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Two schools in Washington slated for closure

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published March 9, 2026 at 6:37 AM EDT
Beaufort Tech 2nd Grade .JPG
Ryan Shaffer / PRE News & Ideas
File: Beaufort County Schools second graders Raquan Craig, Halle Hopkins, Kailin Davis and Priscilla Park.

Beaufort County Schools is moving forward with plans to close two elementary schools in Washington.

A public hearing is set for April 13th to discuss the future of Eastern Elementary and John Cotten Tayloe. The district plans to consolidate those students into the new Washington Elementary School when it opens in August 2026.

The move follows the board's recent decision to close S.W. Snowden School in Aurora due to declining enrollment.

Officials say the new $52 million facility will provide a modern learning environment for up to 900 students.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
See stories by Annette Weston