Energy pennies from Heaven

Cherokee School Board looks at solar energy

By: Frank Bradley
Sentinel Writer

Don’t squint now, but the Cherokee County School Board is looking seriously at the sun to save money on its on electricity bills.
A company known as Solar Energy Initiatives, Inc.(SEII) has made two presentations at recent school board meetings offering to install several acres of photovoltaic panels near the Martin’s Creek School to generate solar power projecting it could cut the school’s electricity bill by a third, saving almost $2 million over 20 years.
According to the proposal, it would not cost the county or school system a penny to install. The capital outlay cost would be borne by SEII, as would the maintenance of the panels. What it would require of the school board is to give up the use of about three and a half acres of land on which the panels would be erected.
At the Thursday school board meeting, member Erik Brinke said, “Early indications are that this proposal could be beneficial. Taking a small tract of land that is just sitting there and turn it into some real benefits. It could be a showplace for the school and an educational opportunity for students. it could be a good complement to those efforts that our schools are already doing on energy conservation,” he said.
While the school board made no definite agreement, it gave the go ahead to continue exploring efforts along these lines and decided to hold a public hearing on the matter at the December school board meeting which will be held at Martins Creek. The board further agreed to use due diligence stating it would not want to thwart educational efforts at Martins Creek.
Federal requirements for power companies to become less fossil fuel dependent have created incentives for the TVA and local power companies to develop ways conserve and to develop alternative power sources.
A highlight at the board meeting held at Ranger Elementary/Middle School, was the recognition and presentation of plaques to teachers of the year, which included: Andrews Elementary School’s Brenda Shields; Andrews High School’s Alaina Tallant; Andrews Middle School’s John Higdon; Hiwassee Dam Elementary School’s Susanne Parker; Hiwassee Dam High School’s Tom Flanagan; Marble School’s Marla Hincke; Martins Creek School’s Brenda Worley; Mountain Youth School’s Debbie Jacobs; Murphy Elementary School’s Beverly Parham; Murphy Middle School’s Erik Laney; Murphy High School’s Penny Johnson; Peachtree School’sKary McClure; Ranger School’s Kathy Green and Tri-County Early College teacher Deanna Crouch. The District teacher of the year, Kathy Green was also recognized for that accomplishment.
In other matters, the board heard reports frorm DavAnn Hubbard concerning a 21st Centurary Community Learning Centers Grant; Jodi Alverson who proposed changes to the Beginning Teacher Support Program, although as she pointed out, there aren’t many new teachers this year due to the state’s budget cuts. Bill Gaither also presented the Mountain Youth School’s Improvement Plan. Gary Wright provided the board with a facilities update. He reported that several safety issues had been resolved or were in the process of being resolved including: pulling up baseboard heaters at Andrews Elementary and replacing them with a new heat pump; the improvement to access between classrooms and the gym; also, at Martins Creek, the steps have been shored up from the school to the ball field. Also, work is underway at Marble transforming the Media Center into a classroom and furniture is being purchased for Marble and the media center at Murphy High School.
Terelle Beaver presented amendments to Capital Projects and Local Current Expense funds, which were approved. The board voted to allow the use of sales tax revenues amounting to $47,500 for needed capital projects regarding the Andrews Elementary School heating project.
The board approved several policy changes related to student records, family and medical leave and a switch in age requirements for initial entry enrollment.
Dr. Stephen Lane reported he had approved three trips to Washington D.C. next spring for students at Tri-County Early College, Martins Creek School and Murphy Middle School. Also, he announced that the Murphy High School Global Studies class will travel to Denmark during the spring break led by Jason Forrister, who visited there last year with the McClure Scholarship group.
Dr. Lane congratulated Murphy High School, which had one of the highest graduation rates for a school of its size in western North Carolina. He also talked about some changes in the high school math program from the traditional Algebra and Geometry to a more integrated approach. He mentioned there would be some Cdifficulty in implementing the program due to lack of funds for new textbooks.
He also discussed issues concerning state funding stating that he believes there will be no more cut in state funding this year and that things seem to be pretty much well in hand.
After closed session, the board announced that Randy Barnett has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the North Carolina School Board Association. Medical leave was approved for Randy Phillips, the School’s Resource Officer, from the beginning of October through November 12. The board approved the retirement request for Treacy Tatham, a teacher assistant at Peachtree School to be effective January 1st, 2010, and the resignation of Bob Hendrix as ISS coordinator at Murphy High School effective on September 15,2009.The board also approved hiring of Avery Cutshaw as a long-term substitute for Shanna Mustin, Physical Education at Marble School from November 1, 2009 until January 19, 2010. The board also approved the following bus drivers: Erik Laney, MMS; Mickey Maennle, AHS, Lance Bristol, MHS, Ray Gutierrez, MHS, Chris Reynolds, HDHS, and Jonathan Wells, Curtis Robinson and Jeff Gooch.