CONCORD, N.C. — Leaders of Concord’s Barber-Scotia College spoke out on Saturday morning in a press conference and gave insight on the school’s future.
Board chair Roberta Pinckney and interim president Tracey Flemmings spoke about the school’s latest issues, accusing the City of Concord and Cabarrus County officials of using those issues to target the campus for redevelopment.
“We are determined to build the walls of Barber-Scotia College,” Pinckney said. “We are still willing to work with city and county officials, we are simply asking them to allow us enough time to make repairs, restore our tax exempt status, and cancel our debt as a sign of good faith,” Flemmings said.
President Flemmings said last October, the board of trustees approved a five-year strategic plan to restore the school to stability and sustainability.
“We are in active discussions with potential donors and partners and are confident that over the next two years the college will orchestrate a turnaround,” Flemmings said.
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Officials said the college currently has four students online who are being taught by pro bono professors. But they say city and county officials seem to be plotting the school’s demise.
Last week, Concord dissolved the task force that had been formed to revitalize the school.
“The college learned of the dissolution of the taskforce from the media,” Flemmings said.
Earlier this month, the Cabarrus County tax assessor denied tax exemption status for much of the campus, which includes worn down buildings deemed unsafe by city inspectors.
“Unfortunately, we have yet to get approval on all buildings to allow students on campus, it is fair to say that some code requirements have been seen as suspect,” Flemmings said.
Flemmings and Pinckney say they still have a lot of passion for the school and are dedicated to preserving it.
“The college is respectfully asking the city to back off and allow this new administration to work its plan,” Flemmings said.
Pickney said the leadership plans to continue the legacy of the school.
“The new leadership, the board of trustees, the alumni, friends, and supporters are resolved to ensure that Scotia will continue her legacy to teach, educate, and train the next generation of students,” Pickney said.
The school has appealed the tax exemption denials. The matter will be scheduled for a hearing.
(WATCH BELOW: Tax exemption could be pulled from Barber-Scotia College, Channel 9 learns)
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