Board hears good news about students, programs and grants
A December lock down drill, primary school update, audit report and a school policy to promote the census were some of the topics during Monday’s Clay County Board of Education meeting.
The meeting started with awards and accolades. “Superintendent recognitions are a fun time,” Clay Schools Superintendent Dale Cole said. “The time for the board to recognize our staff and students who are achieving great things here at Clay County Schools.”
He recognized Erlanger Western Carolina Granny’s Attic Thrift Store for a $2,000 donation towards equipment for the new primary school clinic. “I am always amazed by the support the com- munity provides,” he said.
HHS business teacher Bobbie Jones named the students who won regional awards for a Nantahala Regional Library logo contest. “Four of our students came in among the top five,” she said. Hayden Ledford and Tommy Urbaniuk won first place and $100 for their logo, which will become the regional library’s new logo. Amanda Gibson and Jala Stamey were also in the top five and won $25.
HHS math teacher Amanda Thompson was honored for the retirement of her HHS basketball jersey. Cole said Thompson is also working to build the high school’s STEM program, which does not have many options for students after middle school. Thompson was accepted to a summer program at Appala- chian State called C is for All Computer Science. Cole said after Thompson completes the internship, the school may be able to offer computer science as an AP course.
In addition, Hayesville High School basketball coach Mike Cottrell was honored for 400 career wins.
Hayesville High School principal Jim Saltz shared Hayesville High School news. “We have got the second se- mester underway,” he said. “It is like starting a new year for students and teachers because they are all new classes.” His report included:
• Journalism students and art students are having work displayed at NC Center for Advancement and Teaching.
• Clay County Historical & Arts Council will provide an after school drama workshop for ten weeks. Professional actress and producer Carrie Hood will teach the classes.
• Some HHS students were chosen for the Young Harris College Honors Band.
• The athletics are in the midst of changing seasons. Wrestling tournaments and swimming championships will be this weekend. Basket- ball tournament is coming up.
• Several students have qualified for the state indoor track championships.
• An ACT boot camp will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 5 and 6 for any juniors who want to participate.
• Attendance continues to improve.
Hayesville Middle School Principal Tommy Hollingsworth gave his school’s report. “I am happy to report we had 242 students make the A or A-B honor roll,” he said.
• Basketball tournaments were full houses and the teams did well.
• They finished winter sports and spring sports are about to start.
• The second group of Youth Leadership began Monday, Jan. 27.
• Middle school guidance counselor should begin soon.
• The school social worker was funded again which brought Terri Hager back into the school.
• Day treatment should be running by Sunday, March 1. Hayesville Elementary School principal Lindsey Hodnett’s school report included:
• A representative from Fundations kindergarten through grade 2 phonics visited to help with teacher coaching.
• Hodnett read an evaluation from Region A Partnership, which compliment- ed the HES preschool and its teachers. “I’m proud of them,” she said.
• Georgia Mountain Research is providing another program for second grade.
Cole shared his superintendent report. “My wife and I bought a house and I am officially a tax-paying citizen of Clay County now,” he laughed.
Cole was impressed when he visited the air rifle facility and discussed a partner- ship with Bill Christie about growing the program into the high school while continuing the middle school program. “This is a great enrichment activity,” he said. “In North Carolina, the highest percent-
age of high school dropouts are white males. They are often the guys who are into hunting or fishing, but maybe not playing sports or band.”
Cole’s January activities included:
• Met with HHS teacher and Hayesville Town Councilman Austin Hedden to obtain perspective of how the town and school can work together.
• A lunch with school board member Kelly Crawford provided some insights.
• Concluded his meetings with core teachers and all middle school exploratory teachers.
• Attended the Quarterback Club banquet.
• Lunched with Blue Ridge Mountain EMC General Manager Jeremy Nelms.
Jackie Allison gave a primary school construction report and the maintenance department report. “We got to buy a dump truck,” she said. “In spring, we have added responsibilities with ball field maintenance and getting the track ready.” About the new school, Allison said, “Officially and on paper, we are 35 percent complete. They’re roughing in plumbing and electrical. Some things like water and sewer lines have not been able to be brought in because of the rain.” Certified Public Accountant, Shawn Long, presented the Clay County Schools audit report. The schools had a decrease in fund balances. She said there were no financial statement findings she found concerning.
Director of Finance Shelley Hollingsworth gave the finance report. “Even though our audit showed we have a fund balance, the funds are not necessarily available,” she explained. Her report showed $422,195 of budget amendments for the state public school fund. $112,681 were mini-budget bills which have passed. “We have about $143,000 left in lottery funds if we need it,” she said.
Director of Technology and Safety Officer Adrian Jefferies said a $9,300 safety grant was to install three doors and buy two-way radios. The tech staff installed the safety doors themselves so they were able to do seven, possibly eight doors. A lockdown drill helped develop a new plan for some areas. The Say Something app is in place and grade 5 through 12 students have been trained.
Kim Worley explained events of the Advanced Learning and Gifted Department. Close to $40,000 in grants have been written for the programs. HES grades 1-3 are receiving reading and writing enrichment real life math applications. HMS students toured Tri-County Community College to learn about programs there and some of them visited high school classes. Youth Leader- ship Chatuge 2 is an awesome program and I am so excited about it,” she said.
Additional topics included:
• An overnight field trip for HHS students to the National College Fair was approved for mid-March.
• Adoption of a resolution encouraging participation in the 2020 U.S. Census. Many children were missed in the 2010 census so resources were missed, Cole read.
• The board received a proposed drone policy to review for February.
The next Clay County Board of Education meeting will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24.