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Education

  • Principals' group opposes restroom policies

    The Grayson County School Board’s recent adoption of a policy regulating transgender students’ restroom use has caused some controversy among people on both sides of the issue, and raised questions among those unfamiliar with transgender issues.

    According to the American Psychological Association, “transgender” is an umbrella term that “incorporates differences in gender identity, wherein one’s assigned biological sex doesn’t match their felt identity.”

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  • Grayson restroom policy opens doors to debate

    By D.T. CLARK and SHAINA STOCKTON, Staff



    INDEPENDENCE ― A new policy regulating which facilities transgender Grayson County students can use was brought to the school board by a state senator who says he worries about his daughter’s safety.

    State Sen. Bill Carrico (R-40th District) of Grayson County brought his concerns to the Grayson County School Board last week, and the board held a special meeting with Carrico and a representative from a conservative activist group on Friday evening.

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  • Carroll, Galax schools in no rush to pass restroom policies

    By SHANNON WATKINS and SARA BLANKENSHIP, Staff

    In contrast to the Grayson County school administration, Carroll and Galax school systems are adopting a cautious approach.

    Galax Schools Superintendent Bill Sturgill said any action taken will be within a framework of tolerance and acceptance.

    He pointed out that the letter of guidance from the U.S. Department of Education was partly created to help school systems figure out how to handle the issue of transgender students in a sensitive manner.

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  • Grayson School Board approves new bathroom ordinance

    Staff Reports

    INDEPENDENCE — The Grayson County School Board passed an ordinance Friday, stating that students must either use the bathroom that corresponds to the gender on their birth certificate, or a separate bathroom.

    The ordinance, which immediately took effect after it was passed, came in response to a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice and Education, which was released to schools across the country on May 13.

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  • GHS enlists colonel to speak at graduation

    At its May 10 meeting, the Galax City School Board learned that the commencement speaker for graduation this year will be U.S. Army Reserve Col. Eric Bryson, a graduate of the school.

    Bryson graduated in 1983 and has served during the Desert Storm operation in Saudi Arabia and provided support for Operation Joint Endeavor in Babenhausen, Germany, as well has holding numerous posts on American soil.

    Among his many medals are the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and an Army Achievement Medal.

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  • County, schools reach budget compromise in Grayson

    INDEPENDENCE — The Grayson County leadership and school system administration put in long hours last weekend to reach an agreeable middle ground regarding the Grayson County School Board’s 2017 fiscal year budget and additional funds to complete the bleacher project at the high school.


    The budget was presented during the Grayson Board of Supervisors’ meeting on May 16, where it was approved with several conditions regarding the additional allocation of funds for the bleachers.

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  • Fees on the rise in Carroll schools

    HILLSVILLE – Parents can start planning for the 2016-2017 school year as student fees for activities and meals were approved at the May meeting of the Carroll County School Board.

    Students and parents will be looking at an increase in meal prices across the board.

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  • Grayson seeks way to pay for bleachers

    INDEPENDENCE — The school system and the county are dealing with tight budgets this year, which has left both parties concerned about how to fund the construction of the new football bleachers at Grayson County High School.

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  • Farmer named Grayson teacher of the year

    INDEPENDENCE — Title I Resource Teacher Anna Farmer was named Grayson County Public Schools’ teacher of the year for 2016.

    The ceremony at the Grayson National Bank conference center May 4 recognized teachers of the year for each school in the system, followed by the teacher of the year award. Awards were presented by Director of Student Learning Susan Funk and Schools Superintendent Kelly Wilmore.

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  • Good Stewards: students compete for best conservation ideas

    INDEPENDENCE — Cash prizes were awarded to Grayson High School students in the 2016 Grayson LandCare Land Stewardship Competition, held April 23 at the 1908 Courthouse in Independence.

    Eighth grader Mary Ellen Wingate was awarded the $1,000 first prize for her project, “Recycle and Redesign: Doggone Tired.”

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