Jill Barker

The District Improvement Plan focuses on three core priorities: eliminating opportunity gaps, improving school and district performance, and increasing educator preparedness. Key objectives include decreasing exclusionary discipline practices, improving school climate, increasing Pre-K enrollment, reducing high school dropout rates and college remedial courses, and enhancing student engagement and attendance. It also aims to allocate resources effectively, improve student proficiency in ELA, math, and science, and increase administrative engagement. Furthermore, the plan seeks to increase culturally-relevant resources for educators, provide more mentors, strengthen partnerships with educator preparation programs, and optimize the school calendar for professional development.

This District Improvement Plan outlines key priorities to enhance educational outcomes. It focuses on eliminating opportunity gaps by 2027, including reducing exclusionary disciplinary practices and improving school climate. The plan also aims to improve school and district performance by 2027 through increased administrative visibility, clear career pathways for students, and effective multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS). Finally, it seeks to increase educator preparedness by optimizing the school calendar for professional development and aligning assessment periods with student needs.

The Haywood County Board of Education meeting included discussions and approvals related to various topics. The board approved the Central Haywood High School's Alternative School's Modified Accountability System Participation, several contracts, and multiple policies. Additionally, motions were approved for the surplus of School Food Services items, the addition of a chicken coop at Haywood Community Learning Center, roof replacement and gym floor amendment at Meadowbrook Elementary School, HVAC replacement at Pisgah High School, and the display of advertisement decals on Tuscola High School's gym floor. The board also approved the regular monthly finance reports, budget amendment, and several insurance plans. Personnel matters, including employment, status changes, and coaching positions, were also addressed.

The Haywood County Board of Education meeting included announcements regarding Book Harvest Funding, upcoming meetings, the Haywood County Schools Art Show, and graduation dates. The board recognized Drone Day School Winners, High School FIRST North Carolina Robotics Team members, and Merit Scholarship Recipients from Pisgah and Tuscola High Schools. The board also recognized Pisgah and Tuscola High School WNC All-District Band Students and Mars Hill University Honor Band Students, as well as Bethel and Canton Middle School WNC All-District Band Students and Waynesville Middle School WNC All-District Band Students. Approvals were granted for various agreements, including the Haywood County Consolidated School System and Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency Agreement. The board approved the motion to surplus equipment on GovDeals, a contract for kitchen hood cleaning, paving projects at Tuscola High School and Waynesville Middle School, Gmax testing, elevator cellular communicators, and a system-wide elementary schools access control. Additional approvals included splitting a parcel of land, a notice to proceed for Hurricane Helene debris clean up, fence work, HVAC repairs, artwork for Tuscola Gym Floor, purchase of land parcels, and renovation of a building for Haywood County Schools Innovative Middle School. The board approved the regular monthly finance reports, Budget Amendment #7 for Fiscal Year 2025, the 2024-2025 Supplemental Funds for Teacher Compensation Plan, and personnel actions.

The strategic plan focuses on globally competitive students through exploring organizational structures, maintaining transition programs, and investing in STEM education. It aims to develop twenty-first-century professionals by creating a professional development committee and providing equitable access to technology. The plan also emphasizes healthy and responsible students by partnering with community organizations and realigning cafeteria practices. Furthermore, it seeks to improve leadership and innovation through needs assessments and business advisory councils, and enhance twenty-first-century systems by improving wireless access and communication.