At its regular monthly meeting on April 14, the Yancey County Board of Education heard a request from Samaritan’s Purse to use the newly acquired property on the county’s west side to assist with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. The organization is seeking permission to temporarily stage mobile homes on the site to support local residents affected by the storm.
Superintendent Kathy Amos informed the Board that a formal land use agreement is being drafted in collaboration with Board Attorney Donny Laws. The proposal will be brought before the Board for approval in the near future.
This partnership comes as Yancey County Schools continues its own recovery efforts, including facility repairs and preparations for future natural disasters. Updates included repairs to hurricane-damaged turf, a proposed investigation of structural damage at East Yancey Middle School, and continued collaboration with FEMA.
In other news, the Board celebrated several positive developments, including a large donation of Nike shoes for all students and staff, a $149,000 state child nutrition grant, and a $17,000 gift from Bertie County Schools to support student field trips. The Board also approved the purchase of a new activity bus and recognized the advanced construction class at MHHS for building tiny homes for hurricane victims.
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on May 19 at Mountain Heritage High School.
