The following items were discussed/passed during April, 2017 by the Cherokee Central School Board of Education:
The Board met with Jim Copeland, director of Oconaluftee Job Corps, and Deb Foerst, principal of Cherokee High School, about forming a partnership that would give Cherokee High students access to several vocational programs such as Fire & Forestry, Pharmacy Tech, Electrical and Microsoft certification. The Board gave the “go ahead” to approve this partnership that will increase opportunities for our youth.
Cathy Moore, CPA at Cherokee Boys Club, updated the Board on the 2016-17 budget. Currently, the School System is $1.5 million under budget for the school year. Michael Bruce, Cherokee Schools finance director, explained his process for planning the 2017-18 budget. He will meet with all schools and department heads to assess their needs for the upcoming school year and hopefully present a very accurate forecast of next year’s budget.
Michael Bruce updated the Board on IT needs as we move toward Blended Learning. Several servers need to be replaced as they are beginning to “age out”. We have been in the new school for eight years, and it is time to start upgrading our technology.
Mr. Penland presented the School Board with a proposed school calendar for 2017-2018.
The Board discussed the need for an additional Pre-K classroom for next year. Space is an issue, but the Superintendent emphasized the importance of the Pre-K experience and is going to do everything possible to make this additional classroom a reality.
The Board received the bids to replace the turf on the football field. Medallion was the low bidder at $615,485. The Board approved Medallion to begin the project.
Mr. Penland updated the Board on the current lawsuit against FieldTurf (the company that originally installed the turf in 2009). Cherokee has joined a lawsuit (at no cost to Cherokee) in a class action suit against FieldTurf alleging that they knew they had a faulty product and continued to sell it to several schools, including Cherokee.
The Board discussed the need for handicapped buttons on all the main entry doors to the schools.
The Board discussed the upcoming interviews for a new Superintendent.
The Board approved the annual Cooperative Agreement between Cherokee and Swain County. This agreement continues to give Cherokee four additional teachers and an additional teacher assistant, plus some driver’s education funding.
The Board approved the following personnel: Kitchen Manager, Teacher for Cherokee Elementary, and Assistant Track coach
– Scott Penland, Cherokee Central Schools superintendent
