A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE - Henderson County Public Schools

A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
2006-2007 ANNUAL REPORT
HCPS
Where Tomorrow Begins
HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

What’s Inside
Message From Superintendent Stephen L. Page .............................. 2
Message From Board Chairperson Ervin W. Bazzle ......................... 2
Front cover: North Henderson High
Top Scholars Logan Brackett and Christina
Storm proudly display their medals
at the Third Annual Academic Banquet.
Henderson County Board Of Public Education ............................... 3
Strategic Plan ................................................................................ 3
2006-2007 Budget ........................................................................ 4
Accreditation For System-wide Quality Schools............................... 5
Back cover: Crayon & Watercolor
March of Dimes Fundraiser
Silent Auction Item 7
Hillandale Elementary First Grade Artist
Focusing On Every Child ........................................................... 6, 7
Accountability – 2006-2007 ....................................................... 8, 9
Providing An Effective Teaching And Learning Environment .. 10, 11
Developing And Maintaining Safe, Quality Schools ....................... 12
The Henderson County Public
School System
is accredited by the
Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools.
2007-2008 HCPS Teacher Of The Year ........................................ 12
Strengthening And Facilitating Communications .......................... 13
Accolades .............................................................................. 14, 15
It is the policy of the
Henderson County Public School
System not to discriminate
on the basis of race, ethnic origin,
sex, or disability in its educational
programs, activities, or
employment policies.
Schools ....................................................................................... 16
Our Guiding Principle...The success of a child is the result of a
collaborative partnership of school, child, parents, and community.
A Standard of Excellence 1

Message From Superintendent Stephen L. Page
I am very proud of the hard work and dedication of the Henderson County Public
Schools’ teachers and staff. All twenty-one schools achieved academic growth at or
above state standards. This earned every teacher and teacher assistant a bonus from the
state. We also continue to perform at a high level under guidelines from the federal No
Child Left Behind program. Our schools achieved 342 of 347 target goals, making the
system among the top in the systems within our affinity group. We are particularly
proud of the Balfour Education Center whose students achieved high academic growth,
making this school one of only three alternative schools in North Carolina to do so.
Our Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores are also very high. We currently rank 6 th
out of 115 systems. Academic success does not just happen. As an instructional team, we
have approached teaching in a deliberate and structural way that promotes success. We
call this approach the “B-I-G 3.” First, we use Benchmark Assessments to take snapshots of student learning so we can
remediate and/or reteach in a timely manner. Secondly, we provide for daily instructional monitoring in the classrooms
in what we term as 5x5’s. That is five minutes in five classrooms every day. Research shows that frequent visits of a shorter
duration are more effective than infrequent lengthy visits. Thirdly, we have focused our staff development on researchbased
programs that we know will improve instruction. Couple the above with supportive parents and a great Board of
Public Education, and you have the necessary components for success.
Our Vision....Every student will achieve academic success while being assisted by caring, highly qualified
teachers and staff within a community that supports public education.
Message From Board Chairperson Ervin W. Bazzle
As I started this yearly message, I reviewed past messages and noticed that
they all centered on what was best for our children. This year will not be
different in that regard, but it does speak directly to the parent or parents,
or in some instances other relatives or adults who fill the role of a parent.
More is asked of you than ever before, but at no time has the effort been
more critical.
We face an effort to not only undermine public education, but also the very
idea that all children deserve an opportunity for a full and complete education.
As I end my eleventh year of service to you, I am struck by how far we have
come with limited resources. Your children have performed at or near the
very top of all students in North Carolina and in the nation. However, I also
see what more they can do if they are given a chance.
Chairperson Ervin W. Bazzle recognizing
National Board Certified teacher
Hilda Hamilton during a Board meeting.
I urge each of you to get involved in not only your child’s education, but also the education of all of our children.
Demand that elected officials make good on their promises and “walk the walk.” I know of no short cut to a quality
education. It takes commitment and sacrifice. Our teachers, counselors, administrators, and children have both of these
qualities. They deserve elected leaders who share these qualities and work to move forward. Much is left to be done.
In the words of Robert Frost, we have “miles to go before we sleep...miles to go before we sleep.”
2 A Standard of Excellence

Henderson County Board Of Public Education
Our Mission...Henderson County Public Schools will provide
all students the opportunity to learn and the encouragement to
succeed in a safe environment. We will honor the individual and
nurture the potential of all children.
The Henderson County Board of Public Education is comprised of
seven members, elected on a nonpartisan county-wide basis for fouryear
terms. The Board is guided by the Strategic Plan and Core
Values, with the primary function of establishing policies and
overseeing their implementation.
Regular business meetings are held the second Monday of each month
at the HCPS Administrative Offices on 414 Fourth Avenue West.
During the meetings, students and staff are recognized for
outstanding achievements. The public is always welcome to attend.
The Henderson County Board of Public Education members are
pictured to the right. First row left to right: Mrs. Melissa L. Maurer
(Vice Chairperson, third term), Mrs. Jane S. Orwoll (third term), Mrs. Lisa T. Edwards (first term). Second row left to right:
Mrs. Mary Louise Corn (first term), Ms. Betsy J. Copolillo (second term), Mr. Ervin W. Bazzle (Chairperson, third term), Mrs.
Debbie D. Reemes Ford (second term).
Strategic Plan
A Strategic Plan has guided the Henderson County Public School System since November 2000. Goals, objectives, and
strategies have been set that provide a means of evaluation by the Board of Public Education and school administration
of the system’s progress. Each year the School Board and school administration meet with a facilitator to evaluate the
progress made and revise or set new goals and objectives.
GOAL 1:
FOCUS ON EVERY CHILD
Objective A: Create significantly higher levels of expectations for each child
Objective B: Close the performance gap for under-performing students
Objective C: Enrich, extend and ensure mastery of the Standard Course of Study
GOAL II:
PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Objective A: Retain and recruit outstanding faculty and staff
Objective B: Enrich and extend the school counseling program
Objective C: Retain and recruit sufficient, quality support staff
GOAL III: LOWER CLASS SIZE
Objective A: Continue to implement and refine the long-range plan for lowering class size
Objective B: Provide corresponding support services and staff
Objective C: Continue to communicate the significance of lowering class size
GOAL IV: DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN SAFE, QUALITY SCHOOLS
Objective A: Plan for future construction and renovation
Objective B: Provide resources to respond quickly to maintenance and custodial needs
Objective C: Implement safe school plan
GOAL V:
STRENGTHEN AND FACILITATE COMMUNICATIONS
Objective A: Make the schools centers of the community
Objective B: Utilize technology as a major communications tool
Objective C: Develop and implement a communication plan
A Standard of Excellence 3

2006-2007 Final Budget
Local Current Expense Fund $ 22,545,219
State Public School Fund 66,898,759
Federal Grants Fund 7,838,703
Enterprise Fund:
Child Nutrition $5,877,555
Child Care 1,071,910 6,949,465
Capital Outlay Fund 4,162,353
TOTAL BUDGET $108,394,499
Budget by Object
(Service or Commodity associated with Expenditure)
Salaries and Benefits - $85,106,753 (78.52%)
Supplies and Materials - $10,954,308 (10.11%)
Purchased Services - $7,436,303 (6.86%)
Capital Outlay - $3,490,809 (3.22%)
Other - $1,406,326 (1.30%)
Budget by Purpose
(Broad Category of Expenditure)
Instructional Services - $73,249,296 (67.58%)
Supporting Services - $29,018,759 (26.77%)
Capital Outlay - $4,162,353 (3.84%)
Community Services - $1,110,788 (1.02%)
Other - $853,304 (.79%)
CATEGORY DEFINITIONS:
Instructional Services - Activities dealing directly with the teaching
of pupils and/or the interaction between teachers and pupils.
Supporting Services - services that do not directly affect the
classroom but facilitate and enhance instruction, such as child nutrition,
transportation, technology, administration, business services, and maintenance.
Capital Projects - Expenditures for the acquisition, construction or renovation of
facilities and for the purchase of equipment and vehicles.
Community Services - Services which are not directly related to the provision of
education, such as PSAM and PSPM (before- and after-school programs.)
Special Recogition: Chief Finance Officer, Kerry Shannon,
received the State Board of Education Recognition of
Achievement in Financial Resource Management for fiscal
year 2005-2006.
HCPS COMPARATIVE FINANCIAL DATA
2006-2007
Note: Henderson County ranked 18 out of
100 counties in North Carolina in per
capita income ($30,603) for 2005 (latest
comparative data available). Henderson
County’s unemployment rate of 3.7% as of
July 2007 was 1.5% below the average for
North Carolina for the same time period.
2006-2007 Final ADM
(Average Daily Membership)
12,792*
State Rank: 30 out of 115 School Systems*
2006-2007 Per Pupil Current Expenditures
(Child Nutrition Excluded):
Local Per Pupil Expenditures: $1,494.32*
State Average = $1,958
State Rank: 49 out of 115 School Systems*
State Per Pupil Expenditures
$5,159.73*
State Average = $5,686
State Rank: 91 Out of 115 School Systems*
Federal Per Pupil Expenditures
$577.86*
State Average = $599
State Rank: 68 Out of 115 School Systems*
Total Per Pupil Expenditures
$7,231.91*
State Average = $8,243
State Rank: 90 Out of 115 School Systems*
2004-2005 Per Pupil
Capital Outlay Expenditures:
Five-Year Average Capital Outlay Expenditure
Per Pupil $291.71*
State Average = $791.63
State Rank: Five-Year Average Capital Outlay
Expenditure 95 Out of 115 School Systems*
*Figures from the Department of Public Instruction
4 A Standard of Excellence

Accreditation For System-wide Quality Schools
During September and October 2006, Henderson County Public
Schools compiled an array of information about the school system’s
operations to support district accreditation through the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council on
Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). The focus of
this undertaking was to document the way in which all schools
and departments work together to:
• demonstrate improvements that impact all levels
of the school system;
• build capacity for sustaining improvements over time; and
• promote strong relationships between schools and
departments that influence improvements.
SACS CASI requires schools and school districts to respond to a set of standards with indicators for continuous improvement
of organizational conditions and effective practices. These standards were used to guide HCPS through the process of selfevaluation
and providing evidence that illustrates how improvements impact all levels of operations throughout the district
and contribute to the quality of our schools.
The challenge of earning system-wide accreditation was accepted by system level leaders because of significant improvements
already in place for:
• getting desired results through effective leadership;
• maintaining policies and practices to sustain improvements;
• putting into place resources and support systems for continuous improvement;
• providing highly qualified teachers; and
• strengthening instructional effectiveness.
These practices are powerful means for influencing student achievement based on the belief in continuous improvement. HCPS
implemented these practices through strategic planning to achieve the system’s vision for student learning.
The SACS CASI Quality Assurance Review Team of educational practitioners from across the Southeast examined the
evidences HCPS offered in support of ten SACS CASI standards for the accreditation request. In addition to evaluating the
data and documentation of the system’s improvement efforts, the three-day review included observations through school
visits to all 21 schools and interviews with a multitude of stakeholders that involved the Superintendent, School Board
members, system level and community leadership teams, school improvement teams, principals, teachers, counselors,
media specialists, PTO/PTA representatives, business partners, parents, and students.
After this intense and comprehensive examination of the way the school system functions, the Quality Assurance Review
Team recommended, “without reservation,” that the SACS CASI Board of Directors award the Henderson County Public
Schools system-wide accreditation for focusing on continuous improvement and maintaining quality schools.
CORE VALUES
● We are here for the children we serve.
● We provide a warm, inviting atmosphere
for all children.
● We believe a safe environment is
everyone’s responsibility.
● We provide effective learning through multiple
instructional strategies for all children.
● We expect honesty and integrity in all that
we do.
● Our standard is excellence.
A Standard of Excellence 5

Focusing On Every Child
To support our mission, vision, and core values, staff in the
school system strive to provide students the opportunity to
learn; to nurture the individual to reach his/her potential; and
to achieve academic success through high quality instruction.
We have embraced and are implementing a framework of
continuous improvement that is research-based, and that we
believe is proving to be very effective at increasing student
learning. These initiatives, sometimes referred to as the “B-I-G
3,” are: Benchmark assessments, Instructional monitoring, and
Growth through high quality professional development.
This focus begins with the development of “curriculum
Teachers are students too.
calendars” which provide alignment, sequencing, and pacing
of classroom instruction with the state-mandated curriculum – the Standard Course of Study. Teachers in the school
system developed curriculum calendars in reading and math in grades 3-8 and in ten high school courses that have state
assessments. The curriculum calendars provide scope, sequence, and pacing for teachers as they work through the school
year. Teachers are also involved in the design and development of benchmark assessments that provide diagnostic data
used to make instructional decisions. Benchmark assessments are given to students at specified intervals throughout the
school year with the goal of assisting teachers, students, and parents to quickly capture and identify skill concepts that
individual students have mastered and those for which the student
needs additional support. Subsequently, teachers then work
collaboratively to design lessons and provide interventions to support
student learning.
All schools are in the process of completing a four-day professional
development series that focuses on research-based instructional practices
proven to provide the most positive impact on student learning.
Instructional coaches are a resource to the classroom teacher, and they
provide on-going and job-embedded follow-up to professional
development. They also assist teachers with lesson plan development
and a variety of other teacher support methods. School administrators
monitor daily classroom instruction using a model that focuses on
observing identified evidences of student learning.
DID YOU KNOW?????
Ethnic distribution 2006-2007:
Caucasian 77.24%
Hispanic 13.19%
African/American 3.94%
Multi-racial 3.88%
Asian 1.32%
American Indian 0.34%
Average class size in grades K-2
is 19 students.
Class of 2007 had 816 graduates; 147 were North Carolina Scholars
Plans after graduation for the Class of 2006-2007:
Post-secondary education 84.44% Military 3.19%
Four-year college 42.65% Employment 12.13%
Vocational/tech school 41.79% Other 0.03%
HCPS 2005-2006 dropout rate for grades 9-12 was 3.87%, the lowest in
the Western Region. To aid in dropout prevention, a freshman transition
program was introduced in the high schools during 2006-2007. When is a
student considered a dropout? A student is a dropout if he/she was enrolled in
school some time during the previous year; was NOT enrolled on Day 20 of the
following school year; has not graduated from high school; and has not transferred
to another public school, private, or home school.
6 A Standard of Excellence

Focusing On Every Child
The Henderson County Public School System has an excellent Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program, and student
achievement results on state CTE assessments continue to rank HCPS in the top ten school systems in the state. The goal
of this program is to prepare students for a diverse and challenging future. There are nine Career and Technical Education
Program areas – Agriculture, Business, Career Development, Cosmetology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health
Occupations, Marketing, Technology, and Trade and Industrial Education.
There is no better way to learn about a career than to experience it first hand.
HCPS has three work-based programs available for high school students – Internship,
Apprenticeship, and Shadowing. During the 2006-2007 school year, 87 high
school students participated in work-based opportunities. Intense focus was placed
on the internship program because students can receive a high school credit and
spend 180 hours in the business or industry learning about many aspects of that
career. Becky Varnadore oversees this program and assigns each student a schoolbased
mentor, a teacher, who maintains frequent contact with the student to
ensure the internship is a productive experience.
Apprenticeship combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training whereby an
apprentice works closely with a skilled worker called a “journeyman” to become
competent in all aspects of an occupation. The apprenticeship is a coordinated effort
between the student, parents, high school, employer, and the North Carolina
Department of Labor.
Career shadowing allows a high school senior to explore a career option by
spending several hours with a host employer in a business, industry, or profession.
The host employer performs normal work activities while the student observes,
asks questions, and gains first-hand knowledge of the workplace.
A new program added during 2006-2007 was the
Machining Apprenticeship that is registered with
the Department of Labor. Between the sophomore
and junior years, the student will shadow for one
week at either AlphaTech or Western Carolina Tool
& Mold to determine if machining is something in
which he/she is truly interested. In the 11 th grade,
the student will enroll in the Huskins machining
program at Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC)
and participate in an extended summer internship
which is a paid experience. During the senior
year, the student continues with the BRCC Huskins
program and the machining apprenticeship; and
after graduation, the student will continue the
apprenticeship until completed.
“Without a doubt, the best
opportunity ever presented to me
was to spend my senior year
working, through the
Apprenticeship Program, in a field
in which I wanted to make a
career. I was able to try new
things and explore parts of the
business I never could have, in a
classroom setting. I have been a
part of HPC Hendersonville
Printing Company) for three years
now, and know this is what I
want to do for my vocation. I am
very thankful for the opportunity I
was given as a senior to take part
in the Apprenticeship Program. It
has made a huge difference in my
life. I would not have been where I
am now without this opportunity.
Thanks to everyone who has
helped make my choice of career a
possibility.”
—Keli Speranza Benton
“My apprenticeship helped
me confirm my career
choice.” --quote from
Jeffrey Harris, shown
above at work at the
Biltmore Estate.
DID YOU KNOW?????
In 2006-2007, 143 Career and Technical Education Scholars were recognized. A CTE
Scholar must have a 3.25 GPA in all CTE courses taken and a 3.00 unweighted GPA
cumulative overall. The purpose of the program is to identify and recognize students
who have excelled in career and technical education.
A Standard of Excellence 7

Accountability - 2006-2007
2006-2007 ABCs of Public Education
and
No Child Left Behind Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
NCLB Status ABCs Status Recognition
School Met Targets Performance Met Expected Met High Category
AYP Met Composite Growth Growth
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Atkinson Yes 13 of 13 85.3% Yes Yes School of Distinction
Bruce Drysdale Yes 19 of 19 72.2% Yes No School of Progress
Clear Creek No 20 of 21 75.5% Yes No School of Progress
Dana Yes 15 of 15 77.3% Yes No School of Progress
Edneyville Yes 17 of 17 80.3% Yes No School of Distinction
Etowah Yes 17 of 17 85.6% Yes Yes School of Distinction
Fletcher Yes 13 of 13 81.6% Yes No School of Distinction
Glenn C. Marlow Yes 13 of 13 84.8% Yes Yes School of Distinction
Hendersonville Yes 13 of 13 95.8% Yes Yes Honor School of Excellence
Hillandale Yes 19 of 19 79.4% Yes No School of Progress
Mills River Yes 13 of 13 88.3% Yes Yes School of Distinction
Upward Yes 19 of 19 72.0% Yes No School of Progress
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Apple Valley No 27 of 29 81.6% Yes No School of Distinction
Flat Rock No 23 of 25 84.0% Yes No School of Distinction
Hendersonville Yes 25 of 25 87.8% Yes No School of Distinction
Rugby Yes 21 of 21 89.6% Yes Yes School of Distinction
HIGH SCHOOLS
East Henderson Yes 13 of 13 71.6% Yes Yes School of Progress
Hendersonville Yes 13 of 13 80.5% Yes Yes School of Distinction
North Henderson Yes 13 of 13 73.7% Yes Yes School of Progress
West Henderson Yes 13 of 13 79.8% Yes Yes School of Progress
EDUCATION CENTER
Balfour Yes 3 of 3 33.6% Yes Yes High Growth (only 1 of 3
alternative schools in state to achieve this status)
District-wide AYP
98.5% (342/347) of all AYP targets in all schools were met
Henderson County Public Schools is out of LEA Improvement for both reading and math!
8 A Standard of Excellence

Accountability - 2006-2007
ABCs Awards and Recognition Categories and Definitions:
Honor School of Excellence – 90-100% of students performing at or above Achievement Level III, the school
made expected growth or high growth, and met AYP.
School of Excellence – 90-100% of students performing at or above Achievement Level III and the school made
expected growth or high growth.
School of Distinction – 80-89% of students performing at or above Achievement Level III and the school made
expected growth or high growth.
School of Progress – 60-79% of students performing at or above Achievement Level III and the school made
expected growth or high growth.
No Recognition – School making less than expected growth.
Performance Composite (the first component of the accountability model) – the percent of students that are
proficient (performing at or above grade level – achievement level III or IV) on the assessments.
Expected Growth – Scores that show students have achieved a year’s worth of information
High Growth – Scores that show students have achieved significantly more than a year’s worth of information
AYP Status – Whether the students in the school as a whole and in each identified group met the performance
standards (targets) set by each state following federal guidelines with the long-term goal of 100 percent proficiency
by 2013-14.
2007
SAT Results
# Tested % Tested Math
Critical
Reading
Writing
Subtotal
(math +
reading)
These are the results of the SAT from the Senior Class of 2007. The SAT is used as a reliable predictor of students’ preparation for college.
Grand
Total
Henderson County 445 56.8 536 517 503 1053 1556
United States Total 1494531 48.0 515 502 494 1017 1511
North Carolina Total 55114 71.0 509 495 482 1004 1486
Breakdown by High School
Hendersonville High 112 66.7 550 543 537 1093 1630
West Henderson High 145 62.8 537 510 491 1047 1538
East Henderson High 98 49 534 514 486 1048 1534
North Henderson High 90 52.9 521 501 496 1022 1518
HCPS is 6 th in the State and 4 th in the Western Region
A Standard of Excellence 9

Providing An Effective Teaching And Learning Environment
NATIONAL BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STANDARDS
Thirty-one teachers joined the growing number of National Board Certified teachers in Henderson County Public Schools
giving HCPS a total of 153 NBCTs. Henderson County Public Schools has the 6 th highest percentage of NBCTs in the
State. North Carolina leads the nation in the number of teachers who have earned this certification with a total of 11,325
(one-fifth of the national total of 55,306 NBCTs).
Hilda Hamilton (a NBCT since 1994) and Lynn Carter (a NBCT
since 1995) lead a mentoring program that helps teachers as they
begin the time-consuming certification process. HCPS boasts about
a 70% certification rate among candidates that regularly attend
support meetings.
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards celebrated
20 years of making changes to the professional status of classroom
teachers at the NBPTS Conference in Washington, DC, July 25-28.
Henderson County was represented by three NBCTs – Hilda Hamilton
(Rugby Middle), Marcie Burlett (Upward Elementary), and Lynn
Carter (retired). Hilda and Lynn attended a full day workshop for
Candidate Support Providers to update the program they lead with
NBPTS candidates in Henderson County. The three participated in
Hill Day, a day set aside for NBCTs to visit their representatives on
Capitol Hill to inform them about the NBPTS process, the effect
that NBCTs are having in classrooms across the country, and the
initiatives that NBPTS supports, including securing and retaining
highly qualified teachers in high-risk schools. The main conference
consisted of two days of sessions including: issues concerning teacher
retention; best practices in the classroom; informing the public
about NBPTS and the research-based conclusions that students learn
more in the classrooms of accomplished teachers; and ideas for
supporting first-time candidates, advanced candidates, and renewing
NBCTs. The conference concluded with a gala event at the Hilton
Washington honoring North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt for his
pioneering efforts with NBPTS and his continuing support of NBPTS
since its beginning in 1987.
NBCTs Lynn Carter, Hilda Hamilton, and
Marcie Burlett with Representative Heath Shuler.
NBCTs at a gala event honoring former
North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt.
HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS
No Child Left Behind legislation requires that teachers of core academic
subjects be certified and Highly Qualified (HQ) in their teaching area(s).
For 2006-2007, Henderson County Public Schools’ percentage of Highly
Qualified teachers is among the highest in the state at 99.32%. It is
anticipated that we will be 100% HQ for the 2007-2008 school year.
Teacher on the first day of school.
10 A Standard of Excellence

Providing An Effective Teaching And Learning Environment
TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
With an increasing number of teachers reaching eligibility for
retirement, and a growing number of teachers exercising the option
to do so, Henderson County Public Schools’ teacher turnover has
remained relatively low at 11.3% for 2006-2007. This includes a
32% increase (from 28 in 2005-2006 to 37 in 2006-2007) in the
number of retirees from the previous year. Additionally, we have
been able to recruit and hire highly qualified teachers to fill all
district vacancies.
New teachers smile for the camera.
2007-2008 HCPS Teacher Of The Year – Karla Raxter
Karla Raxter, a kindergarten teacher at Glenn C. Marlow Elementary, is the 2007-2008
Henderson County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Ms. Raxter has taught in HCPS
for 18 years. She taught second grade at Balfour Elementary and second, third, and
fourth grades at Dana Elementary before assuming her position at Glenn C. Marlow
Elementary in 2001. She holds a B.A. degree in Psychology and K-4 certification from
the University of North Carolina at Asheville and a MAEd. in Early Childhood Education
from Western Carolina University. Ms. Raxter is also a National Board Certified teacher;
she received her certification in 1999.
Karla Raxter
HCPS Teacher of the Year
SunTrust Bank sponsors a luncheon each year to honor the Teacher of the Year
nominees for Henderson County Public Schools, and to recognize the valuable investment
educators make in the lives of children.
2007-2008 Teachers of the Year
Michael Dollar (Apple Valley Middle)
Mark Buzzell (Atkinson Elementary)
Dan McCormick (Balfour Education Center)
Nancy Grogan (Bruce Drysdale Elementary)
Kristi Smith (Clear Creek Elementary)
Lisa Roberts (Dana Elementary)
Carl Taylor (East Henderson High)
Malene Taubert (Edneyville Elementary)
Kathy Martin (Etowah Elementary)
Lois Rhodes (Flat Rock Middle)
Julie Nelson (Fletcher Elementary)
Karla Raxter (Glenn C. Marlow Elementary)
Tara George (Hendersonville Elementary)
Tom King (Hendersonville High)
Paula Fee (Hendersonville Middle)
Robin Frisch (Hillandale Elementary)
Deidre Redden (Mills River Elementary)
Edwin Kieffer (North Henderson High)
Pat Davis (Rugby Middle)
Amanda Hemphill (Upward Elementary)
Resi Dolbee (West Henderson High)
A Standard of Excellence 11

Developing And Maintaining Safe, Quality Schools
The $12 million Phase I renovation and addition project at Dana Elementary was completed during the 2006-2007 school
year. Renovations were made to eight existing classrooms, the computer lab, resource room, guidance area, student
restrooms, and the media center.
SUGARLOAF ELEMENTARY
Progress proceeded with the new Sugarloaf Elementary during the 2006-2007 school year. This $14.5 million project is
anticipated to be completed in the Spring of 2008, and opening to students in August 2008. The school will have a capacity
of 648 students. It will house 28 regular classrooms, two special education classrooms, a gym, art room, media center,
cafeteria, and computer lab.
Henderson County government has approved funding for new schools at Hillandale Elementary and Mills River Elementary.
Bids are expected to go out in January of 2008, with construction beginning in February 2008. The targeted date for
completion of these schools is 2009. Each school will have a 740-student capacity.
DID YOU KNOW?????
During the 2006-2007 school year, 491,250 breakfasts and
1,701,057 lunches were prepared and served in the school
cafeterias. HCPS lunch menus provide a minimum of 30% of
the calories and nutrients children need to promote growth
and a healthy weight while keeping the total fat content at
less than 35% averaged over a week. Menu adjustments are
made for children with special needs.
The Child Nutrition Program is a nonprofit, self-supporting
program that receives its funding from the federal government
and the price students pay to purchase a lunch. Meal prices
are based on the actual cost of preparing and serving the
meals and maintaining equipment. Each cafeteria is operated
by an on-site manager who receives support from the central
office staff, which includes a director, supervisors, a
bookkeeper, and a procurement specialist.
Superintendent Stephen L. Page visits with
cafeteria workers at Clear Creek Elementary School.
12 A Standard of Excellence

Strengthening And Facilitating Communications
The HCPS Department of Technology is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the district’s wide area network,
hardware and software support, technical training, and web services. The acronym below best describes how HCPS
uses technology.
T eaching the basics of use
E ncouraging educators to utilize technology in the classroom
C hallenging students to develop computer skills
H elping support curriculum needs
N avigating to find a world of resources available
O btaining new ideas for professional growth
L earning about new resources in technology
O pening up new experiences for students and teachers
G enerating interest and a love for technology
Y es, it’s easy to use!
To stay abreast of the technology needs of our faculty and students, a three-year
strategic plan for replacing and upgrading technology in the district was developed
during the 2006-2007 school year. The Technology Committee also made
modifications to the HCPS Technology Plan. New computers were deployed in
the computer labs and fifth grade classrooms at all twelve elementary schools.
Wireless access points were installed in the media centers at all 21 schools.
Teachers in an Intel Teach to
the Future workshop.
HCPS recognizes the importance of technology in a child’s education. Toward
that end, resources are directed to technology professional development. For example, for several years the
internationally recognized Intel Teach to the Future program has been used as the technology vehicle for classroom
change. This quality program promotes the integration of technology into classroom activities. This past summer,
18 additional teachers participated in the 60-hour Intel classes; and to date, 208 HCPS teachers have successfully
completed this program. Six more have satisfied the additional requirements to become Intel Master Teachers.
Technology changes rapidly. What is considered an innovation today can quickly become obsolete. It is both the
challenge and the commitment of the Henderson County Public Schools to remain abreast of these innovations and
ensure that students are exposed to tools and skills necessary for success in both their future educational and
workplace experiences.
A significant initiative for 2007-2008 is the planned implementation of NC WISE. This initiative is North Carolina’s
twenty-first century, web-based application that provides school districts with greater ability to access and use data in
ways that can result in improved educational services for our students and community.
The Henderson County Public Schools provide many avenues of information for students, staff, parents, and community.
The HCPS website is an important tool for providing information. The system has several publications, printed in
both English and Spanish, which are available to students, teachers, and the public.
For example, the What Your Child Will Learn In series for grades K-5 are resource
books that help parents know what their child is expected to learn in each grade
level. These books are updated and distributed to parents yearly to reflect changes
in the curriculum.
The AlertNow R communication system has been a valuable tool for informing parents.
This system may be used by central office administration and school administration
to send important notices and messages to parents and staff.
Student government leaders meet
with Superintendent Page.
The Superintendent meets monthly with the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council,
Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council, and the high school Student Government
Leaders to discuss topics of interest and concern. Discussion highlights are shared
with other parents, staff, and students.
A Standard of Excellence 13

Accolades
STATE TITLE WINNERS
•Britney Cloer, West Henderson High, is the 2A State Champion in Women’s Singles Tennis. This
is her fourth consecutive championship. She is only the fourth girls tennis player in North
Carolina Athletic Association history to win four individual titles.
•Hendersonville High School’s Lady Bearcats Volleyball Team is the 1A State Champions. This is
the team’s second consecutive state title, and Hendersonville’s record eighth 1A title overall.
Team members are Taylor Riley, Shelby Huntley, Meredith Stricker, Karissa Martindale,
Kara Cosgrove, Shelly Warner, Caroline Merrill, Tara Lindeman, Bailey Hunter, Candice
Kasischke, Caitlin Shock, Emma Bennett, Erin McMullen, Ellen Payne, Avery Griggs, and
Desiree Rasheed. Graham McCormick is the team’s coach. Bailey Hunter picked up her second
Most Valuable Player (MVP) award with a match-high 35 kills while hitting a phenomenal .612.
•Josh Ivens, West Henderson High School, is the State Champion in the 1-meter springboard in
the 1A/2A Swimming and Diving Meet. He scored 307.95 points (30 points higher than any other
diver), and was the only Western North Carolina athlete to bring back a state championship.
•Tara Lindeman, Hendersonville High, is the 2007 1A State Champion in the 800 Meter Run.
She set a new Hendersonville High record of 2:20.83.
•Tyler Grove, Hendersonville High, is the 2007 1A State Champion in Singles Tennis.
2007 NORTH CAROLINA TEACHING FELLOWS RECIPIENTS
Marissa Anne Blake (Hendersonville High); Sarah Kathleen Brower (West Henderson High);
Stefanie Maria Hallock (West Henderson High); Benjamin John Phillis (Hendersonville High);
Susan Marie Pryor (North Henderson High); Austin Chase Russell (Hendersonville High); Bridget
Leigh Sluder (North Henderson High); and Rebekah Loraine Williams (North Henderson High).
STUDENT RECOGNITIONS
•Natalie Justice, East Henderson High, was the Distinguished Graduate at Summer Leader School
at Converse College (number one cadet out of 228).
•The East Henderson High School AFJROTC was one of only 260 out of 800 AFJROTC units in
the world to earn the headquarter’s “Outstanding Unit Award.”
•Hendersonville Middle, along with 440 other teams across the state (includes elementary, middle,
high, and college teams), participated in the Spring North Carolina Stock Market Simulation
Game. Hendersonville Middle’s team consisting of Jenna Ramsey, Carmen Pineda, Kyle Stuller,
Vashti Baluch, and Cabell Brand finished in First Place in the game with a 38.95% return. The
team of Robin Matz, Cierra Worsham, and Bianca McElreath finished in Second Place with a
37.5% return. David Mackey was their teacher.
•The Hendersonville Middle School Stock Market Simulation Team placed first among all
middle school teams in the State in the fall trading session of the North Carolina Stock Market
Game. Team members are: Jacob Onan, Levi Baer, Alex Cantwell, and Alex Zinni. Their teacher
was Mr. David Mackey. This is the third state winning team that Mr. Mackey has produced.
HCPS Principal of the Year
Christine Smith, Principal of
Edneyville Elementary School, is
the 2007 Wachovia Principal of
the Year for Henderson County
Public Schools. The program is
co-sponsored by the North
Carolina Department of Public
Instruction and Wachovia Bank,
N.A., North Carolina.
Mrs. Smith holds the following
degrees from Florida State
University – an Ed.S. in
Educational Leadership, a M.S.
in Elementary Education, and a
B.M.Ed. in Music Education.
Prior to joining the staff as
Principal of Edneyville Elementary
July 1, 2000, she was Principal of
the Chattahoochee Elementary
Magnet School in Chattahoochee,
Florida from 1996-2000. She has
also served in education as
Curriculum Coordinator, Sixth
Grade Teacher, and Music
Teacher at Chattahoochee
Elementary School, and as a
Choral Director at Chattahoochee
High School.
•Shawn Loder, West Henderson High, was named a Semifinalist in the 52nd annual National
Merit Scholarship Program. He was one of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists across the United
States who had an opportunity to continue in competition for some 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards. Barrett Armstrong and Megan
Singleton were named Commended Students. About 34,000 Commended Students across the nation were recognized for their
exceptional academic promise.
•Barrett Armstrong, West Henderson High, was the 2006 male representative for NC in the Wendy’s Heisman Competition.
•Travis Warren, North Henderson High, took the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) test for brakes, passed,
and is now ASE certified in Brakes.
•Blayne Ziegenfuss, East Henderson High, was selected for the 2006 North Carolina High School Honors Chorus. Robert Adamic,
Jessica Atkins, Amanda Banks, Stephanie Benson, Victoria Byrd, Courtney Jackson, Jesse Siak, and Blayne Ziegenfuss were
selected for the 2007 Mars Hill Honors Choral Festival. Robert Adamic, Stephanie Benson, Charlotte Burrell, Victoria Byrd,
Courtney Jackson, Blayne Ziegenfuss, Julianna Paul, Jessica King, and Margaret Grier were selected for the 2007 North Carolina
All-State Chorus.
14 A Standard of Excellence

Accolades
STUDENTS
•Aubrey Masters, Rugby Middle, was the third place winner for the
state in the North Carolina Young Lawyers Photo Essay Contest (only
three winners are selected).
•The Hendersonville High School Advanced Theatre received state
recognition for Distinguished Play, State Qualifier at the NC Theatre
Conference for the third consecutive year. Only 16 high school theatre
classes are selected (two from each regional festival). HHS’ Advanced
Theatre performed “That’s What I Love About You, Nancy Drew!” – an
original production written entirely by the students. They received awards
for Sound Design, Costume Design, Excellence in Playwriting, Honorable
Mention in Acting by Maria Katsadouros and Tucker Shelton, and Best
Actress Award by Lauren Lampley. Todd Weakley is the Theatre director.
Theatre students are: Amber McCleery, Chris Bakke, Shelly Warner,
Elizabeth Daubert, Turner Rouse, Maria Katsadorous, Matt Foster,
Mitchell Altman, Lauren Williams, Claire Oliphant, Michael
Shellenberger, Lauren Lampley, Tucker Shelton, Natalie Griffith, Katie
Bailey, Brian Boushey, Maren McGlashen, Kelsey Stout, Aaron
Fairbanks, and Ryan Neale.
•East Henderson High Advanced Theatre achieved the honor of
Distinguished Play, State Qualifier for the third consecutive year at the
NC Theatre Conference. Their teacher, Zach Walker, was given the “Excellence in Directing” for plays performed at the regional festival.
He is the only director this year to achieve this distinction for both entries from one school.
•Scholastic Art Awards Competition winners were: Rachel Benny (Gold Key Award/Drawing); Josue Garcia (Gold Key Award/Painting);
Teresa Lange (Gold Key Award/Mixed Media and Painting); Elizabeth Pettengill (Gold Key Award/Painting); Mary Margaret Burdett
(Silver Key Award/Mixed Media and Sculpture); Travis Halford (Silver Key Award/Drawing); Nicole Benny (Honorable Mention/Drawing);
Nolan Berger (Honorable Mention/Drawing and Painting); and Diana Gamez (Honorable Mention/Sculpture).
•Kayla Brank, East Henderson High, received a National Gold Award by the National Alliance for her Computer Art entitled, Never
Coming Home. This award is an honor bestowed on only 70 high school and middle school artists per year across the United States.
•Michele Dills, North Henderson High, was selected the 2007 North Carolina Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs. She received
a $8,500 college scholarship. She represented the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County and was the local Youth of the Year winner.
As one of the service projects each year, the
Rotary Club of Hendersonville distributes
dictionaries to every third grader in
Henderson County. The children love the
dictionaries and always ask if the book is
really theirs to keep. The students are usually
given a question to answer after getting their
dictionary. This year it was, “Do you know
what the words ‘level’ and ‘racecar’ have in
common?” Answer: “They spell the same
word read forward or backward.”
Clear Creek Elementary, Dana Elementary, East Henderson High,
Fletcher Elementary, Glenn C. Marlow Elementary,
Hendersonville Elementary, North Henderson High, Rugby
Middle, and West Henderson High Schools each received a $500
grant from the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance program to
support special projects at the schools. Barry Edwards, Paul
Jordan, and Connie Cunningham of Henderson Oil Company
worked with school officials to secure the grants from 4,000
available to schools across the country served by Exxon or Mobil
stations. The grants were made possible by funding from the
ExxonMobil Corporation.
STAFF
•Lieutenant Colonel Robert S. Clark, USAF (Retired) and Master Sergeant Joseph P.
Froidcoeur, USAF (Retired) were awarded Outstanding Instructor Awards for 2006 by
the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.
•Lucia L. Tatham, a bus driver at Fletcher Elementary, was the 2006 recipient of the
Henderson County Petroleum Marketers Association Award. This award is presented
each year to a Henderson County Public Schools’ bus driver for safe, dependable, and
faithful service.
•Hendersonville Elementary School was awarded a $10,000 grant from the State Library
of North Carolina to help strengthen the school’s library book collection. Hendersonville
Elementary’s grant was one of 44 awarded this year to school libraries statewide (there
are over 2,300 public schools in North Carolina).
•Flat Rock Middle School was recognized as a “School To Watch” by the National
Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. Flat Rock was one of nine middle schools
chosen in North Carolina and among 107 middle schools chosen from the United States.
•The Creative Teaching Grant Committee of the Henderson County Education Foundation
awarded five Creative Teaching Grants totaling $4,350.00. These grants are awarded to
develop and implement innovative teaching practices, for pioneering model programs to
enhance standard courses and to spark learning. The grant recipients are: Rebecca Russell
(Dana Elementary); Cyndi Felosa (Flat Rock Middle); Robin Frisch, Sally Carr (Hillandale Elementary); Lois Gordon, Robin Rice, Claire
Ungerer (Hillandale Elementary); and Helen Owen, Anita Owenby (Henderson County Board of Public Education).
A Standard of Excellence 15

Schools
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
ATKINSON *400
Principal: Ms. Kimberly Deaton
2510 Old Kanuga Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28739
Phone (828) 697-4755 • Fax (828) 698-6120
BRUCE DRYSDALE *433
Principal: Ms. Kelly Walker
Lead Teacher: Ms. Melonie Harris
834 North Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Phone (828) 697-5568 • Fax (828) 698-6122
CLEAR CREEK *696
Principal: Mr. Michael Pressley
Lead Teacher: Ms. Audrey Reneau
737 North Clear Creek Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Phone (828) 697-4760 • Fax (828) 698-6121
DANA *552
Principal: Ms. Kelly Schofield
Lead Teacher: Ms. Susan Riddle
PO Box 37, 690 Ridge Rd, Dana, NC 28724
Phone (828) 685-7743 • Fax (828) 685-4004
EDNEYVILLE *595
Principal: Mr. Chad Auten
Lead Teacher: Ms. Brooke Ballard
2875 Pace Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Phone (828) 685-7600 • Fax (828) 685-4006
ETOWAH *545
Principal: Mr. Michael Thorpe
Lead Teacher: Ms. Anne Johnson
320 Etowah School Rd, Etowah, NC 28729
Phone (828) 891-6560 • Fax (828) 891-6579
FLETCHER *602
Principal: Ms. Christine Smith
Lead Teacher: Ms. Donna Godley
500 Howard Gap Rd, Fletcher, NC 28732
Phone (828) 684-0580 • Fax (828) 687-1217
GLENN C. MARLOW *523
Principal: Ms. Jan King
Lead Teacher: Ms. Shannon Marlowe
1985 Butler Bridge Rd, Fletcher, NC 28732
Phone (828) 654-3225 • Fax (828) 687-1214
HENDERSONVILLE *389
Principal: Mr. Charles Snead
1039 Randall Circle, Hendersonville, NC 28791
Phone (828) 697-4752 • Fax (828) 698-6125
HILLANDALE *370
Principal: Mr. Kevin Weis
Lead Teacher: Ms. Sallie Carr
504 Preston Ln, East Flat Rock, NC 28726
Phone (828) 697-4782 • Fax (828) 697-4661
MILLS RIVER *456
Principal: Mr. Jeff Treadway
96 School House Rd, Horse Shoe, NC 28742
Phone (828) 891-6563 • Fax (828) 891-6584
UPWARD *611
Principal: Ms. Rebecca Poplin
Lead Teacher: Ms. Carol Zinn
45 Education Dr, Flat Rock, NC 28731
Phone (828) 697-4764 • Fax (828) 698-6131
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
APPLE VALLEY *791
Principal: Ms. Caroline Patterson
Assistant Principals: Ms. Marcie Wilson
Mr. Michael Gates
43 Fruitland Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Phone (828) 697-4545 • Fax (828) 698-6119
FLAT ROCK *755
Principal: Mr. Bill Reedy
Assistant Principals: Mr. Jeff Roper
Ms. Wendy Hannah
191 Preston Ln, East Flat Rock, NC 28726
Phone (828) 697-4775 • Fax (828) 698-6124
HENDERSONVILLE *483
Principal: Ms. Jenny Moreno
Assistant Principal: Ms. Kimberly Pettengill
825 North Whitted St, Hendersonville, NC 28791
Phone (828) 697-4800 • Fax (828) 698-6127
RUGBY *807
Principal: Ms. Beverly Davis
Assistant Principals: Ms. Diane Hampton
Mr. Mark Page
3345 Haywood Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28791
Phone (828) 891-6566 • Fax (828) 891-6589
HIGH SCHOOLS
EAST HENDERSON *962
Principal: Mr. Matthew Gruebmeyer
Assistant Principals: Ms. Virginia Haynes
Mr. John Bryant
110 Old Upward Rd, East Flat Rock, NC 28726
Phone (828) 697-4768 • Fax (828) 698-6123
HENDERSONVILLE *652
Principal: Mr. Bobby Wilkins
Assistant Principals: Ms. Jennifer Shelton
Mr. Todd Murphy
311 Eighth Ave W, Hendersonville, NC 28791
Phone (828) 697-4802 • Fax (828) 698-6126
NORTH HENDERSON *822
Principal: Mr. Frank Edney
Assistant Principals:
Mr. Scott Rhodes
Mr. Jason Joyce
35 Fruitland Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Phone (828) 697-4500 • Fax (828) 698-6129
WEST HENDERSON *1020
Principal: Mr. R. Dean Jones
Assistant Principal:
Ms. Debra Rhymer
Mr. Kent Parent
3600 Haywood Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28791
Phone (828) 891-6571 • Fax (828) 891-6590
EDUCATION CENTER
BALFOUR *136
Principal: Mrs. Beth Ferris
2529 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC 28791
Phone (828) 697-4629 • Fax (828) 698-6130
*Indicates student membership as of the 180th day of
school (6/8/07) – Total - 12,600 students
16 A Standard of Excellence

Henderson County Public Schools
414 Fourth Avenue West
Hendersonville, NC 28739-4261
www.henderson.k12.nc.us