The regular monthly meeting of the Yancey County Board of Education was held in the boardroom of the Yancey County Schools District Office on Monday, June 10, 2024.
Clearmont Elementary School
Superintendent Kathy Amos welcomed Mr. Tracy Powell, who is interested in purchasing the Clearmont Elementary School. Mr. Powell shared his vision for the property and his desire to restore the school while keeping the historic value intact.
Wells at BRES
Mrs. Amos reported that the proposed well sites on the Blue Ridge Elementary property and historical artifact sites and cannot be disturbed. She stated that YCS will continue to work with the county to find a suitable site for the wells.
Setback Waiver YCS/DEQ
Attorney Donny Laws presented a wastewater system waiver from the Town of Burnsville. Mr. Laws explained that the town plans to make renovations to the sewer treatment facility within its existing boundaries but the state still requires the adjacent property owners to sign a waiver. The Board voted unanimously to approve this waiver.
MHHS Gym Level Restroom RFP
Mr. Wes Presnell reported that 2 companies had responded to the RFP. The Board evaluated each response and unanimously chose Tri-County Construction as the low bidder to complete this project.
Facilities Updates
Facilities Director Derek Murphy provided the following updates on the ongoing major facilities projects this summer:
South Toe Elementary School
Demolition has begun in the media center and the kitchen has been emptied to begin work on the floor and ceiling. Interior painting has started as well.
East Yancey Middle School
All restrooms have been demolished and HVAC units have been removed and new ones are being installed.Kitchen demolition has begun and the new equipment has been ordered. Boiler and chiller demolition has begun also.
Burnsville Elementary School
The existing driveway widening has been cleared and erosion control is in place. The graders did encounter rock in the stormwater drain and are working through that issue. They are working on securing an inspection for erosion control. The screened walkway for students and parents to the preK classroom will be installed before school starts back.
Inside the building, a temporary wall will be installed in the cafeteria so work can be done to enlarge the space.They are working on schedules for installation of mechanical equipment.
Cane River Middle School
The new ceiling will be partially installed now. The remainder will be installed once the HVAC units are installed. The contractors informed Mr. Murphy that they will be able to begin renovations in 6 classrooms this summer as well.
Orr Building
The architects met with the YCS team to review the design and make changes to layout and final details.
Stadium Project
Conversations are continuing to determine the best direction for this project.
South Toe Fire Department
Mrs. Amos shared the survey that was completed by STFD. She also presented two options of a draft letter to be sent in response to the fire department’s request for usage of more land. Attorney Laws advised that the Board more thoroughly investigate the area to be declared surplus property to ensure there are no remaining interests, such as septic drain fields, from the School Board. The Board agreed to request that a dye test be conducted to determine the septic drain field area.
Barn Update
Mrs. Amos reported that the companies who submitted responses to the RFQ would present to the Board later in the evening. The YCS team has identified a new area on the MHHS property for the barn to be located.
Welcome & Pledge of Allegiance
Chairman Edwin Fortner welcomed everyone to the meeting. Mr. Will Hensley led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Good News
Mrs. Amos greeted the audience and congratulated the following coaches and student athletes on their accomplishments.
- Susie Shelton – 500 wins
- Varsity Girls Basketball Team – undefeated in conference play, WHC Conference Champions, WHC Tournament Champions, Sectional Champions
- 4 X 400 relay team – Maddie Newsome, Brandon Quinn, Caleb Roy, Dylan Dahlberg, Cole McGee – New School Record – 3:28.95 – Regional Champions – Finished 3rd at State meet
- Dylan Dahlberg – 400 meter Conference Champion – 400 meter Regional Champion – 4th place in State meet – New School Record 50.29
- Callie Capps – WHC Female Field Athlete of the Year – Conference Champion in Discus & Long Jump – Regional and State qualifier in discus – 3rd in regional meet – 6th in State Meet – Regional qualifier in Pole Vault
- Maggie Neill – Conference Champion Shot Put – Regional and State qualifier – 3th in region – 5th in the State
- Erick Pile – Conference Champion in Discus – Regional and State qualifier – 4th in region
- Caleb Roy – Conference Champion in Triple Jump – Regional qualifier
- Baseball team advanced to 3rd round of State playoffs for the first time in school history
- Carson Anglin – Regional and State qualifier in golf
Mrs. Amos welcomed the following students who will be competing at the FFA State Convention this summer. These students shared their presentations with the Board.
- Olivia Cannon – Creed Speaking
- Macy Carroll – Prepared Public Speaking
Superintendent Updates
Teachers Received the State Supplement
Mrs. Amos reported that teachers received the state supplement on their May paychecks in the estimated gross amount of $4,552. She thanked state senator Ralph Hise for his role in making this possible.
Summer Camps
Mrs. Andrea Allen reported that elementary summer camps will begin next week. The theme this year is trains. All Aboard for Summer Learning! The students will engage in fun learning activities that will enhance their reading, math, STEM and interpersonal skills along with educational field trips. She thanked the board members for the supplies and support for summer camp.
CTE Camps
Mrs. Amos reported that Mrs. Cynthia Deyton and her team are hosting four CTE based camps this summer for rising 7th-10th graders. These camps are: A Taste of Ag; Be Your Own Boss; Heavy Equipment Camp; and Aviation Camp.
Positive Year End Statistics
Mrs. Amos reported that the initial data is very good. YCS attendance rates have improved and we are continuing to work on increasing the graduation rate. Mrs. Amos thanked everyone who assisted in reconciling lunch accounts to a zero balance for this school year. PATH and Yancey Feed-A-Child are instrumental in assisting our students and families who are in need and we greatly appreciate their support. The negative balance on lunch accounts totaled $477 for the entire district. Finally, Mrs. Amos reported that the K-2 reading statistics look good and there are many other bright spots in our testing data. Our students, teachers and administrators continue to do an outstanding job in the area of academic achievement. The report will be finalized by the State Board of Education in September.
New Business
Athletic and Student Accident Insurance
Mrs. Kim Bennett presented a new option to the Board for student athletic and accident insurance. YCS has used K&K insurance for several years, but Mrs. Bennett reported that The Young Group offers more services at a lower rate. The Board voted unanimously to approve Mrs. Bennett to use The Young Group as the new insurance provider for YCS athletic and student accident insurance.
Facilities Study Recommendations
Mrs. Amos reported that she had reached out to three architectural firms to gain a better understanding of the cost to receive a facility study for MHHS. Cope Architecture and LS3P reported the cost would be over $100,000. McMillan Pazdan Smith reported that due to familiarity with the facility and district, they would be able to provide the study for around $24,000. After brief discussion, the Board voted unanimously to use MPS for this study.
Child Nutrition Contracts
Mrs. Lynne Deyton presented the Board with information regarding bids received for YCS milk, ice cream, beverages and bread contracts. The Board voted unanimously to accept the following bids and allow Mrs. Deyton to enter into contracts for the following: Milk – DFA Dairy Brands (PET); Ice Cream – Hershey; Beverage – Pepsi; Bread – Bimbo Bakeries.
Public Input
Karin Rolett spoke
Altec/Styslinger Foundation Donation to MHHS
Mr. Fortner congratulated Mr. Daron Williams and Mrs. Kelly Boone for receiving the donation of $29,313 for MHHS to furnish the commons areas that will allow students to study and engage in online courses in a comfortable and inviting learning environment.
Informational Items
The Board will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 7:15 am to complete the fiscal year end budgetary items.
The next regular meeting of the school board will be held on Monday, July 15, 2024 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.
