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School officials OK principals' contracts
By Lynn Hotaling
Local school officials April 21 put an end to controversy that has swirled around an elementary school's leadership by offering four-year contracts to both its principal and her assistant.
Members of the Jackson County Board of Education approved contract renewals for Smokey Mountain Elementary Principal Terry Clark and Assistant Principal Loretta Easton, ending rumors that the two would not be rehired.
For the second time in as many months, speakers used the time allocated for public comment to praise Clark and Easton for what they termed a positive and improved climate at SMES.
Parents Jane Taylor and Micki Price told school board members how pleased they are with the direction SMES has taken under its current leadership.
"Ms. Clark and Ms. Easton have gone to great lengths to make improvements," Price said.
Some 25 SMES teachers and teacher assistants attended the board's March 22 meeting and stood in support as teachers Sherry Hooper and Dottie Coone cited many accomplishments at the school during the tenure of Clark and Easton.
Board members also approved a four-year contract for Scotts Creek Principal Wanda Fernandez and a two-year contract for Smoky Mountain High Assistant Principal Jay Grissom.
Fernandez' annual salary will be $61,324 ($58,404 from state funds and $2,920 from local funds); Clark will be paid $55,164 (all from state funds); Easton will receive $52,646 for 11 months ($47,860 from state funds and $4,786 from local funds); and Grissom will be paid $47,472 for 12 months (all from local funds). All salary figures were provided by David Steinbicker, school system finance officer.
Also April 21:
- School leaders approved changes to the school system's academically and intellectually gifted plan as recommended by county AIG coordinator Richelle Sampl.
The changes were needed in order to provide clarification and make the plan more streamlined, Sampl told board members.
- Board members tabled a request for a utility easement at Cullowhee Valley to allow Cat's Peak Apartments access to water and sewer lines.
A decision was postponed until officials receive more information, school board Chairman James Roper said Tuesday. The sketch provided showed the lines crossing school property but did not locate the school building or ball fields, he said.
- School board members approved a request from N.C. Department of Transportation officials that would allow DOT to improve and construct a 50-foot radius at the intersection of Skyland Drive and Mineral Springs Drive near the old Scotts Creek School, which currently houses the School of Alternatives.
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