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Local ABC average falls below region

By Lynn Hotaling
When compared to those of nearby school systems, Jackson County's ABC scores rank dead last, local school officials Monday (Aug. 28).

Based on composite scores, Jackson County's score of 74.95 ranks below Transylvania (85.36), Macon (81.46), Haywood (80.54), Buncombe (79.83), Henderson (79.38) and Swain (77.75).

"I'm not here to give excuses as to why we're not making it,² Assistant Superintendent Nancy Sherrill told members of the school board. "We're going to try to put other strategies in place. I think what keeps us down is low expectations. Working harder is not always working smarter, and we need to work smarter."

Principals have been asked to identify ways to improve test scores and will discuss their ideas with school board members during an all-day work session Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the Grassy Creek retreat belonging to the family of school board member Mary Jane Dillard. That meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue into the evening.

Individual ABC scores for all Jackson County schools were reported in the Aug. 10 edition of The Sylva Herald and are available online.

In other business Monday:

  • Board members re-elected Martha Queen as school board chairman and James Roper school board vice chairman.
  • No action was taken on a request from Cullowhee Valley parent Larry Hammer that the board appoint a technology committee to determine the needs of the school system before the Nov. 1 filing of the county's technology plan with state officials.
  • Board members approved the continuation of a contract with Employee Assistance Network, which will provide personal assistance to employees in a variety of situations at a cost of $5,000.
  • Board members discussed the possibility of riding school buses on some of the county's longer routes in order to get a feel for the trips made by students each day, but did not schedule any rides.
  • The application for Federal Assistance for Handicapped Children IDEA VI-B, prepared by Lynn Dillard, exceptional children's coordinator, was approved by the board.
  • In personnel action, board members approved retirement with interim contracts for Smoky Mountain High teacher Barbara Fulmer and county computer coordinator Larry Tucker.
    • Board members approved the employment of Audrey Rice, custodian, Barbara Holden, third-grade teacher, and Frances Beck, teacher assistant, all at Blue Ridge; Michael Faulkner, custodian, SMHS; Calvin Coley, mechanic, school bus garage; Kelly Wagoner and Sarah Bradley, after school program, and Tom McConnell, custodian, all at Smokey Mountain Elementary; Vyanne Cogdill, instructional tutor, and Mary Woodard, bus driver, Scotts Creek; Judy Parris, cafeteria assistant, Fairview; Charles Cochran, bus driver; and Karin Parramore, Cornelia Cree and Kenneith Hollingsworth, part-time instructors, Marlene Franks and Lisa Franks, part-time group facilitators, all at Comprehensive School of Alternatives.

    Approved as coaches were John Douthit, soccer, and Caroline Trine and Natasha Parker, volleyball, all at Fairview.

    Approved for tenure was Barry Weldin, school psychologist.

    Approved as substitute teachers were Julia Brown, Nelma Bryson, Anne Centers, Norma Cole, Jean Davis, Sherrie Dillard, Terri Drucker, Cindy Ensley, Katie Hankinson, Mary Hensel, David Hepp, Kim Jones, Edward Murphy, Michelle Outlaw, Andrea Queen, Dion Rocquemore, Buddy Sanders, Cantherine Sennyey, Stephanie Smathers, William Smith, Rodney Stewart, Angi West and Steven Kennedy.

    Back to Archive: 08/31/00.