The regular monthly meeting of the Yancey County Board of Education was held in the Gymnasium of Cane River Middle School on Monday, April 20, 2026.
CTE Expansion Update
Mr. Steve Robinson reported that the concrete slab has been completed. Current work includes electrical, securing interior walls and exterior siding. Drains are being installed for curbing to be poured soon.
Barn/Arena Update
Mr. Robinson reported that YCS is working to secure electrical and natural gas supplies to the site. Crews have begun clearing, tree removal and erosion control on the project site.
Stadium Update
Mr. Robinson reported the Mr. Steve Parks has submitted plans to DPI, however, more information has been requested. Mr. Parks will seek clarification and provide the needed documents.
Hurricane Relief Repairs
Mrs. Kim Bennett reported that the team is working with legal counsel to produce a contract with Blum Construction for this work.
McMillan Pazdan Smith Contract
Mrs. Bennett reported the team is working with legal counsel on this contract as well.
Welcome & Pledge of Allegiance
Chairman Edwin Fortner welcomed everyone to the meeting. Mr. Will Hensley led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Good News
Mrs. Amos congratulated the following students on their accomplishments and thanked their sponsors for their time and dedication to the students’ success.
CRMS FBLA – State Competition
- Helen Kiser & Maddie Burke – Top 10
- Lesly Rojas & Jase Harris – Top 10
- Daniel Burleson – Top 10
- Paisley Wiedenhaupt – 3rd Place
- Sponsors: Malinda Silver & Holland Crane
National History Day Competition
David Banks – Sponsors: Ashley Cox & Karen Stevens
Battle of the Books
- Skylar Denley
- Kendal Mathis
- Madison Ledford
- Braylee Robinson
- Lyla Bryant
- Gracie Burnett
- Angel Roman
- Jenavieve Ludwig
- Lawson McIntosh
- Lily Stines
- Allison Yumagulova
- Alexander Bole
- Sponsors: Julie Kirk & Christy Deyton
Yancey County CTE Teacher of the Year
Mrs. Amos congratulated Mrs. Malinda Silver for being named the YCS CTE Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Silver teaches Project Lead the Way at Cane River Middle School.
The Community Foundation of WNC
Mrs. Amos congratulated Mrs. Melanie Bennett on receiving a grant for $8,000 for a greenhouse at Blue Ridge Elementary School.
Hurricane Helene Response
Dr. Heather Cox thanked the following people and groups for their amazing work at CRMS in the days after Hurricane Helene: Rebecca Fox, Vic Adkins, Caden Anglin, Isaac Autrey, David Banks, Tracie Bartlett-Dover, Gail Branton, Sasha Briggs, Heath Briggs, Waverly Briggs, April Buchanan, Belinda Burleson, William Byland, Eliza Calloway, Erin Calloway, Lucas Calloway, Foster Calloway, Ruth Cannon, Olivia Cannon, Beryl Carroll, Mercy Chefs, Ashley Cox, Lucas Cox, Holland Crane, Judi Davids, Christy Deyton, Nova Deyton, Glenda Edwards, Kelsea English, Jeff Fender, Melanie Fender, Cleve Fox, Gavin Fox, Luke Fox, Courtney Fox, Shooter Fox, Trevor Fox, Blossman Fuel, Billie Jo Gurley, Yvonne Hardin, John Hardin, Jase Harris, Cameron Harris, Tressa Hartsell, Laurel Hartsell, Brendan Haynes, Bryson Hensley, Victoria Hensley, Jett Hensley, Memphis Hensley, Justin Hensley, Morgan Hollifield, Carl Hudgins, Ashley Hudgins, Warren Hughes, Brittany Jiminez, Jake Johnson, Carla Keener, Julie Kirk, Henry Kirk, Emily Kirk, World Kitchen, Eli Laws, Donny Laws, Shea Laws, Sarah Laws, Nate Lueders, Eli Maher, Salvador Melecio, Adrian Melecio, Patti McLean, Samantha McClure, Amy McCurry, Sydney McCurry, Ryan McKinney, Dan McKinney, Jessica McKinney, Lyla McKinney, Karen Morales, Zeke Morales Wright, Ila Morrow, Lauren Newson, Maddie Newson, Tripp Norton, Tyson Norton, Grady Peterson, Blythe Peterson, Callie Phillips, Ashley Poehler, Cody Poehler, Addie Pope, Erika Pope, Vanessa Potter, Cadie Proffitt, Allyson Puckett, Braylee Robinson, Ashley Robinson, Aimee Robinson, Nathan Roy, Tammy Sellers, Chris Sigmon, Malinda Silver, Dawn Silvers, Adam Silvers, Kim Silvers, Hali Smoak, Tracy Stebbeds, Karen Stevens, Doug Thomas, Devon Tipton, Nick Tipton, Jenny Tipton, Maren Tipton, Max Watts, Christy Weatherman, Callie Whitson, Paisley Wiedenhaupt, Janna Williams, Natalie Williams, Jentsen Williams, Jaycee Williams, Bryson Wilson, Brenda Wilson Dorothy Worley, Layla Worley, Talon Worley, Jon York, NC National Guard 230th Brigade Support Battalion
Superintendent Updates
NC Schools Legislative Week
Mrs. Amos reported that State Senator Ralph Hise had visited during the NC Schools Legislative Week. Unfortunately, State Representative Dudley Greene was unable to attend. Mr. Hise received a tour of Mountain Heritage High School and was able to see thriving programs along with facility needs. Mrs. Amos thanked both legislators for their support in recovery after Helene and continued advocacy for YCS’s needs including CTE, EC, and teacher and state employee raises.
Principal Panel at WCU
Mrs. Amos congratulated Mr. Daron Williams for participating in a panel discussion of fellow principals at Western Carolina University.
End of Year School Events and Testing Calendars
Mrs. Amos stated that she is compiling a document with all end of year school events and will provide it to the Board members upon completion.
MHHS CTE Career Exploration Camps
Mrs. Amos provided a list of CTE summer camps with a summary for each one.
Public Input
None
Chairman’s Update
Mr. Fortner thanked the public for attending and expressed his appreciation for the many people who work diligently to keep Yancey County Schools running smoothly.
Informational Items
Senior Signing Day and Senior Breakfast Celebration will be Friday, May 1, 2026 in the MHHS gymnasium.
Spring Board Retreat will be held at the Mayland Community College Yancey Campus on Friday, May 1, 2026 beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The next regular meeting will be Monday, May 18, 2026 at Mountain Heritage High. Work Session will begin at 5:30 p.m., Regular session will begin at 6:00 p.m.
MHHS Graduation will be Friday, May 22, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT – To sign up for public input, please call 828-682-6101 ext. 102 by 3:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. A sign-up sheet will also be available at the meeting location from 4:00-5:50 p.m. prior to the meeting.
