The February 21 school board meeting was full of news and recognition for teachers and students. Yvette Blue announced the Teachers of the Year, officers from the HHS Agriculture department gave an overview of their program in the Career and Technical Division. Rebecca Davis earned membership into the 30+ Club, several groups were given permission for out-of-state travel, and the school audit was discussed, along with several budget amendments.

In the HCS Celebration of Schools, Superintendent Joey Hassell honored the Teachers of the Year. Yvette Blue, Executive Director of the Curriculum and Accountability Department, announced the selected teachers. Representing Anderson Early Childhood Center (from left) is Brittany Ferrell, Haywood Elementary School – Stacy Taylor, East Side Intermediate School – Tanika Pickens, Haywood Middle School – Tanya Tyus, and Haywood High School – Shandi Sheets. Selected as system level teachers are Brittany Ferrell – Prek through fourth grade, Tanya Tyus – fifth grade through eighth grade, and grades 9-12, Shandi Sheets.

He also honored a new member of the Haywood High School’s prestigious 30+ Club. Haywood High School junior Rebecca Davis recently earned entry into the 30+ Club by scoring 31 on the ACT. She is the daughter of Shea and LeeAnna Davis. Rebecca is a member of the Lean on Me Club, Youth Leadership, is in the upcoming production of The Whiz, serves as the DECA Vice President, and is a football cheerleader. She is a member of Tabernacle Methodist Church, and plans to attend college and earn a degree in business management.

Superintendent Hassell also presented the HHS FFA officers for the year, who gave an overview of their program. Officers are: President – Hannah Littlejohn, Vice Presidents – Katie Walls and Alyssa Allen, Secretary – Amanda Watson, Treasurer – Preston Moore, Reporter – Shelby Littlejohn, and Sentinel – Alex Goodman. Sponsors for the FFA are John Joyner and Callie Coates.

In other business, board members approved a list of surplus items that will sold, and approved out-of-state travel for the HHS AFJROTC ad the HHS Track team.

CFO Larry Livingston gave a report that the balance of the Catherine Truss Colhoun Trust as of February 20 is $199,527.42. He also reported that the schools had received the results of an audit of the activity accounts and cafeteria funds at each school. There were no findings except at Haywood High School, which Superintendent Hassell said they are working on getting those books in order.

Another order of business involved a discussion of the football field and flooding problems there as a result of all the rain. Everyone agreed to let a few members of the county commission and of the school board to assess the situation and see what needed to be done. The main stipulation is that the track be left intact.