Waiting on state budget to fill positions School board votes to hire few teachers

The Alleghany County Board of Education last week voted to hire a handful of teachers. Several positions, however, remain on hold due to the continuing uncertainty with the state budget situation.

"I've never been in as unknowable a situation in my life," Superintendent Duane Davis said late last week. "We're waiting on the (N.C.) General Assembly to tell us what to do."

However, with or without more information from the state, Davis added, the board will have to make more personnel decisions soon, as all teachers are scheduled to be on the job Aug. 1. The new school year begins for pupils Aug. 6.

Most of the school system's annual budget — particularly teachers' salaries' — comes from state funds. Just before the fiscal year began July 1, the board approved an interim 2002-03 budget based on last year's budget figures. That budget is subject to revision once the state budget picture becomes clearer.

New Assistant Principal

At the end of its July 17 meeting, the board approved a slate of personnel recommendations, thereby employing Anthony W. Hall as assistant principal at Alleghany High School, Melissa T. Barnhouse as a teacher at Sparta Elementary School, Beverly Edwards as a teacher at Glade Creek Elementary School, Jim Smith as a social science teacher, Watana Marion as administrative assistant at AHS and Elsie Braxton as a cafeteria staff member at Sparta.

The board's vote also included approving Margaret McGrady as a substitute at all schools; accepting the resignations of art teacher Casey Carico and Sparta School teacher Brenda N. Davis; and approving Penny Evans' maternity leave.

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