The county will fund $1 million while the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District will fund $200,000 using money in its state lottery funds.

“It's a step in the right direction,” city schools Superintendent Dennis Sawyer said during a break in today's meeting. “It will provide funding for surveys and soil borings. It will prepare us for going out to bid.”

The motion by board member Rachel Hux to allocate the funds was passed by a 5-1 margin, with Commissioner Carolyn Johnson casting the dissenting vote.

Johnson has stated in previous discussions on the matter she has seen prototype schools built for far less than the $19.2 million the board is willing to spend on a new school. “My question is what happens if it's more.”

County Manager Tony Brown said the most the county will build the new school for is $19.2 million.

While the last school built in the county — Inborden — contributed to a tax increase in the county, Commissioner Marcelle Smith said, he could see no better reason than having one for education.

Smith did remind fellow board members, “Had we given a bond referendum consideration, we would not be in this position.”

Board member Patrick Qualls said Manning is in bad shape and he was ready to move forward. Relating a story of one building at the school he was at where his daughter had a program, he said, “The ceiling is falling down. The roof is leaking. The carpet is torn. The school is in rough, rough shape.”

Johnson said, “I guess my understanding is limited. Other schools are built for $5,$6,$7 million. What happens when $19.2 million is not enough?”

Sawyer said the school district interviewed four architectural firms. “The board approved the firm we're working with. We know you get what you pay for. We want to be efficient and not cheap and make sure the quality goes in.”