ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. -- Southside Ashpole Elementary will remain open but under the state’s new Innovative School District.

The Robeson County School Board unanimously voted to hand over control at their meeting after many community members urged the need to keep the Rowland school open.

“This is personal for me, don’t close my mama’s school," said Robeson County’s chief public defender Ronald Foxworth. 

“Children do not need more time on a bus, they need more time in a classroom,: said the pastor of First Baptist Church is Rowland, Thomas Allen. “Please keep Southside Ashpole open. Please give ISD the opportunity to improve, to enrich the lives of these young children and also their families as well.”

“I am positive and confident that you have thought through this matter carefully and you’ve considered carefully the proposal that ISD is making to you and the opportunities that it can bring," said esident Lolita Watson. "Not only to the students at Ashpole Southside but to all the schools in North Carolina that are suffering.”

With the community support, the board did have some concerns about who would take over the school and if they’ve been successful in the past.

Two agencies, Achievement for all Children and the Romine Group have submitted bids to manage the school.

“If we don’t have the right match, I’m not going to stand in front of the state board and recommend somebody that I don’t feel like can do the job,” said Innovative School District superintendent Eric Hall.