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Local school leaders approve plan to upgrade computer technology
By Derek Hodges
School officials held a brief meeting Thursday (Oct. 20) before going into a lengthy closed session that led to a host of employee recommendations. Those employment decisions included the hiring of a new athletic director at Smoky Mountain High School (see related story on Page 1B).
School board members approved a five-year technology plan presented by technology coordinator David Proffitt. Earlier in the day the group visited the computer lab at SMHS that was recently updated with new Dell computers.
The new computers are part of the system’s current plan to replace outdated machines with new ones at least every five years. At the prompting of then-Commissioners’ Chairman Stacy Buchanan, county leaders included funds for computer upgrades in the budget.
Proffitt’s plan includes new equipment and training for students as well as faculty and staff.
“I was very pleased to see a strong emphasis on staff development,” board member Thurza McNair said.
The plan will be reviewed by N.C. Department of Instruction officials every summer, Proffitt said.
“I would thank the board for being very supportive of what we’ve done so far,” Proffitt said.
In other business Oct. 20:
Field trips
Officials unanimously approved four field trips, including: Fairview School seventh- and eighth-grade cheerleaders to Chapel Hill Cheer Oct. 21-22; SMHS varsity cheerleaders to state competition in Winston-Salem Feb. 3-4; SMHS ECP senior trip to Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Dec. 1-2; and School of Alternatives Discovery students to Newfound Gap for backpacking and camping Nov. 10-11.
Only the Newfound Gap trip drew discussion, with board member Ali Laird-Large expressing concerns that the students could get stranded if snow were to hit the area that night.
“How far off the main road will the camp be?” Laird-Large asked.
Nations told board members she would look into the details, and officials approved the camping trip along with the others.
Personnel
School officials approved several employee recommendations.
Resignations were accepted from Mindy Connor, receptionist, Central Office; Donna Johnston, kindergarten teacher, Smokey Mountain Elementary; Theresa Sutton, health occupations teacher, SMHS; Tonya Snider, non-staff coach, SMHS; Sara Komosinski, non-staff coach, SMHS.
Tammy Owen will serve as a countywide school food service substitute and Nina Webb was hired as a receptionist at the Central Office. Other new employees, listed by school, include:
Cullowhee Valley School – Giacomo Sabbatino, after-school counselor; Shannon Woodring, after-school counselor; Ed Williams, custodian; Leah Wagner, reading tutor and third-grade assistant; Joie West, after-school counselor; Lynda Goodwin, after-school counselor; and Corina Milkey, child nutrition assistant II.
Fairview – Kenneth Walker, physical education teacher; Kimberly Sutton, child nutrition assistant II (six hours a day); and Rita Stephens, child nutrition assistant (four hours a day).
Scotts Creek School – Connie Jamison, child nutrition assistant; and Cathy Haynes, cafeteria manager.
Smokey Mountain Elementary – Stephanie Bales, child nutrition assistant II (four and a half hours a day).
SMHS – Mutt DeGraffenreid, athletic director; and Mark Hoyle, peer bus monitor.
Approved as substitute teachers were Peggy Carver, Melissa Wilcox, Joshua Yopp, Raymond Bewley, Rosanne Doane, Patricia Meads, Cynthia Burke, Mary Ayers, Susan Reynaud, Tracy Fowler, Amanda Boone, Melissa Broom, Brenda Messer, Jessica Steele, Stephanie Spivey, Janice Henry, Tava Barnes, Julie Mathis, Cynthia Fowler, Marilyn Carter, Teresa Eberly, Stephanie Geisler, Clarissa Richardson, Thomas Stewart, Joshua Badgett, Tabitha Royal, Christy Smith, William Drasdo, Jessica Miller, Nancy Hoyle, Tammy Owen, Michelle Saunders and Shana Wilkinson.
Approved as non-staff coaches were: Anthony Hall and Ada Shipley, assistant coaches for middle school basketball, Blue Ridge; Ryan Shelton, assistant basketball coach, Fairview; Terry Dills, girls basketball coach, Fairview; and Samantha Blanton, assistant basketball and softball coach, Scotts Creek.
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