Alleghany County Board Of Supervisors Heap Praise On Arritt
By
M. Ray Allen
Jonathan Arritt, Co-Chairman of the Joint School Services Committee, presented an update on the school merger between Covington City Schools and Alleghany County Public Schools that drew high praise.
The main thrust of Arritt’s report dealt with the two school systems’ utilization of existing facilities and what will take place and where it will take place.
During his report about Covington High School and its structural condition, Arritt, a graduate of CHS, said, “It looks as good or better than it looked when I walked out of its doors 20 years ago.”
In response to the future of Clifton Middle School, Arritt noted that since CHS will become the consolidated school system’s middle school Dabney S. Lancaster Community College has expressed an interest in leasing the facility to expand its own space.
Arritt noted that students in grades 6-7 in Jeter Watson Intermediate School would be moved to the CHS facility which is listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places that was authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 passed by the U.S. Congress.
By removing students from grades 6-7, the action would result in a small enrollment at Jeter Watson Intermediate School
As for the new consolidated school board that will be comprised of seven members, three from Covington and four from Alleghany County, Shannon P. Cox, who represents the Boiling Spring District, asked Arritt if anyone had contacted him about the way the school board is scheduled to be comprised.
Arritt answered that he has not received any negative comments from citizens concerning the matter.
Dr. Ron Goings, one of the newest members of the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors, represents the Clifton Forge East District. He responded to Arritt’s answer by looking at Cox and saying, “I have heard from many who are concerned that Clifton Forge will not have representation.”
After much discussion concerning the use of athletic facilities and which ones will be the best for the respective sports, the discussion centered on Casey Field or Mountaineer Field.
Stephen A. Bennet, who represents the Jackson River District, expressed his concern that marching bands from Covington High School and Alleghany High School had entered small marching bands into the Clifton Forge Christmas Parade. Bennet remarked, “ It looked bad for our area with only six and eight band members taking part.”
The consensus reached is that Casey Field offers a safer area for parking and has more amenities nearby, ones such as restaurants. It was pointed out that AHS has only one entrance and exit, making it less safe should an emergency arise.
The complication of the matter is that the City of Covington owns Casey Field, and no agreement on facility usage has been hammered out concerning the way the two school systems once consolidated will work with the City of Covington, prompting Arritt to conclude, “It probably should have been done a long time ago.”
Mac Beard followed Arritt by making a visual presentation about the LoveWorks project in Clifton Forge that has been approved by Clifton Forge Town Council to be located on the grounds of the Masonic Amphitheatre on Church Street.
He presented many facts about the contributions the project can make to the community and referenced the sign in Covington on Main Street and the one at Humpback Bridge as being attractions for tourists and visitors to the Alleghany Highlands.
Susan Hammond, the VDOT resident Engineer, presented an update prior to Arritt’s lengthy presentation, and Chad Williams shared a short report on the progress and the award of a bid for construction of Phase 5 of the Jackson River Scenic Trail.
The supervisors approved waiving the tipping fees for disposal of a burned trailer currently located on property owned by the Town.
Interim County Administrator Pete Huber reported that county trash disposal services went well despite Izzy having left a heavy snowfall covering The Alleghany Highlands.
He praised the workers, and he shared one story about a waste disposal worker who had climbed inside the new garbage truck’s container to dislodge trash from where it had gotten stuck.
Huber noted the fact that it was 6:15 a.m. and that the worker had postponed his doctor’s appointment to have his hernia checked. He praised the dedication that the worker had shown in going above and beyond the call of duty that day in order not to leave his fellow workers shorthanded. He praised the worker for his dedication.
A request for 3,997 acres in the Longdale Furnace is to be rezoned from a business BI zone to an industrial MI by James Ward, owner of Cornerstone Industrial Solutions was approved.
Also, the supervisors approved a real estate and personal property tax refund for two citizens.
Darrell Gleason, former editor of “Virginian Review,” was congratulated by the supervisors for filling the position of communications specialist with the school system via a grant that was approved by The Alleghany Foundation.
The supervisors expressed their interest in learning more about the way the pieces are going to fit together in the upcoming months leading to the forming of the new school board, and Arritt expressed that he hopes that by May the appointments to the new school board can be made known so the new members can prepare to take over on July 1.
It was pointed out that two of Covington City Schools’ school board members’ terms will end in June and that three of Alleghany County Public Schools’ school board members’ terms will expire at the same time as well.
The supervisors expressed their concern that the school board for the consolidated school system can be formed soon in order to facilitate a smooth transfer of power as the two school systems are near the target date for consolidation.
During the closing remarks of the supervisors, Cletus Nicely, who represents the Sharon District, expressed his concern about many aspects of the consolidation but chose not to pursue questioning as of yet.
Nicely commented, “I didn’t want to open that can of worms here tonight.”
Goings remarked, “I think that we could have sat here all night long asking questions.” He then thanked everyone for attending the meeting.
Matt Garten who represents the Falling Springs District complimented Beard on his presentation and praised the trash collectors for their performance during difficult conditions.
Cox praised the trash collectors as well, and she noted that her son had once worked in that capacity. She concluded by complimenting Arritt, “I always look forward to seeing you; you are like a wealth of information.”
Sheriff Kevin Hall and Vice-Mayor Jeff Irvine of the Town of Clifton Forge were in attendance and left after the supervisors announced that they were going to meet in a closed session.
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