Alleghany-Covington School Consolidation Awarded VACo’s 2023 Best Achievement Award

Represents latest accomplishments in improving access to education

RICHMOND (August 3, 2023)—The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) is pleased to announce the 33 recipients of the 2023 Achievement Awards, which recognize excellence in local government programs. VACo received 135 submissions. Winning entries focused on addressing issues of addiction, education, and revitalization, as well as finding solutions to other challenges that counties face daily.

“I want to thank all who participated in the 21st year of the Achievement Awards,” VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch said. “I’m encouraged to see that we received 135 submissions, our highest total ever. This tells me that the VACo Achievement Awards’ mission of identifying and celebrating the innovative work by local government officials continues to resonate with our counties. We thank all who participated and give special recognition those who won an award.” Charles Hartgrove, ICMA-CM, Director of the Virginia Institute of Government; Dr. Sheryl Bailey, Visiting Professor of Practice at Virginia Tech, and former Chesterfield County Deputy County Administrator; and Larry Land, retired VACo
Director of Policy Development, served as judges for this year’s statewide competitive awards program.

Alleghany County and its Alleghany/Covington School Consolidation program won this year’s Best Achievement Award. “What Alleghany County achieved is historic – a feat that has been accomplished only three times in the Commonwealth since 1982,” Dr. Bailey said. “It took Alleghany County more than 50 years of conversation to complete the merger of the new Alleghany Highlands Public Schools. But Alleghany County got it done, and in its first year of operations saved more than $450,000 in personnel costs without any involuntary layoffs. The consolidation assisted county leaders to navigate the nationwide teacher shortage. This Best Achievement Award program deserves a ‘Go Alleghany Cougars!’”

Read the full awards submission HERE.

The Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corporation is the marketing organization promoting Alleghany County, the City of Covington and the Towns of Clifton Forge and Iron Gate for business recruitment, expansion and development. A public/private partnership, AHEDC focuses on Site Readiness, Infrastructure Management, Site Selection Outreach and Workforce Development. The organization also serves as a key information source for applicable data, regulatory compliance and funding opportunities to help you successfully launch, expand or relocate a business to the region.