The Shadow
LOW MOOR — The Alleghany County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday designated two of its members to participate in talks that could lead to the creation of a jointly-operated school system with Covington.
After sometimes heated and confusing conversations, supervisors named Matt Garten and James Griffith to represent them in the school-merger talks.
A plan put forth by the Alleghany County School Board in November calls for the representatives from the county and Covington school boards to hold informal discussions on merging schools along with representatives from Covington City Council and the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors.
Covington City Council has named Mayor Tom Sibold and Councilman Allan Tucker as its representatives in the talks. The county school board has designated Jacob Wright and Gerald Franson as its representatives. The Covington School Board may name two representatives tonight.
“Initially, I think what we are going to do is talk among the eight and see where this goes,” said Wright, who is spearheading the effort.
Under Virginia law, the two school boards would have the final say on any plan to merge schools.
Wright said there is a possibility the Virginia General Assembly may provide up to $700,000 in funds if it sees that discussions are serious about possibly merging schools in Alleghany County and Coving-ton.
Alleghany County stands to lose $700,000 in state money next year when its Composite Index rises. The state uses the index to measure a locality’s ability to fund schools.
Wright said Del. Terry Austin, R-Buchanan, is prepared to file a budget amendment in the General Assembly to maintain the $700,000.
The money could possibly be used at Jackson River Technical Center, which is jointly operated by the county and city school systems, Wright said.
He said the state may be willing to provide even more funding in future years if the merger talks progress.
That’s because the state wants to see smaller school divisions in the state combine, Alleghany County School Superintendent Gene Kotulka said.
County supervisors agreed to name Garten and Griffith as its representatives in the school talks after some prolonged discussions Wednesday. Some sharp exchanges occurred between Wright and some board members during the discussions
“I?don’t know what it would hurt in all honesty,” Garten said in urging his board to appoint two representatives. “I think we are brushing up our back bristles for nothing, at this point.”
Board Chairman Steve Bennett blamed much of the debate and confusion at Wednesday’s meeting on the fact that Wright addressed the board under public comments on the agenda and requested that action be taken.
Bennett said Wright should have placed his name on the agenda. Wright said that he was under the impression that his name would be listed on the meeting agenda.
After seeking clarification on parliamentary procedures, the board decided to consider Wright’s request under new business as an action item.
Then, three members volunteered to represent the board in the school-merger talks — Garten, Griffith and Joan Vannorsdall.
Garten received six votes on the first vote and Griffith and Vannorsdall got three each. On a second vote to break the tie, Garten abstained and Griffith got three votes to Vannorsdall’s two.
Wright, who earlier in the meeting threatened to proceed with discussions without participation from the board of supervisors, later apologized for his remarks.
“I?am sorry, but I?am very passionate about this,” he said.
Past school-merger talks between Covington and Alleghany County have failed, however, Wright says the chances may be better this time with the state’s interest in seeing smaller school systems combine operations.
“This is the honest-to-God best chance we have ever had,” he said.
Supervisor Cletus Nicely said he is concerned that Wright will mislead state officials in Richmond about the county’s intent on entering talks with Covington.
“I?am not going to say you have agreed to anything. We are just in discussions,” Wright said, while seeking to alleviate Nicely’s concerns.
County Administrator Jon Lanford urged supervisors to participate in the discussions and he praised Wright for his work to get the talks going.
“Mr Wright deserves a great deal of gratitude. He has put a great deal of sweat equity into this to date,” Lanford said.
In other business Wed-nesday, the board reappointed Bennett as its chairman. He was appointed by a 5-1 vote with Griffith voting no. Nicely was named vice chairman by a 6-0 vote. He replaces Garten who had served as vice chairman for the past two years.
