facilities. “It’s been a long time coming and they know that they can fund these projects,” Ayers says of the commissioners.“Jackson County Public Schools should be set and ready capital-wise for the next 20 years.” A VISION FOR COMMUNITY-CENTERED EXCELLENCE Academic success remains the district’s primary focus, with staff constantly analyzing test data required by state assessments. However, preparing strong readers and academically capable students represents only part of the district’s mission. “We improvement initiative funded by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. Four additional projects are in planning stages: a new cafeteria at Fairview Elementary School, a gymnasium at Blue Ridge Early College, a track facility at Smoky Mountain High School, expanded classroom space at Blue Ridge School, and a replacement for the bus garage built in the early 1960s. “Our bus garage is our second oldest building in the district,” Buchanan notes. The capital investments come from decades of community support. Jackson County’s population grew 22% over the past decade, straining existing 282 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 11
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