Ellerbe is a small rural town, but it is full of history, pride, and people who care deeply about their community. Ellerbe Middle School — once Ellerbe High School — has been at the center of that community for generations.

Just three weeks after the recent school board election, the possibility of closing Ellerbe Middle School was discussed in a work session.

We are now being told that closing this school would create “more opportunities” for our children. But for many families, that simply isn’t the reality.

Closing Ellerbe Middle would mean some students facing 30-minute drives each way to attend school. For working parents, that’s not just an inconvenience — it’s a daily burden that many cannot manage.

It also takes away access to athletics and after-school activities. Without transportation, many students will lose the chance to participate, grow, and stay connected.

This school is more than a place of learning. It is an employer. It is a gathering place. It is an anchor in a town that already has too few resources for families.

When you remove a school from a small community like Ellerbe, you don’t just move students — you weaken the entire town.

Our children deserve opportunity, but not at the cost of access, community, and belonging.

We are asking the school board to reconsider and keep Ellerbe Middle School open — for our students, our families, and the future of our town.

Please sign and stand with Ellerbe.