Education

RCSS board recognizes director, accepts grants

RCSS board recognizes director, accepts grants

Shenna Creech, right, poses with school board chair Gary Cook. (Courtesy of Randolph County School System) ASHEBORO – The Randolph County School System's Board of Education recognized director of digital teaching and learning Shenna Creech, who was selected as the Piedmont-Triad Regional Technology Director of the Year, during its January meeting. “Shenna Creech has been employed with RCSS since 2004 and has been an integral part of the Randolph County School System,” public information officer Amber Ward said. “Her work ethic, knowledge and skill are invaluable.” Creech will be recognized and represent the region at the state-level competition at the…
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RCSS board incumbent Sink won’t be on ballot

RCSS board incumbent Sink won’t be on ballot

Photo: Mike Sink ASHEBORO – There will be at least one new member of the Randolph County School System’s board of education after the 2024 voting with incumbent Mike Sink choosing not to seek re-election. There are four spots on the 2024 ballot for the seven-member board. Board chairman Gary Cook and fellow incumbents Sharon Petty Farlow of Sophia and Tracy Boyles of Denton have filed to keep seats. Farlow is the board’s vice chair. Rana Gantt of Trinity and Todd Cutler of Asheboro are the other candidates to file by last week’s deadline. Sink, who turns 75 in January,…
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Randolph County School System extends superintendent’s contract

Randolph County School System extends superintendent’s contract

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…
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Ag teacher finds right fit at Randleman

Ag teacher finds right fit at Randleman

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…
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Providence Grove group places in hunter safety regional competition

Providence Grove group places in hunter safety regional competition

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…
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After years at Randleman, Hamilton becomes principal at Providence Grove

After years at Randleman, Hamilton becomes principal at Providence Grove

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

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

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…
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RCS to change focus surrounding Virtual Academy

RCS to change focus surrounding Virtual Academy

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

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

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…
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