WINDSOR – Alternative education is changing in Bertie County.

Last week, interim Bertie County Schools Superintendent Dr. Will Crawford said the school district will be operating its own alternative education programs.

In the past two years, the school system has contracted with other agencies to provide education to alternative students. One Economy has operated The Hive as a school for boys in alternative education while Reclamation and Uplift Academy also provided services in the past.

“Given the current financial state of Bertie County Schools we will no longer be able to contract services for our alternative programs,” Dr. Crawford said.

The district will place alternative students at the former Hive location, which is at 117 County Farm Road. The school will be known as Bertie Academy, which is the name that had been used for the umbrella under which the alternative schools operated.

“Bertie Academy will be staffed with Bertie County employees and will be headed by Ricky Eley as principal,” Dr. Crawford said. “We expect the same level of commitment to our students and parents as we have seen in the past.

“Our focus will be to ensure the successful transition of each child into a successful student and citizen,” he added.

Dr. Crawford said the school district was thankful for the work of One Economy and the assistance that had been provided to students.

“We would like to thank the staff, faculty and advisors of The Hive for providing outstanding services and programs to our students through One Economy,” Dr. Crawford said. “Our Hive parents and students have been very vocal in their praise of the staff and faculty and of the student growth both academically and socially.

“Bertie County Schools fully appreciates the commitment and determination One Economy/The Hive displayed while providing a vital service to our school family,” he closed.

Bertie Academy opened Wednesday under the leadership of the school district.