VALLE CRUCIS, N.C. - Governor Roy Cooper (D-N.C.) stopped in Watauga County Friday afternoon to survey the damage left by Tropical Storm Michael.
The governor met with county schools superintendent Dr. Scott Elliott at Valle Crucis Elementary School, where water receded after flooding the school's parking lot and some classrooms.
"The rain came much faster. The water did not absorb. The river came out faster," Dr. Elliott said. "We dismissed at 10:30 a.m. yesterday morning in order to get kids home before the worst of it."
"Anytime, particularly, our more rural school systems get hit with facility issues, we know that that's something that's tough for your budgets," Gov. Cooper said.
Dr. Elliott said his greatest concern now is the school calendar.
With tight calendar restrictions from the state and students already missing class time due to Florence and Michael, Doctor Elliott said his district has less wiggle room to make up days, especially with winter soon coming to the mountains.
"Last year, we missed 20 days of school for snow," Dr. Elliott said. "We had 30 days disrupted with early releases and dismissals so greater calendar flexibility, being able to start a little sooner..."
Gov. Cooper responded, "I'm all in favor of greater calendar flexibility. We should do that across the board."
Meanwhile, crews continue to clean up downed trees in the Charlotte region, including in Gaston County, where 911 dispatchers received more than 100 reports of downed trees.
