Jones is District Teacher of the Year

Bobbie Jones has been named Clay County Schools District Teacher of the Year. During the recognition section of the Clay County Board of Education meeting held Thursday evening, June 25, Schools Superintendent Dale Cole recognized all teachers of the year.

“I know we recognized them last month, but I don’t think we can ever recognize them enough,” Cole said. “After a rigorous interview process that involved other stakeholders from our school and community group, the group selected the District Teacher of the Year who will represent us at the regional level and have the opportunity to do the complete packet for Regional Teacher of the Year. They chose Bobbie Jones.

Jones thanked the board and said she would like to thank the group who interviewed her. “It was exciting sharing my journey with them and I hope Hayesville can win,” she said. “I want to put Hayesville on the map.” Cole presented Jones with a plaque and said, “She absolutely deserves it.”

Other teachers of the year are Jessica Hughes as Hayesville Elementary School Teacher of the Year and Amanda Gaddis was named Hayesville Middle School Teacher of the Year.

Cole shared information about the 87 students in the 2019-2020 Hayesville High School senior class. He made a video for graduation, which has not occurred yet. “We focus on making sure our students graduate on time, college and career ready,” he said. “First some numbers about our senior class, as far as being career ready. Seventy-one percent of this year's graduating seniors earned at least one nationally recognized job certification through the career technical education programs during their four years at Hayesville High School. Thirty-four percent earned more than one nationally recognized job certification. Eighty percent of the class earned a Silver Level or better on the ACT Work Keys exam. It is designed to measure the career readiness of students. This is a really great job of our seniors showing they are career ready.”

Cole said many also showed they are college ready. More than 95 scholarships were awarded with more than $200,000 in local and state funds. In addition, the 2020 senior class had the largest number of college degrees earned in Hayesville High School history. Other senior stats were also good. 

These include:

• 29 percent of seniors were honor graduates.

• 25 percent finished as North Carolina Scholars.

• 17 percent finished as Presidential Scholars.

• 37 percent received a local, regional or state scholarship.

• 41 percent earned at least one college credit.

“If a student sees they can earn college credit during high school, that gives them the confidence after high school anytime to go back,” Cole said. “As a graduating senior you may decide to go into the workforce, but one day five, 10 or 15 years later, you may wake up and decide you want to do something else. You can have the belief in yourself you can do it because you earned a college credit in high school.” 

HHS Principal Jim Saltz spoke after Cole’s recognitions. 

“Every one of those awards is because of the staff at Hayesville High School, they do believe in the students and they do believe in collecting with them. That makes all the difference in the world,” Saltz said. “Graduation is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, July 24 with rain dates of July 25 and 26. It will be in the stadium if we continue to be in phase two of North Carolina's opening and each graduate will be allowed four guests.”

Students will sit on the football field socially distanced from each other with balloons tied to their chairs to release, rather than throwing their caps. Attendees will also be socially distanced in the stadium. Masks with HHS logos will be provided for the graduates. The graduation ceremony will be live-streamed and will be followed by a vehicle parade around the Hayesville square.

“The prom committee had to postpone prom indefinitely,” Saltz added. “Because of the regulations put into place, we are unable to have it. We will honor this year's seniors by allowing them to use their tickets to come back, if they choose.”

The high school graduates did have a live stream Baccalaureate service thanks to Hayesville First United Methodist Church. “We are proud we had an awards video and a scholarship video,” he said. “None of the other local schools were able to do anything like that so that shows our staffs’ commitment. Each high school senior was spotlighted by Carla Beck’s journalism class and the sheriff's office provided individual signs for each student. A community and parent group purchased two large signs which are on the Hayesville square.”

Saltz shared other information.

• A staff team attempted to contact all students in grades nine to 11 to offer the COVID grade, which will not impact their GPA.

• Scholarship and transcript letters have been sent.

• Almost 90 percent of students are already registered for next year.

• Many HHS students are enrolled at Tri-County Community College and HHS has two virtual classes occurring this summer.

• Some athletic teams have begun practicing, following social distancing rules.

• 100 percent of teachers due for renewal have received that.

• Meals are still being delivered during the week.

• School improvement team is surveying the entire staff.

“I want to brag about our health occupations program a little bit," Saltz continued. "Christy Caruso and Amy Trout had the foresight to rearrange the programs prior to our shutdown in a way which allowed students to receive certification hours. All six of them finished testing this week and will receive their CNA certification. So they are providing an important contribution to our community. Plus, the department passed an audit with flying colors.”

Saltz asked Jones to share about HHS FBLA students who competed in a national competition. Jones said the two students did very well and learned a lot of lessons. They plan to compete again, but also put together video for future students competing. 

Angel Owens, director of Federal Programs, reported on N.C. Department of Public Instruction Emergency Relief funds. Clay County Schools was awarded $335,166. Federal funding required public schools to consult with private, nonprofit schools and Carolina Christian Academy opted to be part of it. CCA’s proportionate share to be used to purchase technology is $6,321.45. All equipment will be property of Clay County Schools and CCA will maintain and replace any damaged equipment.

Clay County Schools will use its funds for summer meal delivery; to employ school social worker during the summer; sanitation supplies like water bottle filling stations, personal protective equipment, hand sanitizing stations and sanitizer refills. Funds will also be used for 400 student Chrome books; 104 teacher laptops; paper for student paper packets when they do not have internet; Social Emotional Learning Curriculum for counselors; summer and after-school programs for students who need additional help, and indirect costs associated with all the above.

Cole explained the results of the 2020 District Teacher Working Conditions Survey, which he said 100 percent of teachers completed. “In July, individual principals will share their takeaways, but I wanted to share some of mine this evening,” he said. Cole has put together a group, including some parents and students, to consult on concerns. Some items he saw as concerning include bullying at HMS and HHS, professional development opportunities and teachers’ ability to be involved in decisions.

Principal Lindsey Hodnett and Principal Melissa Godfrey explained the Summer Jump Start program. The program offers five weeks of remediation, targeted to grades first through third reading and fourth grade math and reading. A portion of the funds can be saved for fall after school tutoring and to home resources like workbooks for some families.

Director of Finance Shelley Hollingsworth explained needed budget amendments and a budget resolution, which the board approved as presented. Hollingsworth said the schools have received many donations for the school lunch program and board members commented, saying how much the community supports the schools.

The June meeting is available online.