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Education

  • Sturgill: budget planning impossible without state funding information

    Galax School Board cut its budget workshop meeting short on Friday after having an uncertain budget draft proposed by the governor.
    “We spent a lot of time working with the only budget we have,” Galax Schools Superintendent Bill Sturgill told the Galax School Board last Tuesday, as administrators and board members wait on the official budget from the state. “Right now, we need more direction from the state.”
    Legislators ended the General Assembly session this month without passing a state budget.

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  • After mild winter, school year should end early

    HILLSVILLE — The mild winter should lead to a long summer for students in Carroll County schools.
    It appears that this year’s trend of minimal frozen precipitation covering the roads could continue, Superintendent Greg Smith said after the school board discussed the topic at its February meeting.
    The warmer than usual winter weather comes after at least three years of missing more than 20 snow days each. Smith hopes the pattern continues to hold.

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  • Grayson cuts 5 positions to balance budget

    INDEPENDENCE – Citing additional cuts in state and federal funding, the Grayson County School Board has proposed reducing 5 positions from its current workforce to balance the 2012-13 budget.
    The school division’s Director of Finance Julie Bear brought additional information for the board to consider to its regular meeting Monday night.

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  • Kohl, Kyle reappointed to Galax School Board

    With three people vying for two seats set to expire June 30, Helen Kyle and Ray Kohl were reappointed by Galax City Council to serve another term on Galax School Board, during Monday’s council meeting.
    Jerrold Bennett of Galax also interviewed with city council members to be considered for one of the two positions.
    After going into a closed meeting, council members came back out to vote on the three candidates. Council Member Bob Lazo voted for Bennett, while the other members supported the reappointment of Kyle and Kohl.

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  • Carroll schools could face painful choices

    HILLSVILLE  — Instead of closing a Carroll school or laying off 40 employees, educators will ask for help from the county supervisors to make up their projected $2 million shortfall for fiscal year 2013.
    Squeezed by proposals that will drive up expenses for retirement and insurance and state funding cuts estimated at $600,000, Carroll County Public Schools officials have a list of “drastic” and potentially “devastating” cuts if they don’t get some financial help.

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  • Grayson begins search for new superintendent

    INDEPENDENCE — The Grayson County School Board will begin the process of hiring a new school system leader by seeking public input on qualifications for a new superintendent.
    Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Thomas announced in January her intention to retire at the end of the 2011-12 school year, saying that the early announcement would allow the school board ample time to recruit and select the best candidate for the job.
    Thomas has served as superintendent for six years.

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  • Funding runs out for school staff hired under jobs bill

    Eight jobs that were created at Galax schools through the federal jobs bill, a stimulus package of $326,786, are expected to be eliminated after this school year.
    The stimulus package, which will expire in September, covered two years of funding for the recruitment of instructors and salary purposes only.
    In 2010, the funds were received, and three full-time substitutes, two teachers’ aides, one secretary, one custodian and one coordinator in central office were hired. Each received one-year contracts in the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years.

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  • Three vie for Galax School Board seats

    Three people are vying for two seats on the Galax School Board this year.
    Board chairman Ray Kohl and member Helen Kyle, whose seats are set to expire June 30, are seeking reappointment, and community member Jerrold Bennett hopes to be selected.
    During a public hearing at Galax City Council on Feb. 27, Kyle, Kohl and Bennett each explained why they should serve on the school board. Each candidate also submitted a letter of interest to the city manager to be considered for selection.
    School board members are appointed by council.

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  • Davidson named Carroll's top teacher

     

    HILLSVILLE — Taking the sum of individualized attention, extra hours of work and encouragement for students, use of new technology and community involvement, it all adds up to a Carroll High math teacher being named the educator of the year.

    Administrators surprised Lora Davidson during advanced math class Friday with the Teacher of the Year Award for Carroll County Public Schools and treats for all.

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  • Grayson school budget falls short

    INDEPENDENCE — Faced with another round of state and federal cuts, the Grayson County School Board will be tasked with cutting nearly $400,000 from its operating budget in order to make ends meets for next school year.
    Division Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Thomas — who will retire at the end of this school year — began the budget discussion during Monday night’s work session with more bad news: the budget has a shortfall of $392,000.

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