Haywood narrowly approves mask mandate

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER

At an emergency meeting Saturday, the Haywood County School Board voted 5-2 to mandate masks and enact a plan that will adjust masking policy based on the weekly averages of positive COVID-19 cases.

The decision came after a tumultuous first week of the 2021-22 school year. Due to flooding from Tropical Storm Fred, school was only in session the first two days of the week. According to Public Health Director Sarah Henderson, after just two days of inperson instruction, three positive COVID-19 cases at Tuscola High School resulted in over 60 students and staff having to quarantine. One positive case at Waynesville Middle School resulted in 27 people quarantining, a case at Hazelwood Elementary meant 25 people in quarantine, 12 students had to quarantine after one positive case at a Kinder Camp in Clyde and as of Saturday evening, there were 19 students in quarantine from Bethel Elementary.

The board held a lengthy discussion with Henderson and Haywood County Medical Director Dr. Mark Jaben. Chairman Chuck Francis asked Henderson directly whether these high quarantine numbers could have been avoided with the requirement of a face covering.

“Yes sir. If our students were in a setting where everyone was universally masked, meaning that everybody in the class were masked, those who are positive would be isolated, but the other students in the class would not be considered close contacts. So the remainder of those classes would have been able to go back to face-to-face instruction as long as they were wearing face coverings,” said Henderson.

When masks were optional for students in Haywood County Schools, teachers were expected to make seating charts to determine where students were in the classroom, especially in relation to a possible COVID-19 positive peer, and whether or not they were wearing a mask. Because school had just begun, many teachers had not had the chance to create seating charts or get them to administration. At that point, according to Henderson, a larger swath of students had to be considered a close contact.

“We have received some seating charts from teachers, but we’re finding that a lot of students are in classrooms where there isn’t a seating chart. At that point you have to err on the side of caution,” said Henderson.

In addition to mandating masks, the board laid out a plan that adjusts masking policy based upon weekly averages of positive COVID-19 cases, called the “Stop Slow Go” plan. The plan uses a traffic light concept with required masking on the “red” light, optional masking on the “yellow” light and mask free on the “green light.” The formula is based upon the average number of new positive cases per day on a weekly basis.

Haywood County Schools will be in the “red” when there are more than six new cases per day on a seven day rolling average. In order to move to the “yellow,” there must be three weeks of less than six new cases per day. Schools will be in the “yellow,” meaning masks are optional, when there are less than six new cases per day on a seven day rolling average. In order to move to the “green,” there must be three weeks of one new case per day or less. Schools will be in the “green,” meaning mask free, when there is less than one new case per day on a seven day rolling average.

Board member Bobby Rogers, who previously opposed a mask mandate in Haywood County Schools, noted the importance of having guidelines to know when masks would be required in schools, and when they would be optional.

“To me, when you’ve got yard lines and end zones and a scoreboard, it allows you to put politics aside. This is all about keeping children in school, giving them the best learning opportunity available. In that regard, I think it gives us a way to keep track, keep score and know where we’re at on the field,” said Rogers.

Currently, Haywood County Schools is at the required masking or “Mask Up” level. When the county is at the required masking level, masks are required indoors for all students, staff and visitors. Masks are required outdoors when social distancing is not possible.

“We appreciate the work and collaboration of our public health partners in developing this case-based masking plan,” said Superintendent Dr. Bill Nolte. “Using this plan should help reduce isolations and quarantines for students and staff. This should keep more of us in in-person learning which is important for academic success and social-emotional well-being.”

N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper made masks a local decision when the state mandate expired on July 31. At that time, following input from parents and a recommendation from Haywood County Health Officials that masks be mandated, the Haywood County School Board voted to make masks optional. Just a few weeks later, the board issued a statement strongly recommending students wear masks in school. Now, the board has officially reversed its decision and mandated masks for students and staff.

“Our first priority is the safety of our students, faculty, and staff as they continue to participate in in-person learning. We recognize that the situation is ever-changing and we have to overcome and adapt,” said Henderson. “Adopting this plan allows us to see the progress in our community and adjust as needed. This plan gives us an end goal and something to work toward.”

The decision created a rare split vote among board members with David Burnette and Larry Henson voting against the motion to require masks and enact the plan that adjusts masking policy based on weekly averages of positive cases. School board member Logan Nesbitt made the motion to require masks at this time, which was seconded by Rogers.

“My goal is to keep kids in the school and in-person learning,” said Francis. “We saw what a challenge it was to not have them in school. And this ‘stop, slow, go’ will give us an opportunity to at least have an end game to get us back to what we used to call somewhat normal.”

Sullivan pleads no contest in fraud charges

Brandy Lee Sullivan entered a plea of no contest Aug. 19 in Jackson County Superior Court to the felony charge of malfeasance of a corporate officer, District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said.

In a no-contest plea, the defendant does not expressly admit his guilt, but waives his right to a trial and authorizes the court to treat him as if he were guilty of the charge. Superior Court Judge Marvin Pope sentenced Sullivan, 52, to a suspended sentence of six to 17 months, along with 18 months of unsupervised probation.

Sullivan, while serving in June 2017 as chairman of the board of directors for Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad, used agency funds to falsely inflate his company’s financial condition. He transferred rescue squad funds to his company’s bank account to meet conditions of the N.C. Licensing Board for General Contractors.

Sullivan was seeking an increase from the general contractor board in his license limitations as a general contractor. He needed an unlimited license to enter into a $1.9 million building contract with the rescue squad to construct a new building. Sullivan returned the funds to the rescue squad six days after the transfer.

“He used his position to misapply funds to perpetrate fraud,” said Andy Buckner, the assistant district attorney who prosecuted the case. “The fact that he returned the returned the funds to the rescue squad does not change the nature of the fraud he committed.”

The State Bureau of Investigation led the investigation.

History presentation in Swain

Henry Chambers will be presenting “The Migration and Settlement of WNC” at the Sept. 2 meeting of the Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society.

Chambers is a native of Clay County and a descendent of the Chambers family of Chambers Creek. Although he retired from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, he has continued to be a life-long student of the history and genealogy of Western North Carolina. He is currently the President and Director of the Northshore Cemetery Association.

The presentation will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center, 45 East Ridge Drive, Bryson City. This is free and open to the public. Conversation will follow the presentation.

Jackson County TDA photo

Lace up your running shoes

The Greening Up the Mountains Annual 5k will be held at Mark Watson Park in downtown Sylva, North Carolina. Registration is $15 and can be completed online or by completing a paper form available at the Jackson County Recreation Center in Cullowhee, North Carolina. • 8 a.m. Registration • 9 a.m. Race Starts • 10 a.m. Awards Ceremony • Mark Watson Park

For additional information, please contact Jenifer Pressley at jeniferpressley@jacksonnc.org or call 828.293.3053, ext. 7.

The 24th annual Greening Up the Mountains festival will return from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, in downtown Sylva.

GUTM is a heritage arts festival that celebrates the arrival of spring through traditional and contemporary forms of Appalachian art, music, food, and beverage, which honor our community and local artisans.

Music schedule at Bridge Park:

• 10 to 10:45 a.m. — The Maggie Valley Band • 11 to 11:45 a.m. — The

Summit Church Band • Noon to 12:45 p.m. — PMA • 1 to 1:45 p.m. — Shane Meade & The Sound • 2 to 2:45 p.m. — Ol' Dirty

Bathtub • 3 to 4 p.m. — Darren & The

Buttered Toast

Jackson County TDA photo

Sponsored by the Town of Sylva and the Main Street Sylva Association, GUTM enjoys crowds upwards of 12,000 attendees and has 175 vendor booth spaces.

In addition to a variety of arts, crafts, and food vendors, attendees can enjoy a 5k run, youth talent contest, beverage arts featuring local craft breweries, and live music throughout the day.

For more information visit www.greeningupthemountains.com.

PET POLICY

Friendly dogs with leashes welcome.

PARKING

There will be a drop off area for patrons with disabilities, as well as parking in front of the Sylva Police Station on West Main Street. You can park and walk, or ride the shuttle, to the festival from two locations. The shuttle is $1 per person, each way. No pets and masks required. • Jackson County Justice & Administration Building 401 Grindstaff Cove Road, Sylva, NC 28779 • Spill over site:

Jackson Plaza 391 Jackson Plaza, Sylva, NC 28779 • Several downtown businesses and organizations are offering “pay to park” locations closer to the festival, and we encourage the patronage of these local businesses.

Two Exciting Partnerships

The GUTM Festival is excited to announce its continued partnership with the Jackson County Farmers Market, located in the Town Parking Lot next to the Bridge Park stage, and a new partnership with the Jackson Arts Market, located in the gravel parking lot next to the Sylva Herald on Main Street. Be sure to stop in and say hello to them on Aug. 28.

PMA (Positive Mental Attitude)

Shane Meade & The Sound

Ol’ Dirty Bathtub

A blend of old-time mountain, Americana and psychedelic folk music, the Haywood County group is fronted by siblings Whitney and Caroline Miller.

The duo has gone through several changes since they first set out on their melodic adventure several years ago. But, what remains is the unbreakable bond of sisterhood, something that’s become a stronghold — and strong suit — in what it will take to break into the next level of their promising careers.

“A man used to say to us, ‘But the songs are so sad.’ I think that was, and is, the point,” Caroline said. “There’s no point in singing about unrealistic and far-fetched ideas. It isn’t about running away from problems, but walking through the issues of life and dealing with difficult circumstances. It can be raw and haunting or it can be comforting — either way it’s not fake.” www.themaggievalleyband.com.

PMA (Positive Mental Attitude)

Though they’re hundreds of miles from the closest ocean, the members of Sylva-based Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) have concocted a formula of reggae/soul unique to the mountains of Western North Carolina. It’s more about an uplifting and relaxed state of mind rather than actual sandy toes and salt water.

That’s what true reggae preaches — spreading the word of inclusiveness and one-ness amid a space of different backgrounds, intents and pursuits. It’s about finding common ground within those around you. And, perhaps, letting the troubles of the day slowly fall from your current physical and emotional location, ultimately dissolving into the dirt beneath your feet.

“Our music is full of inspiration from these mountains. Water, mountain landscapes, nature, trails. They all take part in the inspiration process for us. We are proud to call Sylva home and our sound could not be what it is without this town,” said guitarist Miller Watson. “It’s also really cool to see the similarities in bluegrass music and reggae and how they took shape from the development of African banjo. It’s also nice to bring a touch of reggae to these mountains.” www.facebook.com/pmamusic.

A beloved singer-songwriter based out of Tampa, Florida, Shane Meade & The Sound is a soul-infused folk/rock act, one with dashes of funk and jazz. Through a diverse mix of acoustic and full-band performances, the group combines infectious vocals with feel good grooves, and has the uncanny ability of turning even the largest of venues into an intimate musical experience.

The ensemble has appeared in lineups with the likes of Edwin McCain, Michael Glabicki & Rusted Root, Yonder Mountain String Band, Tim Reynolds, and Robert Randolph & The Family Band, to name a few. www.shanemeade.com.

Ol’ Dirty Bathtub

Based out of Jackson County, Ol’ Dirty Bathtub is a rollicking musical act, one where the lines between bluegrass, folk and Americana are blurred. Part mountain heritage, part blue-collar work ethic, part cosmic wanderlust, the quintet put forth its whirlwind sounds on its debut album, “Pack Mule” (Bee Hive Records).

Like most string acts, each member of ODB has a day job (lawyer, community gardener, journalist, small business owner, etc.) with the music played — onstage at breweries or on a front porch in the backwoods — being the sweet reward at the end of another long and arduous workweek.

“We’ve always had energy when playing on someone’s porch, but on several occasions lately we have been able to replicate it live,” said guitarist Jerad Davis. “And that’s what makes this fun — people dancing, rooms getting hot, creating an atmosphere that is as fun for those listening as it is for us onstage.” www.facebook.com/oldirtybathtub.

Darren & The Buttered Toast

Based of our Raleigh, Darren & The Buttered Toast have strong Jackson County roots, as lead singer-songwriter Darren Curtis went to Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.

Focused on a seamless blend of funk, soul, R&B and rock music, the quartet is a fiery stage act, one with a presence that radiates a sense of connectivity and passion between those onstage and in the audience. www.dbtoast.com.