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 Patrick Woodie, County Manager
Chair Eldon Edwards called the meeting
to order and asked for a motion to open the meeting for the purpose of touring
the
Commissioner Warren Taylor made a
motion to open the meeting. Commissioner
Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.
Vote 4:0.
Charles Joines called the meeting to
order and asked for a motion to open the meeting for the purpose of touring the
Betsy Dillon made a motion to open the
meeting. Sonia Joines seconded the
motion. Vote 4:0.
Charles Joines welcomed everyone to
this meeting.
Susan Murphy, Principal at
John Farrelly, Assistant Principal at
The Board of Commissioners, Board of
Education members,
Susan Murphy and John Farrelly
presented a PowerPoint presentation regarding the space issues and possible
solutions for these issues.
Cindy Atwood, Title I Teacher,
explained the construction progress that
John Farrelly discussed building
priorities and reviewed the options and recommendations that have been
discussed about solving the space needs for the 2004-2005 school year. He thanked everyone for attending this
meeting and asked if anyone has any questions.
Commissioner
Susan Murphy and Duane Davis talked
about how enrollment had been declining for 30 years, the State started
predicting an increase in enrollment even though the County’s economic
condition wasn’t good and enrollment started increasing in accordance to the
State’s predictions. Mr. Davis talked
about some things that has an impact on space needs other than increased
enrollment; new mandated smaller class size, new programs and expansion of
current programs to address the children’s needs.
Janice Linker gave the Boards an update
on a universal 4-year-old program, the current preschools programs and the
projections of preschool doubling in size during the next five years.
Duane Davis stated that both Boards need
to address the temporary fix and look at a long-term solution for the space
issues.
Commissioner
Duane Davis stated that currently Glade
Creek is using a mobile classroom for a 2nd grade class, the Band
has to use the cafeteria for class, and they will have at least two
Kindergarten classes and two 2nd grade classes next school year. Mr. Davis explained that currently 19 have
enrolled for Kindergarten next year at Piney Creek. He explained how the average classroom size
is calculated for the entire school system.
Susan Murphy, John Farrelly and Janice
Linker told the Boards about people moving into the County for this type of
lifestyle and school system meaning increased enrollment.
Duane Davis stated that he would get
that information together. He further
stated that credit needs to be given to the Commissioners and the
Clarence Crouse stated that priority is
on long-range plans for the county-wide system.
Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that
he agrees with the recommendations for beginning strategic planning sessions to
address problems on a long-term basis.
Chair Eldon Edwards explained that he
appreciates this opportunity to tour the facility and see the space needs. He further explained the needs that the
County was facing when this facility was constructed. He stated that he thinks a good job has been
done with the space that the school has currently.
Commissioner
Chair Eldon Edwards stated that he
would like to comment on what a great asset the Cyber Campus is to
Charles Joines stated that the new high
school principal is amazed with the Cyber Campus, which says a lot since he
came from a school with approximately 1,500 students. He further stated that he agrees with
Commissioner Taylor about starting right now to plan for the solution. He explained that he was surprised to see the
schools in this shape so soon after the major construction projects.
Chair Eldon Edwards stated that another
good thing is the
Chair Eldon Edwards talked about a
proposed resolution regarding opposing legislation that would take away the local
school board control over the school calendar.
Commissioner Warren Taylor made a
motion to approve the resolution regarding local control over the local school
calendar. Commissioner Graylen Blevins
seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.
Charles Joines stated that they need
help with this issue and urged everyone to contact our legislators regarding
opposing this issue.
Sonia Joines mentioned that the media
needs to get involved with the subject as well.
Commissioner Graylen Blevins stated
that he feels that education being stuck in a closet is scary. He further stated that everyone needs to do
what needs to be done for the children.
He also said thank you to everyone for all that is done for the
children.
Commissioner
Clarence Crouse made a motion to
adjourn the meeting at
Respectfully
submitted,
Clerk
to the Board
ATTEST:
Eldon
Edwards
Chairman
)
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the North Carolina General Statutes give local boards of education the authority to establish starting dates for the school year, and
WHEREAS, local control over school calendars allows local boards of education to respond to the educational needs and calendar preferences of the children and families in the school district, and
WHEREAS, legislation has been proposed that would take away local control over school calendars from local boards of education,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the
unanimously opposes legislation that would deprive boards of education of local control over their school calendars.
Adopted this 10th
day of May, 2004.