Haywood High’s three valedictorians of the Class of 2006 attended the school board meeting Tuesday night and recognized teachers whom they considered to be the most influential in their lives. Pictured are (from left) HHS English teacher George Norvell; Sara Grace Edwards and her mother, Paula Edwards; Kyle McClinton and his mother, Kathy McClinton; and Trista Wade and her mother, Gail Wade. Not pictured are HHS teachers Linda Baxter and Eddie Keel.

Members of the Haywood County School Board met in regular session Tuesday night, July 11, and heard from Director of Schools George Chapman about the year-end budget figures, honored several special students and teachers, donated an out-of-service bus to the local Boys and Girls Club, and approved changes to student handbooks.

Haywood County School Board Chairman Patricia Gruenewald opened the meeting welcoming special guests. Among the guests were the three HHS valedictorians, their parents, and HHS teacher George Norvell. The three students were asked to recognize the teacher that had been the most influential in their lives.

Sara Grace Edwards chose HHS English teacher George Norvell, whom she said she viewed as her mentor. “He made a lasting impact on my life,” she said, adding that he gave her confidence and pushed her to be a better student.

Kyle McClinton chose science teacher Linda Baxter as the teacher who has most influenced him. “She taught me so many valuable lessons,” he said and added that the knowledge she gave him was invaluable and that she taught him how to be responsible.

Trista Wade recognized HHS math teacher Eddie Keel as having influenced her the most. She served on the HHS Mock Trial Team, for which Mr. Keel was the sponsor, and through his encouragement she became a regional- and state-recognized attorney on the team. “He inspired me to be more confident, pushing me to the limits. She also said that he inspired her to pursue her passion in communications.

Director Chapman reported that of the 2005-2006 projected budget of $20,583,000, only about $20,139,000 was spent. Director Chapman said they had cut back on their anticipated spending throughout the year to stay in line with what the county was collecting. He said that about 98 percent of the local property tax had been collected, affecting the amount the schools receive. Schools receive $1.09 of the county’s $2.39 property tax rate.

Director Chapman also reported that he met with county budget committee members on June 26 and gave them budget figures for the 2006-2007 school year. Expected spending for the schools will be $21,448,066 – about $1.3 million more than the schools spent this year. But, Director Chapman added that almost $15 million of the total budget request will come from state BEP money. Only about one-third of the school’s budget comes from local money and grant funds.

The biggest increase in school expenditures during the school year that ended June 30 came from the increase in natural and diesel gas costs. The schools budgeted $130,000 for natural gas and spent about $176,000. They spent $179,000 on diesel fuel for buses and had only budgeted $140,000.

In other business, school board members agreed to donate to the local Boys and Girls Club an out-of-service school bus. The request came from the Boys and Girls Club Board President Will Jones. He thanked the school system for their generosity several years ago when they donated a bus to the club that has served them well. Now that it is out of commission, the school board will give them another bus that is operable but too old for the school system to use.

Board members also approved the yearly agenda for the 2006-2007 school year, and renewed the system’s liability/unemployment insurance. They also reviewed changes in each of the schools student handbooks.

The next school board meeting will be held Tuesday, August 8, at 6 p.m. at the Haywood County Board of Education office.