Jackson County Board approves school and district improvement plans, multiple MOUs and a roof replacement
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Summary
The board approved district and school improvement plans, a low-bid roof replacement for the Smoky Mountain High science building, an MOU with the Department of Social Services for foster-care supports, and Indian education policies; the board also completed personnel approvals after a closed session.
At its November meeting the Jackson County Board of Education approved several routine but consequential items: district and school improvement plans documented through NCSTAR, a contract award for a roof replacement at Smoky Mountain High School’s science building, memoranda with community and county partners, and a personnel agenda following closed session.
Adam Holt presented the district and school improvement plans, which are available on the JCPS website under academics; a board member praised the plans as living documents intended to move schools from D to C/B/A ratings. The board voted to approve the plans.
Jake Buchanan explained the low-bid procurement process for replacing the science-building roof at Smoky Mountain High School, noting bids followed local and state purchasing guidelines and that the low bid was under the district estimate. Trustees approved the roof replacement contract and staff said work is expected to be scheduled to avoid the coldest winter weather where possible.
The board approved an updated memorandum of agreement with HEIGHTS to continue outpatient counseling, case management and adolescent substance-use treatment supports, and separately approved an annual memorandum of understanding with Jackson County Department of Social Services to serve students in foster care. Trustees also approved the district’s Indian Education policies and procedures, which presenters said were created in consultation with the tribe and the Indian Education Care Committee.
Before returning to open session the board amended the agenda to remove the last action item, then convened a closed session under the General Statutes cited in the meeting to discuss confidential personnel matters and attorney-client privileged topics. The board reported no action during closed session and later approved the personnel action agenda in open session. The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Dec. 16 at 6 p.m.
What happens next: Implementation steps include scheduling the roof work according to contractor timeline, carrying out the improvement-plan actions at school and district levels, and continuing MOA and MOU partnerships for the 2025–26 year; specific contract prices and personnel details were not disclosed in open session.