The Alleghany County Board of
Commissioners and the Alleghany County Board of Education held a joint session
on
Present: Chair Eldon Edwards, Vice-Chair Warren
Taylor, Commissioner Graylen Blevins, Commissioner
Charles Joines called the meeting to
order at
Charles Joines explained the purpose of
the meeting is to present facility options to the Board of Commissioners.
Chair Eldon Edwards called the meeting
the order for the Commissioners.
Clarence Crouse made a motion to
approve the agenda. Betsy Dillon
seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.
Duane Davis welcomed everyone to the
meeting. He reviewed the current status
of the school system. He talked about
population growth as well as new and expanded programs. He further talked about creating facility plans
based on current needs and program expansions.
He explained the process of starting to study about options to solve the
space-needs situation especially at
Dr. Julia Williams talked about reasons
for these recommendations including programs mandated by the State, small
population growth, Sparta Elementary School having the most severe needs
concerning space and models for schools; PK-8th grade, PK-6th
grade and 7th-8th grade, PK-5th grade and 6th-8th
grade. She stated that she will present
four options for the Boards to consider.
Dr. Julia Williams reviewed Option A
which will create a
Frank Williams displayed a drawing
about moving
Dr. Julia Williams explained the
rationale, recommendations, benefits, concerns and a summarization for Option
A. (see attached)
Dr. Julia Williams explained Option B
will expand all PK-8 schools to accommodate the existing population. She reviewed the rationale, recommendations,
benefits, concerns and a summarization for Option B. (see attached)
Dr. Julia Williams explained Option C
will build a new county-wide Middle School for grade 6-8 at a new site. She reviewed the rationale, recommendations,
benefits, concerns and a summarization for Option C. (see attached)
Frank Williams showed a color sketch of
another school that they were working on in
Dr. Julia Williams explained Option D
will divide
Frank Williams showed drawings of the
proposed Option D and explained that this option will be a two-level facility
and will be like two separate schools in the same facility.
Commissioner
Frank Williams explained the two-level
concept in more detail and the number of potential classrooms.
Commissioner Warren Taylor and Dr.
Williams talked about Option D providing enough space for the 7th-8th
grade students.
Commissioner
Frank Williams explained that it is
easier to control costs on a new building rather than making an old building
look new and working to fit the needed amount of space into a certain area.
Chair Eldon Edwards asked why the 6th
grade was omitted on Option D.
Dr. Williams explained that the area
can’t accommodate that many students.
Duane Davis stated that they had looked
at different school set-ups and which way the students perform better. He stated that by splitting
Chair Eldon Edwards talked about the 6th
grade being included in Option D, overcrowding at
Commissioner Graylen Blevins asked
about the size dimensions for 7th and 8th grade
classrooms.
Dr. Julia Williams stated that 900
square feet for classrooms, 400 square feet for resource rooms and 1,200 square
feet for classes like art and music is what is required.
Frank Williams pointed out that the PK
classrooms must have a restroom in the classroom and another exit door.
Commissioner Graylen Blevins asked what
the current enrollment is for the 7th-8th grade.
Dr. Julia Williams stated the numbers
she has shows 249 for 7th-8th grade with 101 at
Commissioner
Frank Williams stated he wouldn’t
recommend putting any more children on the site without additional
property. He talked about Charles Street
is an accident waiting to happen where people come out of a building directly
into the Street.
Commissioner
Frank Williams stated that if the other
lot isn’t purchased, then the road would be moved as far as possible from the
school. He reviewed the drawing showing
where the road is being considered.
Commissioner Warren Taylor asked how
big the playground areas will be.
Frank Williams explained the play areas
are 130x70, 120x200 and 110x230.
Randy Baker stated that the road
drawing includes the optioned property.
Commissioner
Randy Baker explained that they would
keep moving the road farther from the school.
John Farrelly explained the
Commissioner
Duane Davis said that the State will
provide money for a new principal. He
stated that they would have to look at the office area, and the separate school
wouldn’t have to have a total stand-alone office space. He talked about how at least a principal,
assistant principal and secretary would be required and possibly an additional
person in the cafeteria.
Susan Murphy talked about two
additional people for the media center.
John Farrelly talked about needing a
maintenance person, finance person and an office staff person.
Commissioner
Jennifer Sturgill asked would the
outlying schools lose people.
Duane Davis stated that he didn’t think
they would.
John Farrelly stated that he thought it
would increase because adding more positions.
Faron Atwood talked about every class
is pressed for gym time, computer time, et cetera. He stated that he thinks this is a win-win
situation for both age groups,
Rod Bost talked about the concept of
the 7th-8th graders attending some high school
classes. He further talked about how the
science department at the high school has a full schedule currently.
Sid Miller asked why a middle school
isn’t being considered and doesn’t see how Option D is better. He further asked why more money is being
spent at
Charles Joines asked for public
comments.
Regina Rector talked about liking the
idea of a middle school, never enough resources for extra help, putting all of
the 7th-8th graders at
Beth Templeton Phipps spoke on behalf
of the PK-2 children. She explained that
there isn’t enough room now, the smaller children are already exposed to 7th-8th
graders activities, safety issues, preschool is not adequate now, the need for
a place to play and considering the option for them to have their own computer
labs, library and enrichment areas.
Misty McKnight talked about more
programs the schools are offering to the lower grades, have two computer labs
that they can use after 24 other classes have used them, when testing is going
on—all of the spaces have to be used and everyone must be extremely quiet. She talked about the PK kids don’t have a gym
or a multi-purpose room, no free space to reward kids with free time and lunch
starts at 10:30.
Bill Caudill stated that he is here on
behalf of the bus drivers in the County.
He talked about how the bus drivers aren’t recognized, drivers being upset
about bonuses given to teachers with nothing given to the bus drivers. He stated that they want the support and
recognition as being a vital part of the school system.
Tim Stamper talked about being stuck on
patching space needs. He talked about
the need for a 30-year plan. He stated
that as a taxpayer, he is looking forward to having a building to be proud
of. He talked about proposals get made
and chiseled down until it is embarrassing and the need to build something to
be proud of.
Mitch Franklin stated that he
appreciated everyone’s hard work and echoes Duane Davis’s comments about being
proud of the schools. He further stated
that he is representing the kids that have been left out of extra
activities. He talked about the
performance of Ashe and Wilkes county schools and
Gretchen Stafford said that she has
just moved here, and this community doesn’t want a middle school. She talked about problems at middle
schools. She stated that it means something
to go to a PK-8 school. She further
stated that everyone needs to do some more research on the middle-school idea.
Sherry Wagoner stated that children in
Ashe and Wilkes counties are no smarter than our children. She further stated that problems happen but
not just because it is a middle school.
Holly Farr asked what happens when the
increased school population goes to the high school.
Charles Joines stated that nothing is
on the drawing board but this has been discussed.
Donya Joines stated that she attended a
middle school and a middle school is a good idea but don’t forget about
Charles Joines stated that everyone
will miss Mr. Howell, and the Board is aware of the problems with the gym. He talked about the gym burned 37-38 years
ago.
Phil Howell talked about the gym is a
worthy request and students are at a big disadvantage to the other schools.
Sherry Wagoner talked about the need to
unite and stop being
Donna Evans addressed concerns about
the length of time children must spend on the bus to come to
Mary Teague stated that one reason they
moved here was to get away from the large schools. She talked about children lose 10 percentage
points during transition. She said there
is a lot to be said about smaller schools.
Karen Tompkins stated that as a PK
teacher at
Jennifer Sturgill stated that she isn’t
concerned about losing people, that her concern is losing positions and people
can’t do their best by doing more than one job.
She reminded everyone that education and children come first.
Gary West stated that these options
were quickly narrowed down. He invited
both boards to come to
Eric Thomas stated that he is only here
to support the middle-school concept. He
talked about two transitions is the best choice for the children.
Rod Bost talked about his concern for
Option D in adding additional traffic, shared space at the upper and lower
schools, can’t do a lot for the accelerated students, play area, middle school
sharing field space with the high school, end-of-course testing. He talked about moving too quickly at Option
D. He further talked about the need to
try to get the low-wealth funding.
Burr Bost asked what are the long-range
growth projections in the 7th-8th grade area.
Duane Davis stated that 100 at this
time and would have to add to that.
John Farrelly talked about how hard it
is to analyze future growth.
Duane Davis stated that the point is
well taken and the growth factor is figured into these plans and looking at
potential programs.
Stephanie Blevins talked about people
talking about what they think they know.
She further talked about transition doesn’t have to be negative, the
need for everyone to stop and listen, stop pitting schools against each
other. She gave reasons she is in
support of a middle-school idea. She
stated that the time has come for a county middle school.
John Farrelly explained that these
space needs have been being studied for 1-1½ years concerning
Melissa Vestal talked about being a
“traveling” teacher for Spanish at the elementary schools. She further talked about the middle-school
idea offers more things.
Clarence Crouse thanked everyone for
coming to this meeting and wanting to do something good for the children. He explained that the Commissioners must
finance any of these ideas, and they will do the best thing. He stated that these plans are fairly new to
everyone and nothing is no where near concrete.
He further stated that the Board of Education/Board of Commissioners
hasn’t even talked about these ideas. He
talked about the safety issues of the children and the new programs. He stated that the Boards need to move
quickly but also need to make the right decisions. He further stated that he is very proud over
the last few years’ accomplishments.
Joel Souther thanked everyone for
coming. He stated that this is the first
step in a long line of issues, and he wants to do what is best for every
student in
Faron Atwood stated that he wasn’t
going to be wishy-washy on this idea. He
talked about the lower grades needing space.
He charged each citizen to make sure the Board doesn’t do something like
the gymnatorium. He stated that if more
community meetings are needed, then the Boards need to have them.
Betsy Dillon stated that this is a
serious responsibility and a serious need.
She further stated that everyone needs to be bold and make the right
decision with a lot of input from the communities.
Chair Eldon Edwards expressed his
appreciation to everyone here tonight and it has been interesting to hear
everyone’s comments. He talked about the
good education system that we have and the facilities will be in the best
interest for the children. He reminded
everyone that the Board of Commissioners tried to do their best with no control
on the school population. He stated that
there will be more meetings held on the space-needs options.
Regina Rector stated that the parents’
fear needs to be put to rest. She asked
that the Boards show how many teachers per student, how this will work for each
school and any programs cut. She further
asked that this project be done the right way not be piece-milled together.
Chair Eldon Edwards stated that the
School Board can provide the information that Ms. Rector asked for, and the
Board of Education will have to make a decision on their recommendation.
Charles Joines stated that these
options are still new to everyone because the options were presented to the
School Board last Friday.
Commissioner Warren Taylor talked about
this is an important issue. He stated
that regardless of which option is chosen, everyone needs to unite behind that
option. He further stated that in order
for this issue to pass on a bond referendum, the tax-paying people have to be
sold on this issue.
Commissioner
Commissioner Graylen Blevins stated
that he agrees with Faron Atwood about not being wishy-washy and everyone must
stand together. He talked about not
standing for
Commissioner Ken Richardson stated that
he didn’t see any option that he likes.
He talked about this meeting has raised a lot of questions that hasn’t
been answered. He further talked about not
putting things off. He said that he
wants to correct the school situation for 25 years.
Chair Eldon Edwards reiterated the
Regina Rector stated that she doesn’t
think it will be a tough sell.
Chair Eldon Edwards stated that he
hopes it is easy but it hasn’t been an easy sell in the past.
Chair Eldon Edwards adjourned the
meeting at
Charles Joines adjourned the meeting at
Respectfully
submitted,
Clerk
to the Board
ATTEST:
Eldon
Edwards
Chairman