The regular monthly meeting of the Yancey County Board of Education was held in the Auditorium of Mountain Heritage High School on Monday, May 18, 2026.
Barn/Arena Update
Steve Robinson reported they are investigating the need for 3-phase power at the arena. If it is determined that it is not necessary, it will be removed from the project.
CTE Expansion Update
Robinson reported that the contractor is working on sheet rock, electrical and plumbing in the expansion. Curbing will be poured within the next two weeks.
Stadium Update
Robinson reported the sealed plans have been submitted to DPI who has requested electrical plans as well. Parks is working on those plans for submission.
Hurricane Repair RFQ’s and Timeline
Kathy Amos provided a breakdown of contracts needed for the Hurricane repair projects. There was minimal discussion on these. Items #1, 2, 3a, 4, 5a, 5b, and 5d were approved unanimously.
Item #3b was approved by 4-1 vote with Dahlberg voting against. He stated his disapproval of the baseball and softball fields receiving turf.
Items #5c and 5e were approved by 4-1 vote with Randolph voting against. He stated his disapproval of any work being done to prepare the new property site for an elementary school.
RFQ for site package for FEMA
Amos informed the Board that FEMA has requested the district obtain tests and plans for a site package in order to prepare the new property for construction. This work can be reimbursed by FEMA. Chris Campbell advised that he will work with Amos on bid documents for the Board’s approval.
Change Order for Orr Building Expansion
Amos presented a change order for the removal of unusable soil at the Orr Building Expansion site. The change order would be paid for with the remaining project allowance and use of capital funds. The change order was approved unanimously.
Welcome & Pledge of Allegiance
Chairman Edwin Fortner welcomed everyone to the meeting. Wade Dahlberg led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Good News
Amos recognized the following people for their contributions to YCS.
- Donation of 5 Golf Carts to MHHS (3), EYMS (1) & CRMS (1) – The Village at Brookwood in Burlington, NC – April Mayberry & Cary Hinely
- YCS Teachers of the Year
- Shane Murphy, BES
- Andrew Thomas, BRES
- Samantha Anderson, STES
- Karen Stevens, CRMS
- Michelle Geouge, EYMS
- Peter Bobbe, MHHS
Karen Stevens was named the YCS Teacher of the Year and presented a plaque.
- YCS Support Persons of the Year
- Regina Booth, BES
- Kilee Morrow, BRES
- Brandy Crain, STES
- Kelsea English, CRMS
- Salvador Melecio, EYMS
- Dorothy Worley, MHHS
Salvador Melecio was named the YCS Support Person of the Year and presented a plaque.
- YCS Volunteers of the Year
- Peggy Ramirez, BES
- Jim & Keitha Swaim, BRES
- Lynne Metcalf, STES
- Alli Buchanan, CRMS
- Justin Martens, EYMS
- Brandi Burleson, MHHS
Keitha & Jim Swaim were named the YCS Volunteers of the Year and presented a plaque.
Amos and Dr. Cox recognized the following students, club sponsors, teachers and coaches for their accomplishments.
- Burnsville Elementary School Battle of the Books Team – 3rd in Regionals
- Burnsville BattleCats
- Coaches – Caitlin Barnes & Danielle Cripps
- Harper Hughes – Captain
- Carson Miller – Captain
- Fiona Davis – Co-Captain
- Jaxton Brown – Co-Captain
- Oliver Laws
- Shafaisley Mahoney
- Maddox Swanner
- Oliver Thomas
- Chloe Whitson
- Wes Williams-Park
- Aubrey Wilson
- Audrey York
- YCS Middle School Chorus – Excellent rating at the Carowinds Festival of Music
- Nate Lueders, Teacher
- EYMS:
- Haven Bryant
- Kambria Higgins
- Addisyn Hicks
- Adalai Henson
- Makynlee Kardulis
- Annelise Lewis
- Ellie Pate
- Kallie McCourry
- Matthew Watford
- Forest Rule
- Sophia Ledford Hardesty
- Hayden Buchanan
- CRMS:
- Owyn Barnes
- Lila Bryant
- Willow Powell
- Davis Medlin
- Braylee Robinson
- David Banks
- Ava McIntosh
- Claire Hensley
- Emilia Avanzino
- Kennedy Weaver
- Brittany Jimenez Ramirez
- Jennifer Guerrero
- Mya Makwinski
- Keiari Barnes
- Alyssa Carney
- Dahlia Rice
- Cane River Middle School
- Bright Ideas Grant Recipients
- Christy Deyton
- Judi Davids
- Belinda Burleson
- Karen Stevens
- Julie Kirk
- Karen Stevens – Completed two programs and a research project through the Researching Silent Heroes program through the National History Day and the American Battle Monuments Commission. Her research findings can be found on their website.
- Volleyball
WHMS Conference Co-Champions
Coach: Rose Cummings
- Boy’s Basketball
WHMS Conference & Tournament Champions
Head Coach: Jeff Fender
Asst Coach: Nick Tipton
- Wrestling
Tournament Champions
Coaches: Ryan McKinney & Aaron Beam
- Baseball
WHMS Conference & Tournament Champions
Head Coach: Russell Fox
Asst Coach: Jeff Fender
- Softball
WHMS Conference & Tournament Champions
Head Coach: Ryan McKinney
Asst Coach: Jacob Silver
- Girls Soccer
WHMS Conference & Tournament Champions
Head Coach: Nick Tipton
Asst Coach: Bryan Hopps
- Golf
WHMS Conference Champions
Head Coaches: Ric Cedergren & Joey Miller
- Track
WHMS Champions
Head Coach: Bryson Wilson
Head Coach: April Buchanan
Assistant Coach: Haley Wilson
- Maycie Murphy – State Champion Gymnastics
- East Yancey Middle School
- EYMS FBLA
- Aria Wood top 10 finisher in business
- Lauren Dzioba top 10 finisher in business
- EYMS FBLA
- Landon Fox
- Emerson Martin
- Colby Fox
- Aria Wood
- Abbigail Angel – 4th at Regionals, Intro to Public Speaking
- Lauren Dzioba
- Yorlein Lemus Tomas
- Jade Romero-Tomas
- Eilee Townsend
- Mountain Heritage High School
- TOY Scholarship Recipients – Elijah Wilson & Landon Duncan
- MHHS PSAT Awards
PSAT Rural & Small Town Recognition Award – Kai Stella, Emma Feldman, Keiland Hollifield, Addison Amos, Max Frazier, Andrew Remillard (Scored top 10% of their high school’s test takers)
First Generation Recognition Award – Gray Freeman, Santos Mondragon (Scored top 10% among all first generation PSAT test takers in NC)
- MHHS National Speech & Debate Association
- Itzel Garcia – Merit Award
- Lila Herman – Merit Award
- Vivian Kiser – Merit and Honor Awards
- Dacolby McGee – Merit and Honor Awards
- Gabrielle Noonan – Excellence Award
- Carolyn Sechevich – Merit Award
- Governor’s School
- Emma Feldman
- Keiland Hollifield
- Dr. Jimmy Joe Thomas – Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University on April 17, 2026
- MHHS Athletics Winter/Spring 2026
- Varsity Women’ s Basketball
- WHC Tournament Champions
- WHC All-Conference Defensive Player of the Year: Maggie Neill
- WHC All-Conference Players: Callie Capps, Maggie Neill, Layla Worley
- WHC Tournament MVP: Layla Worley
- WHC All-Tournament Players: Callie Capps, Maggie Neill
- NCHSAA 3A West Sectional Champions
- NC Basketball Coaches Association District 12 Team: Maggie Neill, Layla Worley
- Head Coach: Susie Shelton
- Assistant Coaches: Jackie Shelton, Justus Shelton, Amanda Fender, Karen Brown
- JV Women’s Basketball
- WHC Tournament Champions
- Head Coach: Franklin Cox
- Assistant Coach: Heather Dale
- Varsity Men’s Basketball
- Played in second round of NCHSAA playoffs
- WHC All-Tournament Player: Brayden Deyton
- WHC Defensive Player of the Year: Cason Jones
- WHC All-Conference Players: Isaiah Adams, Foster Calloway, Brayden Deyton, Cason Jones
- NC Basketball Coaches Association District 12 Team: Brayden Deyton
- Head Coach: Barry Johnson
- Assistant Coaches: Justus Shelton, Xavier Johnson, Bobby Anglin, Cole Huskins
- Football
- Team won the Western Highlands Conference championship (undefeated in conference play)
- Record: 10-2 overall (3rd consecutive year of 10+ wins)
- Earned the #1 seed in the 3A West
- Played in 3rd round of NCHSAA playoffs
- All WHC Players:
- Cason Jones – WHC Player of the Year
- Malachi Huskins – WHC Defensive Player of the Year
- Ervine Rodriguez-Pile
- Brayden Deyton
- Parker Burleson
- Carter Bennett
- Cole McGee
- Niko Theodorides
- Foster Calloway
- Gabe Onchi
- Braxton Batchelor
- Laiken McKinney (honorable mention)
- Connor Macias (honorable mention)
- All-WNC Players:
- Braxton Batchelor 1st team OL
- Cason Jones 1st team Athlete
- Gabe Onchi 2nd team OL
- Malachi Huskins 2nd team LB
- High School OT All-State Players
- Cason Jones 1st team two way player
- Braxton Batchelor 2nd team two way player
- Shrine Bowl Selection: Cason Jones
- 1st ever player from MHHS to be selected to play in the Shrine Bowl
- Selected as a captain for the NC team
- Shrine Bowl played on Dec. 20, 2025
- Cason Jones: Mountain Amateur Athletic Club Division 2 WNC Male Athlete of the Year
- Cason Jones: WHC Male Athlete of the Year
- Braxton Batchelor: Recipient of the Riley Howell WNC Sports Courage Award by the Mountain Amateur Athletic Club
- Mountain Amateur Athletic Club WNC Sports Awards Banquet Scholarship Recipient: Braxton Batchelor, Carter Bennett, and Malachi Huskins
- Mountain Amateur Athletic Club WNC Sports Awards Banquet Nominee: MHHS Football Team
- WHC Coach of the Year: Jered Pope
- Assistant Coaches: Jake Virnelson, Britt Burleson, Tyson Tomberlin, Todd Reagan, Wes McKinney, Wade Shehan, Randy Sellers, Jeremy Burnette, Isaiah Watts
- Softball
- Finished 3rd in WHC
- Hosted first round of the NCHSAA playoffs
- WHC All-Conference Selections: Layla Worley, Sydney Styles, Madi Dillinger
- Head Coach: Mike Osada
- Assistant Coaches: Kelli Lyda-Buchanan, Jimmy Joe Thomas, Rebecca Carson
- Baseball
- Mountain Amateur Athletic Club WNC Sports Awards Banquet Scholarship Recipient: Carter Bennett
- WHC All-Conference Selection: Brayden Deyton, Cason Jones
- Head Coach: Todd Reagan
- Assistant Coach: Kyle McIntosh
- Tennis
- WHC All Conference: Adrian Melecio, Emmet Oesch, Kevin Fernandez, David Sink
- NCHSAA Dual Team Playoffs: Played in 3rd round
- NCHSAA Individual Regional Playoffs: David Sink, Kevin Fernandez, Adrian Melecio
- NCHSAA Doubles State Championship Match: Kevin Fernandez and Adrian Melecio (placed 5th in state in 3A)
- Mountain Amateur Athletic Club WNC Sports Awards Banquet Nominee: Kevin Fernandez
- Head Coach: Bobby Tolbert
- Golf
- WHC All-Conference: Carson Anglin
- NCHSAA Regional Qualifier: Carson Anglin (finished 5th in 3A West)
- NCHSAA State Qualifier: Carson Anglin (finished 13th in NCHSAA 3A)
- Head Coach: Allen Wilson
- Soccer
- Finished 4th in WHC
- Host first round NCHSAA playoff game
- WHC All-Conference Selections: Elliana Anglin, Kai Stella, Andi Barefoot, Fatima Martinez
- WHC Defensive Player of the Year: Kai Stella
- Head Coach: Greg Stella
- Track
- WHC Most Valuable Field for Females: Callie Capps
- WHC Most Valuable Field for Males: Braxton Batchelor
- 1st place event winners at the WHC track meet:
- Kyla Phillips in Triple Jump
- Braxton Batchelor in Shot Put and Discus
- Callie Capps in Pole Vault and Discus
- New School Record in Triple Jump: Kyla Phillips (32’ 4.5”)
- NCHSAA Regional Qualifiers: Callie Capps, Holly Robinson, Andi Franklin, Kyla Phillips, Braxton Batchelor, Chloe Robison, Maraya Laws, Madalynn McCurry, Ava Gillespie, Maddox Weaver, Brooklyn Dahlberg, Foster Calloway, Jackson Banks, Lilly Thacker, Owen Medlin, Brayden Deyton, Cason Jones
- NCHSAA State Qualifiers: Callie Capps, Kyla Phillips, Braxton Batchelor, Maraya Laws, Ava Gillespie, Maddox Weaver, Brooklyn Dahlberg, Lilly Thacker, Owen Medlin, Brayden Deyton, Jackson Banks, Cason Jones
- 3A NCHSAA Pole Vault State Champion: Callie Capps (9’6”)
- Head Coach: Jake Virnelson
- Assistant Coaches: Susie Shelton, Justus Shelton
Hurricane Helene Response
Amos thanked the following people and groups for their amazing work at MHHS in the days after Hurricane Helene: Jered Pope, Erica Pope, Joey Robinson, Allen Wilson, Charles Conley, Ryan Ray, Amanda Ogle, Somer Ray, Cami Jo Ray, National Guard, Texas A&M Search & Rescue, Phat Patty’s food truck, Charlotte FD (Derek Parks), Derek Murphy, Samaritan’s Purse, Jackie Thomas, Makayla Thomas, Alyssa Styles, Mercy Chefs, Jake Virnelson, Todd Reagan, Loren Deyton, Britt Burleson, Wes McKinney, Kyle McIntosh, Carl Hudgins, Brookstone Church, Nick, Brandi, Chevie & Lila Silver, Susie and Justus Shelton, Sherry Grove and Husband, Laura and Juan Lozada, Tiffany and Lora Gillis, Crystal Garland, Jeremy Burnette, Shane Hilliard, Cason Jones, Jayden Jones, Caleb Roy, Brandon Quinn, Lawson Higgins, Erik Pile, Ervine Rodriguez-Pile, Braxton Batchelor, Morgan Hollifield, Samatha McClure, Levi McCurry, Sandi Norton, Abby Robinson and Family, Susan Reecer
Superintendent Updates
Graduation
Amos provided information to the Board regarding MHHS graduation on Friday, May 22nd.
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC)
Amos thanked JCPC for giving gift cards to all seniors at the annual Senior Breakfast.
Summer Feeding Programs
Amos provided information on several organizations that will provide summer feeding programs to the families of Yancey County which include Tractor/PATH, Yancey Feed-a-Child, Shoal Creek Church and Reconciliation House.
Summer School
Amos stated that summer school will be held in June and July along with athletic and CTE summer camps.
YCS Testing and Accountability Schedule
Amos thanked Dr. Cox and all administrators, teachers and staff for a successful testing season at all the schools.
New Business
Mountain Professionals Contract
The Board unanimously approved the 2026-27 contract for Mountain Professionals Drivers Ed.
Camp Funshine Donation
Fortner informed the Board that Camp Funshine has received donations to stock the pond on the new YCS property with fish but are still around $1,000 short. Fortner requested that the Board use funds from their Board pay to give as a donation to cover the remaining cost. The Board unanimously approved this request.
Public Input
John Cregan and Marty Flynn spoke
Mountain Air Community Fund Grant
Thank you to the Mountain Air Community Fund for the $8,500 grant to purchase the Tango Flight Curriculum for the new MHHS Aviation course.
Chairman’s Update
Fortner expressed his gratitude for the YCS employees who have worked to see so many good changes happen, the County Commissioners for their partnership and the public for attending the meeting and participating in the process.
Informational Items
MHHS Graduation will be Friday, May 22, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be Monday, June 15, 2026 at the YCS District Office. Work Session will begin at 5:30 p.m., Regular session will begin at 6:00 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.