Alumni weigh in on proposed renovation of historic Ligon Magnet School

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Some local alumni of the historic Ligon High School who lived through segregation are making their voices heard to make sure their beloved school, now Ligon Magnet Middle School, isn't torn down as it faces renovations.

The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) announced details on the proposed $141 million renovations to the nearly 75-year-old school.

Even all these years later, Carol Gartrell lights up remembering her time at Ligon.

More than just fond memories, it was Raleigh history. Originally Raleigh's Black high school during segregation, Ligon was converted to a junior high in the 19070s to integrate Raleigh's city schools.

"I was student body president my senior year, and I don't know who didn't go to Ligon. It was the only school Blacks could attend during our era. And naturally, the history there is monumental. We had the best of the best in instructors and administrators. Many of them went on to become national leaders," Gartrell said.

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Part of the questions about the renovation project center on whether the old building would be torn down. Alums want to make sure the building stays intact.

"It's extremely important today because so much of our history is being erased, or efforts are being made to erase our history. So that's another reason that it's a very sensitive topic," Gartrell said.

We're now getting a better timeline of the project.

A design won't be ready until the end of 2026, with final construction finished by the 2029-30 school year.

Wake County Schools Chief of Facilities and Operations Mark Strickland said Tuesday night's community input was helpful.

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But he wants to make clear, no decision has been made on whether the new construction would involve demolition.

"We have to perform our due diligence and decide what we can do and just as importantly, what we can't do," Strickland said. "So in thinking that through, we're looking at many options. One would be to renovate what we have. One may be to renovate part of it and tear some of it down."

He said that, similarly to Broughton High School, it can be possible to maintain older buildings as part of a modern renovation.

And as WCPSS figures things out, Strickland said he heard Ligon alums loud and clear and understands the history.

"So yes, we want to embrace that and we want to do it in a way that will work for that side in that campus and also meet the educational requirements for our students nowadays," he said.