<< Back 10/9/02 McCary thanks county board for fiscal support By Don Hendershot Jackson County schools Superintendent Mack McCary thanked commissioners for their support at the board’s Oct. 3 regular meeting. “I would like to thank you individually and as a body. In a time when many colleagues have had to back off because of budgetary concerns this board has continued to be a strong supporter,” said McCary. McCary’s thanks came after Jackson County commissioners unanimously agreed to retain Jon Court as architect and approved the board of education’s priorities for phase two construction at Smoky Mountain High School. The 2003-2004 improvement projects have a price tag of $6.85 million. There was some discussion regarding $1.25 million made available from the Scotts Creek Elementary project. The board of education proposed to use the money to convert the old Smoky Mountain High School cafeteria into offices, renovate the SMHS lobby and put a new facade on the building. “Are these the most pressing needs for that $1.25 million? Would it not be better to enlarge kindergarten classes? My first and foremost concern is about learning environments for kids,” said Jay Denton, chairman of the board of commissioners. McCary said that added classrooms and the SMHS project were both needs, but “part of the feeling was that SMHS had been waiting while other schools have had their turn [for improvements].” The consensus was to complete all projects at SMHS first. Other priorities approved for SMHS were: a building for science classrooms and laboratories; a technology center; site development, including new roads, parking areas and site lighting; window replacement; and upgrades to “A”, “B”, “C” and “D” buildings and the gymnasium. There is $5.6 million allocated for these improvements.