By Lynn Hotaling
Local school officials met Monday (July 14) for the second
time in as many weeks, but there is no change in the status
of the principal of Jackson County's largest school.
Smoky Mountain High Principal Kenny Nicholson remains suspended
with pay pending the results of an ongoing school system investigation,
Jackson County Board of Education Chairman James Roper said
Tuesday.
Neither Nicholson nor school officials have commented on the
reason for his suspension.
Superintendent Mack McCary suspended Nicholson, a principal
in Jackson County for more than 25 years, in late June.
McCary, who is out of the country on vacation, has not been
available for comment since taking action with regard to the
veteran principal. The superintendent is expected back in his
office on Friday.
School board Chairman Roper said last week that an acting principal
would not be named before McCary's return.
A 1963 graduate of Sylva-Webster High, Nicholson was principal
at Scotts Creek and Fairview elementary schools before moving
to SMHS nine years ago.
Nicholson, who said last week that he has retained legal counsel,
has twice declined to comment further.
