A few dozen students and their families filled the boardroom Monday evening as the Clay County School Board meeting was about to start. Since there was no public comment, the meeting began with awards and accolades, as has become the norm.
“We always want to make sure we set aside a time to recognize the great work of our students and staff,” Clay County School Superintendent Dale Cole said.
First, Lauren Gottlieb was recognized by Hayesville Middle School AIG program director Kim Worley. There are opportunities for students to apply for scholarships through the North Carolina Association for Gifted and Talented every year. Seventh grade student Gottlieb applied to do a suicide prevention awareness youth rally. She received the award and plans to host “It’s Permanent” youth rally on Sunday, May 31.
“Lauren knew immediately what she was going to do and I am very proud of her,” Worley said. “I am almost in tears.”
Next, teachers Jessica Hughes and Danielle Barter recognized five Hayesville Elementary grade four students for winning the North Carolina Virtual Math Tournament. Hughes said she and Barter chose the students to compete in the state tournament, but they only had about one week to study. Alba Jones, Marlo Joyce, Owen Manous, Micalynn McClure and Micah Moss, competed against teams from other schools around the state.
“We would see the problems on-line and they had three minutes to work together for a consensus and enter their solution,” Hughes said. They were very excited to be first place.
Student acknowledgements were also given to the team who won a silver medal in the N.C. Junior Chef Com- petition. Advised by Jenny Bethel and Erin McCoy, students Cecilia Jones, Faith O’Dell and Lila Payne, were one of eight teams selected to compete in a live cook-off in Charlotte.
“They were the youngest team and competition was still scared,” McCoy said excitedly.
Hayesville Elementary Pre- school Director Lisa Burch shared news about the pro- gram’s annual licensure renewal. “We received a five- star license, which is the highest license you can get in North Carolina,” she said. “We are really excited about that.” Some of the scores for the preschool classrooms and infant classroom were higher than the state average.
Superintendent Cole rec- ognized Amanda Gaddis who was chosen to go to Australia with the Go Global program.
“Amanda is going with other NC teachers and it is paid for by a grant to make global connections,” Cole said. “We had four strong candidates and Amanda was chosen.” Gaddis said she will share her full itinerary when she receives it in April.
Hayesville High School principal Jim Saltz’s Hayesville High School report included:
• Attendance has improved. 115 days into the school year, attendance is at 94.10 per- cent, while the same 115 days last year was at 92.4 percent.
• Tri M Music Honor Society induction was Tuesday, Feb. 25.
• A scholarship calendar with information and dead- lines is available on the school website.
• Bailey Johnson and Isa- bella Rogers are the Rotary Students of the Month.
• Journalism students have been highlighting CTE teach- ers in the Clay County Prog- ress.
• HHS received six 3D printers from GearUp and teachers participated in a 3D printer workshop.
• The afterschool drama workshop is in its second week.
• Exchange students from Denmark arrive next week and there are many activities planned.
• Twenty-five students will travel to visit three colleges in midMarch.
• Juniors took college and career readiness tests Feb. 26-26.
• Some students are traveling to Chattanooga for a multimedia art exhibit.
• Mike Wiley is providing staff development and student programs in March. That grant was written by Reba Beck and CCHAC.
• Both men’s and women’s basketball are competing in championships.
Hayesville Middle School Principal Tommy Hollingsworth reported next.
• Spring sports have begun. Baseball and softball start next week and track will have its first meet Monday, March 9.
• Eighth grade students had career day featuring construction and ag careers.
• Turner Guidry and STAC had visited Signs Fast for a tour of the business.
• All students will learn CPR from the school nurses. • Dr. Seuss’s birthday will
be celebrated throughout the first week of March.
• Day treatment started Tuesday, Feb. 25.
• Mike Wiley will be coming to HMS, too.
The report by Hayesville Elementary School principal Lindsey Hodnett included:
• HES celebrated National School Counselor’s Week.
• HES yearbook sales wrap up this week and each teacher has made a page for her class.
• Read Across America and literacy will be celebrated throughout March. The first week will host a family night.
• The second week a coin challenge will raise money for books.
• Scholastic Book Fair and a musical will also be part of the activities.
Cole said he is required by law to show how many mental health support personnel the schools have. Clay County Schools has one psychologist and two counselors, although there will three counselors when the middle school counselor begins the next day. There is also a school social worker who is funded by the school safety grant and there are two school nurses.
Cole kept busy with superintendent activities, too. They were:
• He attended the Clay County Ministerial Association meeting.
• He met with the leader- ship team and president of Tri County Community College about a potential adult diploma program.
• He visited Mountain Heritage High School with the professional staff.
• Provided training for I ready reading program.
• Provided and attended training for custodial staff.
• Visited the Raleigh offices of the N.C. School Board.
• Had a personal coach- ing session with a personal coach.
• He and Shelley Hollingsworth will be attending Leadership Chatuge 3.
Cole said the proposed K-8 reading curriculum will be displayed in the boardroom for the public to stop by and give their opinions for about a month. In addition, Becky Stewart explained the two proposed school calendars for 2020-2021.
After the reports, a presentation was given by EC teacher Judy Jennings and Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools liaison Renai Lilly. Jennings said the middle school program works well and she hopes it will be added to the high school and elementary schools. Lilly explained how the program provides sports equipment for unified champion schools sports teams. They also provide transportation for the team to compete.
HHS English teacher Caesar Campana shared his experiences as N.C. Regional Teacher of the Year. He spent the year working on three main personal goals. The first goal was advancing alongside the state teacher of the year. Second, he promoted the teaching profession to young people in the region.
“We have a shortage of teachers in North Carolina,” he said. His third goal was to forge regional alliances. He has also enjoyed mentoring other teachers at Hayesville.
During closed session, Bobbi Thompson was approved to start March 2 to replace Leah Henderson for accounts payable/child nutrition assistant and assistant to the superintendent.
Substitute teacher approvals were given for Lindsey Hall, Amanda Farmer, Charlotte Lucier, Helen Ramsey, Lisa Miller, Susan Ledford, Catherine Mercovich and Lindsey Hall. In addition, retirements were accepted for teachers Anita Tison and Vickie Rivenbark.