Minutes-10-03-2023-Business Meeting

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9 Tremaine Royster, pastor of Jones Grove Missionary Baptist Church, thanked the Board for taking the time to remember this school. He shared how important the Ridge Road School is as a representation of the community's legacy. Peter Sandbeck discussed the work of Representative Renee Price through Free Spirit Freedom. Vice-Chair McKee asked if there are any plans to further restore the building. Peter Sandbeck said yes, and designation on the National Register of Historic Places will allow the opportunity to seek funding sources. He said he will keep the Board updated on the progress. Vice-Chair McKee said he will likely bring forward a petition to provide county funding toward this effort. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Louis Watkins said he was born and raised in Hillsborough on the same road as the school. He said he went to Ridge Road School starting in 1942 with 4 of his 9 siblings and really enjoyed going there. He said he went as far as the fourth grade. He shared memories of his time at school and walking 2.5 miles there each day. Representative Renee Price said she first learned of the school over 10 years ago and she and Jackie Liggins went throughout the county to document the schools that were built for African American children during the era of segregation. She said there are 29 of these schools in Orange County. She explained the steps and conversations leading to her learning the name of Ridge Road School. She said she had a conversation with Melvin Beasley and he has similar stories to Mr. Watkins about bringing wood to burn for warmth, carrying water from the well, and using text books passed down from the white schools. She said Mr. Beasley was very humble and was the first African American to serve on the Orange County Board of Elections. She said this school stands as a testament to the determination of the students, parents, and the community to ensure a good education for everyone and recognizing that knowledge and education is a pathway to freedom. She said most other school buildings like this have fallen into disrepair or were converted to a residence or storage, but Ridge Road is the one in the best shape. She said saving this building will serve as an example and will continue to tell the full story of Orange County. She asked the Board to support the recommendation. Commissioner Greene thanked everyone for their work on this. She said she drove by the school today and the pictures are great, but walking around the school is even better. She said it is sad this is the best-preserved building because it is frankly not in great shape and is glad to hear that the designation will help with fundraising for restoration. She said this recommendation is very comprehensive and appreciates the detailing of the deep history of school systems in Orange County. She said she very much supports this application. Commissioner Hamilton said there are many difficult decisions to make as a county commissioner, but this one is easy. She thanked everyone involved for their efforts in bringing this forward. She said her grandparents were teachers and ministers in rural Georgia and imagines her grandmother may have taught in a school like this. She said it is important history. Vice-Chair McKee said he remembers a similar school in Caldwell when he was growing up and is now, sadly, only the stones of the foundation. Commissioner Richards said she finds this especially important today as so many people are trying not to acknowledge our history. She said it is important to save places that are tangible and to have memory of our history. She said it is urgent to save it while it's still able to be saved, and hopefully will be able to use the school as a teaching tool about the county's true history. She said her mother attended a one-room schoolhouse in rural Mississippi in the 1920s and expressed again the importance of preserving Ridge Road School.