GASTONIA, NC – New year, new school in Gastonia. WCCB Charlotte got a first look at W.P. Grier Middle School. The new $56 million school replaces the old one built in the 50’s.

Gaston County Schools Superintendent, Morgen Houshard, says safety is one of their top priorities this year.

“We want to have a safe environment and we work hard. We’ve worked hard all summer, our principals and teachers, to make sure the buildings are safe, follow procedures and protocols,” Houshard said.

All students at Grier Middle School will have to walk through metal detectors instead of being subject to random metal detection.

The cellphone classroom ban for all North Carolina Schools goes into effect at the start of 2026. Houshard says that won’t be a problem for his district.

“In Gaston County schools

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