When Haywood County Board members met at its September meeting, board members re-elected Harold Garrett as Chairman and Allen Currie as vice chairman of the school board. Harrison Jones was also nominated for chairman. In other business, Chairman Garrett made committee appointments, board members approved out-of-state travel for a group of HHS students, approved some policy changes on first reading and talked about the system’s insurance coverage.

Mrs. Russell reported to the board about Tennessee Education Commissioner Candice McQueen’s visit. Commissioner McQueen said it was very positive experience and she was impressed with Haywood High School.

Board Chairman Harold Garrett made appointments to committees. Serving on the Scholarship Committee are Harrison Jones, Allen Currie and Olivia Farrington. Harold Garrett and Greg Vanstory will serve on the Collaborative Conferencing Committee, and Harold Garrett and Allen Currie will serve on the Budget Committee.

Haywood High School FFA advisors John Joyner and Carrie Smith requested permission to take FFA Chapter officers to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, from October 19-22. They received approval from the board.

Mrs. Russell presented to board members 11 policies that need approval on first reading. She made changes to several of them before asking for their approval. These were all approved.

Superintendent Russell reported that she met with Budget Committee members Harold Garrett and Allen Currie and CFO Larry Livingston about changes in insurance premiums. They received the final figures from the state on how much the different insurance plans would increase this year. She said that they had made adjustments in the school system’s budget to allow for an increase in premiums for employees, and they believe that they have allowed enough money so that if school system employees keep the same insurance plans, the cost of their portion of the premiums will not go up. The board approved this measure.

Superintendent Russell reminded everyone about the HHS Homecoming Friday. Schools will be dismissed at 11:30, and the parade begins at 1:30. The game begins at 7 p.m., the Homecoming ceremony will be held at halftime.

The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 11, at 6 p.m.