PRESS RELEASE
January 12, 2023
YANCEY COUNTY SCHOOLS RECEIVES $30.2 MILLION THROUGH A NEEDS-BASED SCHOOL CAPITAL GRANT
Yancey County Schools received some great news from the NC Department of Public Instruction in early January. NCDPI has awarded grant funding of $30.2 million for renovations, repairs and additions to three YCS schools. This is in addition to the $6.6 million YCS was awarded in the Spring.
“I’m thrilled to provide Yancey County Schools with $30.2 million in funding for students and staff at Cane River Middle, Blue Ridge Elementary, and Burnsville Elementary Schools. This money will play a pivotal role in building additional classrooms to better accommodate students and improving facilities through repairs to roofing, water lines, and heating and cooling systems,” Truitt continued. “It’s no secret that students and teachers need high-quality schools in good condition to support learning, and investing in school facilities will have an indelible trickle-down effect that touches on student health, behavior, engagement, learning and growth for generations to come. I look forward to visiting these schools in the years to come and seeing how the improvements have served North Carolina students.”
“I am very appreciative of State Superintendent Catherine Truitt, State Senator Ralph Hise, our School Board Members (Edwin Fortner, Wade Dahlberg, Will Hensley, Ronnie Randolph and Cody Whitson), our County Commissioners (Jeff Whitson, David Grindstaff, Mark Ledford, Stacey McEntyre Greene and Sandi Norton), and our local grant committee members (Lynn Austin, Brandi Burleson, Jamie McMahan, Kim Bennett, Robbie Renfro, Donny Laws, Robert Branch, Derek Murphy, Edwin Fortner, Heather Cox and Xan Robinson) and all other community members who advocated for our school system. The total $36,963,824 in funding through the Needs-Based School Capital grant will positively impact the learning environments in five of our schools for our students, faculty and staff throughout our community for generations to come” stated Kathy Amos, YCS School Superintendent.
“I am beyond excited to finally be able to share what could be the greatest achievement for Yancey County Schools in our lifetimes. We have been awarded $36,963,824 through the Needs-Based School Capital Grant program. This funding will truly make possible the greatest transformation of our learning environments since the WPA schools of 1938,” stated School Board Chairman Edwin Fortner.
“Throughout this three year process there have been multitudes of dedicated people that have spoken on our behalf. Thank you State Superintendent Catherine Truitt for your genuine compassion to students and staff to make this dream a reality,” Fortner continued. “Thank you Superintendent Kathy Amos for having a vision for the future of our children and their success. Thank you to my fellow members of the Board of Education and Yancey County Board of Commissioners for your partnership that made this possible. Thank you to every staff member who worked tirelessly throughout this process.
“While there will always be those who say it is impossible. It is imperative that we remember, Where there is no vision, the people perish. Thank you to all.”
As part of Phase II of our long range facilities plan, funds will be specifically used for additions to Blue Ridge Elementary and Burnsville Elementary in order to accommodate more students. Cane River Middle School’s funds will be used for new roofs, flooring, heating and air systems, and bathroom and kitchen renovations.