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CORRECTION: In last week’s letter from Marie Leatherwood, there were two typographical errors. Jackson County’s median income is $22,506 and not $28,506 as listed. Also, a sentence in the final paragraph reads “With all this spend, spend, spend policy, ‘reads’ aren’t even mentioned.” It should say that “roads” aren’t even mentioned. The Herald regrets the errors.
Middle school won’t solve problems
To the Editor:
I am writing in response to the idea of building a middle school to help the drug problem.
I would like to know how busing children 25 to 30 minutes to a middle school where they change classes to different buildings, have more freedom and more areas to get lost in, will combat drug use. How can this help our teachers, principal and other staff notice the signs that a student is using drugs?
We spend thousands of dollars to educate not only school employees, but also parents to recognize the signs of drug use. This does not only start at school, but at home.
At Smoky Mountain Elementary School, the students have very little time alone in the morning. They are supposed to be monitored in the gym or cafeteria until 7:50 a.m. and then are dismissed to go to their lockers before class. When they change classes during the day they are all in the middle school building. Their lockers are also in the same building where teachers can monitor the children’s activities.
At SMES, we also have guidance counselors and the administrative staff who I assume are trained to deal with drug problems. The school board hired Terry Clark as principal for her years of experience with middle, high and adult schools. She has also implemented programs like “Parents’ Night Out” to help parents understand their teens.
I believe that drug awareness and education is part of understanding your teen and the pressures they go through every day. Clark was also named the county’s Principal of the Year this year.
I feel that SMES is a school that for years has been out of sight and out of mind. It has been forgotten. I feel if teachers and staff are inexperienced to the signs of children using drugs, then they should be educated.
Building a new school would cost millions of dollars and would not stop children from using drugs. Education and awareness are the answers. We push students to pass the end-of-grade tests; we should also hold teachers and staff up to a higher degree.
Eric Pittman
Whittier
Setting the record straight on scoreboard
To the Editor:
An apology needs to be given to the Jackson County Schools Maintenance Department.
The letter that I submitted last week titled “Another High School in Jackson County” had an error regarding the scoreboard.
After much confusion I finally learned the true story behind the scoreboard, and I would like to let everyone know that the Blue Ridge School scoreboard’s not working during the season was not the fault of the schools’ Maintenance Department.
However, the Maintenance Department got the scoreboard functional for the second round of playoffs for the Bobcats, which led to our 2-1 victory over Rosman. It was a pleasant surprise to see the scoreboard working at the game.
My hat is off to the maintenance department for a job well done. They deserve credit where credit is due. The attendance at the game was phenomenal.
Traci Settlemyre
Dillsboro
Long-term care insurance tax credit benefits everyone
To the Editor:
The North Carolina Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons will soon ask the N.C. General Assembly to reinstate the tax credit for the purchase of long-term care insurance.
The General Assembly passed legislation in 1998 to allow individuals who purchase a long-term care insurance policy to claim a state income tax credit effective with the tax year that began Jan. 1, 1999. The credit was 15 percent of the premium paid, not to exceed $350 for each qualified long-term care insurance contract. The legislation had a sunset provision and it expired a the end of the 2003 tax year.
Several bills have been introduced to re-enact the tax credit. Long-term care insurance can help provide for citizens who need in-home care and other services, including nursing home care. This can be a great help to individuals and families. It can also save the state money that is needed for other citizen needs.
I encourage you to contact your legislators and ask them to take action to restore the tax credit for the purchase of long-term care insurance.
Hugh Moon
Sylva
(Editor’s note: Moon is serving his 10th year on the state legislative committee.)
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