Future Draughn High School Football Fans

Please go to the Board of Education on Friday at 2:00 and show your support for the nomination of the new principal. He's a big time sport's fan, but more important, he's a GREAT principal! If you can't be there tomorrow, e-mail the BOE members tonight and let them know how you feel. Thanks

 

Who is going to be the recommendation?? Is it a Burke person or are they going to bring someone in from the outside?? Reason that I'm asking is that I know someone who interviewed for the job......

 

Draughn High School principal named

Morganton - Jimmy C. Draughn High School has its principal.
The school board voted 6 to 1, with Buddy Armour abstaining, for Mike Kenney, the current assistant principal of Robert L. Patton High School.
The decision was not welcomed by most in the audience, who were hoping the board would approve Superintendent David Burleson’s second recommendation.
“Doug (Rhoney) knows the kids,” said Cheryl Abee, who is a member of Draughn’s Booster Club.
She said all of the problems with choosing a principal have “sucked out all the enthusiasm.”
“It’s obvious we don’t have a choice,” Abee said.
The board came out of its second closed section to approve the personnel report ending Feb. 1, Addendum A. Chairman Tim Buff asked if there was any discussion.
Board member Sam Wilkinson spoke up, saying that he was speaking only for himself. Wilkinson said he protested the vote, although he wanted to make it clear that he liked Kenney.
Wilkinson said he would still vote for Kenney, but he felt the vote was in poor taste, considering the board had just turned down Burleson’s recommendation.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Wilkinson said. “It appears to be a set-up, fixed situation.
He said he felt like the board was saying, “the heck with the community or anybody else.” Wilkinson’s comments got a standing ovation from the audience, about 40 people. As the applause rained down, Wilkinson was visibly upset with his hands covering his face.
Board member David Barnard responded to Wilkinson’s comments, saying there was no hidden agenda. Barnard said all of the candidates were good people, but the board picked the best person for the job.
Board member Buddy Armour disagreed.
“You just put someone in there that you think you can control,” Armour said.
Armour said it was a disservice to all of the candidates, including Kenney, which was why he was abstaining.
Many in the audience were outspoken about the board’s decision. Questions were called out asking why the board wasn’t listening to the community.
“Thanks for shafting eastern Burke County,” Keith Abee said.
He said the first candidate, Rexanna Lowman, and Rhoney were natives of the eastern end of the county, with Lowman from Valdese and Rhoney from Hildebran. Abee said he wished the board had picked someone with stronger ties to his part of the county.
Board member Tracy Norman the board has to do what it feels is best and they chose the principal based on a lot of factors.
The public comments prompted Buff to tell Burleson to call the Sheriff’s Office. By the end of the meeting, one sheriff’s car and four Morganton Public Safety cars were parked in front of the Central Office on Parker Road.
After the meeting, Buff said he would like to now how Lowman and Rhoney’s names got out into the community because the superintendent’s recommendation is a confidential personnel matter.
Buff said he didn’t find out about Burleson’s updated recommendation until it was sent Wednesday. Buff said he received calls both in support of and not in support of Rhoney since the weekend of Jan. 26.
Buff said it was a problem that community members, who sit on the superintendent’s committee to choose a principal, hear personnel information during interviews.
He said only the superintendent and his staff should conduct interviews.
Norman asked Buff if he could find out the identity of a man in the audience who said Kenney was the fifth out of five candidates the committee chose. Norman said she wanted to know how someone in the community knew information before the board.
Buff said the board will look into tightening the leak of information. That might mean community members will only act in an advisory capacity.

 

Dang, how many recommendations did they have to go through?? Also, sounds like some folks on the committee aren't too tight lipped when it comes to personnel matters like this.

 

What a Joke...

The school board has now messed up both Patton and Draughn HS. First the eligibility issues and no Varsity football at Patton, now this debacle. It's sad to see those fools from Morganton can't let the eastern part of the county have any say. It's been that way for as long as I can remember. BOO!!!! This school board is a joke.

 

Man, I'm glad I got out of there while I still could.

 

Wonder if they will also hire a head football coach before the AD like at Patton.

 

I heard

an assistant principal/AD would be hired sometime soon. At least they're getting that right.

 

who would draughn people want to see as head football coach.

 

I would like to see

someone with HEAD coaching experience at the varsity level who is passionate about football, coaching, and kids!