As Wallace expands, so do educational needs

WALLACE — The Wallace area is experiencing significant growth, evidenced by hundreds of permits issued for new homes and the arrival of numerous businesses. This growth has raised important questions about educational facilities, particularly where incoming children will attend school.

Wallace Mayor Jason Wells has noted an increasing concern regarding school capacity at recent community meetings, including a session with the Wallace Rotary Club.

“People were asking about the schools,” Wells said in an interview with the Duplin Journal. “Wallace Elementary is already kind of maxed out as far as what they can handle. You also have Wallace Christian, which is growing by leaps and bounds.”

In the past, there were efforts to establish a charter school in the Wallace area; however, progress on this initiative appears to have stalled, according to Wells.

“That doesn’t mean it won’t happen at some point,” Wells said. He explained that all the upcoming development could reignite interest in charter school options.

Wells points out that the development in the surrounding area will not only impact local schools but could also affect schools in Pender County, such as Penderlea School, which may receive students from new developments.

While work on creating a charter school seems to have subsided, Wells believes the coming growth makes the area ripe for the idea.

“I think it’s always been a possibility,” he said. “People want choice when it comes to education. I truly believe the more options you have, the better. I think we’ve got good, decent public schools, but people want options.”

Wells advocates for educational choices, noting that potential residents seek variety in school options, as well as in housing and community amenities.

“When they’re looking into an area to move to, they want choices,” said Wells. “They want choices when it comes to nice parks and housing, but they also want choices when it comes to their kids’ education.”

As Wallace continues to grow, so will the town’s needs for educational facilities to accommodate the rising number of children headed to the area. According to Wells, it is essential to take measures to address this expansion effectively.

“As we continue to expand and grow as a community, you’re going to want to have more availability when it comes to schools, whether that’s the county schools deciding we need a bigger school, or whether that means more private school choice, or whether that means charter school choices,” Wells said. “There’s no such thing, I believe, as one size fits all in anything, especially when it comes to education. I’m a firm believer that the more options you have to offer the more likely somebody will look at your community and say that’s a place I want to call home.”