Public hearing to be held for potential closure of Virtual Academy at Randolph

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County School System is looking to close the Virtual Academy at Randolph.

At the Randolph County Schools Board of Education’s meeting this month, the board was presented with a study the district had done which focused primarily on the “welfare of the students who are enrolled in the school should the Virtual Academy at Randolph be closed.”

“If we sent the students back to their schools that they were assigned to because of the closure of this school, it would not lead to any disruptive enrollment increases in those schools,” said Stephen Gainey, RCSS superintendent. “The closure of the Virtual Academy at Randolph will not have a negative academic impact on any student who currently attends.”

Gainey pointed to multiple reasons for the recommended closure including the cost of running the school (nearly $1.3 million), decreasing enrollment and uninspiring school grade and performance.

The Virtual Academy has also not had stable enrollment — as of March 31, 2025, there were only 48 students enrolled for the 2025-26 school year and any school below 100 students will not have their principal costs covered by the state. The school hasn’t had strong academic performance, with a ‘D’ letter grade and being designated as a low-performing school last year.

“The need and the demand for this school has lessened a great deal since we came out of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Gainey said “At this time, since the pandemic has ended, the major reasons, or most of the reasons, no longer exist for having that school.”

Gainey pointed out that students who would prefer to learn in a remote environment could apply for the North Carolina Virtual Academy or the North Carolina Cyber Academy, which are virtual charter schools.

“Should we move to close this school, it will be a tough decision because it will impact some kids because there are kids who have different learning styles and interests in remote instruction, but us closing the Virtual Academy of Randolph does not cut out an opportunity for a child to pursue their special learning interests or learning style virtually,” Gainey said.

Gainey also said students who have disabilities or who need specialized accommodations and special education services will still be accommodated with their individualized needs regardless of placement.

“Two years ago we had this same discussion,” board chair Gary Cook said. “I came out and said we opened it for COVID reasons, but we had done a poor job of advertising that school and putting things out there, using social media and all that. They picked up their game and did a good job of it, and the numbers picked up that year. But they’ve continued to do a good job promoting it and doing everything. I’m just shocked that you can’t get enough kids.”

A public hearing on the potential school closure will be held May 19.

The board also approved the superintendent’s recommended 2025-26 budget, which will be presented to the county commissioners in the coming weeks.

The budget has a local expense fund of $29.6 million, which is increased by approximately $3.5 million.

The district will be asking for a local request of around $2.2 million, with just more than $1 million in continuation costs associated with increases in insurance, retirement, salaries, etc.,  and nearly $1 million in a 0.5% supplement increase for all employees.

The Randolph County Schools Board of Education will next meet May 19.