NORWOOD — Amid the increasing likelihood Norwood Elementary School will be shuttered, efforts are underway to start a private, Christian-based school in the town.

Memorial Baptist Church leaders are actively pursuing the launch of a school for grades K-3 at the church’s Pee Dee Avenue location.

Organizers spearheading the private school contend the idea was born before Norwood Elementary closure discussions began. Norwood’s closure or the debate as to the best course of action for Stanly County Schools marked the final push.

“The more I went to those meetings, the more I saw a broken system,” Tom Gray said. “No one can agree what the answer is. I don’t see that there is any clear direction.”

Prior to the talk of possible school closures, Gray said there were earlier thoughts of opening a school at the church. Those considerations were more driven by better serving Christ than issues with the decisions of school officials.

“Memorial Baptist is not anti-public education,” the Rev. Josh Phillips said. “We understand they (SCS) are handcuffed.”

Church leaders, however, also recognize public education lacks the inclusion of God, prayer, the Ten Commandments and the Bible in contemporary curriculua.

Part of Memorial Baptist’s objective behind a Christian school is “producing disciples,” Phillips said.

Plans call for the school to model its curriculum after Bob Jones University, which features a biblical foundation along with academic rigor, critical thinking and technology solutions.

Phillips, Gray and Beverly McIntyre are spearheading the effort. Two of the trio have connections to SCS.

McIntyre, who will serve as the school’s headmaster, spent her career as an educator, previously teaching at Norwood and UNC-Charlotte.

Gray, postmaster in Norwood, coaches at South Stanly High School, where his wife works as a teacher. His son teaches in Cabarrus County.

Phillips and his wife home-school their children.

Before moving forward with the idea of a private school, the trio sent out a survey for public feedback. It overwhelmingly supported the idea. Much of how they plan to begin derived from the survey responses, including comments on grade levels, tuition amount and volunteerism.

A vote was also taken among the church’s 300-member congregation. It, too, supported the notion of forming a private school on the grounds.

If there was any concern, Gray said, it was fear the school would become a fiscal burden to the church.

Gray contends the school will be a separate entity, having already applied for its nonprofit status. Funding will derive from fundraising campaigns as well as an annual tuition estimated at $4,500.

Plans call for church classrooms to be transitioned for school. Facility conversions, however, will come at a hefty price as the church must adhere to new building standards. Early estimates show about $50,000 in renovations will be necessary before the school can open, Gray said.

In addition to the church family and Norwood community, organizers believe the school will draw from Anson and Montgomery counties due to proximity.

It remains unknown how many students are projected to enroll at the school.

“We’re simply not going to know until we get enrollment applications,” McIntyre said. “We’re prepared to adjust with classroom size.”

They are anticipating about 30 students to start, but if 100 enrolled, organizers said they would adapt.

“We’re equipped. If the Lord brought us that many kids, we’d make accommodations,” Phillips said.

Plans include the possibility of adding a pre-K class or expanding grade levels in the future.

The number of students will dictate the number of teachers hired.

“They’ll have to be called to teach here because we cannot pay what public educators make,” Gray said.

Organizers are pointing to August 2016 as a probable start date, but concede the opening could be delayed until 2017, if necessary.

Presently, there are three private schools in Stanly County: Carolina Christian School, Locust; Christ the King Christian Academy, New London; and Park Ridge Christian School, Albemarle.

Town leaders in Oakboro have said they plan to open a charter school in the wake of plans to shutter Oakboro Elementary School.

Gray Stone Day School, in Misenheimer, is the only charter school currently serving the county.

Reach Stanly News & Press news editor Ritchie Starnes at 704-982-2121 ext. 28 or email ritchie@stanlynewspress.com.

By Ritchie Starnes

Stanly News & Press