Haywood County Schools to pilot Spark NC at Tuscola; students can earn future computer science graduation credit
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Summary
District leaders described a Spark NC program to be hosted at Tuscola High School next year; students may begin as freshmen and, after completing modules and a capstone, the program will satisfy an upcoming computer science graduation requirement.
Haywood County Schools staff briefed the board on Spark NC, a student‑driven program that lets high‑school students explore fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and software development and build digital portfolios. The board was told the district will offer the program at Tuscola High School for the coming year and that students may begin as early as ninth grade and progress at their own pace.
Miss Barker, who presented the program, said students who complete an orientation unit, six to eight Spark NC learning modules and a capstone project will earn the upcoming computer science graduation requirement. The district said the Spark NC offering will connect students with mentors and industry experts.
Board members asked whether existing staff would teach the program and where the instruction would be located. Staff said a grant will fund initial staffing and equipment; one staff member stated the grant would cover $65,000 of a 12‑month position, and another district representative described the available funds as “well over a hundred thousand” to cover a full‑time instructor and equipment. The board was told details on ongoing funding were uncertain: the teacher position is funded for one year by the grant while the program period is structured as two years, and after the grant the district would need to incorporate the program into its CTE budget or secure other funding.
Administrators said the Spark NC lab will be located in the Tuscola media center for the first year; district staff emphasized students do not need to be certified classroom teachers to oversee the lab but must receive intensive training. Board members said Tuscola would be the only high school hosting the program in the initial year and that Pisgah had scheduling constraints that prevented student rotations there this coming year.
No vote or formal adoption was required at the work session; the presentation was informational and staff said they will return with implementation details and budget plans.
