State lawmakers swapped the capital floor for school grounds on Legislators in Schools Week, touring local schools to see exactly how millions in grants — along with innovative ideas — are serving as the new gold standard in Alexander County Schools.
Sen. Eddie Settle, R-Alexander, and Rep. Blair Eddins, R-Alexander, joined Alexander County School Board members, district administrators, and County Commissioner Ronnie Reese on a tour of Ellendale Elementary, East Alexander Middle, and Sugar Loaf Elementary.
Ellendale Elementary School of Innovation and Inquiry
At Ellendale, the group heard about a STEM program going into place. For the 2026-27 year, the school will be called Ellendale Elementary School of Innovation and Inquiry. The district plans to use more hands-on and discovery learning at Ellendale to help students learn the state standards.
Superintendent Dr. Bill Griffin and Executive Director Dr. Amy Bowles are shepherding the transition to a STEM school for Ellendale, in part because the school has dropped in enrollment over the past ten years to 160 students.
Ellendale teachers will receive training on how to deliver the state standards while allowing students to engage in hands-on learning.
East Alexander Middle School
Teacher training is also key at East Alexander Middle School, recipient of a grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation. The funding helps traditionally low-performing middle schools with professional development for teachers and with math support. The school is nearing completion of its first year of the Golden Leaf grant.
Principal Lee Swanson told the group of legislators and local leaders that his teachers are focused on creating long-term improvement.
“You’ve got to figure out a way to chunk your assignments. You’ve got to give direction instruction,” said Swanson.
East Alexander Middle School has gone from a -6.55 in school growth in 2023 to -1.75 in 2025. Superintendent Griffin said the work at East included accountability and high expectations.
“We put this leadership team together and charged them with turning the tide,” said Griffin.
The Golden LEAF grant amounts to about $1.6 million dollars over five years for East Alexandeer to implement (in partnership with Marzano Resources and the NC Department of Public Instruction) efforts to boost student outcomes in rural, tobacco-dependent, or economically distressed counties.
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Sugar Loaf Elementary
Lastly, the board members and legislators traveled to Sugar Loaf Elementary. The school received a needs-based grant for $5.3 million dollars in January of 2023 to build a new gymnasium and office space. The funding comes from the North Carolina Education Lottery. The county also contributed $265,000. The school system allotted $700,000 to convert the former gym into what Superintendent Dr. Bill Griffin calls a “world-class media center.”
At Sugar Loaf, principal Dawn Leary told the elected leaders about a film crew that recorded four commercials on campus March 7 to promote the lottery’s work to fund construction, pre-K programs for North Carolina 4-year-olds, support staff such as custodians and office personnel, and student scholarships. The production crew used several Sugar Loaf students and staff in the filming of the videos.
At Sugar Loaf, Dr. Griffin wrapped up the legislative visits by highlighting the work the district has done to upright the district’s finances. Over the past 12 years, Alexander County Schools has lost more than 1,200 students. A loss in students means a loss in state funding. Griffin challenged the lawmakers to continue supporting public schools.
“Listen to the great stuff we do. Let’s all pull together and look at the value,” said Griffin.
He added, “We need help in the direction we’re going. I want to hire the very best. And right now, we can’t compete.”
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Legislative priorities
The legislature is back into session with a key item up for debate: the state budget. Typically, the state adopts a budget every two years, but North Carolina is the only state in the country that does not have a new budget for the fiscal year. No new agreement means spending stays at the levels that were agreed on two years ago. Sen. Settle expressed frustration with the budget impasse.
“It’s the world. Since COVID and inflation, it’s hard,” said Settle.
Two budget sticking points for the North Carolina General Assembly are the rate of tax cuts and possible raises for North Carolina employees including teachers.
“It’s going to take both (the House and Senate),” said Settle.
Griffin thanked Settle and Eddins for any work on behalf of the schools.
“The reality is there are a lot of hours and a lot of thought to make your decisions for your constituents,” said Griffin.
He added he and his staff must stay focused while state budget negotiations are ongoing.
“Our work must always be about the students,” said Griffin.
This is the third year for Legislators in Schools Week, an opportunity for legislators to experience the day-to-day reality of North Carolina’s schools. Organizers hope that through the visits legislators will gain a first-hand look at the exciting things happening in local public schools as well as a better understanding of the challenges students and educators face.
Editor’s note: A version of this perspective was previously published by Alexander County Schools.
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