Standout students, employees recognized by RCSS Board of Education

ASHEBORO – The Randolph County Board of Education recognized a few standout performers from across the district at its Nov. 18 regular business meeting.

Makayla Eibach, a fifth grade teacher at Ramseur Elementary, was selected as the Outstanding Elementary Math Teacher of the Year for the Randolph County School System.

“Each year, the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the North Carolina Department of Instruction recognize outstanding math teachers in our schools,” said public information officer Amber Ward. “They recognize and reward those teachers who make mathematics exciting, nurture their students’ enthusiasm in mathematics, motivate students to excel in mathematics and enhance everyday classroom experiences.”

Franklinville Elementary School and Wheatmore High School were also recognized as Signature Schools for the 2024-25 school year.

Some indicators that apply to a Signature School include: the implementation of innovative practices to increase the academic achievement, documented increases in measurable outcomes, positive change throughout the school, the overall quality of teaching has continued to improve as measured by observations, peer evaluations, student feedback, parent comments, etc. and the school has successfully engaged the support of parents and the community to accomplish its goals.

The board also recognized 11 students as STAR3 Students and 11 STAR employees for the month of November

The students were Tiernan Steever, Joshua Parks, Khloe Holt, Penelope McKelvey, Brianna Watkins, Florentino Martinez Barrera, Jonathan de la Torre, Deisy Montoya Sauceda, Jackson Motley, Issac Acosta Hernandez and Lesly Hefner.

The employees were Amanda McPherson, Ashley LeSane, Kaitlyn Kiser, Bethany Reeder, Travis Leonard, Danielle Rambo, Pam Parrish, Stephanie Hatcher, Gentry Dunn, Abigail Williard and Gary Meisch.

“One of the greatest parts of being a board member is each month when we gather and we recognize students and staff,” said board chair Gary Cook.

“We’ve been doing this for 12 years now at least with the Star3 and Star Employees and you see a very supportive board of education here and they want nothing more than what’s the best for your kids and our staff,” said RCSS superintendent Stephen Gainey. “Someone may have as good of kids and staff as we do, but nobody has better kids and staff than we do and that’s for sure.”

The board also approved the school improvement plans for the 14 schools that were not designated as low-performing or for additional targeted support and improvement (ATSI) and the preliminary plans for the 18 schools designated as low-performing and/or for ATSI.

Looking ahead

They also approved the first reading of the 2026-27 school calendar which includes a start date of Aug. 24, 2026, the end of the first semester on Jan. 15, 2027 and the end of the school year on June 9, 2027.

“The committee met in October and had quite a lengthy discussion in working on the draft,” said executive director of operations Dale Brinkley. “The committee is actually one of the largest committees that I’ve worked with so far and included staff, parents, administrators and board members.”

In addition, the board was notified that Farmer Elementary School received a $600 Bright Ideas Education Grant that will be used to fund the purchase of a 3D printer to enhance innovative ELA, math and science projects.

The Randolph County Schools Board of Education will next meet Dec. 9.