By Marla Dalrymple
Contributing Writer

Franklin High School girls basketball team was recognized at the meeting for having the most wins in 25 years. Board Chairman Donnie Edwards is pictured holding the award.

According to Superintendent Dan Brigman, “Five involuntary transfers have been expedited for the upcoming academic year in an attempt to better balance our student ratios as well as recognizing some transfer requests.” Brigman stated that he has identified some of the system’s strongest professionals to assist with developing a physical education program at the new 5-6 school site and to improve programs at other locations within the district.

The Macon County Schools Employee Policy Manual indicates that forced transfers will be discussed prior to a decision being made. One teacher involved in the transfer, Sarah Lowell of Cartoogechaye Elementary School, delivered a letter of grievance to school board attorney, John Henning Jr. She requested a closed session with the board and expects to have her request granted sometime within the week.

Lowell has worked to earn several honors for the physical education program at Cartoogechaye. The school is currently the only school in the state to have received recognition from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as a demonstration school for physical education.

Superintendent Dan Brigman honors girls’ basketball coach Jay Brooks for MAC Coach of the Year and Western North Carolina Coach of the Year.

Cartoogechaye’s physical education program was also chosen out of all schools west of Asheville to receive the honor of Western Carolina University’s model clinical classroom.

The National Association of Sport and Physical Education named Cartoogechaye a STARS school, the only one in the state. According to Lowell, this is the highest award a physical education program can earn. “It is the equivalent of National Boards for a program and included a reflective 500-page portfolio,” said Lowell.

Because the aforementioned honors are earned by the staff of the physical education program, if Lowell is transferred from Cartoogechaye, the school will no longer be eligible to retain any of the honors.

“This is very disappointing as my co-teacher and I have worked very hard to earn these honors for our program, school and community,” said Lowell.

SKILLS USA state competition winners (L-R) are Barrett Beale, first place cabinet making; Brett McCaskill, first place power equipment; and Taylor Cook, fifth place welding.

During public comment at Monday’s meeting, Franklin resident Jim Pader addressed the board and asked, “Why are you dismantling the physical education program by transferring teachers?”

Another concerned member of the community, Olga Pader, said that the system needs more transparency. “We have an excellent staff here,” she said, “they need to be heard. They go above and beyond what is required and expected.”

Anne Wiggin, a physical education teacher at Cowee Elementary School, said, “Our department is known throughout the state. Please don’t destroy what we have made good.”

Board vice-chairman Tommy Cabe said that he has received several anonymous letters that express disdain for the transfers. Cabe said that all anonymous letters will go in the trash.

“This anonymous stuff is not working,” said Cabe, who agreed to meet with people willing to leave their names.

Board member Roberta Swank, who has a post office box, said that she is not hiding behind an unknown address. “I also like to work eyeball to eyeball,” she said, suggesting people come to her with their concerns. “If it’s for children, I am for it,” said Swank.

Board member Thomas Baldwin agreed that he would like for everything to be as fair as it can be. Chairman Donnie Edwards said that he feels he has been good about listening to the concerns of the people in various public places, such as Wal-Mart. “Please contact us and let us know,” he said to the crowd.

The board recognized Franklin High School’s girls’ varsity basketball team for the most wins in 25 years. Player Jena Cabe was awarded MAC player of the year, and Evan Moffitt was awarded All- Conference recognition. Coach Jay Brooks was recognized as MAC coach of the year and Western North Carolina coach of the year.

Franklin High’s vocational students were also recognized as SKILLS USA state winners. Three students qualify to go to Nationals in Kansas City in June. Vocational teacher Rick Rogers will accept donations to send the kids to competition.

Results of the annual stakeholder’s survey were announced at the meeting. The number one positive statement expressed by parents is that they respect their children’s teachers. Parents’ concerns include issues such as space for future growth, adequate financial resources to support the schools and employee salaries. Parents also expressed concern about offering suggestions to school system leadership.

Almost 900 students responded to the survey. They said that their teachers are knowledgeable, they respect their teachers and principals, and the schools are environments that promote learning. Students expressed concern over the health of school lunches; respect that students show for other students; and the cleanliness of buses. Students also said that they are concerned about offering suggestions to leadership and whether or not the school is a better place than it was one year ago.

In a facilities update, Brigman said that the amount of work that has been done at East Franklin Elementary School is “incredible.” Construction crews have been very flexible with student instructional time, he added.

Three large new kindergarten classrooms are being built with a new gymnasium to follow. Parents are invited to come by the school and view the progress anytime after 4 p.m., said Principal Terry Bradley. A revolving picture show is also on display for parents in the school lobby.

In other business

Following a closed session, the board unanimously voted to lower the sale price of the old Cartoogechaye School to $300,000 due to a lack of interest in the building.

The school bereavement policy was changed from one to three days.

The board voted to research bank services to help employees with a possible change in payment plan that would discontinue the optional 12- month pay schedule.

The board unanimously approved the contract renewal of John Henning Jr. as board attorney with no changes.

The 2008-2009 school system budget will be presented to commissioners May 1.

The week of May 5-9 is Teacher Appreciation Week.