The regular monthly meeting of the Yancey County Board of Education was held in the Gymnasium of Cane River Middle School on Monday, April 14, 2025.
Facility Updates at MHHS
Mrs. Kim Bennett and Mr. Steve Robinson provided updates for each facility project. The information for the barn and arena has not been received yet so no action was taken.
The CTE Expansion project will be put out to bid soon. Mrs. Amos requested that the Board approve the additional amount needed in order to fully fund the project. The Board unanimously approved this request.
Mrs. Bennett reported the cost to repair areas of turf on the football/soccer field damaged during Hurricane Helene. She requested the Board approve using funds from the Turf Replacement Fund with the condition that this will be replaced when YCS receives reimbursement from FEMA. The Board unanimously approved this request.
EYMS Subsurface Investigation of Repair Items
Mr. Robinson submitted a proposal from ECS to investigate repairs needed for a crack in the wall at the Media Center at EYMS. The crack is a result of a landslide outside of the building from Hurricane Helene. There was discussion as to the extent of test samples needed to determine a plan of action and the timing of this investigation. The Board unanimously approved the proposal from ECS to fully investigate the damage both inside and outside the building and to work with the principal on the best time for this work.
Burnsville Elementary Intercom System
Mrs. Amos reported that YCS has not received all of the quotes for this project as of yet. However, the initial quote received was over the $50,000 threshold provided in district policy given to the superintendent to approve contracts without Board approval. The estimate for this project is $54,000. In light of this policy, the Board voted unanimously to authorize Mrs. Amos to enter into a contract up to $55,000 for this project once all bids have been received.
FEMA Update
Mr. Robinson reported the site inspections are continuing and he is compiling a list of items that would prepare each school for future natural disaster events.
Partnership with Samaritan’s Purse
Mrs. Amos reported that Samaritan’s Purse has requested usage of the recently purchased land to stage mobile homes while they help Yancey County residents recover from Hurricane Helene. Attorney Donny Laws will work with Mrs. Amos to prepare a land usage agreement that will be brought before the Board for approval in the near future.
Welcome & Pledge of Allegiance
Chairman Edwin Fortner welcomed everyone to the meeting. Mr. Cody Whitson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Good News
Nike Shoes
Dr. Heather Cox reported that a friend in Mitchell County had reached out regarding a donation of Nike shoes to all students and employees of Yancey County Schools. Dr. Cox thanked the principals for working to obtain shoe sizes for everyone in their building.
Child Nutrition State Grant
Mrs. Amos congratulated Ms. Lynne Deyton on submitting and receiving a child nutrition state grant from NC Disaster Recovery Act for $149,611.20.
Visit from Bertie County Schools
Mrs. Amos shared a video from Bertie County Schools. Leaders from the district visited YCS a couple of weeks ago and presented a check for over $17,000. These funds will be used for students to attend Spring field trips.
Superintendent Updates
Pre K Autistic Training
Mrs. Andrea Allen reported that all Pre K lead teachers and assistants have received training to better assist students with autism. This training was made possible through grant funding from Dogwood Health Trust and the Community Foundation of WNC. The training is through a program called TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children).
NCDPI Teacher Attrition Rate
Mrs. Amos reported that the most recent report submitted to the NC General Assembly from NCDPI shows Yancey County Schools with the lowest teacher attrition rate in NC for the second year in a row with a rate of 4.05%.
Summer School Plans for NCDPI
Mrs. Amos reported that Dr. Heather Cox and Mrs. Andrea Allen are working on summer school plans and will provide more details at the May meeting.
SREB Crisis Recovery Network
Mrs. Amos reported that a special group of crisis counselors are working at MHHS, CRMS, EYMS and BRES for two weeks. This is the Southern Regional Education Board Crisis Recovery Network’s first deployment in North Carolina. The team provides extra counselors to assist schools with breaks for teachers and staff as well as mental health enriching activities for students.
New Business
Activity Bus Options
Mr. Derek Murphy provided information to the Board regarding the cost of different sizes of activity buses. After discussion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the purchase of a 72 passenger activity bus.
Public Input
Stephanie Johnson spoke.
Advanced Construction Class at MHHS
Mr. Fortner shared photos of the MHHS advanced construction class and their trip to Asheville to be featured on Good Morning America. Mr. Jeremy Dotts and his students will be recognized at the May board meeting for their work in building tiny homes for victims of Hurricane Helene. Mr. Fortner also thanked Mrs. Stephanie Johnson from Rebuilding Hollers for her partnership with the construction program.
Chairman’s Update
Mr. Fortner thanked all of the employees at the YCS central office for their role in maintaining the operations of the district.
Informational Items
PreK and Kindergarten Registration will be held Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Celebratory events will be at the Town Center 12:30 – 3:00 pm and registration will be at each elementary school 3:30 – 6:00 pm.
Students will have a ½ day on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Friday, April 18, 2025 will be an Optional Teacher Workday and school will be closed for Spring Break April 21 – 25, 2025.
The Board of Education will hold a special joint meeting with the County Commissioners on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 beginning at 6:00 pm at East Yancey Middle School.
Senior Signing Day and Breakfast will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025 in the MHHS gymnasium.
The Board of Education will hold their Spring Board Retreat on Friday, May 2, 2025 at the YCS Tech Building.
The next regular meeting will be Monday, May 19, 2025 at Mountain Heritage High School. Work Session will begin at 5:30 pm, Regular session will begin 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.
