Education

Cumberland students moved for mold repairs create growing pains at new school

Mold has forced students out of Teresa C. Berrien Elementary School in Fayetteville, moving them to William T. Brown Elementary School in Spring Lake for the rest of the school year while contractors clean and repair Berrien Elementary. But the forced sharing of classrooms isn't sitting well with parents of students from either school.

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By
Gilbert Baez
, WRAL Fayetteville reporter
SPRING LAKE, N.C. — Mold has forced students out of Teresa C. Berrien Elementary School in Fayetteville, moving them to William T. Brown Elementary School in Spring Lake for the rest of the school year while contractors clean and repair Berrien Elementary.

But the forced sharing of classrooms isn't sitting well with parents of students from either school.

Cumberland County Schools officials said the move was designed to provide a safe learning environment for the approximately 250 Berrien Elementary students.

"There were some closer elementary schools, but it was important for us to keep all the students together," school district spokesman Lindsay Whitley said. "So, it's really like picking up T.C. Berrien and placing it inside of W.T. Brown so the students have the same teachers, the same classmates, and we're trying to, once again, have a smooth transition."

Tuesday was the first day of combined classes for the two schools, and challenges have already surfaced.

"It's difficult because I didn't even know that the school was having that kind of problem going on, but it's another drive, another sacrifice we got to make," said Jonathan Jackson, a parent of a Berrien Elementary student.

The drive to Spring Lake means students now spend an extra 15 to 20 minutes on the school bus each morning and afternoon. Some parents, like Jackson, have opted to simply make the drive themselves.

The additional students have pushed Brown Elementary closer to its maximum capacity of 600 students, creating growing pains for some.

"Jahlice is not happy at all," Audrette Gary said of her daughter, a Brown Elementary student. "She's like, 'Mom, there's so many kids. They don't wear uniforms.' It's like it's clashing with how they run their school days."

Berrien Elementary first-grade teacher Bobby-Gay Jones-Senior said she has seen only good things from the combined school so far.

"The staff here has welcomed us," Jones-Senior said. "We feel invited and welcomed, and everywhere we walk, we can see signs up that say welcome."

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