When members of the Haywood County School Board met on November 13, a highlight of the meeting was Director George Chapman’s presentation of the system-wide “Report Card.” Members also discussed employee health insurance and teacher mini-grants, among other items.

Director Chapman gave to Haywood County School Board members Patricia Gruenewald, Robbie Jarrett King, Pearlie Hess, Joe Barden and Harold Garrett a presentation on the system-wide Report Card that he received recently from the state on November 2. It was good news for all schools and for the system as a whole. In Achievement, the system made one “A,” four “Bs,” and two “Cs.” The “Value Added” scores, which are part of the federal No Child Left Behind scoring system, were all “As.” According to Chapman, this means that Haywood County students received more than a year’s worth of progress, and the school holds NCLB “Good Standing” status. He said he was happy with the schools’ performance, but that each year they must continue to strive to do better. “But these are the best letter grades we have ever received,” he said.

Health insurance
A discussion about employee health insurance was also on the agenda, and board members agreed to fund much of the 6 percent rate increase in premiums for school system employees in accordance with a recommendation by members of the Budget Committee and the Negotiations Committee. Haywood Junior High School teacher Ray Clark expressed appreciation on behalf of the teachers who are members of the Haywood County Education Association.

Mini-grants
Board members also approved a request from teachers throughout the system for 10 mini-grants of $200 dollars or less for special projects, materials or programs for their classrooms.

• Kenneth Emerson and Gay Thomas at Haywood High will use their grant money to buy a model bridge building program that will integrate construction core classes with geometry classes.
• Abby Hooper, the system’s Prodigy teacher, will use her grant money to install a podcasting station at East Side Elementary.
• Greg Grimsley, a guidance counselor at Haywood High, requested funds to purchase incentive rewards for “at risk” seniors who will participate in a mentoring program with Haywood High teachers.
• Samantha Davis will use her grant to purchase “Math Grab and Go Centers,” a test-taking strategies program, for her classroom at East Side.
• A Headphone Holder Listening Center will be purchased to enhance reading lessons at Haywood Elementary, thanks to a grant Kathy Foster will receive.
• Garry Butler, who teaches in the Haywood High Career and Technical School, will receive grant money to purchase parts, tools, oil and gasket sets to set up a lawn mower repair lab.
• Also at Haywood High, JROTRC teacher Mark Avery will purchase global studies teaching aids for his classroom with grant funds.
• Cindy Smith and Bennie Blue will purchase “Adjectives and Opposites,” a special needs software computer program for students in the Multiple Disabilities Class.
• Delois Dailey, also a JROTC instructor at Haywood High, will used grant funds she received to purchase door prizes and diversity posters for the Multicultural Fair she organizes at the school each fall.
• Sara Pearson at Anderson will purchase a Leap Frog Phonics Writing Desk with the grant money she will receive.

The next school board meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 11.

Nov. 14
Report Cards Issued

Nov. 26-28
Thanksgiving Holidays

Dec. 2-4
Gateway Test (Grade 9-12)

Dec. 19
(½ Day Students & Teachers) End of 1st Semester (89 days)

Dec. 22-31
Christmas Holidays