If Central Elementary closes, a private school might want it

fr centralHaywood School leaders have avoided talking about what would become of the 1950s-era school building that houses Central Elementary if it closes, saying it would be premature until a final decision is made.

From the heart: Parents, teachers and students plead to save Central Elementary from closing

coverAround 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

schoolsBy 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

op frBy 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.

The ingredients of the good life

art frRicardo Fernandez is a renowned chef, master gardener and also a former national diving champion, but there’s one thing he can’t do.

“I’ve tried to get my hair to grow back, but it doesn’t work,” he laughed.

Central supporters appeal for solution instead of closing

fr appealMany of the speakers at a public hearing on whether to close Central Elementary School in Waynesville urged Haywood County School board members to think outside the box and find another way to solve the budget shortfall.

Central on the chopping block: who’s to blame?

fr centralblameCentral Elementary School has become a rallying cry for advocates of public education across the state.

Deputies intervene during tense moment at shooting range hearing

fr hearingremovedA public hearing on an outdoor shooting range moratorium in Haywood County got off to a dicey start this week.

Haywood mulls rules on outdoor shooting ranges

fr shootingrangeOutdoor shooting ranges could soon be under the microscope in Haywood County.

Gallery: ‘Save Our School’ crowd marches in support of Central Elementary

fr centralmarchWaynesville’s youngest public demonstrators — along with their parents and teachers — took to the streets last week to show their love for Central Elementary School, a Waynesville institution that could shut down to as a result of a massive budget shortfall facing the school system.

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