Neighbors voice concerns over new Carthage Elementary location

October 13, 2025

If you have driven on Vass-Carthage Road in the past few months, you may be wondering what the “No School” signs along the road mean. Its residents along Vass-Carthage Road and Joel Road outside of Carthage are voicing concerns and protesting the potential location for the new Carthage Elementary School.

The 32-acre property is located in the 1300 block of Vass-Carthage Road, near the intersection of Joel Road. Sandhills Sentinel spoke with C.J. McDonald, who owns multiple parcels of land in the area, including a two-acre parcel and a home next to the proposed school site. Like many of his neighbors, McDonald shared several concerns about the location.

In response, Charlie Batchelor, chief communication officer with Moore County Schools, gave Sandhills Sentinel the following quote. “The property is currently under contract while Moore County Schools conducts its due diligence. This step allows the district to complete necessary site evaluations, including environmental studies, traffic assessments, and infrastructure reviews, before finalizing the purchase. Conducting this due diligence ensures the property can safely and efficiently support a new elementary school that meets the long-term needs of our students and the Carthage community.”

McDonald’s home sits tucked away among tall pines, partially hidden from view along Vass-Carthage Road. He worries that a school could change that. The property has roughly 380 feet of road frontage, and according to McDonald, plans would likely require turning lanes to be added directly in front of or on his property, removing much of the natural buffer that now shields his home.

“Three hundred eighty feet isn’t a lot of room for an entrance and exit for a school. I’m not sure how they would stack cars in the drop-off and pick-up lines,” McDonald said.

The school district looked at several parcels for the new school.

“After an extensive review of multiple parcels, others were determined to have less favorable topography and to be located along busier roads, which would create more complex traffic issues,” Batchelor said. “We have determined that the Vass-Carthage Road location offers sufficient acreage to set the school safely back from the roadway, allow for tree buffers around adjoining properties, and accommodate vehicle queuing on site,” said Batchelor.

Neighbors have also raised concerns about stormwater drainage on the property, which slopes toward the back of the site. At the nearby intersection of Joel Road, a former service station sits vacant and reportedly still contains old fuel tanks underground, leading some residents to worry about potential soil contamination in the area. In addition, the site currently lacks county water and sewer service, which could add to development challenges.

“The survey is currently in progress, and additional tests, such as site and soil studies, are not yet complete,” said Batchelor. “These evaluations are part of the district’s due diligence process to determine the property’s suitability for a new Carthage Elementary School. While the parcel would require a sewer line extension estimated at $3 million, this is a strategic investment that helps avoid a projected $10–12 million expansion at Vass-Lakeview Elementary, which is expected to exceed capacity by 2028–2029.”

Agricultural equipment often uses Vass-Carthage Road, and bicyclists use the road as it is the only open road from Vass to Carthage. The increased traffic also raises concerns about safety on the road.

The location is part of a strategic plan by the school board for the area’s growth.

The proposed new school site is just under three miles from the current location on Rockingham Street and exactly three miles from Sandhills Farm Life Elementary School.

“This location provides flexibility to cascade enrollment from Vass-Lakeview Elementary to Sandhills Farm Life Elementary and from Sandhills Farm Life Elementary to the new Carthage Elementary when the need arises,” said Batchelor.

McDonald and neighbors believe a Carthage school should be in Carthage.

“We’re fine with a school, we just feel that it should be in Carthage, and we’re not sure why it isn’t going to be in the same location,” said McDonald. We only want to make people in the area aware of what is happening; We feel they kept this quiet until we started raising concerns.”

~Article and photograph by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Curtis Self. Curtis has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2019.