Dr. Jennifer Hefner, Superintendent of Alexander County Schools in Taylorsville, North Carolina, has been named the Northwest Regional Superintendent of the Year by the Northwest Regional Educational Service Alliance (NWRESA). The Superintendent’s Council of the NWRESA is comprised of more than a dozen superintendents from across the Northwest region of the state. Dr. Hefner was one of eight superintendents in the state recognized for the honor. Each region of the state selects a superintendent of the year. This honor places her in the running for State Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Hefner has served as Superintendent of Alexander County Schools since August of 2014. She served as Acting Superintendent and later Interim Superintendent. Dr. Hefner was an associate superintendent from July 2012 to May 2014. She served as interim assistant superintendent from March 2012 until July 2012. She was a central office director over Elementary Curriculum, Student Services (K-12), Title 1 and has led the Common Core and Essential Standards Implementation. She was selected as the local, regional, and state Administrator of the Year for the North Carolina Association of Educational Office Professionals. She served as the principal at Bethlehem Elementary School for nine years and as assistant principal for one year. Dr. Hefner also served as Curriculum Specialist at Bethlehem. She taught math from 1993 to 1998 at Bethlehem and from 1996 to 1998 part-time at the Alternative Learning Program with Alexander Central High School. Her career in the school system began as a teacher assistant and bus driver at Sugar Loaf Elementary School. Dr. Hefner completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Appalachian State University. She also holds an Educational Specialist Degree and a Master’s in School Administration from Appalachian State University. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Lenoir-Rhyne College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education. She
Susan Gantt, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director of Alexander County Schools in Taylorsville, North Carolina, has recently been named the Northwest Regional CTE Administrator of the Year through the North Carolina Association of Career and Technical Education (NCACTE). Gantt is one of six regional winners in North Carolina. This honor places her in the running for State CTE Administrator of the Year. The winner will be announced at the spring conference in February 2019. Since 2012, Gantt has served as the CTE Director. Prior to this position, she taught agriculture for one year in Kings Mountain, and then six years at Alexander Central High School. She served as assistant principal at West Junior High for two years, and then as the principal at West Alexander Middle School for twelve years. She has both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from North Carolina State University in Agriculture Education. Gantt also earned her principal certification and Educational Specialist Degree from Appalachian State University. Gantt and her husband, Kevin reside in Hickory and have three children, Layton, Lauren, and Elliott. As of next week, her two oldest children will be attending NC State University.
Alexander Central High School Men’s Basketball Coach Ed Wills was recognized on August 14, 2018, by the Alexander County School Administration and Board of Education for the 2018 Coaches vs. Cancer Coach of the Year Award. Coach Wills was recognized by the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association as Coach of the Year at their annual meeting in Greensboro in July. “I have a great deal of respect for Ed Wills, on and off the basketball court. He challenges his students to perform at a high level just like he challenges his basketball players,” stated Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Hefner. “He holds himself, his students and his student athletes to a high standard and I truly appreciate that he understands the importance of both of the roles he plays at Alexander Central.” The Coaches vs. Cancer program was developed to support the American Cancer Society in their efforts in fighting cancer. Fans pledge a dollar amount for every 3-point shot made by the team during the season.
Click the link to view the school board meeting tonight at 6:00 PM or to watch previous meetings.
School Open House Dates - Alexander Central High School will hold open house for all students on Tuesday, August 21 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Freshman Academy will host open house during the same time as the high school. Freshmen will meet with seminar teachers beginning at 5:30 PM. East & West Middle Schools will hold open house on Thursday, August 23 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Jump Start for 6th Grade will be held on the following dates. WAMS – Wednesday, August 22 from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM with a parent meeting at 4:00 PM EAMS – Thursday, August 23 from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM with a parent meeting at 4:00 PM All elementary schools including Head Start and NC Pre-K will hold open house on Thursday, August 23 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Parents are encouraged to attend.
Click the link to view the school board meeting tonight at 6:00 PM or to watch previous meetings.
Attention Elementary Parents: Please complete the attached survey regarding the Elementary Early Dismissal After School Enrichment Opportunity. Click the link below for the survey. https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSdGYf8wThHR1AvhUH…/viewform
Alexander County administration and school board members recognized nineteen school system employees as they retired from the school system with a ceremony and reception on Thursday, May 31, 2018. The ceremony was held at Alexander Central High School cafeteria and included comments by Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Hefner. School Chairman Scott Bowman and school board members, Sallie Hartis and Brigette Rhyne, presented each retiree with a plaque and a dark pink rose which represents gratitude. The retirees served the school system with a combined total of 473 years of service. Ten of the nineteen retirees served twenty-five or more years. ACS retirees pictured left to right: Jewel Warren, Amy Johnson, Kathy Elder, Sherry Williams, Donna Bowman, Angela King, Phyllis A. Fox, and Jill Peek. Not pictured Dianne P. Chapman, Teresa Jennings, Donna Waugh, Susan C. Dyson, Sandra Wright, Xenopheon “Todd” Fox, Connie Simmons, Carolyn Hart, Sandra Marlowe, Audie Sprinkle, and Sharon Wessollek. Click the title for more photos.
