The State Department of Public Instruction has unveiled a plan to consolidate the three residential schools that serve deaf and blind students. The two schools in Wilson and Morganton will remain open, while the Governor Morehead School or the Blind in Raleigh will become a satellite school.
During its summer session, the legislature directed DPI to take over administration of the schools and close one of them, saving $5 million. Instead, state superintendent June Atkinson unveiled a plan to consolidate some administrative duties and lease unused space to other proposed schools or education entities. She says this plan will save $5.5 million a year.
June Atkinson: "That is assuming we will lease the property. We may need some financial assistance through the transition until we can fully lease the underutilized property."
Atkinson envisions regional schools for the arts or STEM schools being interested in the space. The three residential deaf and blind schools in Raleigh, Wilson, and Morganton currently serve 220 total students.