By Travis Allen

Special to the Salisbury Post

Several weeks ago I did present an idea that would reduce the number of old buildings over a 10 to 15 year period based on the building of new schools and consolidation of older ones. It was simply a starting point in the big conversation — a “what if,” so to speak.

The idea focused around trying to maintain a sense of community while improving our overall infrastructure. It was neither recommendations nor a plan to become implemented. It was only to begin the conversation. I gave examples of potential consolidation scenarios that addressed old buildings.

Here are a few of the idea starting points I mentioned:

• To address an old building in Faith, I mentioned a possible centrally located Granite Quarry/Faith combined elementary school.

• To address an old Morgan and an old Rockwell building, I mentioned a new combination school somewhere between the two.

• To address an old China Grove Elementary, I mentioned a new combination with either Bostian or Knollwood.

• To address an older China Grove and Corriher Lipe Middle, I mentioned a new South Rowan Middle School.

•  I also add the already in motion plan of the consolidation of Woodleaf and Cleveland

It is obvious that we have no immediate funding for this many new schools, so I focused on the simple philosophy of streamlining our system each time we build a new school just like the new upcoming western elementary. I believe this is a good example of trying to stay true to communities while providing nice new facilities. It is a good middle ground for both concepts.

My goal was to begin a conversation that would leave our school infrastructure better off for the future as well as provide newer, more advanced facilities for our children.

One of the events that spurred or encouraged my thinking on the concept of new school consolidations happened during the fall of this past year.

My son plays football for West Rowan and his schedule brought us to some of the newer schools in Cabarrus County. As a Board of Education member, I always pay attention to other campuses when I am there. My thoughts were, “man these schools would be great for our kids.” I felt then and now that our students and teachers deserve nice, new facilities.

I am proud of the work they are doing and simply desire that their learning environment be a reflection of a quality and comfortable, clean learning environment.

There is not, nor never has been, a desire to recklessly just shut down 10 schools and overcrowd our students into large classrooms outside of their communities as Salisbury Post articles may have accidentally insinuated. I am not a fan of taking away from our communities unless we have something positive to offer in return.

The problem we are faced with now is an old infrastructure and limited funding to combat many of our flooring, roofing, HVAC and other building needs. Many have made the point that the school system built a new central office and now wants to close schools. I believe this a valid point and would remind everyone that some of us on the Board of Education strongly opposed the central office for this very reason.

Two of us were not on the board when the new central office was approved. I for one based my campaign around the fact that the buildings our teachers and students were in should have taken preference.

Again let me reiterate, there is not, nor never has been, a desire on my part to recklessly just shut down 10 schools and overcrowd our students into large classrooms outside of their communities.

Travis Allen is the Rowan-Salisbury school board’s West District representative.