BY AMY ROSE
STAFF WRITER
The Joint Board of Education on Thursday thanked outgoing Greeneville Director of Schools Dr. Lyle Ailshie for his years of service.
Ailshie, Greeneville's director of schools for the past 11 years, announced last week that he has accepted the position of Kingsport Superintendent of Schools.
The joint board, which includes the full memberships of the Greeneville and Greene County school boards, meets quarterly, and Thursday was its final meeting with Ailshie.
"Dr. Ailshie has done a tremendous job over the years in every job he's had," said County Board of Education Chairman Roger Jones, who was presiding over the meeting.
(The chairman of the Greene County Board of Education and the chairman of the Greeneville Board of Education, Jerry Anderson, rotate the responsibility of presiding at meetings of the Joint Board of Education.)
Jones recalled Ailshie's work at Mosheim and Bulls Gap schools, in the Hamblen County School System, and in the Greeneville City School System.
He said Kingsport will benefit from Ailshie's devotion.
"Good luck, and we'll miss you a lot," Jones concluded.
Jerry Ayers, principal of the Greeneville-Greene County Center for Technology, where the meeting was held, thanked Ailshie for his support of the center.
Ayers served a special cake for Ailshie that was decorated with a horseback rider and said "Happy Trails."
BUDGET AMENDMENT OK'D
In action items, the board approved a budget amendment to reflect an increase in federal Perkins funds and slight decreases in the city and county appropriations to the center.
The Perkins funds increased by $10,610, according to Nicole Buchanan, chief financial officer.
The county's appropriation decreased by $3,181, and the city's appropriation decreased by $523, Buchanan said.
The appropriations are based on the number of county and city students enrolled at the center.
The board also approved the center's financial audit report for 2010-11.
The report by Rodefer Moss & Co. had an unqualified opinion, the most favorable opinion possible, Buchanan said.
Ayers reported that 369 persons attended the center's fourth annual Open House held Nov. 10.
He also announced plans for the fourth annual Career Connections Open House on March 15.
Ayers showed two videos -- one that showed how companies are having a hard time filling skilled-trade jobs, and another that showed possibilities for green technology programs at the center.
Anita Ricker, assistant dean of community education at Walters State Community College, reported that WSCC has partnered with Angus-Palm to align welding instruction with the company's needs.
