School Board supports state bond measure
By Carla Gwaltney Owens

Clay County School Board Members voted unanimously in favor of a resolution in support of a statewide bond referendum which would provide money for capital improvements to school systems across the State of North Carolina. Clay County Schools is currently in need of money to construct a new school to provide room for its growing student body.

Penland told the board that after attending a recent hearing held in Asheville to show support for the bond referendum he proposed a resolution be passed by the school board supporting a bond referendum. The board will sign the resolution which states that school construction needs in Clay County are estimated at $6 million to build a new primary school for the growing student population, which has been on the rise for the past several years. Currently, Hayesville Elementary School is out of space and if yearly growth continues they will not have adequate classroom space necessary to house students.

The bond referendum must be passed by the North Carolina Legislature and placed on a statewide ballot for a public vote. Penland said he has been in contact with both Senator John Snow and Rep. Roger West concerning the bond referendum and have asked for their support. The proposed bond referendum is a $2 billion KSee 12 Public School Facility Bond Referendum and school boards across the state are encouraging the North Carolina General Assembly to take action on the referendum this year.

In other business at Monday's school board meeting, Penland told board members that the land purchase is still a go with the county waiting on all the necessary paperwork to be completed before the actual purchase can be finalized. Penland said he hopes that the purchase of the land from the Cabe family, located directly across from the current campus adjacent to Clay County Veteran's Park, will be completed shortly and that he will let them know when it is final. Mr. and Mrs. Neal Cabe donated half of the 17-acres to be acquired by the county for the school system, with the other half being purchased by the county for $325,000. School board members also shared their great appreciation to HHS alumni Mr. Ron Beal for his generosity to the students of Clay County. Beal recently announced to members of the Hayesville High School student body the establishment of the Beal Scholarship which will provide assistance to several HHS graduates each year.

The main scholarship will be a four-year, $40,000 scholarship for a student attending a four-year university or college. A onetime, $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to the first place runnerup and a $2,500 one-time scholarship will be awarded to the second place runner-up. Third and fourth place will receive $1,000 and $500 respectively. The scholarship program also includes a one-time $1,000 grant for a graduating senior who attends a community college or technical school. Each year, a total of six scholarships will provide assistance to Hayesville students.

Beal is currently the President and CEO of Orgill, Inc., a $1 billion hardware distribution company based in Memphis, Tenn. Orgil is the largest hardware distribution company in the United States, supplying building materials to home improvement stores in the United States and overseas.

The board voted to pass a resolution officially thanking Beal for his generosity. Penland told board members that Beal's generosity is continuing as he is currently working with Dr. Gail Criss, HHS Principal, to take she and members of the HHS faculty to China on a learning trip to enhance global education. Orgil has an office in Shanghai, Criss said, and she and Beal are working with this office to coordinate the trip. Beal would pay for the trip for the local delegation of educators.

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