Sparta School space needs highlighted

Sparta School space needs were highlighted again during the Alleghany County School Board’s monthly meeting Sept. 1 at the Alleghany County Board of Education.

With the absence of Principal Susan Murphy and Assistant Principal John Farrelly, Title One teacher Missy Weaver spoke on their behalves about Sparta School space needs.

“There are three teachers sharing the same classroom, but not at the same time,” she said. “The buses are over-crowded; we need another bus. We need more maintenance help.”

Weaver also commented that space is running out in the cafetorium. “The numbers have increased and we’re running out of space in the cafetorium for storage of food, and we need an additional cook,” she said.

With an increasing exceptional children population, Weaver stated that there is also a need for speech and occupational therapists. Davis agreed the school needs more buses.

“One, if not two,” he said. “The number of buses is based on last year’s enrollment. Mr. Farrelly has had to take some students home himself because of the overcrowding problem.”

Some buses are currently running double routes, Davis further stated. Board member Sonia Joines asked the cost of a new bus and was told a new bus could cost between $60,000 and $70,000.

“One way or another, we will have to have more space by next fall,” Davis said. “A bus is tied into it.”

Test Results

Alleghany County Test Coordinator Frank Busic spoke briefly of the recently released SAT results, touching on the results of the ABC testing and the No Child Left Behind mandate.

Superintendent Duane Davis also commented, “All the schools did exceptionally well this year."

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