Denita Dowell-Reavis
The Alexander County Board of Education held its March meeting on the 16th. The meeting opened with the pledge led by board member Jesse Bowles.
Honors and Recognitions
Communications and Public Information Director Dr. Denita Dowell-Reavis opened the meeting with recognition of five teachers in the district who have renewed their National Board Certification. Every five years these candidates must create videos of themselves working with students and/or working with colleagues. They, too, must demonstrate that they are able to reflect on their practice to continue to grow.
Those honorees are:
Rachelle Cain-Alexander Early College
Kate Harrington-East Alexander Middle School
Allison Kaylor-Student Success Center
Bridget Palmer-West Alexander Middle School
Brooke Wike-West Alexander Middle School
Next, the board honored ACHS math teacher Erin Smith who has newly completed their National Board Certification. Candidates for National Board Certification must take computer-based assessments and keep portfolios on their classroom practice. A key component for certification is that the teacher is able to reflect on his/her practice. Teachers can have up to seven years to become certified and must meet standards that describe the highest level of teaching in different disciplines and with students at different developmental levels. Smith completed the work in just three years. National Board Certification means that the teachers are committed to students and their learning, and committed to work to improve their practice as educators. North Carolina has the most National Board Certified teachers in the country at about 24%. In Alexander County Schools, there are 71 certified staff members who have their National Board Certification. //
The next honoree was Exceptional Children’s Teacher of the Year for Alexander County, Sonya Teague. Teague serves at Wittenburg Elementary School and was recognized at the state level for being the district choice back in November at a ceremony in Greensboro. Wittenburg Principal Melinda Glenn says “Teague exemplifies what it means to serve students with heart, expertise, and unwavering dedication. She approaches every child with compassion, patience, and an unfailing kindness that makes students feel valued and capable.” She goes on to say of Teague, “Her passion for students and her leadership within our school community make her incredibly deserving of the District EC Teacher of the Year recognition.”
Next the district recognized two teachers, Jenna Buff from West Alexander and Heather Weygant from Hiddenite, who earned their local endorsement for teaching Academically and Intellectually Gifted students. The staff members completed an estimated 60 hours of work through the Northwest RESA. The studies included lesson planning and differentiation for high-performing students. Adding to the number of certified AIG teachers is one of Alexander County Schools’ goals in the district’s AIG plan.//
Next, Chief Justin Deal was honored at the Alexander County Schools Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year. CTE Director Crystal Hoke says Deal “is truly deserving of this recognition for his dedication to students in the Fire Academy and Public Safety. He works hard to prepare students with the knowledge, hands-on experience, and real-world skills they need for future success.”
She continues, “Chief Deal is also a strong advocate for his program, working to secure the materials and resources needed to continue improving opportunities for students. His commitment to growing the program and providing meaningful learning experiences has made a lasting impact on both his students and Alexander County Schools.”
Next was a student recognition for a 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholar Nominee in Career & Technical Education – Heidi Campbell. She’s a senior at Alexander Central High School and has been selected by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as a state nominee for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program in the Career and Technical Education category.
Heidi maintains an outstanding 4.417 GPA and ranks 11th in her class, while completing rigorous coursework including AP, honors, and CTE classes in Animal Science and Veterinary Assisting. Heidi also serves as FFA Chapter Vice President and has had great success in FFA regional and state competitions.//
Finally, Dr. Denita Dowell-Reavis handed over the recognitions to Dr. Griffin who honored her for receiving a Blue Ribbon Award from The North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA). As Alexander Communications Dowell-Reavis wrote, filmed, and produced a video of the Alexander County Schools new mission statement–Buildilng a Legacy of Excellence–and strategic plan to inform the public of the district’s goals.
Alexander County Schools received a Silver award for Excellence in Communications in the electronic media category for Dowell-Reavis’ work. The judges praised the video saying it was “work that is definitely needed” and “Great work on the script.” This is Dowell-Reavis’ fourth award in four years as the district’s communications director.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Dr. Bill Griffin began his report by honoring a former employee of the EC Department who passed away last week. Kim Fox served in the district for more than 20 years. He called her a “fine, fine person.” Services for Fox will be held this week.
Next, Griffin talked about the upcoming changes at Ellendale Elementary School where plans are underway to create a STEM focus (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math) for students. The school will still be responsible for teaching the state-mandated curriculum for reading, math, and more, but teachers will endeavour to add project-based learning and exploration to the lessons. Griffin’s goal is to eventually see Ellendale recognized as a STEM School of Distinction. There are only 50 STEM Schools of Distinction in the state; the closest is Lakeshore Elementary School in Iredell County.
Griffin is leading the charge on the STEM program at Ellendale as a response to the school’s lagging enrollment. The school opened at its current site in 2002 and has a capacity of 440 students. Currently, there are 160 students attending school there. The district is hopeful that the hands-on learning focus will lead people from inside the district and from other counties to enroll at Ellendale. For the 2026-27 school year and moving forward, Ellendale will be called Ellendale Elementary School of Innovation and Inquiry.
Griffin and Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Amy Bowles have planned a question and answer session with parents for Thursday, March 19th. Anyone interested in having their child attend Ellendale, should plan to attend on Thursday.
Next Dr. Griffin celebrated the NC Education Lottery’s recent visit to Sugar Loaf Elementary. The lottery organization sent a production team to Sugar Loaf to create a promotional video highlighting the school’s new gymnasium and office space. The gym was funded through a $5.3 million competitive needs-based grant supported by lottery revenue. The grant was awarded in January 2023, and the crew cast Sugar Loaf teachers and students to appear in the promotion.
Alexander County added $265,000, or five percent of the project’s cost. To qualify for the lottery funds, the state requires the county commission to contribute matching funds. Finally, the school district chipped in $700,000 in capital funds to complete the media center which is now housed in the old gym.
Sugar Loaf Elementary opened in 1958. Before the gym and media center project, the school was most recently updated in 2002 with the addition of six classrooms. The school currently serves 214 students. Griffin says he’ll get a video clip from the production crew and will also keep people posted on when the commercial may air.
Next, Griffin spoke about the project to build a picnic shelter at the ACHS tennis courts. The project has been underway for a long time. The construction company will receive $6,500 for the concrete pad beneath the shelter and then $49,500 to complete the shelter itself. Griffin said the project will enhance the tennis court facilities for students and the community. He added that work on the project should begin soon.
Lastly, Griffin pointed out that the district is nearing Spring Break and will have seven weeks of school when students return. He encouraged all staff and students to “Finish Strong.” He said he wants all of the staff and students to meet their goals and aspirations for the school year.
Alexander Early College School Calendar
Executive Director of Testing and Auxiliary Services Jacob Lail presented the proposed calendar for Alexander Early College for 2026-27. The first student day would be August 6th and the last student day would be May 21st. The Early College calendar must closely follow the academic calendar at Catawba Valley Community College. Students and teachers are able to start earlier in August than traditional schools because the school is an Early College. The new calendar was unanimously approved.
School Board Policies
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Alisha Cloer presented a second reading for three policies which were approved unanimously.
Policy 6310 – Organization of Student Transportation Services
Policy 7910 – Retirement
Policy 7450 – Interscholastic Coaches
Cloer also presented proposed revisions for two policies on first reading. Board members approved both on first reading since the revisions are necessary for enrollment of students. Enrollment for the 2026-27 school year will be underway soon.
Policy 4135- Tuition for Discretionary Students
Policy 4120 – Domicile or Residence