Alleghany, two other counties net $250,000

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a $250,000 grant to Alleghany County Schools and school systems in two other counties to improve literacy skills and academic achievement.

U.S. Rep. Richard Burr announced the grant award in a release dated Sept. 25. According to Kimberly Pencille, a spokesman with Burr's office, the grant initiative, known as the USDE's Literacy and School Libraries program, is new.

Kim Elliott, curriculum and instruction director for Alleghany County Schools, said the Appalachian Literacy Partnership applied for the grant, which is an early literacy grant. That partnership includes Alleghany, Ashe and Grayson County, Va. school systems, as well as public libraries in those counties and the Northwest Regional Educational Service Alliance (RESA), which is based in North Wilkesboro.

"We were very excited," said Elliott. She said it is the first time Alleghany has received that particular kind of grant. Only 94 such grants were offered in the nation.

She said the partnership is still in the process of dividing the grant money among the three school systems.

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