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By Robert Sorrell

Star Correspondent

One week after floodwaters inundated the Hampton High School campus, officials have decided to move students and staff to the former Keenburg Elementary School.

The Carter County Board of Education held an emergency called meeting Friday morning at the Keenburg building, which has been used since last year as the system’s central office.

Floodwaters damaged Hampton High School’s campus and Director of Schools Brandon Carpenter said the building suffered water damage.

Carpenter said the best option is to move students to Keenburg. The board unanimously approved the director’s plan.

“This will be a temporary solution,” Carpenter said.

Officials have been working since the weekend to find a solution for the future of Hampton High School. They have considered virtual learning, but many in the county do not currently have cell phone service or internet access due to the storm. Officials have also discussed the possibility of setting up modular buildings for classes, but consultant Sonya Shows with SCHAUS LCC said it cost $11 million.

Moving to Keenburg “causes the least disruption for this system,” Carpenter said.

Shows said the temporary move could last a year or longer until the system determines how to move forward with the Hampton campus.

“I think this is the best option for your children,” said Shows, who told the board she is working with both the county commission and school board as they handle the disaster situation.

Carpenter said administrative offices currently at Keenburg will likely move to the Great Lakes property, which the state recently purchased from the county to become a higher education center. The director said the owners have agreed to lease the property to the county for $1 a month.

There had been discussion to move the central office to the former central office on Academy Street in Elizabethton, but Carpenter said the flood caused too much damage to the old Duffield Academy.

Carpenter told the board that the goal is to open schools by the end of the month, possibly earlier. He announced Friday that county schools will be closed next week.

The system continues to provide breakfast and lunch to students in the county.

“These are disaster relief meals,” Carpenter said.

School board member Keith Bowers Sr. said, “I am proud that we are able to do that. I am thankful we are able to do that.”

Moneywise, finance director Carolyn Watson told the board that “we’re fine right now.”

It is still unknown what the future of the Hampton campus will look like. Carpenter said they are still working to determine how to move forward. He noted that the campus is in the flood zone and the state does not allow schools to be located in flood zones.

Carpenter and school board members spoke about the work being done by students and staff across the county.

“Our citizens have cleaned this place up,” Carpenter said.

Chairperson Terry Hubbard added, “Our students are out there working.”