Denita Dowell-Reavis
The Alexander County Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting for May on the 12th. The meeting opened with the pledge led by board member Anthony McLain.
Budget Update
Finance Director Sharon Mehaffey presented budget amendments. One amendment led to the board agreeing to spend $700,000 in capital outlay money to complete the Sugar Loaf Elementary School media center renovation. The library money comes from Alexander County based on ½ sales tax collections.
Mehaffey also presented that the district is on budget for spending through this month of the school year.
Testing and Accountability Update
Testing and Accountability Director Dr. Denita Dowell-Reavis presented a plan that allows readministration of EOGs for third through eighth grade math and fourth through eighth grade reading. The state has changed the rules surrounding retesting that allows it to be done before the school year ends. Beforehand, it had to be done during summer, which required busing and food service. The retesting will not apply to high school students. The high school’s final exams are during the last five days of school and would have required a complete reconfiguration of the entire testing schedule. Parents will sign permission forms allowing their children to retest.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Dr. Bill Griffin told the board in his comments that next year the district will only be able to offer free breakfast and lunch to elementary aged students. Two years ago, the district began offering free meals for all students as the district came out of the pandemic. The success of the meal program was dependent on the participation at the schools. The federal government reimburses the Child Nutrition Department based on how many students get meals. Due to low participation rates at the middle schools and high schools, the district will not be able to offer the meals next year. The Child Nutrition Department started with $800,000 in funds two years ago, which dropped to $438,000 and then $259,544. Dr. Griffin said that the students and families at the secondary level can apply for free-reduced lunch if they need to do so. He also reported that paid lunches will cost students four dollars.
The Child Nutrition Department will provide lunches at Stony Point, West Alexander, and Alexander Central over the summer. Families will be able to pick those up on Mondays.
Next, Griffin thanked the agencies and students that helped Alexander Central High School with the Prom Promise reenactment on May 3rd.
Griffin mentioned that he and some board members visited Cougar Stadium on May 2nd as student-athletes and their supporters participated in the district’s Special Olympics.
Dr. Griffin noted the district’s graduation ceremonies. Alexander Early College will graduate May 22nd at 6pm in the auditorium. Alexander Central High School will graduate on June 6th at 7pm on the football field.
Lastly, Griffin spoke about the recent news that he plans to move Jacob Lail into district administration. He also plans, and board members approved, moving Hiddenite Elementary School Principal Amy Daigle to be the principal at West Alexander Middle School. Griffin said, “These decisions are delicate and we have to move our leaders because of gaps and needs at different schools.” He said he would ask community members to rejoice and celebrate those moves.
Honors and Recognitions
Bethlehem Elementary School – Battle of the Books Team
Maiyah Wilson
Olek Santacruz
Carter Icard
Olivia Dunn
Kylie James
Elizabeth Ashe
Nola Williams
Harper Hall
Kate Bowman
Aresene Foffe
EAMS Rocket Day Winners:
Longest Flight Time – Hudson Houser, Chyann Hartsoe, & Bryan Pedraza
Best Flight – Seth Fox, Nathan Hernandez, & RJ Miller
Best Design – Saniyah Thompson, Eden Torres, & Delaynee Troxclair
Governor’s School
Meredith Wike
FloSports Cross-Country Scholarship
Lydia Hendren
2025 State SkillsUSA Winners:
Carpentry – Harley Grogan – 2nd Place
Drafting 1 – Nekoda Hicks – 4th Place
Firefighter Basic – Grayson Hendren – 5th Place
Firefighter Nationals – Bradley Hendren II – 3rd Place
Firefighter Nationals – Gavin Smith – 5th Place
CCP Electrical Construction Wiring – Elijah Anderson – 4th Place
CCP Electrical Construction Wiring – Lukas Day – 2nd Place
CCP Job Skills Demo – Braedon Robinson – 4th Place
ACHS staff advisors: Josh Bowles, Justin Deal, Roy Hadley, & Jeremy Honeycutt
CVCC staff advisors: Ramie Robinson & Jordan Wagoner
2025 FCCLA State Conference Winners:
Sports Nutrition Team – Makenna Harrel & Alyssa Bumgarner – 2nd Place
Early Childhood – Reese Buff – 2nd Place
Early Childhood – Elaina Godfrey – 5th Place
ACHS staff sponsors: Amber Huffman, Mindy Severt, & Courtney Millsaps
2025 NCCAT District CTE Teacher of the Year – Awards sponsored locally by Glenn & April Eckard
Mrs. Jenny Shu
ACS Headstart Teacher of the Year
Mila Mayberry – Wittenburg Elementary School
Appalachian State Student Teacher of the Year
Alec Rogers – West Alexander Middle School who worked with Amanda Simpson, a language arts/social studies teacher.