Nicholson's move back to the high school creates another opening - on the board of education. Slated to join that board in July, Nicholson was elected in May to fill the seat of James Roper, who chose not to seek a third term.
It will be up to the remaining four members of the Board of Education - Ali Laird-Large, Ray Trine, Mary Jane Dillard and Chairman Martha Queen - to fill the vacancy. Queen said she would support reappointing Roper.
"We have worked extremely well with each other," she said. "He knows what's going on."
Roper replied that he would serve if asked. "There's some things I would like to see completed with the schools," Roper said, mentioning the SMHS building project and the new Scotts Creek School. "I think we're making progress in academics right now. We've had some great improvement in our test scores the past few years."
School board attorney Paul Holt said the board "could go ahead and make an appointment that would take effect in July."
The appointment would be for two years, rather than four, with a special election to be held in 2002 to fill the remaining two years of the term.
Queen said she was "very pleased to put back together the (SMHS) team that did such an outstanding job over the years. They brought that school together in a time of turmoil. We had the opportunity to put it back together, and we choose to do that.
"Ken Henke is part of that team. We found out (Nicholson) wanted to come back. He and Ken Henke work well together and also with (Assistant Principal) Libby Knight. It's the stability we've been looking for," she continued.
Nicholson's total salary, based on this year's state scale, will be $93,324, said school system finance officer David Steinbicker. It consists of $81,324 from state funds and $12,000 in local money. The $1,000-per-month local supplement will be in effect for all four years of the contract, Superintendent Frank Burrell said. The state portion could increase if the N.C. Legislature raises salaries for school personnel.
Henke said he did not have much of a reaction to the school board's decision. "My concern is that Smoky Mountain High School continue its stability," he said.
Henke came to Smoky Mountain in 1994 from Fairview, where he served as Nicholson's assistant principal for eight years.
Henke's move is seen as a transfer, not a demotion, said Burrell.
"Ken has one year left on his principal's contract. If he stays beyond that, he'll have to renegotiate his contract. It's not a demotion if you don't cut salary. It's simply a transfer," he said.
Henke will receive a total of $74,592 and will be employed for 12 months for the 2000-01 school year. The portion of Henke's salary from local funds was $3,600 this past year; however, the local component of Henke's pay will increase because the state portion will be based on a 10-month assistant principal's salary, rather than a 12-month principal's salary, Burrell said.
Both the superintendent and finance officer said Henke's local supplement could not be figured until after the Legislature sets salaries for the upcoming school year.
Burrell said he "was certainly glad to have Kenny come back into the school system. It's great for us to have him back."
Nicholson, a self-admitted workaholic, said, "The good news is that I am younger than I thought I was because retirement just wasn't for me."
This past year has been enjoyable for him, Nicholson said, working part-time at Western Carolina University and substituting at the high school.
"Actually I worked more this past year with the two jobs than I would have in just one," he said. "But it made me realize how much I missed the kids. I thought I could retire and not miss them, but it didn't happen."
Pleased with the team in place at the high school, Burrell said he also feels good about Scotts Creek's new team of Fernandez, who will receive her doctorate within a year, and Jones.
"She and Steve (Jones) will be the team to move into new Scotts Creek School. There's a possibility the move could take place late in the school year (late April). It's easier to move with the kids than without them," Burrell said.
Based on current state salary figures, Fernandez will receive $46,536. No local supplement is included in her contract, Steinbicker said.
Jones will be paid according to state scale. At current salary levels he would earn $39,479; however his salary, like that of Fernandez, will increase if the Legislature approves a raise for school personnel. Local money will be used for one month of his 11-month employment, Steinbicker said, because the state only funds assistant principal positions for 10 months.
McMurray has a year left on her principal's contract, which pays her $68,967. No local funds go toward her salary at this time, Steinbicker said
"(McMurray) has worked in a central office before in her career. Testing has taken on a whole new look the past few years, but I'm sure she'll be able to do that. I think she's looking forward to it," Burrell said.
"Nancy has done testing before, and we felt that was probably a better fit for her," Queen said. "We have a lot of confidence in Wanda Fernandez and feel that she and Steve Jones will be a good combination for Scotts Creek."
On Pannell's move to Fairview as a teacher, Burrell responded, "That's what she asked to do." Pannell gave up her administrative contract and will be paid as a teacher according to state scale, Burrell said.
The board is in the process of advertising for the assistant's job at Blue Ridge.
Assistant Editor Carey Phillips and Associate Editor Lynn Hotaling contributed to this report.
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