The Randolph County Board of Education voted Monday night to close a school at the end of the year due to declining enrollment and budget constraints.
At a public hearing last week, dozens of students, parents and staff spoke out against a proposal to close Uwharrie Ridge Six-Twelve. They cited concerns about losing their tight-knit community and class rankings.
But Superintendent Stephen Gainey said while closing a school isn’t ideal, the district can’t afford to keep it open. State funding has declined, and the district is dipping into its savings to keep the budget balanced — a practice Gainey says can’t continue…