RALEIGH — The state senator representing Robeson County says a bill needed to pay for the proposed consolidation of Robeson County schools will not be heard in short session, which is expected to end in early July.
Sen. Jane Smith, a Democrat who represents all of Robeson and Columbus counties, said Wednesday that she was told by “two Republican leaders” that they had concerns about Senate Bill 554 and that it would not be considered by Senate committees in this session, which will end once legislators finalize a budget that is expected to take effect July 1.
Smith declined to name the leaders, saying the conversation was private. She said she was approached after a meeting during which delegates heard from legislative staff about the bill.
Smith said she had “no position,” saying she was still getting information and since the bill will not be heard, it’s moot.
Senate Bill 554 would allow state money to be used to pay for lease-purchase agreements and that the Public Schools of Robeson County needs to proceed with a school consolidation plan. Erica Setzer, financial officer for the Public Schools of Robeson County, has said the money that would be acquired through the bill is necessary to pay for a $1.4 billion plan to shutter 30 schools and build 14 new schools in Robeson County.
Robbie Ferris, CEO of sfL+a Architects, the firm that proposed the consolidation plan, thought the bill would be heard in a Senate committee this week and says it seems legislators are waiting an alternate plan from State Treasurer Janet Cowell, who has worked to defeat the legislation.
“I’m disappointed that the legislature has decided to wait on Senate Bill 554,” Ferris said. “From my perspective, there is nothing to lose acting on the plan. If the treasurer’s plan is better and SB 554 is passed, everyone will use her plan and put SB 554 on the shelf, it’s not a bad outcome.”
Ferris says he is currently formulating a “plan B” to help Robeson County build new schools, which he hopes to complete by next week.
The Treasurer’s Office has voiced concerns about Senate Bill 554 and Ferris’ consolidation plan, saying it would use money specified for staff and students and “allow a county to take on more debt than it can handle.” Ferris’ consolidation plan would mostly be paid for through money saved from attrition and maintenance as well as energy savings, as each school would be powered with solar energy that would zero out all energy costs.
Representatives from the Office of the State Treasurer were invited to a meeting with legislators and Ferris to discuss the bill last week, but did not attend because they did not want to negotiate a bill with someone who would financially benefit from it, a spokesperson said in a message to Robeson County legislative delegates.
“Allowing those who aim to profit from these plans to design the financing model is a bad deal for taxpayers and a conflict of interest,” Cowell said.
In the same message to legislators, the Treasurer’s Office said its alternate plan would get Robeson County “the schools they desperately need” at an affordable price. Additional details on that proposal have not been released.
Ferris said although the spotlight is currently on Robeson County, Senate Bill 554 is meant for the entire state.
“The Treasurer’s Office seems to be making it only about Robeson County,”said Ferris. “Our bill has never been about Robeson County alone. Our bill was meant to help rural counties across North Carolina. From my perspective, there is nothing to lose acting on the plan.”
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