School officials last week discussed the potential legal and practical ramifications of the fact that Alleghany High School does not have a female physical education teacher. The discussion ended with Superintendent Duane Davis and AHS Principal Jeff Peal agreeing to try to come up with a solution.
The matter came up late in the Alleghany County Board of Education's Oct. 10 meeting, under the category of board member concerns. Member Gary Murphy broached the subject, saying, "I have a great concern over (getting) a female PE teacher at the high school. I think it's greatly needed."
Peal, who became principal this year, said, "One thing that shocked me is that we didn't have a female presence in the health and PE department. I think we're in line for trouble. (Teacher/coaches) Brent Long and Tom Smith are some of the finest fellows you could work with, but they can't address the needs of females who need to talk with a female teacher." He said that with no on-staff, female coaches, "In my opinion, we're putting a male person in jeopardy. They can't go in that locker room. If there's a scuffle, they can't break it up. They can't deal with the issues that females have."
Davis then said the female PE teacher was one of five and one-half positions eliminated several years ago due to budget cuts.
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