The Shadow
Tamala Preston has resigned from the Covington School Board.
Covington City Council learned of the resignation Tuesday night.
Mayor Tom Sibold said Preston has relocated to Clifton Forge, where her husband has accepted an interim pastorate at a church.
“This is a big loss to the school board, she did a very good job,” Sibold said.
Preston’s resignation leaves the school board with four members. Sibold said he hopes the city can fill the seat in September.
“We are now at a position where we have to appoint someone to take her place,” he said.
School board members are appointed at large in Covington. Sibold said the city will advertise the vacancy and city council will interview candidates for the seat on Sept. 7, as well as hold a public hearing. The appointment would be made on Sept. 14.
In another matter related to schools, council voted 5-0 to approve a funding agreement for a joint school division with Alleghany County.
The Covington and Alleghany County school divisions are set to merge on July 1, 2022.
Funding will largely be based on the student population, with Alleghany County carrying the largest share of the budget.
The funding agreement, which was approved by the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 3, is for five years.
Tuesday night’s meeting at city hall was council’s August business meeting.
In other business, council:
— Approved a memorandum of understanding in relation to opioid settlement funds between localities and the state.
— Approved a two-year performance contract with the Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board.
— Approved the donation of a city-owned trailer to the Clifton Forge Shrine Club.
— Approved DARE contributions to the Covington Police Department.
— Approved a resolution of support for a Brownfields Assistance Fund Grant to the Rail Over River industrial property.
— Approved a mutual-aid agreement with Bath County pertaining to the sharing of interim building official and zoning administrator services.
