School Board favors middle school; lacks consensus on grades

The Alleghany Board of Education found itself in a 2-2 deadlock April 27 during an attempt to reach consensus on the fate of Alleghany County Schools. However, the board was in agreement to seek a new middle school.

Board members Betsy Dillon and Faron Atwood supported a sixth through eighth grade model, while board members Charles Joines and Joel Souther supported a seventh- and eighth-grade model.

Board member Clarence Crouse was absent, tending to family matters. During a phone interview Tuesday, he declined to specify which plan he would have supported, had he attended the meeting. Crouse did support the middle school idea in general.

“I’m open to either one until we (as a board) decide further,” Crouse commented.

“I’m in favor of either combination there,” he added. “It depends on what we decide as a board.”

At the meeting April 27, Dillon and Atwood discussed their reasons for a sixth- through eighth-grade middle school.

“My number one option is a stand-alone middle school,” Dillon stated simply.

Atwood concurred.

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