K-4 plans approved

reporter@thefranklinpress.com

The Macon County Board of Education unanimously voted to accept the plans for the K-4 school to be built on the Iotla site in the northern part of the county at their meeting Monday night at Nantahala School.

Architect Mike Watson gave a presentation and showed drawings of the plans prior to the vote. The timeframe for construction is 18 months and the building will be 92,500 square feet. Watson said that he wants to have the project out to bid by April 1 and that he would prefer for students to be moved away from the school during construction, citing safety concerns.

Terry Bell, director of auxiliary services, said that it would cost about $48,000 to move six portable units from Iotla to Cowee School and set them up according to code if the board decided to move the students away from construction to the Cowee site. If children are kept on the Iotla site it would cost between $500,000-$600,000 to build a temporary retaining wall.

The board did not make a decision about whether or not the students will be moved away from the site during construction.

"I will have more details for the board to consider as we confirm this process at an upcoming Board of Education meeting," Superintendent Dan Brigman said

Also at the meeting, Brigman talked about a recent meeting in Bryson City he attended with other superintendents from the western part of the state and representatives from higher education institutions including Southwestern Community College and Western Carolina University. There was a unanimous agreement to try and align school calendars with higher education institutions and neighboring districts.

Brigman used an example of students who take dual enrollment classes and there being a two week gap between when SCC and Franklin High School start classes. In Macon County there are currently four school calendars including Franklin, Nantahala, Highlands and Macon Early College.

The board unanimously passed a motion to approve the resolution for a common calendar. There will be another meeting between superintendents, state legislators and higher education representatives on Dec. 2 to further discuss the calendar, which needs to be submitted to the State Board of Education, Brigman said.

Moratorium lifted on field trips

Bell reported to the board that since the cost of fuel has decreased he recommended easing up on the moratorium for schools to take field trips. A motion was made to lift the moratorium, which passed unanimously. Board members agreed that field trips need to align with the Standard Course of Study, school and district objectives.

"Field trips need to stress educational value and not just be for fun to get out of school," board member Roberta Swank said.

State reversions update

Macon County Schools will be required to send approximately $174,000 back to the state due to the lack of current and anticipated revenues to support operations throughout state government.

The N.C. Office of State Budget and Management notified the Department of Public Instruction of a $117 million reversion target for the State Public School Fund. This requires local school districts and charter schools to return .75 percent of their allotted state funds. Districts are required to notify the state of their reductions by Dec. 19.

Finance officer Betty Waldroop made a recommendation that two principal's salaries be paid from local funds for 24 months instead of the state funds from which they are normally paid.

Tommy Cabe made a motion to accept the recommendation, which passed unanimously.

NCWISE update

Tim Burrell, director of technology, said that the state has uploaded NCWISE data and that it is now live. He also presented the 2009-13 technology plan that was developed by the Macon County Schools media and technology advisory committee. The plan is required by the state and can be amended year by year, Burrell said. Thomas Baldwin made a motion to accept the plan, which passed unanimously.

Recognitions

Principal Chris Baldwin and teacher Natalie Grant from Nantahala School were recently notified that their National Board Certifications have been renewed. This is a precedent in Macon County and these are the first to be granted renewal status.

Press photo/Melanie Lebert Superintendent Dan Brigman presents Susie McCoy, Donnie Edwards and Roberta Swank with plaques in appreciation of their dedication and time spent on the Board of Education.

Board members Roberta Swank, Susie McCoy and Donnie Edwards were recognized for their time spent and dedication to the Board of Education and to the children in the county, since the meeting in Nantahala was their last as board members. Edwards served on the board for 20 years, McCoy for 12 years and Swank from 2007-2008 after the resignation of Guy Gooder.

New personnel

Missy Carpenter, secretary/ Cowee Elementary, effective Dec. 1.

Sarae Thornton, PE teacher, Macon Middle, effective Jan. 5.

Michelle Munger, assistant middle school girls' basketball coach, Highlands School, on a voluntary basis, effective at the beginning of the season.

Donnie Edwards, assistant middle school girls' basketball coach, Highlands School, on a voluntary basis, effective at the beginning of the season.

Upcoming trips

Robert Jessup, FHS, to accompany five students to Greensboro Jan 22-25 to participate in the NC all state choir.

Charles Yonce and Sherry Tilson, Macon Middle and FHS, to accompany 10 students to Greensboro Dec.5-6 to participate in the NC State Robotics Competition.

Natalie Grant, Amanda Chapman, James Bryan and Rob Mason, Nantahala School, to accompany 12-15 students to the outer banks and Wilmington April 4-9 to allow students the opportunity to discover the history of the state.

Erica Muse, Annette Kesgen and Cheryl Renfro, FHS Upward Bound, to accompany 20-25 students to Clemson University Match 27 to participate in a college tour.

Erica Muse, Annette Kesgen and Cheryl Renfro, FHS Upward Bound, to accompany 20-25 students to the University of Georgia, Athens Jan 20 to participate in a college tour.

Michelle Brooks and Pam Pattillo, FHS, to accompany 44 students to Asheville, to view the Biltmore House and study architectural design as well as the tourism aspects of the house.

Dwain and Dina Picou, FHS, to accompany 20-25 students to Huntersville, Feb. 6-7 to participate in the Regional Swim competition.

Dwain and Dina Picou, FHS, to accompany 20 students to UNC Chapel Hill Feb. 12-14 to participate in the State Swim Competition.