Education

When Anne Vaughan of Galax had trouble finding a plumber and a bricklayer, she realized that the area needs a workforce trained in technical skills.

She decided to do something about that, by donating $200,000 to Wytheville Community College for a new scholarship.

Vaughan, widow of the late John Vaughan of Vaughan Furniture, presented the gift in a public announcement held at the Crossroads Institute last week.

By LARRY CHAMBERS, Staff

INDEPENDENCE – Although the state didn’t come across with its share, the Grayson County school system will still give employees a 2 percent raise as promised.

Division Superintendent Kelly Wilmore told the Grayson County School Board at its Nov. 14 meeting night that the school system worked hard to absorb the once-promised $84,000 from the state in the current budget.

He thanked Ted Phillips, director of finance, for helping to rework the budget and come up with the funds for the raise.

HILLSVILLE – Carroll County has announced the finalists for 2016 Teacher of the Year. Recognized at the November regular monthly meeting of the Carroll County Board of Supervisors, 10 teachers were nominated, one from each school in the county. The winner will be announced at the board’s December meeting.

The teachers included in this year’s list range in specialties and experience and all have shown dedication to their students throughout their different methods of teaching.

Nominated teachers include:

Staff Report

Ms. Blankenship’s 7th graders at Fries School joined Blue Ridge Discovery Center (BRDC) staff at the New River for a day of aquatic study on Nov. 11.

Students rotated through stations set up along the river just below the school and participated in citizen science activities.