Carter County school board discussing future of flooded Hampton High School
Published 10:09 am Thursday, October 3, 2024
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent/Carter County School Board will meet in special session at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, to discuss plans for flood-damaged Hampton High School, shown in this Oct. 2 photo.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent/Carter County School Board will meet in special session at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, to discuss plans for flood-damaged Hampton High School, shown in this Oct. 2 photo.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent/Carter County School Board will meet in special session 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, to discuss plans for flood-damaged Hampton High School, debris from which is shown in this Oct. 2 photo taken at the school.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent/Carter County School Board will meet in special session 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, to discuss plans for flood-damaged Hampton High School, debris from which is shown in this Oct. 2 photo taken at the school.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent/Carter County School Board will meet in special session 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, to discuss plans for flood-damaged Hampton High School, shown in this Oct. 2 photo.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent/Workers are shown erecting a fence Wednesday, Oct. 2, at flood-damaged Hampton High School. Carter County School Board will meet in special session 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, to discuss plans for the school.
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By Robert Sorrell
Star Correspondent
The Carter County Board of Education continues to develop plans for the future of Hampton High School, which was damaged after flooding from Hurricane Helene.
Board members met Tuesday during a special called meeting to discuss clean-up and repairs at the high school. The property was damaged as the storm swept through the region last Friday, causing the Doe River to rise out of its banks.
Flood waters spread across much of the community, damaging roads and property around the high school, which serves the Hampton community.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the board unanimously approved a motion to spend up to $300,000 to clean-up the property and install a fence.
Director of Schools Brandon Carpenter said the storm caused significant damage to the property, including broken pavement around the property and water damage inside the building. The athletic fields were also significantly damaged.
Some career and technical education equipment was also damaged, Carpenter said.
Board members will meet again on Friday morning to further discuss the future of Hampton High School. Carpenter said officials have been discussing several options for the property and its students, staff and faculty.
“We need as much normalcy as we can possibly create for all of our kids,” Carpenter said.
The possible options may “buy us some time, until some of these things can work out.”
The system is also working with the National Guard and waiting on state and federal assistance.
“We have to make sure our citizens and our kids are taken care of, as far as eating, showers and having some stability,” Carpenter said.
The school director added that local utility districts have been working hard to restore electricity and water in the community. He said he has been impressed by their efforts.
Some of the discussion Tuesday involved whether or not the property is in a flood zone and insurance coverages.
