Lawsuit filed over closure of Central Elementary
A lawsuit was filed this week against the Haywood County School Board alleges ulterior motives were at play for closing Central Elementary School and that school officials engaged in a concerted, secretive effort to keep the impending closure of the school off the public’s radar, ultimately violating state statutes.
Budget cuts for assistant coaches reconsidered following backlash
Budget cuts impacting assistant coaches at the middle and high school level will likely be restored in Haywood County Schools following public outcry from the youth athletics community.
Haywood Schools aim to keep standards high despite budget challenges
Haywood County commissioners are once again standing by their commitment to public education, making good on a long-standing pledge to be one of the top counties in the state in local school funding.
Parents feel railroaded in Central Elementary closure
A study conducted by Haywood County Schools justifying the closure of Central Elementary School was a sham and failed to meet state requirements for a school closure, two speakers argued before the Haywood County School Board last week.
Republican legislature castigated for its role in Haywood school budget woes
State Republican lawmakers were strongly chastised for penning Central Elementary School’s death warrant during a rally prior to the Haywood County School board meeting last week.
Budget cuts to shutter Central Elementary School: Haywood School board says it was the only option
Parents, students and teachers of Central Elementary School in Waynesville made a desperate and impassioned final stand to save their beloved school last week, but to no avail.
No lifeline for Haywood School budget shortfall
Haywood County commissioners deflected calls from the public this week that they should step in and help the school system out of its budget dilemma.
From the heart: Parents, teachers and students plead to save Central Elementary from closing
Around 300 supporters of Central Elementary School in Waynesville packed into the school cafeteria Wednesday evening and made a heart-wrenching appeal to the Haywood County School Board not to close the school.
SEE ALSO:
• ‘Save Our School’ crowd marches in support of Central Elementary
• Central on the chopping block: who’s to blame?
• Central supporters appeal for solution instead of closing
Dozens of children, parents and teachers spoke during the emotional public hearing.
GOP policies to blame for Central closing
By Jimmy Rogers • Guest Columnist
If Central Elementary in Waynesville is forced to close because of budget cuts and losing enrollment to charter schools, Haywood County will know who to thank — politicians like Rep. Michele Presnell, R-Burnsville, who have voted time and time again for budgets that shortchange our public schools in order to keep tax breaks for folks at the top.
Let’s ease off the throttle on Central closing
By John Sanderson • Guest Columnist
I have hesitated to make a comment about this issue, because I know personally most of the people who will be involved in making a decision about closing Central Elementary School, and I do not wish to offend or unfairly criticize any of those who bear the heavy burden of making a decision in this matter. But I was the principal at Central Elementary School for 17 genuinely wonderful years until I retired in 2008, and I have an emotional connection to this school and the families Central has served so well for so many years. I do feel a need, therefore, to offer a few thoughts about the possible closing of Central Elementary.
