Elected leaders weigh – and should weigh– school's priority

If not now, then when?

That seems to be the question school officials are putting to county commissioners.

Neither side is arguing whether a new Rocky Mount High School needs to be built. The needs are evident. But the governing bodies are at odds when it comes to the timeline for the $40 million project.

Leaders with Nash-Rocky Mount Schools say they have the best interest of students at heart, and the needs for a new high school are immediate.

Commissioners say they have fiscal responsibility to consider, and the money isn’t there.

Both concerns have merit. The biggest issues of the day, no doubt, are the economy and the future of our economy, which, let’s face it, rests on the shoulders of our educators.

It goes without saying we all want the best for our students.

But our students are being taught in a school that was built more than 50 years ago. The school’s campus is half the size recommended by the state considering the size of its student body. Not to mention the improved security and student safety a new school would offer.

In making the case for immediate funding, school leaders are citing these and more reasons as proof positive that now is the time to award construction contracts.

All are valid points commissioners should consider. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t also consider the economic picture as well. While the school board has autonomy to set priorities for capital projects, commissioners hold the purse strings. That’s how it should be. It’s a lot to ask of a county at the start of what’s expected to be a long, hurdle-riddled recovery to cough up $40 million.

Still, school officials should be pushing for that funding. And commissioners should be asking, Can the county afford it? And if it can, then there’s no better time than now.