Haywood County Schools board approves federal plans, school fees, contracts and capital projects

Chairman Francis presided over the August meeting of the Haywood County Schools Board of Education, where the board unanimously approved several district plans, fees and contracts and cleared a package of facilities repairs and personnel actions that administrators said are needed for the start of the school year.

The actions adopted at the meeting include the 2025–26 Title I plan and related federal program plans, revisions to student fees for middle and high schools and elementary schools, a 2026–27 calendar waiver, multiple services contracts (nursing, clinical supervision for mental‑health staff, language interpretation) and capital projects including HVAC replacements and a greenhouse installation. One vendor contract for districtwide waste disposal carried a single abstention because a board member disclosed a family involvement with the vendor.

Why it matters: the votes move near‑term operational items into effect for the coming school year — from fee schedules students and families will see to building repairs funded from capital allocations or grants.

The board took the following key actions. Unless otherwise noted, motions passed by voice vote with the board chair calling “motion carries unanimously.”

- The board approved the district’s 2025–26 Title I plan and related Title II, III and IV plans. The presenter asked the board to approve the Title I plan stating the funds “support our elementary schools by helping all students meet state academic standards, expanding learning time, strengthening instructional programs, and provide additional curriculum resources.” The motion was moved and seconded on the record and carried unanimously.

- The board approved middle‑ and high‑school student fees with only minor changes from the prior year; administrators said changes were marked in blue in the packet. The motion carried unanimously.

- The board approved elementary school student fees; the Haywood County Schools Foundation is providing per‑school funding based on enrollment to offset some elementary fees, the presenter said. The motion carried unanimously.

- The board approved a calendar waiver for the 2026–27 year to allow schools to begin on the Monday closest to Aug. 19. The motion carried unanimously.

- Contracts approved: New Hope Home Care for nursing services for students requiring that level of care; clinical supervision agreements to provide required supervision for LCSWs until licensure hours and exams are completed; and a language interpretation and translation service agreement to ensure parents can receive IEPs and 504 plan information in their native language during meetings. All three motions carried unanimously.

- The board approved an agreement with the state vocational services unit to provide job‑shadowing and work‑experience opportunities for students with disabilities. The presenter said the agreement is intended to support student transitions to work; the motion carried unanimously.

- Building and grounds projects approved (motions originated in the Building & Grounds committee): • Approve Henson Waste Disposal for the systemwide trash contract. Board member Henson abstained, citing a family involvement; the motion carried with one abstention. • Approve Comfort Systems USA to replace an HVAC unit at Clyde Elementary at an estimated cost of $86,645 paid from 2025–26 capital funds (motion carried unanimously). • Approve Control Specialties to replace control units and sensors for HVAC units at Junaluska Elementary at an estimated cost of $48,000 paid from 2025–26 capital funds (motion carried unanimously). • Approve ACMI to install a greenhouse at Waynesville Middle School for an estimated $69,250 using grant funds (motion carried unanimously).

- The finance committee presented and the board approved the monthly financial reports. The board also approved establishing a child‑nutrition manager substitute rate of $18 per hour. Finally, the board approved raising adult meal prices to better align with actual cost: proposed adult breakfast $2.75 (from $2.50) and adult lunch $5.50 (from $4.50). All finance items carried unanimously.

- Personnel actions: The board approved a slate of personnel transactions presented by Dr. Putnam that included 46 employments, 49 employee status changes, separations and leaves summarized in the meeting packet. The motion to approve personnel as presented carried unanimously; one separate personnel request received no motion and therefore no action was taken.

- Policies: Eight policies returned for second reading and were approved as presented; no public comments were recorded on those policies.

Quotes from the meeting included a brief acknowledgement from the chair and presenters thanking staff and the Haywood County Schools Foundation for support of fee‑offsets and community partnerships. The meeting record shows no recorded public opposition to the items voted on.

Ending note: several routine approvals on operations, contracts and capital maintenance now move into implementation; some projects are funded from capital allocations and grant funds as noted above.