Board of Education members sworn in

  • Marcia Barnes • Clay County Progress Clay County Schools Board of Education newest member Josh Ashe was sworn in during the December meeting. In the photo, from left are, Josh’s dad, Ed Ashe, son Hudson Ashe with his father Josh and Clerk of Court Tim Barrett. Josh’s father Ed is a former school board member.
    Marcia Barnes • Clay County Progress Clay County Schools Board of Education newest member Josh Ashe was sworn in during the December meeting. In the photo, from left are, Josh’s dad, Ed Ashe, son Hudson Ashe with his father Josh and Clerk of Court Tim Barrett. Josh’s father Ed is a former school board member.
  • Clay County Schools Clay County School Board member Danny Jones was re-elected to the school board. Joining him for the swearing in ceremony is his wife Bobbie and Clerk of Court Tim Barrett conducting the oath of office.
    Clay County Schools Clay County School Board member Danny Jones was re-elected to the school board. Joining him for the swearing in ceremony is his wife Bobbie and Clerk of Court Tim Barrett conducting the oath of office.
  • Marcia Barnes • Clay County Progress From left, Ella Matheson, Ava Shook, Phoebe Pietila, Madison Moore and Savannah Burch were presented certificates for outstanding volleyball players by Head Volleyball Coach Tammy Dills at the school board meeting Monday.
    Marcia Barnes • Clay County Progress From left, Ella Matheson, Ava Shook, Phoebe Pietila, Madison Moore and Savannah Burch were presented certificates for outstanding volleyball players by Head Volleyball Coach Tammy Dills at the school board meeting Monday.

    By Marcia Barnes

    Staff Writer

     

    The Clay County Board of Education meeting on Monday, Dec. 16 included the swearing in of two board members. The last meeting in 2024 was also packed with recognition for outstanding athletes in volleyball, cross country and football and recognizing teachers who exceeded growth during the 2023/2024 school year as well as teachers achieving academic excellence. 

    Shortly after Chairman Jason Shook called a regular meeting to order, the Oath of Office was taken by Danny Jones who retains his seat on the board and by Josh Ashe who is the board’s newest member. Clerk of Court Tim Barrett swore in the board members with many of Jones’ and Ashe’s family members present.

    Superintendent Melissa Godfrey presented Exceeded Growth Awards to Hayesville Primary School teachers Delaney Smith and Kim Staten; Hayesville Elementary School teachers Keisha McClure and Yvette McQuade and Hayesville High School teachers Silas Brown, Christy Caruso, Tiffany Clapsaddle, Bobbie Jones, Zachary Moss, Michelle Rhinehardt and Amy Trout.

    Godfrey also honored the teachers receiving Academic Excellence Awards. They were third grade English language arts teachers: Christy McClure, Katie Wickert, Susan Rexroad, Brooke Shook and Sabrina Trantham, first in the state. Third grade math teachers Christy McClure, Wickert, Rexroad, Shook and Trantham, second in state. Fourth grade English language arts teachers Gail Tayer and Keisha McClure, ninth in the state. Fifth grade English language arts teachers McQuade and Alana Postell, first in the state. Sixth grade math teacher Kristin Taylor, seventh in the state. English two teachers Carla Beck and Kim Chastain were 1tenth in the state.

    In fall sports recognition Zach Moss, head cross country coach presented Raelynn Wood, Sydney Greenstone and Noah Carter with Honorable Mention All-Smoky Mountain Conference awards. 

    Head Football Coach Chad McClure presented Honorable Mention All-SMC awards to Johann Webb, Rayland Martinez, Tate Roberts and Dawson Devane. Michael Mauney, Tre Graves and Will Brown received All-SMC awards.

    Recent news accompanied volleyball athletes receiving awards from Head Volleyball Coach Tammy Dills. Phoebe Pietila, All-SMC had just signed with Cedar Crest College after receiving a volleyball scholarship and Ella Matheson has received a volleyball scholarship to Young Harris College. 

    Madison Moore and Savannah Burch received All-SMC recognition; Ava Shook, All-SMC, Second Team All-State by the North Carolina Volleyball Association.

    Action was taken to elect Clay County Board of Education leadership. Shook was unanimously voted to retain chairmanship and Kelly Crawford was nominated and unanimously voted in as Vice Chair.

    A minor adjustment was made on the 2024/2025 school calendar and will be presented at the next meeting. 

    The next regular board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27.