The regular monthly meeting of the Yancey County Board of Education was held in the gymnasium of East Yancey Middle School on Monday, November 13, 2023.
Update on Advanced Ag Barn Grant
Grant Writer Robert Branch and Project Manager Wes Presnell gave an update on the progress of a grant application for funds to build a barn and arena for use by the Advanced Ag Animal Science program at MHHS. Mr. Branch stated he is in the final stages of the grant application, asking for $500,000 with Yancey County Schools contributing a match of $150,000. Mr. Presnell stated he is securing the topographical survey as part of the application as well.
Orr Building Update
Superintendent Amos stated that attorney Donny Laws is continuing to work with Sam Young on the contract for this project. Mr. Young is working on a budget to be included in the contract.
CRMS/BES/BRES Update
Mrs. Amos stated that many adjustments have been made to the scope of work and the bids will be put out next week for a general contractor. The bids should be returned for the Board to review and choose a contractor in early January.
Welcome & Pledge of Allegiance
Chairman Edwin Fortner welcomed everyone to the meeting. Mr. Cody Whitson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Good News
MHHS Volleyball Teams
Mrs. Amos recognized the members of the Varsity and JV Volleyball teams coached by Heather Dale and Heather Buchanan. Both teams had winning records. The Varsity team made it to the first round of the state playoffs and included 2 All Conference players and 2 players nominated for the NCVBCA All State Team among many other accolades.
MHHS Men’s Soccer Teams
Mrs. Amos recognized the members of the Varsity and JV Men’s Soccer teams coached by Greg Stella and Tressa Hartsell. The Varsity team has now made the state playoffs for the past three years and has had multiple Western Highlands all-conference players.
YCS Veterans
Mrs. Amos recognized all the Veterans working in Yancey County Schools and thanked them for their service.
Ryan Whitson – CRMS & EYMS
Pam Shaw – MHHS
Jimmy Joe Thomas – MHHS
Debra Dolittle – MHHS
Tom Surber – MHHS
Carl Hudgins – MHHS
Joe Whitt – BES
Randy Sellers – EYMS
Ben Robinson – BRES
Randy Silvers – Transportation
Superintendent Updates
PowerSchool Change to Infinite Campus
Mrs. Amos reported that the system used by NCDPI to house student data will be changing from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. This change will take place over the next two years.
Educators Handbook
Mrs. Amos stated that leadership will be looking at this tool for principals to use. This tool will give them greater flexibility within PowerSchool.
Career Development Plan State Pilot
CTE Director Cynthia Deyton and her team are looking into this pilot through NCDPI which will provide a career plan to students at the end of 7th and 10th grades which will help with intentional advising in putting students on the right pathway for their post-secondary goals.
Parents Bill of Rights Update
Updates continue to be 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. There will be resource guides and links posted by December 1, 2023.
MHHS Band & Chorus Concerts
Mrs. Amos commended the band and chorus teachers and students for their wonderful performances and the hard work they have put in to make those happen.
Thank You to M.B. Haynes Electric & Rexel USA
Mrs. Amos thanked M.B. Haynes Electric and Rexel USA for their donations to the electrical classes at MHHS.
New Business
Heavy Equipment Update
CTE Director Cynthia Deyton and Heavy Equipment Instructor Kyle McIntosh updated the Board on the progress of students in the Heavy Equipment classes. Once they complete all modules on the simulators satisfactorily they would like to provide them with opportunities to use the newly purchased equipment on campus. Mrs. Deyton and Mr. McIntosh are developing permission forms to be sent to parents and are acquiring headsets to ensure the highest level of safety for students and instructors.
List of Providers for Contracted Services
The Board unanimously approved the form which will be posted on the YCS website under the “Facilities” tab. Contracted service providers can fill out this form to be kept on a mailing list when projects are bid out by the school system and companies will receive a notice of the posting and encouraged to place a bid if desired.
Athletic “Welcome to” Sign – Yancey County
The Board unanimously approved to pay half the cost for a sign entering each end of Yancey County which will state “Welcome to Yancey County: Home of the Cougars Mountain Heritage Girls Basketball 2A State Champions 2019.” The Board of Education will split the cost of these signs with the County Commissioners. We appreciate their partnership and support of our championship student athletes.
State Transportation Ridership Count
Transportation Director Derek Murphy reported that the ridership count was significantly lower this year than last year. Once this data is analyzed by DPI, the district could lose funding for one bus due to the lower count of bus riders.
Continuation of Contract with First Financial Administrators for Cafeteria Benefits
HR Director Carla McMahan and Finance Director Kim Bennett reported that they were pleased with the services provided by First Financial and wished to continue YCS’s contract with them for cafeteria benefits.
Public Input
Kim Higgins and Karen Peterson spoke.
Thank You to YCS
New Heavy Equipment at MHHS
Mrs. Amos encouraged everyone to view the new Mini Trackhoe and Mini Skid Steer that were recently purchased for the Heavy Equipment Operator classes at MHHS. YCS received funding from Carolina CAT to assist with the purchase of this equipment.
Mix 96.5 Teacher of the Month
Mrs. Amos congratulated Mr. Kyle McIntosh, teacher of Electrical Trades and Heavy Equipment Operation Instructor at MHHS, for winning Teacher of the Month from Mix 96.5. Every month this Asheville-based radio station honors a teacher “who’s making a difference in the lives of your kids and your school community.” Mr. McIntosh won prizes including a $100 gift card from M.B. Haynes and a massage from Massage Envy.
Dogwood Health Trust Grant for Pre-K Autism Intervention
Mrs. Amos reported that YCS has received a grant in the amount of $71,785 to help train Pre-K teachers in methods regarding Autism intervention.
YCS Grant Writing Team
Mrs. Amos commended the diligent work of the grant writing team which has helped bring over $38 million to Yancey County Schools within the past 4 years. This team includes: Dr. Heather Cox, Kim Bennett, Robert Branch, Cynthia Deyton, Andrea Allen and Margie Stebbeds.
Informational Items
Thanksgiving Holiday Break for YCS will be November 22 – 24, 2023.
The Burnsville Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 2, 2023 beginning at 1:00 pm.
MHHS Exam Week will be December 11 – 15, 2023.
YCS Christmas Break will begin with early dismissal on Friday, December 15, 2023. Students will return on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
The next regular meeting of the school board will be held on Monday, December 11, 2023 in the boardroom of the Yancey County Schools District Office. Work Session will begin at 5:30 pm, followed by the Regular Meeting at 6:00 pm.
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.
