The Richmond County Board of Education voted 4-3 Tuesday to reverse a proposed closure study for Ellerbe Middle School. Community pushback drove the decision. Last month, officials approved a plan at the work session to examine shutting down the school and cutting costs.
Vice Chairwoman Bobbie Sue Ormsby motioned to rescind the study after talking with the board attorney. Ormsby, Scotty Baldwin, Jerry Ethridge, and Bess Shuler voted yes. Ronald Tillman, Chairman Cory Satterfield, and Daryl Mason voted no.
Residents filled the meeting room in Hamlet. Brett Webb, Olivia Webb, and Michael Puckett spoke during public comments. Brett Webb turned in a petition with over 1,200 signatures backing the school…