Votes at a glance: Haywood County Schools board approves land purchases, renovations, paving contracts, safety and maintenance contracts

The Haywood County Schools Board of Education voted on a slate of procurement, maintenance, capital and budget items at its May meeting. Most motions carried unanimously; two motions passed 7–1.

Key approvals

- Land purchases: The board approved the purchase of three parcels (PINs cited on the record) for a combined price of $648,500, to be paid from capital funds. The motion passed 7–1.

- Innovative middle‑school renovations at Haywood Community College campus: The board approved renovations not to exceed $900,000, subject to reaching an acceptable multi‑year contract term; funding to come from capital funds. The motion carried unanimously.

- Parking‑lot and paving contracts: WNC Paving was approved to complete Tuscola High School’s lower parking lot for $216,000 charged to 2025 and 2026 capital funds, and to complete Waynesville Middle School Parking Lot A for $71,000 charged to 2026 capital funds. Both motions carried unanimously.

- Safety and access control: TechWorks was approved for $46,680 to complete access control upgrades for elementary main entrances using previously awarded school‑safety grant funds. Motion carried unanimously.

- Maintenance and site services: The board approved multiple maintenance and safety contracts including: • Valley Fire Extinguisher Service LLC for kitchen‑hood cleaning across district schools (amount recorded on the floor as about $6,375) charged to district maintenance; motion carried unanimously. • AstroTurf Corporation for required G‑Max testing at three schools, $3,600 from the maintenance budget; unanimously approved. • King’s Third Emergency Communications for elevator and lift cellular communications, $3,458.76 from maintenance funds; unanimously approved. • Norman’s HVAC for replacement/repair at Pisgah Memorial Stadium halftime room, $14,500 using FEMA funds; unanimously approved.

- Surplus property: The board approved multiple surplus actions (Coats 7065 rim clamp tire machine, Coats 1250 laser tire balancer and a 2000 Ford Taurus) with reserves listed on govdeals; motions carried unanimously.

- Debris‑monitoring and fence repairs: The board authorized debris‑cleanup monitoring not to exceed $10,000 paid from FEMA funds and fence repairs at two sites not to exceed $60,100 covered by insurance; both motions carried unanimously.

- Tuscola gym floor artwork: The board approved new artwork for the Tuscola gym floor at no cost to the district; the motion carried 7–1.

Finance, budget and personnel

- The board approved the monthly financial report, budget amendment No. 7 for fiscal year 2025 and a 2024–25 supplemental package for teacher compensation. All three finance actions carried unanimously.

- Personnel: The board approved a slate of personnel actions including new hires, separations and leaves as presented; the motion carried unanimously.

Routine approvals

- The board approved the April 7 regular‑session minutes and an annual memorandum of understanding between the Haywood County consolidated school system and the Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency; both carried unanimously.

Vote procedure and record

Most motions were moved and seconded from the board’s building and finance committees; the record shows many motions moved by Board member Kirkpatrick with seconds from Board member Rogers or Chairman Francis. When the board called roll by voice, the minutes record unanimous passage for most items (vote counts recorded in the minutes as unanimous) and two items recorded as 7–1.

The board returned to non‑action items after completing the procurement and budget votes and subsequently adjourned.