Board of Education Needs More Time to Discuss the Fate of Cherryville Schools

Gaston County Board of Education Meeting | June 15, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

Posted Tuesday, June 16, 2026 4:04 pm

By: Ashley Reep - Wise News Network

Gastonia, NC (WNN) - The anticipated vote on the consolidation of W.B. Beam Intermediate School was postponed Monday night, June 15, 2026, after board member A.M. Stephens II moved to amend the agenda during the Gaston County Board of Education's Agenda Adoption portion of the meeting.

Agenda Amendment

"I'd like for us to pull the discussion of closing Beam Intermediate," said Board Member Stephens. He went on to explain that the Gaston County Commissioners are working to provide the necessary funding to keep Beam open. He suggested that the board needs to wait before making any hasty decisions about the future of Cherryville Schools.

Gaston County Board of Education Meeting | June 15, 2026

In response, Cherryville Township representative Robbie Lovelace requested that the board hold a special or emergency meeting as soon as the funding information becomes available so the vote could be held promptly "out of respect for our employees," said Lovelace.

The board ultimately approved the amended agenda, removing the Beam Consolidation Vote from consideration that evening. Lovelace and board member Lee Dedmon, who participated by phone, voted against the motion.

Cherryville Responds

Only five people spoke during public expression, but each addressed the future of Cherryville schools and the board's decision to delay action on the proposed consolidation.

Brittany Elkin, member of the Gaston County Education Alliance

Elkin urged the board members to listen to the people closest to the issue, arguing that those affected are closest to the solution. She said the recent public response on social media has brought more attention to the situation.

Mackenzie Drum, a mother and substitute teacher

Drum spoke as both a parent of three children attending Cherryville schools and a substitute teacher within the Gaston County district. She said her children face the same challenges she experienced as a student more than two decades ago. Adding that Cherryville schools have been consistently asked to do more with fewer resources. Drum stated that she is reconsidering her education degree because educators are currently being treated poorly within the school system.

Heather Holt, Cherryville Education Alliance (CEA)

Holt voiced disappointment that the board chose to postpone its decision, arguing that the delay creates uncertainty that could lead to the loss of educators and students. She said Beam Intermediate represents more than a building; it's a place of comfort and safety for the students and staff.

Jamie Sherrill, Beam PTO President and member of the CEA

Sherrill questioned the timeline leading up to the consolidation proposal. She noted that Beam's principal had sent the board an email regarding student access to the Nixon Gym located on the school campus. Less than 48 hours later, the consolidation proposal was announced. She suggested that the two issues may be connected and requested more transparency from the board.

Ella Sherrill, rising 6th grader at John Chavis Middle School

Ella Sherrill, who recently completed fifth grade at Beam Intermediate, asks the board to keep the school open. Her closing statement ended with, "Please think about the students the way that I've needed Beam."

A "Disappointing Surprise" | Exclusive Interview with Robbie Lovelace

In an exclusive interview with WNN reporter Rusty Wise, Lovelace described Monday night's meeting as a "disappointing surprise." Lovelace said she had hoped to provide some relief to Cherryville residents regarding the future of W.B. Beam Intermediate School.

Gaston County Board of Education Meeting | June 15, 2026

Wise: "Did you know there would be no vote tonight?"

Lovelace: "I knew something was going to be up. I really did, because I started contacting the people who had told me they did not want to see Beam closed. And I know in my heart, and you know, we have to have a majority, and I originally had six for last month to vote that way. Of course, I didn't make the motion last month because two backed out about 2:30 that afternoon. I got word, and they said it was because they wanted to see what the commissioners would do. It's been a month, and we still do not have a definitive answer on whether any more money will come from the commissioner. So those two basically were the holdouts again this time."

The next board meeting on July 20, 2026, leaves only a few weeks remaining before students return to school on August 12, 2026. Lovelace expressed in her interview that she hoped a resolution could be reached before the next meeting.