Yancey School Board Tackles Facility Projects and Honors Retiring Legal Counsel

The Yancey County Board of Education discussed updates on construction, personnel changes, and community support during their monthly meeting.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:06pm

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The Yancey County Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting, covering a range of topics including progress on facility projects, personnel changes, and community support. Key updates included an update on the barn renovation project, the CTE building expansion, and the MHHS stadium upgrade. The board also recognized several staff members for achievements and honored the retiring legal counsel, Donny J. Laws, for his 35 years of service to the district.

Why it matters

The Yancey County School Board's decisions on facilities, staffing, and community engagement have a direct impact on the educational experience and resources available to students in the district. This meeting highlights the board's efforts to maintain and improve school infrastructure, support teachers and staff, and foster community partnerships - all of which are crucial for providing a quality education.

The details

The board received updates on several ongoing facility projects, including the barn renovation, the CTE building expansion, and the MHHS stadium upgrade. They also discussed options for using $25 million in funding from the state legislature, including a proposal to build a new elementary school. The board recognized several staff members for achievements like National Board Certification, completing leadership programs, and being featured in local media. They also honored the retirement of the district's longtime legal counsel, Donny J. Laws, who has provided guidance to the board for 35 years.

  • The regular monthly meeting was held on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
  • The board will hold a special meeting on Friday, March 27, 2026 to review the budget and interview construction manager candidates.
  • YCS will dismiss early on Thursday, April 2, 2026, and Spring Break will be April 6-10, 2026.
  • The next regular board meeting will be on Monday, April 20, 2026.

The players

Steve Robinson

Reported on the barn update and CTE building expansion.

Jacob Benson

Presented an updated proposal for the barn renovation project on behalf of Harper General Contractors.

Edwin Fortner

The Board of Education chairman, who welcomed attendees and read a statement honoring the retiring legal counsel.

Donny J. Laws

The district's legal counsel who is retiring after 35 years of service.

Donna Amos

The Yancey County Schools superintendent, who provided updates on various district initiatives and recognized staff achievements.

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What they’re saying

“Tonight, the Board honors Mr. Donny J. Laws for his dedicated service to Yancey County Schools. He has announced his retirement as the district's legal counsel at the end of the 2025–26 school year.”

— Edwin Fortner, Board of Education Chairman

“Mr. Benson assured the Board that the barn would be ready within the timeline specified in the contract.”

— Jacob Benson, Harper General Contractors

What’s next

The board will hold a special meeting on Friday, March 27, 2026 to review the budget and conduct interviews for a Construction Manager at Risk.

The takeaway

The Yancey County School Board's focus on maintaining and improving school facilities, supporting staff, and fostering community partnerships demonstrates their commitment to providing a high-quality education for students. The retirement of the district's longtime legal counsel also marks the end of an era, but the board is prepared to continue their work with a new legal team.