Haywood County school board approves nutrition contracts, budgets, facility projects and names Tuscola complex for Jody Ward

The Haywood County Schools Board of Education on a single consent and business docket approved multiple contracts, budget resolutions and facilities projects and voted to name the Tuscola High School baseball and softball complex the Jody Ward Memorial Athletic Complex.

The board voted to award the Child Nutrition beverage contract to Pepsi and approved several contract extensions for milk, chemicals, food-supply, produce and ice cream vendors. Members also voted to continue offering free meals for all schools under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the coming school year.

Board members approved a set of capital expenditures and change orders: replacement of a gym floor at Meadowbrook Elementary (Carolina Hardwood, $159,608; insurance to pay $149,687.90; $9,920.10 to be paid from capital funds), purchase of two mowers and four weed-eaters ($21,356.46), and a $14,000 change order to widen the Waynesville Middle School parking lot. They accepted an at‑no‑cost scoreboard replacement at Bethel Middle School donated and paid for by Bethel youth with installation by district maintenance.

Administrators presented program plans and curriculum purchases. The board approved the two-year Career and Technical Education (CTE) plan signature page and the revised AIG (Academically or Intellectually Gifted) plan, both slated for implementation next school year. The board also approved a middle‑school science program and associated kits and digital content, with an initial package priced at about $140,000 to be paid from textbook funds.

On finance, the board approved monthly finance reports, budget amendment No. 8 and a resolution…