Board signals support for $2.5M West Oaks CTE building and turf field after donors step forward

The Stokes County Schools board on March 2 signaled broad support for a multi-part plan to expand career and technical education at West Oaks High School, including a new CTE shop/classroom building and a turf practice field that administrators say would reduce long-term field maintenance and make the site usable year-round.

"We're essentially at capacity," Doctor Jones told the board, laying out enrollment and credentialing figures that he said show surging demand for construction, electrical and animal-science courses. Jones said West Oaks produced about 775 credentials this fall and cited a 96 percent credential attainment rate for some programs, far above the state average.

Students and recent graduates described hands-on benefits. "West Oaks helped me a lot with my career path," said Corey Wilkins, who identified himself as an electrical apprentice, and Colby Snow, a current sophomore, said CTE exposure helped him see multiple career options.

Community speakers and prospective donors framed the proposal as an investment in the county's workforce. "There is 50,000 jobs coming to the Carolina corridor in the next five years," said Gary Merritt, citing regional development; Daniel Lynch, president of Jimmy R. Lynch & Sons, described a significant in-kind grading commitment and said his company and others were prepared to help with civil work.

Jones said he has quietly secured roughly $620,000 in community donations so far and estimated the full project — a CTE building, relocated tennis courts and a connected practice-field solution — would cost about $2.02–$2.4 million depending on options and scope. He asked the board for direction on whether to move forward and how much fundraising to pursue.

Board members and staff discussed funding sources in detail. Miss Moore, the district finance staff member, said the district's R&R (renovation and repair) fund holds about $2.2 million and could pay for the classroom portion of the CTE building without depleting capital reserves; lighting and other turf-related expenses would need capital funds. Several trustees said the board could write checks now but noted it would reduce reserves.

Trustee remarks coalesced around a rounded commitment: "I would commit to the 2.5 tonight," one board member said, urging Jones to proceed and seek additional donations. Another member said the board had capital reserves and would work with Jones to determine a final figure and timeline.

Vendors answered technical questions about turf lifespan, drainage and maintenance. A turf representative noted modern fields typically last 11–14 years and come with a 10-year non-prorated warranty, and described routine maintenance requirements and environmental considerations such as PFAS and microplastics. He said the company would protect existing track surfaces during construction and would stand behind repairs if contractor work caused damage.

What happens next: the board gave Jones direction to develop a firm plan and funding request; trustees asked staff and the district attorney to draft necessary contract language for donor commitments and to return at a subsequent meeting with specific budget, timeline and procurement steps. Jones said he would try to have a clearer appetite for community funding within a few weeks.