The vote puts on hold spending of money for architectural plans for a new Manning Elementary School and upgrades and remodeling of Weldon High School.

Roanoke Rapids Superintendent Dennis Sawyer and Weldon Superintendent Elie Bracy III appeared jointly before commissioners to restate the need for the projects, which have been on the table in the joint form since February.

Bracy told the board that with Common Core, the technology in the current high school is restricted. Architects are prepared, Bracy said, and Roanoke Rapids and Weldon are using the same company. “That will save the county money.”

Board Chair James Pierce told the superintendents, “The board recognizes the need.”

Commissioner Vernon Bryant jumped right to the matter, making a motion, “That we move forward for a new Manning school and renovated Weldon High School. They need a vote of confidence.”

Rives Manning cast a second, but Marcelle Smith said while he didn't disagree with the motion, later in the discussion said there needs to be more research.

“Something of that magnitude needs more discussion,” Pierce said.

Commissioner Carolyn Johnson pointed out the agenda said no action was needed.

Johnson's comment caused Bryant to react by saying, “That can't dictate what I do.”

There have been studies, Bryant said, which list Manning and Weldon as priorities.

Referring to a retreat the board will have at the end of the week, he said, “Here we are talking about putting this off until Friday. I'm not saying they are going to start tomorrow. I think we need to give them a vote of confidence.”

Smith said Bryant's original motion did not speak to a vote of confidence. “I will not vote on this until we take a hard look at the numbers.”

Bryant relented and changed his motion to reflect this was a vote of confidence.

“A vote of confidence is vague,” Pierce said, asking why the chair of the county school system was not standing with Sawyer and Bracy.

“Dr. (Elise) Frederick is not here because they built a new school in Enfield,” Bryant said.

“If we're spending county money we have to look at the big picture,” Pierce said. “I'm not denying the need, but we have to look at the big picture.”

Following the discussion, Bracy said the request today was simply about requesting design fees.

Asked if he felt like references to the county system not being there was tied to the merger issue, he said, “It's hard to say, you can't predict what their intentions are.”

Weldon school board Chair Pattie Cotton said she is concerned about the time that has elapsed since the matter was last discussed. “This has been over a year.”

She declined comment on the references to the county system. “It seems people are not concerned about the needs of children. We are.”

Sawyer also confirmed the request was about the architecture fees. “We wanted them to take action to appropriate fees for the architecture.”

The fees are between 8 percent and 10 percent of the total costs for the projects. The new Manning school is slated to cost $22.8 million while renovations to Weldon High School are slated to cost $7 million.