Gibson named Cherokee County Teacher of the Year

ANDREWS, NC – Murphy High teacher Avery Gibson was announced as the Cherokee County 2019 District Teacher of the Year during the school board’s regular meeting Oct. 10 at Andrews Middle.

The announcement was made by Kim Gibson, associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

Each school in the district voted on a teacher of the year. Those teachers were then submitted to the district committee who selected Avery Gibson as the district’s choice for 2019.

The remaining teachers of the year for each school were also recognized. They are: Sharon Perry, Andrews Elementary; Sara Beaster, Andrews High; Jenna West, Andrews Middle; Stephanie Murphy, Hiwassee Dam Elementary; Beth Sharkey, Hiwassee Dam High; Carrie Ledford, Martins Creek Elementary and Middle; Michael Noe, The Oaks Academy; Margaret Jordan, Murphy Elementary; Charlotte Hill, Murphy Middle; Shannon Palmer, Peachtree Elementary; Kelly Ensley, Ranger Elementary and Middle; and David Payne, Tri-County Early College.

Avery Gibson will now move on to compete at the regional level.

Also during the meeting, the school board approved the following Capital Project needs, as presented by John Higdon, assistant superintendent of facilities:

• Kitchen fire insurance deductible for Murphy Elementary: $5,000;
• Double-deck, full-size electric convection oven for Murphy High: $7,951;
• Insulated heated holding cabinet for Murphy High: $1,176;
• Under-counter heated holding cabinets (two) for Murphy High: $1,710;
• Drainage catch basin to remove water from Building B parking area near gym at Andrews High: $14,955; and,
• HVAC compressor in the vocation building at Murphy High: $7,297.

Finally, the school board approved a contract with Wells & West, Inc., for the new school project of the new schools of innovation as presented by Dean Shatley. The contract is “turn-key” according to Shatley, and includes the design, site preparation, and construction of the new school. Shatley also said the contract “does not include purchase of the property” or furniture that is a “non-fixture.”

The contract is for $18.5 million and was approved by the board.

The school board also approved purchasing a 27.41-acre piece of property for the new school project from Reel Family, LLC, in the amount of $822,300.

The Cherokee County Board of Education will hold a special-called meeting beginning at noon, Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the central office in Murphy.