Richmond County Schools has been awarded a $42 million grant through North Carolina’s Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund to construct a new elementary school that will serve students for decades to come. This investment represents a significant step forward in providing modern learning environments that support high-quality instruction and student success.
“This is an amazing opportunity for our district and our community,” said Dr. Joe Ferrell, Superintendent of Richmond County Schools. “This grant allows us to create a facility that will meet the needs of students for generations. We’re especially grateful to our County Commissioners for their partnership and commitment to providing the local match required to make this project possible.”
Before applying for the grant, architects and engineers from Moseley worked closely with the district to evaluate several elementary schools and identify the greatest need. After a thorough review of building systems and instructional spaces, L.J. Bell was selected for replacement. The new facility will be built on the same site and will provide flexible learning spaces, improved technology integration, and a modern environment designed to support instructional programs and student achievement.
The current LJ Bell Elementary, orginally built in 1952 has aging mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems that have exceeded their expected lifecycle. The roof, windows, and doors are deteriorating, creating energy inefficiencies and ongoing maintenance challenges. Nearly all infrastructure is beyond its useful life, and the building cannot support the demands of modern education.
"This is an incredible milestone for Richmond County Schools, and our entire Board couldn't be more excited about what this means for our students, staff, and community. This project will benefit families, educators, and the entire community for years to come,” said Board of Education Chair Cory Satterfield.
Planning for the new school will begin immediately, with updates shared regularly with families and stakeholders.
Richmond County was one of ten districts selected for this year’s awards, which total more than $392 million statewide. The Needs-Based Public-School Capital Fund was established by the General Assembly in 2017 to help districts in economically distressed counties address critical facility needs. Awards are capped at $42 million for elementary school projects, $52 million for middle school projects and $62 million for high school projects.
During a Board work session, members of the Richmond County Board of Education and the district leadership team walked school facilities with architects and engineers from Moseley to thoroughly review building needs as part of the grant planning process.