schools – Moore County Edition

Mar

16

2022

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By Ryan Henkel

Beyond book controversy, school board takes other actions

Government, Newsschools

Calendars for upcoming school years set CARTHAGE – The Moore County Board of Education met Monday to address community concerns over the book “George” and to vote on calendar changes and funding. The debate over “George” has been an ongoing national topic that has found itself in Moore County. The county has ultimately decided to keep the book in the schools that it was already in by a final vote of 4-3. The book was in two county school libraries – Union Pines High School and McDeeds Creek Elementary – and had found itself in those libraries’ collections from bulk…

Feb

17

2022

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By Moore County Staff

Montgomery Co. teacher suspended after gun found in classroom

Government, NewsEducation, firearms, schools

TROY — A high school teacher was suspended without pay after a search of his classroom found a loaded gun, knives and ammunition. Jason Hensley, 47, was suspended by Montgomery County Schools. A search of Hensley's desk at Montgomery Central High School turned up a loaded .380-caliber handgun. An additional investigation of the classroom turned up concealed knives and ammunition. Hensley, who is a health-science teacher, is a part-time police officer with the town of Mount Gilead. While he may have been in violation of school system policy, there was nothing illegal about having the gun in the classroom.

Feb

02

2022

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By A.P. Dillon

Book controversy heads to school board

Newsbooks, Education, library, schools

Alex Gino on September 15, 2016 in front of the Haus der Berliner Festspiele in Berlin during their participation at the section International Children´s and Young Adult Literature of the 16th International Literature Festival Berlin. (Christoph Rieger | CC BY-SA 4.0) Board members Holmes and Levy both have objections to “George.” RALEIGH — The controversial book “George” remains on the library shelves in two of the district’s schools while a complaint filed over the book heads to the Moore County school board. The book, written by Alex Gino, has been considered controversial for its transgender storyline of a fourth-grade boy…

Jan

28

2022

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By Moore County Staff

Three county students named Park Scholarship finalists

NewsEducation, NC State, schools

RALEIGH — Three Moore County seniors have been named finalists for N.C. State's top merit scholarship. Natham Timothy Auman of Union Pines, Molly Sue Smith of North Moore and Ethan Alexander Spain of Pinecrest were named finalists for the Park Scholarship. The Park Scholarships program announced Friday that 112 finalists were named from 2,260 applicants from across the United States. Nathan Timothy Auman, son of Bryan and Stephanie Auman, is from Jackson Springs. Auman will graduate from Union Pines High School where he is the commanding officer of the Navy JROTC, editor-in-chief of the yearbook and core leader of Student2Student.…

Jan

26

2022

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By Moore County Staff

Vass charter school to phase out high school

Business, Government, NewsEducation, schools

The Sandhills Theatre Arts Renaissance School of Vass, known as STARS Charter, will phase out its high school program citing declining student numbers. The school said their enrollment numbers did not meet expectations and the high school caused a budget deficit. Executive Director Wes Graner said in a January 9 letter to parents that “if things continue as they are, which I clearly believe they will, or I would not have started this process, I have the following concern for our entire school’s future.”

Jan

12

2022

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By North State Journal Staff

School board reinstates mask mandate, bids farewell to superintendent

Government, Newsschools

CARTHAGE — The Moore County School Board voted 3-2 to reinstate a mask mandate for students, teachers, staff and visitors at its regular business meeting Monday. The board also met for a work session Monday ahead of its business meeting with the search for a new superintendent topping that agenda. Superintendent Bob Grimesey announced his intention to retire in October of 2021 with January 31, 2022, as his final day. The board heard an update on the search for a new superintendent from Jim O’Rourke from the N.C. School Boards Association which has been retained by the board to conduct…

Jan

03

2022

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By Moore County Staff

County and city schools delayed 3 hours

Business, Newsschools, Weather

ASHEBORO — After strong winds, snow and power outages caused school cancellations across Randolph County on Monday, the first school of of the new year, the second school day of 2022 will also start with a delay. Randolph County Schools and Asheboro City Schools will both operate on a three-hour delay Tuesday. In a statement announcing the delay, the county school system said the delay was "due to concerns about road conditions in the early morning hours." The city schools said their delay was "out of an abundance of caution." Randolph Community College, which also closed Monday, will delay the…

Jan

03

2022

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By Moore County Staff

Randolph County schools closed due to weather

Business, NewsClosings, schools, Weather

ASHEBORO — As intense weather swept through Randolph County, the Randolph County School System initially delayed the start of school on Monday by two hours. After assessing power outages, fallen trees and high winds, the system decided to cancel classes Monday which were scheduled to restart after the holiday break. In a statement, the system said: “Due to strong winds, power outages, and downed trees throughout the county, all schools in the Randolph County School System will be closed today.” Asheboro City Schools remained on a regular schedule Monday. Randolph Electric and Duke Energy reported thousands were without power across…

Dec

15

2021

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By Moore County Staff

REMC awards $14,000 to teachers for ‘Bright Ideas’

Business, NewsEducation, schools

ASHEBORO — Randolph Electric Membership Corporation recently honored educators by awarding $14,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to twelve local educators. “Randolph EMC is committed to making our communities stronger. One way we accomplish that is by investing in education,” said Nicole Arnold, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for REMC. “For almost 30 years, Randolph Electric has provided grants to local schools. We commend these educators for continually striving to create classrooms conducive to innovation.” Bright Ideas grants, sponsored by Randolph EMC and North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, are available to teachers for hands-on projects that would not otherwise be funded.…

Nov

06

2021

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By Moore County Staff

SWR captures 2A state volleyball championship

SportsCougars, Education, schools, sports, SWR, volleyball

The Southwestern Randolph Cougars hold the state championship banner after their win against Camden County Bruins in the 2A State Championship volleyball match at Valvano Arena at Historic Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, NC on November 6th, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL RALEIGH -- The Cougars of Southwestern Randolph are once again state champions in volleyball. The Cougars faced a Camden County Bruins team that was undefeated and had only lost one set all season. The Cougars started quickly at Reynolds Coliseum on the campus of NC State Saturday with a first set win. The Bruins came back to tie the…