6/22/2010 1:01:00 PM Alleghany County School Board Honors Two Retiring Members
Two members of the Alleghany County School Board were honored Monday night for their service. They are leaving the board at the end of this month. Vice Chairwoman Stacey Bryant, center, presented the plaques to David Halsey, left, and Randy Tucker, right, on behalf of the board during the regular school board meeting. (Alleghany County School Board Photo)
DARRELL GLEASON State Editor
LOW MOOR - The Alleghany County School Board recognized two outgoing members Monday night.
Sharon District representative Randy Tucker and Clifton Forge West representative David Halsey did not seek reappointment to the board. Their terms will expire June 30.
During Monday night's school board meeting at the Central Office Complex in Low Moor, both men were presented with plaques by Vice Chairwoman Stacey Bryant in recognition of their service.
Tucker, the board's current chairman, has represented the Sharon District since 2001. Halsey has been the Clifton Forge West representative since 2003.
He also served the city of Clifton Forge on the former Alleghany Highlands School Board from July 2000 through June 2001.
"These two men have been instrumental in helping to shape and mold my career," said Superintendent Sarah Campbell, who is completing her first year at the helm of the school system.
Tucker and Halsey were both involved in the decision to hire Campbell as superintendent last year. Halsey was also involved in hiring her predecessor, Dr. Bob Grimesey in 2001.
"It was an honor to serve on this board," Halsey said. "I can say that I do not regret any of the decisions I have made in the last 10 years, because I have seen Alleghany County schools grow."
Halsey, a 1976 graduate of Covington High School, worked for Westvaco for 21 years before opening "Just My Style" hair salon and retail shop. Halsey has most recently worked as a real estate investor.
Halsey and his family attend First Church of God in Christ in Clifton Forge, where he serves as a minister and trustee. The Halseys assisted in designing the new church building in 1998. The entire family helps lead worship services on Sundays.
Halsey has been married to the former Billegjo Leisure since 1979. They have one son, David Jr.
Tucker was first appointed to the school Board in October 2001 to fill an unexpired term. He was reappointed to his current four-year term in July 2006.
During his tenure on the board, Tucker was involved in talks to merge Alleghany County schools with Covington schools. He also helped lead the school board's effort to build a new county high school. That proposal was tabled in 2008 after the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors raised concerns about its financial feasibility.
A 1978 graduate of Alleghany County High School, Tucker is employed by MeadWestvaco as risk management supervisor of the Covington mill.
He graduated as a millwright journeyman from the Virginia Apprenticeship Council/Westvaco Apprenticeship Program in 1987. He served as a volunteer with the Sharon Fire Department from 1983 to 1996.
His wife, Jean, is also a graduate of Alleghany County High School. She is employed at MeadWestvaco's Low Moor Converting Plant. The Tuckers have been married since 1983.
"I have enjoyed my time on the board," Tucker said Monday night. "I've enjoyed a lot of people. It's been a learning experience."
Tucker will be replaced by Billy Angle on the board July 1. The board of supervisors appointed Angle June 15.
Supervisors also appointed Todd Persinger to fill Halsey's Clifton Forge West District seat.
In other business Monday, the board:
- Voted to certify a gifted education plan for 2010-2011.
Director of Instruction Mary Jane Mutispaugh said the plan reflects no changes. She noted the plan will undergo major revisions within the next two years, however, due to new state regulations.
- Approved a consolidated grant application for funding from federal programs.
Mutispaugh said the application seeks approximately $750,000, with about $500,000 earmarked for the Title I reading program.
- Approved a resolution seeking state technology funding. The $282,000 will be used to support technology and related infrastructure.
- Approved the purchase of new Social Studies textbooks. The books will cost approximately $123,800.
Mutispaugh said new textbooks are needed after the state revises its Standards of Learning curriculum. Textbooks are generally replaced on a seven-year cycle, she said.
Next year, the school board will be faced with purchasing new math textbooks.
Purchasing the Social Studies textbooks will leave approximately $500,000 in the school division's textbook fund, said Keven Rice, director of instruction.
- Approved a $27,635 bid to purchase window blinds for Alleghany High School.
The blinds will be purchased from Picture This & More in Covington. A Salem company submitted a bid of approximately $35,000.
Kenny Higgins, director of administrative services, said the blinds will complement new replacement windows at the high school. The blinds will help regulate lighting in classrooms and labs. Higgins said installation of the new windows has reached the 95 percent completion level.
- Approved several personnel changes:
Appointments included Edward Walters, Spanish teacher, AHS; Katherine Spinks and Karen Swortzel, English teachers, AHS; Jessi Allman, teacher, Mountain View Elementary School; Krista Craft, teacher, Boiling Spring Elementary School; Melanie Dawson, teacher, Callaghan Elementary School; Erin Clark and Janice Campbell, part-time music teachers; and Tammy Berry, textbook clerk.
Other appointments included Keith McCoy, custodian, Mountain View Elementary; Randall Ferris, custodian, Callaghan Elementary; Jessica Smith, Janie Fridley, Elsie Caruthers, Patricia Johnson, Deborah Jeffries, Sue Nicely and Tina Edwards, cafeteria workers; Vickie Brown, Lindsay Quimette, Tammy Holestin, Michelle Bowles and Cheryl Weber, substitute cafeteria workers; Gary Patterson and Richard Hostetter, substitute custodians; Kelly Huff, AHS forensics competition coach; Johnell Cantrell, varsity sideline cheerleader coach; and Katrina Vance, junior varsity sideline cheerleader coach.
The board approved the retirements of Phyllis Burr and Gladys Gillespie, cafeteria workers, and JoAnne Wilhelm, teacher assistant, Sharon Elementary School.
The board also accepted the resignations of Courtney Clemons and Jessica Stephenson, teachers at AHS; Rebecca Kinser, teacher at Callaghan Elementary; Kirby Bridgforth, teacher at Clifton Middle School; and Nancy Rose, teacher assistant at Alleghany High School.
