School Board Meeting Summary - April 13, 2026

A photo of Dr. Blanton presenting the HR report at this month's board meeting. This report was extremely informative, and answered many questions about how the county makes budgeting decisions based on funding received from local and state sources. Photo Creds: Carrie Bradbury, Review Desk Lead of The Powderhorn 

Rosalyn Rabinowitz, Junior Editor of The Powderhorn and Student School Board Representative

The monthly school board meeting was this Monday, March 9. These meetings often cover accomplishments of students and staff throughout the County, and the Board passes policies that directly affect the Watauga County school system. After the normal opening session, call to order, and moment of silence, the meeting began with Dr. Leslie Alexander presenting her Superintendent's report.

Dr. Alexander reported on the close of kindergarten registration, with the last one being Parkway school. She also reported on a couple of employee recognition days this month including librarians, after-school professionals, administrative professionals, and school bus drivers. Dr. Alexander also mentioned some end of year festivities and the AP testing dates which are 

May 4- May 15. 

As the Student Board of Education Representative, alongside senior Athena Elliot, we are responsible for presenting a student report. For the student report this month, we covered some updates for the cosmetology classes and weighting of classes that was discussed at last meeting, Prom, the Prom Shop hosted by Interact club, the JROTC blood drive, cheerleading and Pacer tryouts, graduation activities, spring sports, and we also mentioned some of the success of our theatre arts department. While normally we move into the special recognition part of the meeting, this meeting moved directly into an HR report by Dr. Chris Blanton. 

This HR report walked through the multiple perspectives that County Office personnel and School Board members have to consider when making budgetary decisions. This report was informational and in response to the vast amount of emails the school board and county office have received regarding the possibility that WHS theatre teacher Ms. Sarah Miller's position will not be rehired. Some of the key points of this presentation were:

• The majority of our funding comes from the state with 28% coming from our county commissioners and other local entities.

• 86% of our budget is spent on personnel (teachers and staff).

• The amount of funding Watauga County receives from the state directly correlates to the number of students we have enrolled.

• Enrollment numbers are down in Watauga County due to the high cost of living.

• Last year a total of 132 students were enrolled in theatre classes.

• Based on the formula the state uses to determine the amount of teachers needed for students 132 students would be equal to 4.8 sections of theatre.

• A full time teacher at Watauga high school teaches a total of 6 sections.

• It is predicted that 2026-2027 funding will be even less from the state and the county will have to cut 6 more positions. 

After this HR report we moved into the public comment portion of the meeting where 14 students, parents, and alumni spoke about their experience in the Theatre Department and the importance of rehiring Ms. Miller's position. The following people spoke at the meeting. 

Aspen Hickman

Sammy Adams

Rachel Ingram

Hailey Walton

Brian Newmark

Chris Osmond 

Laura Newmark 

Adrienne Tate

Carolyn Ward

Collin Troisi

Shane Miller

Susan Lappan

Sue Alice Sauthoff 

Tyler Osmond

All of these speakers expressed the importance of this program. After this public comment the Vice Chair of the Board, Alison Idol, said some quick words regarding their tough decision and the impact the Theatre Department has had on her family as well. After this, the board quickly passed the consent agenda with Lloyd making a motion and Hege seconding it. 

The Board then moved into Action Item: Technology Contracts and Budget Amendments #2. Mr. Nash presented this information which consisted of getting new Chromebooks for next year through a cheaper outlet due to the amount already spent on Chromebooks this year. He also mentioned the replacement of one of the yellow buses in the county, and renewal with the company that hosts the Watauga County Schools website. 

After Mr. Nash finished his presentation he turned it over to Dr. Alexander for her presentation on Action Item: Extended Instructional Day. This presentation went over the proposed added time for school next year to decrease the amount of remote days and increase elementary students’ ELA instruction time. The schedule for next year will have the high school hours from 8:25 a.m.-3:35 p.m. and the K-8 hours from 7:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m. These times were decided based on the parent and staff surveys sent out. 

Both of these action items passed quickly before the Board moved into Board operation which included a quick survey. 

State legislators asked the Board Chairs of all school boards in North Carolina to survey their Board and ask them if they think tightening the laws regarding cell phones in schools would be a good idea. The three options the board could choose from were: 

1. Stay with the current flexibility and legislation

2. Put in a more restrictive policy that forces students to have their phones away for the whole day

3. No opinion

Our Board opted for option 1 and also emphasized that if the state legislators put in a more restrictive policy, the Board would not look fondly upon it being an unfunded mandate.

After this survey the Board moved into Board comments, where Alison Idol announced her acceptance to the NCSBA Legislative Committee where she will represent Watauga County on the state level. Charlotte Lloyd also announced her resignation during this time due to her husband and herself both battling difficult forms of cancer. Charlotte Loyd served the majority of her term prior to this situation occurring. The Board provided their well wishes. After these comments, the April Board meeting was adjourned.