Photo: Hampton High School was hit hard by flooding brought on by Hurricane Helene. Damage to the campus could be seen on Sept. 30. (WJHL)
Hampton High School will be temporarily located at the Carter County School’s Central Office building at 139 Keenburg Road in Elizabethton. The building is the former home of Keenburg Elementary and has only recently become the central office after the school district consolidated several schools in 2023.
Dr. Brandon Carpenter, Director of Carter County Schools, said the relocation is not a long-term solution and will only be temporary. Carpenter also said splitting up the students and sending them to other schools was never an option.
Dozens of Hampton High teachers were present at the meeting Friday morning and told News Channel 11 that when they went inside the gym and other areas of the school, water was two feet high.
Hampton High School Principal Kayla Clawson said she has been inspired by the way the teachers, staff, students and community have come together in the wake of the devastation and believes they will recover.
“I am confident,” Clawson said. “This was a school prior to our central office staff moving in, and I actually was here for the last part of Keenburg being open. I’m familiar with the building, and I’m confident that we have a staff that comes together and are a family, and we’re gonna do what’s best for all our students.”
Sports will reportedly be accommodated and the board stated they have talked with area coaches and are looking at lease agreements with other complexes. The district is also considering CTE options to resume those programs.
Over the next two to three weeks, the BOE said more long-term information is expected.
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