(Press release from Yancey County Schools) The regular monthly meeting of the Yancey County Board of Education was held in the gymnasium of Cane River Middle School on Monday, October 16, 2023.
Traffic Study Update
Superintendent Kathy Amos presented a map of the traffic study conducted at Blue Ridge Elementary. This map depicts proposed areas for extra parking and an expansion of the road for bus traffic.
Orr Building Contract and Timeline
Attorney Donny Laws is continuing to work with Sam Young on this contract and will share the numbers when they are finalized.
Advance Ag Barn Update
Mrs. Amos reported that she had met with a group last week to determine a location for the barn and show arena. YCS hopes to partner with 4-H for usage of the barn in order to show animals and for use with the Animal Science classes. Mrs. Amos stated that the team is continuing to gather information and prepare to apply for a grant to build the barn and arena.
Clearmont Elementary School Update
Realtor John Webb briefed the Board on the current status of the one complete offer that has been submitted. After discussion, the Board voted unanimously to send a counter offer.
Mr. Webb will continue to keep the Board updated on this matter.
CRMS/BES/BRES
Mrs. Amos reported that the architects are finalizing the information in the contracts and they should be completed this week. The bids for the renovations and additions will go out in November.
Resolution to Delegate Authority to Make Exemptions for Professional Services
Mr. Laws presented a resolution to the Board that would delegate authority to the Superintendent and/or Finance Director to make exemptions of contracts for design services from the qualification based selection requirements if the estimated fee is less than $50,000. The Board approved this resolution unanimously.
Welcome & Pledge of Allegiance
Chairman Edwin Fortner welcomed everyone to the meeting. County Commissioner Chairman Jeff Whitson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Good News
NC Pre-K
Mrs. Amos reported that YCS had received a state grant in the amount of $11,580 to be distributed to the three Pre-K sites. She also thanked Mrs. Andrea Allen for her work in obtaining these funds.
Dogwood Health Trust Grant
Mrs. Amos recognized CTE Director Cynthia Deyton for her work in obtaining a grant of $500,000 to be used for summer mini camps, increased opportunities for paid internships and apprenticeships and a transit bus and driver to transport the students to the MCC Anspach Building and local businesses for internships during the school day.
School Safety Initiative
Mrs. Amos thanked the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office and Yancey County EMS/Heritage for their continued partnership and support. Most recently, they worked with the School Board to purchase additional Stop the Bleed supplies to be available at the schools in the event of an emergency.
Anonymous Donation
Mrs. Amos stated her gratitude for the anonymous donation of a washer and dryer to South Toe Elementary School.
EYMS Lady Panther Volleyball Team
Mrs. Amos congratulated the EYMS Lady Panther volleyball team for placing #1 in the conference and tournament. The team had a perfect 17-0 season. Thank you to the students for fantastic sportsmanship, parents’ support and coaches Kristin Buchanan and Leslie Bryant.
Superintendent Updates
State Budget
Mrs. Amos reported that a state budget has officially been passed. She thanked State Senator Ralph Hise and State Superintendent Catherine Truitt for their help with the state budget. The budget includes raises for state employees and bus drivers as well as the possibility of additional grant money for facilities and school safety, and extra funding for students who qualify for reduced lunch fees.
myFutureNC
Mrs. Amos presented the Board with a document detailing educational attainment goals for Yancey County. The document also encourages community members ages 25-44 to attain a postsecondary degree/credential to help them grow in their career.
NC Parents Bill of Rights
Updates have been posted on the YCS website and policies are being updated to reflect the guidance. YCS continues to work with state and local council on implementing any new requirements. NCDPI has extended most of the deadlines to January 1, 2024.
Parent Conference Days
Mrs. Amos reported that Thursday, October 26, 2023 will be the first report card day for students this school year. Schools will dismiss early on this day. Elementary schools will dismiss at 11:30 am, MHHS at 11:45 and Middle schools at noon. Parents will have the opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher on this from 1:00pm to 6:30pm at each of our schools.
New Business
2023 Audit Report
Mr. Adam Scepurek presented the audit report conducted in the summer. Overall, Mr. Scepurek stated that YCS was in good financial condition. He commended Finance Director Kim Bennett and her staff for their diligence in applying proper accounting principles and procedures.
Gym Floor Covering
The Board unanimously approved the purchase of a covering for the CRMS gym floor. EYMS currently has proper covering. This can be used to protect the gym floor during assemblies and other activities as well as when items are stored in the gym during the upcoming renovations.
Public Input
Kim Higgins and Jeff Whitson spoke.
Recognition of YCS Staff
Mrs. Amos and the Board congratulated the following teachers, principals and schools for their recent accomplishments.
Mr. Jeremy Dotts won the First Bank “2023 Out Of This World Educator” Award. He was 1 of 10 teachers from North and South Carolina to be chosen.
Mrs. April Buchanan was awarded the NC Council of Teachers of Mathematics Outstanding Secondary Mathematics Teacher for 2022-23.
October is Principal Appreciation Month. Mrs. Amos thanked all principals for the dynamic work they do every day in our schools.
Mr. William Byland from EYMS was awarded the YCS Principal of the Year.
YCS has continued to exhibit growth over the past three years. For 2022-23 YCS had an overall proficiency ranking of 63.3% compared to the state average of 54%.
South Toe Elementary met growth and moved from a C to a B school. Miss Danielle Cripps ranked #4 in NC for Reading EOG Scores.
Micaville Elementary met growth and moved from a D to a C school.
Burnsville Elementary met growth.
Blue Ridge Elementary met growth.
East Yancey Middle exceeded growth and Mrs. Leslie Hilliard ranked #1 in NC for grade 8 math proficiency as part of the Yancey County team.
Cane River Middle exceeded growth and Mrs. April Buchanan ranked #1 in NC for grade 8 math proficiency as part of the Yancey County team.
Mountain Heritage High ranked #2 in NC for overall EOC proficiency in grades 9-12 and #1 in NC for Biology scores. Ms. Sallie Senseney and Ms. Tressa Hartsell ranked #1 in NC for Biology EOC proficiency. Ms. Heather Austin ranked #17 in NC for English 2 proficiency. Ms. Amanda Ledford, Mr. Jesse Thatcher and Mr. Bryce Butner ranked #6 in NC for Math 1 EOC proficiency. Mr. Brian Hill and Mr. Bryce Butner ranked #6 in NC for Math 3 proficiency.
Informational Items
The next regular meeting of the school board will be held on Monday, November 13, 2023 in the gymnasium of East Yancey Middle School. Work Session will begin at 5:30 pm, followed by the Regular Meeting at 6:00 pm.
The meeting was followed by a reception to celebrate YCS’s dynamic test scores.
PUBLIC INPUT – To sign up for public input, please call 828-682-6101 ext. 102 by 3:00 pm on the day of the meeting. A sign-up sheet will also be available at the meeting location from 4:00-5:50 pm prior to the meeting.