The Haywood County Board of Education met last week for its regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Coming out of the gate strong, Superintendent Joey Hassell shared exciting news that Ford Motor Company, who recently announced it will break ground in Haywood County on the country’s largest automotive plant, has committed $20K for four $5K scholarships for the graduating class of 2022.

Athletic facility improvements, something that has been hot top in recent months, were touched on briefly – but nowhere near the capacity of previous meetings – that’s because Superintendent Joey Hassell pressed pause on all stadium discussions because “in the next few weeks and months we’re going to have some decisions to make as it relates to population growth and the needs of our community.” He was referring, of course, to the Megasite and the impact it will have on Haywood County Schools.

The board did agree to move forward with the planning and design phase of the indoor practice facility at the high school. And Hassell presented results from the August community survey regarding the preferred location of a new stadium – should that ever come to fruition; 59 percent of the nearly 650 participants would like to see it on the grounds of Haywood High School, while 41 percent want it to stay on Boyd/Main near the library.

In further anticipation of the countless discussions and decisions necessary as it relates to Ford’s arrival of Blue Oval City, the board will now meet for two hours each month instead of just one.

Haywood High School’s new student council was recognized. The student-elected class officials introduced themselves and shared their plans to grow and promote student affairs and activities. The group is under the direction of Shandy Sheets.

The 2021-2022 student council is pictured above (L-R). Back row: Johnathon Forrest, Senior President; Lejerwin Young, Senior Vice President; Asia Silas, Junior Treasurer; Kendarius White, Sophomore Vice President. Middle row: Steven Lewis, Freshmen President; Andrea Reyes, Freshmen Treasurer; Madelyn Tims, Freshmen Secretary; Key’Anna Buck, Sophomore Secretary; Lataejah Franklin, Sophomore Treasurer; Shandi Sheets, SCA Sponsor. Front row: Rich Nichols, Freshmen Vice President; Makaya Moss, Senior Secretary; Vanessa Littlejohn, Senior Treasurer.