Education

Welcome!

Welcome!

Asheboro City School board members cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Asheboro High School Welcome Center in Bear Creek on Feb. 7. The Welcome Center will serve as a community hub for learning, collaboration, and innovation. Located within the newly renovated Global Innovation Center, the Welcome Center will provide a wide range of information and resources including school supplies, computer access, and material about community resources useful for families. The Welcome Center has two rooms for community use: the Welcome Center room and the Comet Community Corner room to be used for classes and educational sessions for…
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In surprise event, NC awards nearly $30M to renovate South Asheboro Middle School

In surprise event, NC awards nearly $30M to renovate South Asheboro Middle School

ASHEBORO — Asheboro City Schools (ACS) board members and executives were surprised by representatives from the state Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the General Assembly today with the announcement of a $29.7 million needs-based grant award to revitalize the 62-year-old South Asheboro Middle School. The award comes after more than 100 applications from over 50 school districts were sent to the DPI for awards out of the $400 million Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund, a capital expenditure-focused program funded by the General Assembly with proceeds from the lottery. Applications closed in early January, and this was the third award…
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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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