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Haywood County school board approves 2025-26 budget, E‑Rate application and a package of facility and safety contracts
Summary
The Haywood County Schools Board of Education unanimously approved the 2025‑26 superintendent’s proposed budget, authorized an E‑Rate Category 2 funding application of up to $498,000 and approved several contracts and facility repairs, including stadium pole repairs and access-control installation funded by a safety grant.
The Haywood County Schools Board of Education unanimously approved the superintendent’s proposed 2025‑26 budget and a set of related funding and contract measures during its regular meeting.
Dr. Putnam, the district superintendent, asked the board to approve the 2025‑26 proposed budget. “So at this time, I would ask, for your approval of the, 2526 superintendent's proposed budget,” he said. The motion to adopt the budget passed with a unanimous vote.
The board also approved a request to apply for up to $498,000 in federal E‑Rate Category 2 funding for internal connections — wireless access points, switches and cabling — and authorized submission of FCC Form 471 and a letter of intent to a vendor chosen through the state RFP/mini‑bid process. “Tonight, I bring for your approval a request to apply for up to 498,000 in federal e rate funding for category 2 services,” said the staff member presenting the request. The district noted the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction conducted a centralized RFP on behalf of districts and that the state will reimburse the usual local 20% match for this cycle, making local expenditures unnecessary.
On facilities and school safety, the board approved three building‑and‑grounds items brought forward by the committee: surplus and sale of the old Central Haywood High School greenhouse via GovDeals with a base bid of $500; a Haynes Electric quote of $8,500 to repair a bent stadium light pole at C. Weatherby Stadium using capital outlay funds; and a $28,082.95 contract with Tech Works Inc. to install access controls at Waynesville Middle School using safety grant funds. Speakers noted the stadium pole repair is a safety measure and the access‑control work will complete fencing and electronic gate access.
Other routine financial and contract approvals included acceptance of the monthly finance reports; approval of two budget amendments for fiscal year 2025; and authorization of an audit contract with Anderson, Smith & White not to exceed $42,000 (a 3% increase from the prior year). The board also approved personnel items that included separations, new hires, status changes and coaching assignments.
Votes at a glance - Adopt 2025‑26 superintendent’s proposed budget — motion carried unanimously; mover: Mister Rogers; second: Mister Clark (detailed vote counts not specified). - Authorize E‑Rate Category 2 application (FCC Form 471) up to $498,000 and send letter of intent — motion carried unanimously; mover: Mister Clark; second: Mister Rogers (detailed vote counts not specified). - Approve Anderson, Smith & White audit contract, not to exceed $42,000 — motion carried unanimously; mover: Mister Nevis; second: not specified. - Approve budget amendments (items 4 and 5) for FY 2025 — motion carried unanimously; mover: Mister Clark; second: Mister Kirkpatrick (detailed vote counts not specified). - Approve surplus/sale of old Central Haywood High School greenhouse via GovDeals (base bid $500) — motion carried unanimously; mover: Miss Kirkpatrick; second: not specified. - Approve Haynes Electric quote $8,500 to repair stadium pole at C. Weatherby Stadium (capital outlay) — motion carried unanimously; mover: Miss Kirkpatrick; second: not specified. - Approve Tech Works Inc. quote $28,082.95 for access controls at Waynesville Middle School (safety grant funds) — motion carried unanimously; mover: Miss Kirkpatrick; second: not specified. - Approve monthly finance reports — motion carried unanimously; mover: Mister Clark; second: Mister Henson. - Approve independent evaluation contract for an EC student — motion carried unanimously; mover: Mister Rogers; second: Mister Clark. - Approve proposed graduation dates for 2025 (Haywood Early College, Pisgah, Tuscola, Central Haywood, Haywood Community Learning Center) — motion carried unanimously; mover: Mister Rogers; second: Miss Morris. - Approve Books on Break partial funding using Title I funds (with support from Haywood County Schools Foundation and Book Harvest) — motion carried unanimously; mover: Mister Clark; second: not specified. - Approve 2024‑25 summer program plan (remediation and re‑testing opportunities) — motion carried unanimously; mover: Mister Nesbitt; second: not specified. - Approve personnel items (employments, separations, leaves, coaches, volunteers) — motion carried unanimously.
Board members and staff who moved or seconded motions spoke briefly about the items during routine discussion; no roll‑call tallies were read aloud and vote counts were recorded in the meeting audio as “motion carries unanimously” or similar. Where the transcript did not specify a mover or seconder, the article lists that information as not specified.
The board meeting packet and budget documents are available from the district for members of the public who requested more detail. The board adjourned after completing the evening’s agenda.
