More than 60 people gathered at Ligon Magnet Middle School to voice their concerns over the planned redevelopment of the middle school in Raleigh.

The architectural firm tasked with leading the renovation, LS3P, said they’re seeking input from students, staff and the Raleigh community before moving forward in the design process.

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In a letter to parents from Interim Principal Scott Lyons, a copy of which was obtained by WRAL News, one of the ideas circulating is a plan to build the new school on the current athletic field, and then move the new athletic field to where the current school building stands.

“I know that many of you will have strong feelings about this project,” Lyons said in the letter. “It is only in the exploratory stages and planning will take at least two years before any work starts.”

The school was marked for renovation in 2022 as part of Wake County’s seven-year Capital Improvement Plan. There are currently no approved plans for rebuilding.

Ligon Magnet Middle School was founded as an all-Black high school for Black students who previously attended Washington School on Fayetteville Street. It was later integrated in 1971 and converted into a middle school. It cost $1 million and, at the time, was one of the largest school construction projects in the state.

The school was added to the Wake County Public School System in 1982 and became involved in the Magnet Program.

A group of passionate alumni who attended the community input meeting at Ligon Middle School Thursday afternoon wanted to ensure the school’s history would be preserved in the renovation process.

“This place needs to stay and stand to represent the history of this country that we live in,” said Dorothy Thompson, a member of the 1964 graduating class. “We need our kids to know that the reason Ligon is here is because of segregation.”

An LS3P representative said a conditions report of the school showed areas that needed to be modernized.

“Do we have enough bathrooms? We don’t. I think a big thing is the size of classrooms,” she said.

Proposed design plans for the school will be presented to the school board at a later date for approval.