Board of Commissioners. It also includes a requirement that the school district will be able to start construction within a year of being awarded the grant.
She said although the grant will only provide a portion of the new high school, projected to cost more than $100 million, it is important to provide as much information as possible in the application.
In February, SfL+a did an assessment of the six schools in the Lexington City Schools district which revealed several structural problems, safety hazards and inadequate capacity, especially at Lexington Senior High School.
It highlighted the need for renovations in several areas, like leaking roofs and windows, flooding, asbestos removal, aging mechanical systems, inadequate heating and cooling, and non-ADA compliant features.
The school district is also gearing up for a capital fundraising campaign to go towards a potential new high school regardless of whether they receive the needs-based grant. Hardy said given the fact that the grant would only pay for part of the funds needed to build a new high school, the district needs to start preparing now.
The Lexington City Schools Board of Education approved entering a contract for pre campaign counsel with Moss + Ross Consulting firm, which includes working with the school board and leadership to evaluate renovation or construction options, design plans and cost estimates. It would also include identifying prospective pool of donors and engagement strategies over an estimated six-month period at a cost of $2,000 a month.
After the pre campaign period, the school district would have the option to hire Moss+Ross to complete a feasibility study including whether the needed funds are obtainable, whether the community would be willing to financially support the project, setting a timeline and goals, identifying prospective donors and officially launching the public fundraising campaign.
“For us, it is all about timing,” said Hardy. “Even if we get the grant...we’re not finished. In the event something happens, we will be in a position to start to raise money because Lexington Senior High School can’t wait. We are almost at a tipping point, so I don’t want us to lose momentum. If we lose that momentum it is going to be difficult for us to have the funds that are needed either for a very large-scale renovation or for a brand-new school.”
The school district has also hired a marketing firm, Rhodes Branding out of Columbus, South Carolina, to help build content such as videos, testimonials and other marketing to promote Lexington City Schools. The cost of the contract is $31,250.
