2022 Alleghany Living Guide - 37

Jackson River Technical Center
Alleghany Public Schools
JRTC offers hands-on instruction in everything
from auto tech, welding, and carpentry to early
childhood education, marketing, and nursing at
award winning levels.
The merger, which is designed to save money
and improve educational offerings in the
Highlands, is happening without the loss of any
jobs or closing of schools, and it will blend the
best instructional practices from both districts
while preserving the heritage and identity of
the two systems.
Alleghany High School, in Valley Ridge, will
serve as the high school for the area, while
Covington High School-itself a registered
historic landmark-will serve as the middle
school. For the first time, the schools will be
represented by one mascot, the Cougar, as
educators and students alike update their
expectations for the educational landscape.
In the works is a plan to use Covington's
Casey Field and the Jackson River Sports
Complex as sites for some high school athletic
teams. Athletic facilities at Alleghany High
School will also be utilized.
" We are in the planning phase of developing
a locker room facility at the complex, " says Allen
Dressler, director of the Covington Parks &
recreation Department. " Also in the planning
phase at Casey Field/Boodie Albert stadium are
major renovations to the restrooms, locker rooms,
stadium and athletic field. "
At Alleghany High School, plans are being
considered to update the track for track and
field events, as well as Mountaineer Field,
which could potentially host soccer and be
used as a practice facility.
Another joint endeavor by the county and
city school divisions is the Alleghany Highlands
Healthcare Advancement Grant, which is
inclusive of Jackson River Technical Center.
The AHHA Grant will be used to prepare
students who are planning to enter the rapidly
growing healthcare field.
" This is a good example of regional
cooperation and what we can do together, " says
Jonathan Arritt, the vice chair of the Covington
City School Board.
Mr. Arritt is part of a committee that helped
spearhead the merger of schools.
This merger is occurring during the COVID-19
pandemic, which has posed one of the greatest
challenges in the history of education. At one
point, schools were shut down and homes became
classrooms. No one could have predicted such
an occurrence, but teachers in the Alleghany
Highlands were well prepared for the shutdown.
In Alleghany County, the 1:1 Technology
Initiative-a best practice that will be maintained
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2022 Alleghany Living Guide

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