Schools seek tack in facility discussions

During a March 21 meeting of the Alleghany County Board of Education, it was suggested that the board bring principals of surrounding county middle schools in to talk to the Alleghany County Commission during an upcoming joint meeting of the boards.

Superintendent Jeff Cox spoke with the members of the board, "Talking with (County Manager) Don Adams, he wants to go ahead and schedule another meeting there with the commissioners to see if we can talk about schools. He's also interested in getting some kind of resolution on where we're going. Are we really going to move forward and fund this middle school or not?"

Cox noted Adams plans to have more conversation with the commissioners about the issue with them so the school board can be aware of where they are in terms of level of commitment of the commissioners.

"We can't move forward, in my view," Cox said. "We've got to get a clear direction. My hope is their direction (is) moving forward with a middle school. We need an honest, forthright answer from the board of commissioners. I think it's fair enough to ask for that direction from them."

Board member Mitch Franklin suggested providing the commission with bulleted items for supporting the middle school. "Economics is going to be one of them," he said. "That will play into what we're talking about (when) you compare what it'd cost trying to do this in all three places versus one. I think it's important for us as we move forward with the middle school initiative and keep pushing it, it keeps all of us in the same direction. It would be good for us to have (a bulleted list)."

Atwood stated he agreed with Franklin and suggested the middle school principals from surrounding counties speak to the members of the Commission.

"(We need to) get some people in there that's not us to talk to them about the success that you can see what you can achieve (with) a middle school. They're used to talking to all of us about it, and let them come in and talk to the commissioners from experience. Bring an expert."

Atwood continued, "I think we need to go in with some fresh stuff.

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