At its regular monthly meeting of the Greenbrier County Republican Club, Greenbrier County School Superintendent Jeff Bryant and Associate Superintendent Nancy Hanna presented the current status of the Greenbrier County school system to an audience of 30 persons. The system includes nine elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. There is also an alternative school for those students who do not fit in well in regular classes because of behavioral or other problems such as bullying, self harm or lack of interest in curriculum. It aids parents and grandparents in helping to handle the student’s problems,
Members of the Club questioned the less than optimal published standardized scores. Hanna explained that the county tests all students whose scores are averaged into the final reports. The score includes the top performing students as well as less interested students and special education students. The system has an excellent record of students later attending military academies and their favored colleges and universities.
There is a quite positive financial picture as all bonds have been paid and the system has an excellent record of obtaining grants from the State School Building Authority including $10 million for the renovations and additions at Frankford Elementary and $16 million for renovation of White Sulphur Springs Elementary. Both Bryant and Hanna expressed their appreciation as the county citizens continue to approve the levy which provides for art and music, maintenance, security and other expenses.
Superintendent Bryant addressed the loss of students because of the Hope Scholarship allowing students to attend church or private schools or to be homeschooled. The administration and Board of Education has accepted the challenge of competing for those students with advertisements extolling the benefits of the public schools and the programs not available in other sites. The Greenbrier Schools website is a superbly done source of information for parents and students.
Several retired educators offered praise for the system and for the caring professionals who work in the system. Attendees were unanimous in voting to have Bryant and Hanna return in the not too distant future. A number of retired professional attendees offered to act as mentors for students.
