Jackson County school board keeps Jackson Community School at current site; approves budget amendment, audit contract, summer testing and several routine items

The Jackson County Board of Education on Feb. 24 voted to keep Jackson Community School (the district’s alternative/community program) at its current location and to pursue enrollment growth and facility repairs rather than immediately relocating the program to the Smoky Mountain High School campus.

The board acted after a community listening session that included students and staff; multiple board members said they heard overwhelmingly from the community that the school should remain in a separate location to allow for growth and to preserve the program’s culture.

Why it matters: Board members said the alternative program’s culture and room for individualized instruction are critical to students who benefit from a smaller, different learning environment. The district also discussed facility repairs and the need to balance per‑student costs at smaller schools against the program’s educational benefits.

Key discussion and vote

Board members described community input gathered at a March listening session and a separate meeting at Jackson Community School. Chair Wes Jamieson and several board members said the public’s preference was to keep the school in its present site and focus on recruitment; one long‑serving board member who said they had written the grant that established the original program urged keeping the location to preserve the school’s culture.

A motion to keep Jackson Community School at its current location and to explore recruitment and program changes was moved and seconded and passed with the board voting in the affirmative.

Votes at a glance (formal actions recorded Feb. 24)

- Jackson Community School location — Motion: “Jackson Community School remain in its current location, and we look at ways to recruit and revamp the school.” Mover: Board member (unnamed in transcript). Second: another board member. Outcome: approved.

- Budget amendment No. 6 to the 2025 budget resolution — Motion to approve amendment No. 6 (covers State Public School fund, federal grants, and capital outlay). Outcome: approved.

- Renew 2025–26 audit engagement with Anderson, Smith & Wack — Motion to approve the 2025–26 audit engagement letter and contract. Outcome: approved.

- Summer testing program plan (summer administration of EOGs/EOCs) — Motion to approve the district’s summer testing plan, enabling remediation and summer retake opportunities (remediation sessions and retest immediately following the last student day). Outcome: approved.

- Purchase of Avigilon security camera server — Motion to approve purchase to add storage and use with new cameras. Cost cited: $30,212.66; $25,000 of that cost to be covered by the county’s annual security budget. Outcome: approved.

- Field trips (several schools and groups) — Motion to approve five field trips including JROTC overnight, Smoky Mountain High School juniors to NC State, Dollywood for seniors and other listed trips. Outcome: approved.

- Personnel action agenda (action taken following closed session) — Motion to approve personnel action agenda as presented. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution to remain nonpartisan — Motion to amend the agenda to add and approve a resolution urging the state legislature not to convert school board elections to partisan contests; the board approved the resolution and planned to send it to the county’s legislative delegation. Outcome: approved.

Other business and context

Superintendent Dr. Harris reported on school priorities, including the need for a new traditional middle school (a 30‑plus acre site search), athletic complex and bus garage remodel; he also noted the system’s successful federal programs audit and thanked staff for the work to prepare for the review. Finance staff presented an unaudited financial statement showing the district operating within its approved budget resolution. The district’s testing director, Adam Holt (presented by staff), described the summer testing schedule: three short remediation days with a fourth day to retake tests, scheduled immediately after the last regular student day.

Ending

Board members thanked the students, staff and community for input on the Jackson Community School decision. The board set its next regular meeting for March 25 at 6 p.m. at Jackson Community School and adjourned after approving the evening’s agenda additions and motions.