During the October 28, 2025 Special Session meeting the Johnston County Board of Education voted to approve the Clayton High rebuild project. This exciting, long-awaited project will provide state-of-the-art facilities for Johnston County students, including 99 total teaching spaces, 19 CTE classes/labs, 13 Science Labs, a main and auxiliary gym, athletic fields and facilities, an extraordinary auditorium with a seating capacity of 762, and so much more, providing the learning spaces Clayton area families will be proud of for many years to come. The total project cost is $134,381,316. The request to the Johnston County Board of Commissioners is to fund the remaining cost of $129,381,316.

Current status: The project is moving quickly: the new classroom tower, main gym, and auxiliary gym are taking shape; the new storage building is now in use, and new student parking lots are ready for the school year.

Clayton High through the years, 1993-2024

North Johnston High School is currently having two major athletic projects completed - the track is being completely replaced, and the tennis courts are being resurfaced.

The track project encompasses not only the running surface, but all field event surfaces as well and the addition of a second long jump pit. Additionally, irrigation and drainage for the football field will be improved by the track enhancements, new fencing is being installed, and access for emergency services will be improved.

The tennis courts will be resurfaced, receive new fencing, and players will have a new 10 foot hitting wall to use.

Current status of track: First layer of asphalt is down.

Current status of tennis courts: The area is being graded, the new hitting wall has been completed, and fencing is starting to be installed. The courts will be paved soon.

Work in progress at the North Johnston track.

McGee’s Crossroads Elementary School is scheduled to have construction on two major classroom additions starting in mid to late 2026. The additions will be on the 200 and 300 buildings, with each adding four new classrooms, a boys and girls bathroom, a staff bathroom, and teaching resource room. These new classrooms will create space for up to 200 students and staff per building.

Current status: Pre-construction

Four Oaks and Cleveland Elementary Schools are currently undergoing large scale renovations, and Four Oaks is also receiving updates to its HVAC system. The new HVAC system will provide students and staff with a more comfortable working and learning environment; and the classroom renovations will address areas that are outdated and in need of repair, namely flooring and paint.

In addition to the classroom renovations and HVAC work, these schools have received all new furniture.

These renovations represent Phase 1 of the project. More updates to come.