By CHAD COOPER
Southern Gap High School will receive two additional pieces of locally inspired artwork.
During the Buchanan County School Board’s July 13 meeting at the Buchanan County Government Center on Slate Creek, board Chairman David Thornbury presented plans for two new projects by local sculptor Johnny Hagerman.
Hagerman recently completed the large brick Eagle sculpture inside Southern Gap High School with assistance from local Career and Technical Education students. The new projects would build on that work by adding artwork near the football stadium entrance and a coal-themed scene inside the school.
The first project would be installed at the ticket booth leading into the football stadium. The proposed artwork would measure approximately 5 feet by 15 feet and be designed to complement the existing brickwork.
The project is expected to cost about $30,000, with the Smiley Ratliff Foundation agreeing to provide the funding.
Board member Ray Blankenship made the motion to approve the stadium entrance project, with board member Brian “Doc” Looney providing the second. The motion passed without opposition.
The board also approved a second Hagerman project for a blank interior wall behind the completed Eagle sculpture.
The proposed artwork would depict a coal scene, paying tribute to the industry that has shaped generations of Buchanan County families and communities.
Thornbury said Hagerman first discussed the idea with school officials several months ago. The estimated cost of the interior project is $60,000, with the McGlothlin Foundation pledging to fund the work.
North Grundy school board member Angie McClanahan made the motion to approve the interior artwork, with Prater school board member Jack Compton seconding the motion. That proposal also passed unanimously.
The final designs will be reviewed before the artwork is completed.
In other business, the board approved transferring the former Council, Twin Valley and Grundy high school properties to Buchanan County as surplus property effective Aug. 1.
A request will be made to the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors asking the county to allow the school system access to Council and Twin Valley high schools through the end of August while equipment, records and other materials are removed. School officials will have until Sept. 30 to complete work at Grundy High School because more time is expected to be needed there.
McClanahan moved to transfer the properties under those conditions, with Compton seconding. The board approved the motion unanimously.
Hurley High School and the former Buchanan County Career, Technology and Higher Learning Center were not included in the transfer.
Both buildings must be demolished under an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers connected to the development of Southern Gap High School.
The former high schools closed at the end of the 2025-26 school year as Buchanan County prepared to consolidate students in grades 8-12 at Southern Gap.
In other business, the school agreed to hire Kaitlyn Dotson as the new finance director for the Buchanan County Public School system. The starting salary will be set at $80,000. Garden school board member Ray Blankenship made the motion to hire Dotson, which was seconded by McClanahan, and the motion passed unanimously.
Before the meeting was adjourned, the school board approved several bus driver contracts. Those who received contracts were Derek Ray, Terry Austin, Alex Rife, Hayden Fuller, Kristen Church and Doug Thomas.
