BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Martin County Schools will offer no virtual option for students in the 2022-2023 school year.

Schools Superintendent Larry James told school board members in a meeting Monday that it was best to announce it now so parents would know in advance.

Last week, the school district had 74 students enrolled in the virtual campus – seven at Eden Elementary, one at Inez Elementary, 27 at Martin County High School, 18 at Martin County Middle and 21 at Warfield Elementary.

“The vast majority has come back,” James said. “I would like not to have a virtual option next year. Our kids need to be in school.”

Board member Larna Cassady expressed concern that students not attending in-person classes would “get lost.”

Chairman Kathleen Price suggested if the COVID situation changes later, the board could go back to the table to discuss a virtual option.

“I make a motion that we have no virtual school,” Board member Mickey McCoy said.

Cassady seconded, and the vote was unanimous.

James told board members that he had been getting questions about the School Facilities Construction Commission funding for Inez Elementary.

“It’s $17.475 million,” said James. “We’ve not gotten the money yet, but it was in the governor’s budget, and we’re supposed to be getting it. It’s for Inez Elementary, earmarked for renovation or new construction. We bond $500,000, and we get $17.5 million, basically $18 million.

“We’re not going to raise taxes,” he added. “It’s free money. There are no taxes involved.”

Once the district receives the money, the board will discuss the best options.

“Right now, construction is $460 a square foot,” said James. “That is twice as much as we paid for the high school per square foot. I think that’s why the money went up from $10 million to $17 million.”