By Marcia Barnes
Staff Writer
Clay County Schools Superintendent Dale Cole announced that the new Hayesville Middle School Building Sub-Committee is currently reviewing six architect company submissions. Members of the sub-committee are Dr. Jason Shook, Robert Caldwell, Dr. Rob Peck and Scotty Penland. They will be selecting three companies to be invited to the board of education and sub-committee in person later this summer. The announcement was made at the meeting on Monday, June 27.
Hayesville High School athletes receiving recognition for spring sports were present at the meeting. Fourteen young men and women were awarded certificates by Stacey Overlin, Hayesville High School Principal. They were congratulated and thanked by all of the board members.
In the ladies track and field team, Emma Shook, Lily Trout, Marley Espinal, Alyssa Rodd and Lila Roberts received awards.
From the Lady Jackets Soccer Team, Nimci Lopez was present to receive her award.
Men’s track team recognition was given to Tommy Urbaniuk, Justin Bradley, Landon Hughes and Taylor McClure.
Named to the Smoky Mountain All-Conference Baseball Team were Kyle Lunsford, Braxton Cherry, Avery Leatherwood and Cade Benton.
Nantahala Regional Library Director Franklin Shook reported on the library’s summer resources for students and a recent transition in the library system. Clay, Cherokee and Graham counties are served by Nantahala Regional Library. Recent changes now give free accessibility to all residents who have a library card to one-half of the state’s library books through a request at their local library.
Shook said that advances in the Nantahala system include a better book mobile service and e-books being made available to the community.
Shook encouraged everyone to get a new library card in order to access the changes and to check out the Wander Pass. This pass gives two adults and four children a free pass to the Western North Carolina Nature Center in Asheville and cardholders can request the pass at their local library.
The 2022 N.C. Teacher Working Conditions District Survey results are in. Cole said, “As a small school district in a rural area, we are very much appreciative of the results. The number one thing teachers talk about is the work culture. We had 100 percent participation. CCS improved in 73 of the 79 areas of the survey since the last one in 2020.”
Cole said, “Just as a reminder, North Carolina has been carrying out the survey for 15 years. It is a bi-annual survey. CCS performed above the state average in 78 of 79 statements in the survey. Eighty-six percent of CCS teachers agreed that, ‘Overall, my school is a good place to work and learn.’
Cole said he was very grateful for the 1.5 percent local supplement for certified teachers that was approved by the Clay County Board of Commissioners.
Recommendations on the 2022-2023 School Nutrition Program changes and contracts were presented by Jenny Bethel, Director of School Nutrition. Bethel said, “We have been very fortunate to have free breakfast and lunch funded by the Federal Government, but that is about to run out.”
Bethel recommended to continue the Universal Free Breakfast for the 2022-2023 school year and a $1 increase in lunch. The 2019-2020 school year price for primary/elementary school lunches was $2.40; middle/high school lunches, $2.50. The increase and the Universal Free Breakfast were approved by the board.
Cole said, “We try to do everything we can to encourage filling out forms for a reduced lunch and I want to thank Ms. Bethel and the team for their work over the pandemic. Her leadership has been very much appreciated.”
Kim Worley, CCS Academically and Intellectually Gifted Program Coordinator asked for approval of recommendations in the program plan with emphasis on equity. The AIG program covers students in grades 4-12.
“I’ll be looking for funds for summer programs, I’ll be looking for grants to do this,” Worley said. “Reflecting on the past year, I served 95 students in the program.”
Worley presented an 80-page document to the board on the AIG program before it goes to the state for approval. Cole asked all members of the board to sign the document.
Cole said, “Our mission statement of Clay County Schools is to build high quality learning environments that ensure all students learn at high levels. We do everything we can to accelerate our AIG students.”
Shelley Hollingsworth, Director of Finance presented a three-page 2022-2023 Insurance Summary. The summary detailed the Errors and Omissions/General Liability Trust Fund Coverage, Automobile Liability/Physical Damage, Property Insurance, Boiler Coverage, Cyber Liability and Workers Compensation.
Hollingsworth said that Boiler Coverage was added this year because many of the boilers are aging. The board approved the insurance recommendations and also approved budget amendments of $820,805.
The next board meeting will be held on Monday, July 25.