By Karl Cameron
Special To The Carolinian
The J.W. Ligon Magnet Middle School Renovation Listening Session set for Jan. 8, 2026 came off as planned at the school’s auditorium, beginning promptly at 6:00 p.m. Wake Public School Superintendent, Dr. Robert Taylor, was the host for the session, which was attended by nearly 100 interested persons, many of who were former students of the school when it was a senior high school. Dr. Taylor made a point to the attendees that on this evening he, staff, and two school board members were “there to listen and not answer questions. Additional key points Dr. Taylor made were that the word “Renovation” simply meant that funds had been designated for a project. He also said that there should have been a better job done of communicating to the public.
At that time he turned the microphone over to attendees to offer their input on the project. Currently the architect, LS3P, has three options on the table: Option 1: Renovation of Existing Building, Timeline 51 Months, Total Construction Cost $102,317,529; Option 2: Build New School on Existing School Site, Timeline 56 Months, Total Estimated Construction Cost $147,966,807; and finally Option 3: Build New School on existing Ballfield Site, Timeline 45 Months, Total Estimated Construction Cost $121,845,232.
The majority of the 20-attendees that came to the microphone favored Option 1 or Option 2, and two expressed the need for an Option 4. Dr. Taylor called attention to Option 3, which offered the possibility of an “alumni pavilion” for community gatherings and to honor the J.W. Ligon Jr./Sr. High School legacy. He went on to say that, “It is important to honor Ligon’s History is a very real way.”
Daniel Coleman, Southeast Raleigh Building Contractor, was the evening’s first presenter. He pointed out that Option 1 represents the lowest responsible bid, and went on to say that distinction matters, “a difference of $20 Million in not insignificant. Those dollars could be used to restore longevity pay for our teachers, Contribute to fully funding the Leandro Plan, and help cap rising health insurance premiums”, were some of his points. Coleman further said, “we should consider the concentration of magnet middle schools in downtown Raleigh, and explore expanding access across Wake County’s 11 municipalities and unincorporated areas.
Coleman also urged attendees to look at the broader financial picture. “Wake Co. is contemplating a $650 million school construction bond, while the City of Raleigh is considering a $200 million housing bond within the same timeframe. That is nearly $850 million in new bond debt that taxpayers, like you and me, are being asked to shoulder.”
Bertha Young, J. W. Ligon Class of ’71 urged listeners to “think outside of the box. In 5, 10, or 15 years many of us won’t be here. We have the opportunity to use these funds to do better. Why wouldn’t we want something better, newer?
Carol Gartrell, J.W. Ligon Class of ’65 said that she would favor Option 1 or 2, stating that others schools, citing Daniels and Broughton renovated where streets were wiped out to make it possible. Ms. Gartrell went on to say, “There is no figure that can replace history. We must weigh in on other interest like condos across the street. I prefer not to have to one day see a sign reading tis is where Ligon was.”
An African-American Ligon Magnet Middle School parent said, “I’m excited for my daughter to come to a historic Black School. Ligon Magnet Middle School would not be Ligon without what came before it. This is not the first time that a historic Black School has been jeopardized.”
Yvette Holmes said that a budget should be dedicated to a historic piece, and that a curriculum should be developed and taught. She also suggested that Chavis Heights should be connected. Ms. Holmes recommended a community planning group to provide input, and thought that group should be compensated.
Veronica Scott Johnson, the granddaughter of John Scott stated, “I’m a history buff and it ears me apart. I didn’t want tto leave Ligon to go to Sanderson. It wasn’t the best situation, but I made the best of it. It was a great loss when Ligon was converted to a junior high school. My main concern is that Ligon’s history be preserved. I favor Option 1 or 2, and these needs to be a track field and a stadium.”
Bryan Dozier said he personally favors Option 3. Mr. Dozier holds church services at the Magnet Middle School. He went on to say we must keep the history alive. “This is not only a physical place, but a state of mind.”
Dorothy Shaw Thompson pointed out, “History is important, so we don’t repeat it! Ligon should have stayed a Senior High School. Ms. Thompson went on to reference a number of its notable graduates, and say Ligon needs to stay the shining light on the hill.” She also emphasized that the Ligon History must be taught.” In closing Ms. Thompson urged don’t repeat the cycle of the money not being spent on the preservation of the school over the years.
Former St. Augustine’s University President, Dr. Everett Ward, felt compelled to speak. Dr. Ward referenced the nurturing he received from his parents. He recalled that his mother was in the first J. W. Ligon High School class, and his father was a Washington High graduate. He went on to reflect on the rich cultural tradition that existed at the then senior high school reflected in the plays, debate clubs, and the band, which he listened to from his grandparents’ State Street home. Dr. Ward concluded, “We must fight to keep Ligon on the Hill!”
We talked to J. W. Ligon Alumni President, Toney Bethea, at presstime. He commended Mr. Coleman’s presentation, but suggested a fourth option that would call for a mobile campus offsite. Bethea pointed out this would eliminate noise pollution, and the distraction from learning that construction can cause. Furthermore the funds spent on the mobile units would be a long term investment, since that could be used at other schools.
Another concern Mr. Bethea raised was the lack of timeliness in making the alumni, as well as the community aware of the dates, times, and places of the listening sessions. Dr. Taylor said at the Nov. 24th Listening Session at Southeast Raleigh YMCA that the schedule would consist of sessions on Jan. 8th and Jan. 17, 2026. He also went on to say that on Jan. 31st and Feb. 7th or 8th 2026 he would like to meet with J.W. Ligon Alumni Classes of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s to determine, “How we honor the Ligon Legacy.” We have no time or location for the upcoming Jan. 17th meeting at press time.
