Education - Randolph Record

27 Sep

Randolph County School System extends superintendent’s contract

Randolph RecordNewsEducation, randolph county, superintendent

ASHEBORO — The top executive of the Randolph County School System will be at the helm of the county’s largest public school system through at least the 2026-27 school year, following action from the Randolph County School Board this week. Dr. Stephen Gainey had his employment contract extended to June 30, 2027 — the maximum length allowed by state law. “Over the last year, Dr. Gainey continued to work tirelessly to lead the Randolph County School System with great thoughtfulness and care,” said the Randolph County Board of Education in a joint statement. The board highlighted Gainey’s encouragement of “teachers…

11 Sep

Ag teacher finds right fit at Randleman

Bob SuttonNewsEducation, Mark Walker, Randleman, Randolph County School System, RCSS, Teacher of the Year

Teacher of the Year Mark Walker, center, is flanked by RCSS superintendent Stephen Gainey, left, and Randleman principal Corey Phillips at last week’s banquet. (Photo courtesy of RCSS) RCSS honors Walker with annual award RANDLEMAN – Once Mark Walker became involved with agricultural education, he sensed that would be his best avenue to make a difference at Randleman High School. He stuck with it and he was rewarded for his decades in that capacity as the Teacher of the Year for the Randolph County School System. “I hope I can be more of a voice and do more to…

10 Sep

Providence Grove group places in hunter safety regional competition

Bob SuttonNewsAmy Kidd, Education, FFA, Future Farmers of America, Providence Grove

Members of Providence Grove FFA hunter safety team went to Indiana this summer. They are, front row (seated), left to right: Amelia Lackey, Austin Williams and Troy Blakley. Back row: Cooper Wright, FFA advisor and coach Amy Kidd, instructor and coach Bruce Hicks and Christian Swaim. (Courtesy photo) CLIMAX – Members of Providence Grove’s Future Farmers of America hunter safety team placed in a regional competition this summer. Five students took part in the Eastern Regional Youth Hunter Education Challenge, which included safety trail, muzzleloader, rifle, orienteering, shotgun, test, wildlife identification, and archery. It took place in Versailles, Ind. “It…

30 Aug

Here they come: Photos from Asheboro as schools geared up to start

Scott PelkeyNewsEducation, Randolph County Schools

Teachers and staff from Lindley Park Elementary School hold signs out the window of a bus as it goes through the school district handing out ice cream as part of a back to school event Aug 17.

24 Aug

After years at Randleman, Hamilton becomes principal at Providence Grove

Bob SuttonNewsDennis Hamilton, Education, high school, New principal, Providence Grove, public schools, Randleman, Randolph County School System

Dennis Hamilton (Courtesy photo) CLIMAX – It’s a different location for high school principal Dennis Hamilton, but the people connected to Providence Grove are plenty familiar to him. Hamilton had administrative roles at Randleman for two decades. “I was given an opportunity to take a new adventure at a different school,” Hamilton said. He’s the new principal at Providence Grove after holding a similar position at Randleman. Hamilton was principal of Randleman Middle School when the Providence Grove district was formed and so in 2008 there was a new high school in the Randolph County School System. Many of the…

16 Aug

UCA’s high school building ready; Delays expected for younger students

Randolph RecordNewsEducation, Randolph County Schools, ribbon cutting, UCA, Uwharrie Charter Academy

ASHEBORO — The new high school building for Uwharrie Charter Academy opens next week. The new facility will house the high school and career academy. A ribbon cutting was held last Thursday, with an appearance by Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who’s running for governor in 2024. Classes begin Monday, and students will be welcomed to the new facility. Staff members have spent the past couple of weeks on-site preparing for the opening. It hasn’t gone quite as smoothly for UCA’s elementary school facilities. UCA superintendent Sharron Castelli announced an adjustment to the school calendar for early grades. “We will have…

14 Jun

RCS to change focus surrounding Virtual Academy

Ryan Henkel, North State JournalNewsEducation, Randolph County Schools, RCS, virtual academy, virtual learning

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Schools Board of Education met Monday, June 5, with presentations on the Virtual Academy and various grants as the main items on the agenda. Following up on a recommendation to consider closing the Virtual Academy made at last month’s board meeting by Superintendent Stephen Gainey, the superintendent instead recommended that RCS change its focus in relation to the school after an uptick in enrollments. “Looking at some of the things we talked about last month and where the school is, there’s been a pretty strong jump in the last couple of weeks,” Gainey said. “So,…

01 Jun

School news: Principals to shift; Gainey honored; Commencement times listed

Bob SuttonNewscommencement, Education, New principal, Randolph County School System, RCSS, Stephen Gainey

ASHEBORO – The Randolph County School System made a few principal appointments for the next school year. Dennis Hamilton is going from his role as principal at Randleman to become principal at neighboring Providence Grove. No replacement for the Randleman position has been named. Corey Culp, an assistant principal at Liberty Elementary and Grays Chapel Elementary School, will be the principal at Liberty Elementary School. Katie Henderson moves from principal at Coleridge Elementary School to become the principal at Franklinville Elementary School. All the appointments are effective July 1. For schools in the Randolph County School System, the last day…

11 Jan

N.C. Treasurer delivers over half a million in found funds to state education officials

A.P. DillonNewsDale Folwell, Education, NC Treasurer, officials, state funds

RALEIGH — Last week, N.C. State Treasurer Dale Folwell delivered a check for over half a million dollars to State Superintendent Catherine Truitt and N.C. State Board of Education chairman Eric Davis. “At a time when so many schools are in need of money and resources, especially in rural and inner-city districts, every penny found to further North Carolina’s educational mission is a blessing,” Folwell said in a press release. “I see that need not only as a member of SBE, but as chairman of the Local Government Commission, which reviews and approves financing for school projects throughout North Carolina.” …

04 Jan

2023 should bring changes, progress on projects

Bob SuttonEvents, News2023 new year, Education, infrastructure, projects, randolph county

ASHEBORO — There’s plenty to look forward to around Randolph County in 2023. The past year has set some of the foundation for the future. Here’s a sampling: Ongoing megasite impact Certainly, the fallout associated with the Greensboro-Randolph megasite has largely been in its infancy during the past year. With Toyota’s announcement in late 2021 that it’s building a massive battery manufacturing plant at the location, the impact is only going to grow once the facility is up and running. To be known as Toyota Battery Manufacturing-North Carolina, this is plugged as a multi-billion dollar operation. Production is supposed to…