School board celebrates 2010-2011 school opening

When the school board met in regular session on August 10, the highlight was the report from the superintendent and all the administrators about the opening of Haywood County Schools 2010. With the new motto: “Here Comes Success,” the system’s entire faculty and staff celebrated educating the county’s children at the State-of-the-Schools Celebration on August 4 at Haywood High.

At the opening of the meeting on Tuesday, everyone joined School Board Chairman Harold Garrett in welcoming back board member Daniel Thornton, who recently returned from duty with the Tennessee Army National Guard in Iraq.

Administrators and guests also enjoyed a short video clip highlighting the Special Olympics basketball team from Haywood County that won the national competition. Haywood Schools Executive Director of Special Services Mary Hood announced that the team would be honored for their success on Friday, August 20, at the Haywood County Courthouse.

In other business, board members heard the Catherine Truss Colhoun Scholarship Fund quarterly report from CFO Vincent Harvell. Since its inception, Haywood High School students have received more than $100,000 in scholarships. The fund’s balance exceeds $238,000. Board member Robbie Jarrett-King expressed interest in dedicating a memorial for Mrs. Colhoun’s contribution to so many students’ college education. Nick Crafton of Stanton offered to bring the board more information about Mrs. Colhoun.

Board members also approved the submission of the Extended Contract Proposal to the State Department of Education. The Extended Contract pays for before and after school tutorial services for students.

Haywood High School Principal Dorothy Bond reported to the board and guests about the school’s plans for Homecoming 2010. She requested approval for students to be dismissed from school at 11:30 a.m. Following the dismissal, the school will host an alumni reception in the HHS cafeteria from 12:30 to 2:30. From 1:30 to 6 p.m. Tomcat fans and alumni are invited to tailgate on the football stadium parking lot. The HHS homecoming parade will begin at 4:30 p.m., ending at the stadium, and the game kick-off will be at 7:30. The board approved her request.

Mrs. Bond also reported that the HHS football season will begin this Friday night at the Covington Jamboree where HHS will play Munford. Haywood Junior High Principal Yvette Blue reported that the HJH Warriors will begin their season on Monday, August 17, in a jamboree game with Crestview.

All school administrators displayed great excitement about the opening of the schools this year, and reported that preliminary figures are showing that enrollment is up this year. Most schools have new students still enrolling this week.

Superintendent King said in his report to the board, “I want to assure the citizens of Haywood County that we are all going to work together to make the schools the best they can be for our students. Here Comes Success!”

The next school board meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 14, at 7 p.m.