ALAMANCE COUNTY, N.C. — Alamance County School Board members met Monday to discuss plans to keep its virtual school open — at least through this school year.

What You Need To Know

  • Alamance Virtual School will stay open through this school year

  • One seventh-grader wants to make sure officials keep the school going

  • Alamance-Burlington School System has been facing budget issues

This comes as the Alamance-Burlington School System confronts major budget issues. Students, staff and parents have expressed concerns about a potential closure of the Alamance Virtual School.

Taurean Bigelow, a seventh-grade student at the virtual school, was one of them.

"There are many kids concerned about bullying, and I really do not want them to feel that way," Bigelow said. "If you're student-centered, then just think about it. That's your slogan, right? So take the slogan and use it for the right reasons."

He said the virtual school he's been attending for almost two years is essential to support students. 

"Because I want the other children coming... right behind me to know that there are teachers by their side when they have a problem," Bigelow said.

The district said the virtual school costs $3 million a year to run.

ABSS officials plan to continue discussing finances for the entire district at a meeting next month and hope to have the final budget approved by June, which could help determine whether they will continue to offer the virtual school option.