The Shadow
Rylee Reynolds appeared before the Alleghany Highlands Public School Board to “spread awareness on the recent actions of our chairman of the school board, Mr. Wright,” at last Tuesday evening’s school board meeting.
Reynolds was able to address board members after a lengthy reorganization, year-end close out and regular meeting, where John Littleton was appointed chairman, replacing Jacob Wright; and Gerald Franson was appointed vice chairman, replacing Jonathan Arritt.
The following are her comments, in their entirety:
Good evening. My name is Rylee Reynolds, and for some background I graduated from Alleghany High School in 2022. I am here this evening to spread awareness on the recent actions of our chairman of the school board, Mr. Wright. On June 15th , Mr. Wright spent the evening making inappropriate comments about me while inebriated at a local restaurant. Not only did he make these comments about me, he did it in front of my family members, but he was so intoxicated he did not recognize this. He repeatedly stated, “Does anyone know Rylee Reynolds”, “Does anyone know where Rylee Reynolds is”, “Rylee is so touchy feely”. And so on. He did not stop here, but continued to mention my name and how I wouldn’t be coming to pick him up that night. How ironic these comments are as I have not seen Mr. Wright since June 4th, 2022, on the graduation stage. I was not present when these comments were made.
My mother tried reaching out multiple times in several different ways to contact him to address the situation. We did not hear back until 10 days later, at which time, he claimed to have lost his phone while kayaking and apparently couldn’t find any other way to contact my family. He still
did not accept responsibility for his actions. He claims earlier in the day on June 15th he “hit someone’s vape” twice, while drinking, and does not remember that evening or the day after that.
It was public knowledge that I planned to speak at this evening’s meeting. With multiple chances available for him to reach out to my parents it wasn’t until today that he did so. Likely trying to save his reputation.
I am bringing this to the board to bring awareness of the chairman’s ongoing misconduct in our community. To shake my hand at graduation and two years later to make inappropriate comments about me is both offensive and irresponsible. I am disgusted and hope that action is
taken against him.
If substance use is a problem, he should seek treatment and step down from his position.
Thank you for your time.
Wright apologized to Reynolds and admitted that she was correct in that “on June 15th he was “at the Brew House and did make improper statements,” during Board Member Comments. He explained that he didn’t see “touchy feely” as a physical touchy thing. Wright went on to talk
about serving on the school board with Reynolds’ father during a controversial time, years ago, and the two of them pushing for the public comment section to be added to the agenda. “Until that point, you were not allowed to make public comment, so I appreciate you coming tonight
and calling it like it was,” added Wright. He closed his comments by “apologizing again for offending her.”
In a follow up statement with the Virginian Review, Reynolds shared that she wanted to make board members “aware of this incident because this is not the first time it has happened” and believes he should “resign because we don’t want this to happen to children lost in the system.”
Though “Wright stepped down at the beginning of the meeting, he is still a board member,” added Reynolds.
The Virginian Review also learned that another board member had reached out to Reynolds’ mom, prior to the 10 days that Wright reached out to her and prior to the board meeting.
According to Reynolds, the board member shared that “they knew things like this had happened in the past and that they, as well as many other people had tried to reach out to him to no avail.”
