October School Board Meeting Update

Post date: Oct 14, 2016 2:46:24 PM

Principal of the Year 2016-17

Dr. Barbara Tipton, principal at Burnsville Elementary School, has been named the Yancey County Schools 2016-17 Principal of the Year. Dr. Tipton is in her fourth year at Burnsville Elementary School. She will represent Yancey County Schools as she advances to the Region 8 Principal of the Year interviews.

School Spotlight

Micaville Elementary School Principal Michele Laws presented several good news items from her school including a new Leader in Me - SUCCESS Program for students. One element of the program includes adopting a non-profit service organization each year – this year being the Yancey County Humane Society. Each month, one classroom will collect items for the Humane Society, deliver, and perform tasks for the staff to earn an appreciation of what the Humane Society does for our county.

Also available in the program is an application, interview, and selection process for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders who want to “apply” for nine-week positions throughout the school including morning greeters, gym monitors, tutors, etc. This opportunity, during non-instructional times throughout the day, teaches responsibility, leadership traits and skills to become successful members of society.

Teacher Melanie Bennett also told about the very popular Father/Daughter Dance & Mother/Son Fun Night events held last year that will be held again later on in the school year. Laws expressed her appreciation to the MES staff for their hard work in educating and creating memories for the students at their school.

Sixth Grade Participation in Middle School Sports

This past summer, the state board of education ruled that each local school system can choose to allow sixth graders to participate in all middle school interscholastic sports, excluding football. MHHS Athletic Director Joey Robinson has led a committee this past month in researching the pros and cons of this topic. On behalf of this committee, Robinson recommended – and the Board approved - the integration of six graders into the middle school interscholastic sports beginning with the winter (basketball) season.

Consolidation / Construction Legal Requirements

School Board Attorney Donny Laws submitted a Request for Qualifications for Architect Services for the new west elementary school. The RFQ, which was approved by the Board, allows architects to submit information indicating their qualifications to design and oversee the construction of educational facilities as required by state statute. Deadline for submissions is November 10, 2016.