The decision to go this route came this morning after deliberations between the board of commissioners and school system during a meeting.

The focus of the meeting between representatives of the school system and the county will be ways to fund construction of the school as well as releasing $1.2 million for designing the building.

“We need action and we need action now,” RRGSD Superintendent Dennis Sawyer told commissioners. “There are many variables we don't have much control over and that is inflation. The longer we wait the more expensive a new school becomes.”

Sawyer said the most immediate concern is the $1.2 million to get to the point where construction bids could be considered.

Referencing Sawyer's decision to step down as superintendent, Commissioner Carolyn Johnson said, “I'm concerned the next superintendent may not be as enthusiastic as you have been over this project.”

Sawyer said the school board is focused on the project and school board Chairman Jay Carlisle said, “The new superintendent will be on board to bringing a new Manning forward.”

Still, said Commissioner Patrick Qualls, “I share one concern. How are we going to pay for it? The school is in bad shape. My concern is developing a plan to pay for it. A key group needs to get together and discuss plans. We need to get comfortable on how to pay for it. It's a very difficult decision but not a question of needs.”

Board of commissioners Chair Vernon Bryant agreed. “It seems like we need to have some type of action or plan because this has been out there too long.”

The $1.2 million, County Manager Tony Brown said, will “put a dent” in county's fund balance.

Johnson said the meeting between the respective panels makes sense. “There's a lot we want to know before we throw $1 million out there. We need to be very cautious.”

Asked by Commissioner Rives Manning if the school system would be willing “to put some skin in the game,” Sawyer said, “I think they would be open for discussion. It's not the school system's responsibility to fund schools.”

Carlisle said, “We're open for discussion about lottery funds. We're open to putting some skin in the game.”

Carlisle said a new Manning school is badly needed as the school system put $140,000 in repairs to the building this fiscal year. “We all know the needs. I think Roanoke Rapids is fiscally responsible. We do have the taxpayers in mind.”

Discussions are expected to occur soon, Bryant said.