The Shadow
Alleghany County School Board member Jacob Wright addressed the Covington City School Board Monday night on the issue of school merger.
The Covington City School Board met Monday because its meeting last week was postponed by snow.
Covington City School Board Chairman Eddy Clemons immediately shuffled the order of the agenda to allow Wright to speak on the proposed merger of the city and county school systems.
“I?think Jacob Wright is here with something to say, so we’ll let him speak first,”?Clemons said.
Wright thanked the school board for allowing him to speak prior to addressing the issue of a school system merger.
“I am here on behalf of the Alleghany County School Board, who is currently meeting down in Low Moor. I’m glad to be down here [Covington] with you all instead,”?Wright stated.
Wright then presented a letter that was written intended to spark a conversation on a school system merger.
Wright also stated that since this letter was drafted, nine out of the 12 combined school board members in both boards are new to their posts.
Despite of the lack of experience on both of the school boards, Wright still found positives.
Wright said that one of the positives was, “Over the past several years, our systems have made great strides in working together and it seems we’re always finding new ways to use our allegiance for the betterment of the youth in the Alleghany Highlands,” he said.
Wright also said that he was excited over a proposed joint calendar that would take effect in the next school year with both systems on the same page.
Wright then touched on how individuals in the city limits and county are on the same team.
“The youth are our future and whether they go to your schools or our schools, they are a part of this community. We are all on the same team. We work together, we pray together and we play together. Our successes are your successes, and your successes are our successes,” Wright said.
Wright then gave credit to Covington City Council and the Alleghany Board of Supervisors for being able to fund the school systems at a higher percentage than the state requires.
Continuing on the financial ramifications of a merger, Wright said that in the onset, this would not be a huge way of saving for the taxpayer but would be an efficient use of their money.
Wright feels that a merger plan must be diplomatic and well thought out in order to work.
“A unified Alleghany Highlands would solidify our future, increase the quality of life and most importantly, offer the future generations the best opportunities to pursue additional education opportunities or choose to enter a workforce with skills they’ve gained through our programs,”?Wright emphasized.
Following Wright’s comments, Clemons took a few moments to provide a response.
Clemons praised Wright for his efforts by saying, “I really want to commend you. You’ve done a lot more than talking.”
Clemons also said that he was pleased with the governing bodies being involved with this process.
Clemons then touched on the negatives that have slowed the merger process down.
“One of the bad things that happens is that a lot of uninformed people make statements. There are things out there that have already come out that I?think are bad news,”?Clemons said.
One of those statements that Clemons felt was misinformed was a declining student population.
Clemons countered that the student population is increasing.
Another statement that Clemons felt was a misinformed point of view was that the city never wanted to participate in a merged system.
“City schools were never interested in joint systems, that is an inaccurate statement,”?Clemons said.
The big stumbling block in merger negotiations, according to Clemons, was money.
While Clemons spoke, Wright stated that a plan needs to be in place by Jan. 8 to submit to proceed forward toward a possible merger.
Clemons then concluded his response with two statements, with the first being, “A?joint system is a great thing under the right conditions.”
The second was continuing his praise for Wright.
“I’m proud of you, Jacob,” Clemons said.
In other business that was conducted Monday:
— Jackson River Governor’s School Director Eddy Graham gave a presentation/update on the state of the program;
— Covington City Public School Superintendent Melinda Snead Johnson set a deadline of Jan. 19 for the new school board members (Erika Hunter, Tonya Jones) to submit their SMART Goals update;
— Snead-Johnson reported that attendance for Covington City Public Schools was at 985 as of Friday, Dec. 7, and there are currently 36 students in the Pre-K program;
— Snead-Johnson presented a document regarding the process that goes into deciding whether or not schools are cancelled and urged it to be publicized (Clemons supported Snead-Johnson’s desire to have this publicized).
