HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. —  Citing the tradition of excellent public schools here, Henderson County School Superintendent Mark R Garrett reviewed efforts and successes experienced during his term at the helm in a presentatiion to the Hendersonville County Republican Men’s Club during a breakfast meeting on Jan. 10 at American Legion Post 77 here.

More than 50 people attended.

Following a breakfast buffet, the meeting opened with new club President Bill Fishburne leading a recitation of a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance — and a singing of the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Fishburne, who had been the vice president, noted the recent death of former club President Bruce Hatfield — and recognized his widow (Dianne), who was in attendance at the meeting. 

(Hatfield, 77, a dedicated Republican, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who retired after a 28-year military career, and an antique and classic car enthusiast, died Nov. 10.) 

Fishburne also called on the club to observe a “moment of silence” in remembrance of Hatfield, who, Fishburne said, was known for his “continued objective of electing Republicans, which was a big thing with him”

Next, Fishburne stated that now, as per the club’s bylaws, he succeeded his friend Hatfield to the club’s presidency. Fishburne said that he will lead the club for the remainder of the year. He added that, in November, the regular election of club officers will be held for the two-year term over 2027-28, with the new slate of officers taking over on Jan.1, 2027.

 At that point, Fishburne called on HCRMC Treasurer Ed Carlyle, who noted that the club has 57 regular (male) memberships and 25 associate (female) memberships for a total of 82. Carlisle said dues, which are $30 per year for regular and $15 for associate members, are due this month.

Then, Jay Egolf, a member of the Henderson County Board of Commissioners, was called on by Fishburne to introduce  Garrett, the school superintendent, who was the meeting’s keynote speaker.

Instead, Egolf, a former chairman of the Henderson School Board, deferred to Amy Lynn Holt, vice chair of the Henderson County Board of Public Education, who, Egolf said, could provide a stellar introduction of Garrett,

Holt praised how diligent the superintendent is in virtually everything he does, adding that “he has a lovely family. 

Since July 1, 2022, “he has been the county’s school superintendent” — and “he’s just done a phenomenal job,” she said.

With a note of modesty, Garrett, who dressed casually for the meeting, began his address by quipping that he remains, essentially, “a Tennessee farm boy.”

He added, “boy, did this area change from when I first visited it in 2004 until 2022,” when he was appointed Henderson County school superintendnent.

Further, Garrett told the club that “I started in Watauga (County), went southwest to Avery (County), then southwest to McDowell (County) and then southwst to Henderson County.

“The next ‘southwest’ is South Carolina — and I don’t want to move there.”

Regarding his “vision/philosophy” for the Henderson County school system, he listed the following:

• Prepare students for what is next

• Emphasize student needs over adult conveniences

• Increase access and opportunity

When he began as Henderson school chief, Garrett noted that sometimes be would find himself at one of the county’s four high schools, wearing a patch on his jacket from one of the county’s three other high schools, which, he noted, is not “too cool.”

So, he said, “I got a jacket made that has all four high school logos on its shoulders, with two (logos) on each long sleeve.”

Garrett noted that Henderson County has the “second-largest school district in Western North Carolina and about 27th largest in the state.”

On a playful note, Garrett said that part of his earlier career involved teaching geography, which led him — upon his arrival in Henderson County — to be disconcerted by the names of its four high schools — East, Hendersonville, North and West.

“Because I saw North (Henderson County High) was in the east, West (Henderson County High) was in the north” — and so forth,” he explained, as the meeting attendees broke into laughter.

With a smile, he added, “I thought it best to keep quiet on renaming the schools  East, Hendersonville, North and West.”

More seriously, he noted that the Henderson County pubic schools include 12,300 students in 23 schools.

He also said there are 27 full-time school nurses,14 social workers and full-time resource officers in every county school.

What’s more, Garrett said, “We have a division of school resource officers.” 

He added that Henderson County’s public school system is the largest employer in the county, with a staff of 2,100-plus employees... We’re about a $165 million business...

“We are grateful to our commissioners for those things, specifically,” enabling school officials to turn their attention to other pressing problems.

Further, Garrett asserted, “We’re the biggest food service industry in the county — by far.”

With a note of pride, he noted that the county school systems owns 111 yellow school buses — and 30 activity buses.

In a staffing overview, Garrett stated the following:

• 2,100-plus staffers, including 1,489 full-timers, with 1,078 licensed teaching staff.

In the Henderson County school system, “more than 150 students receive English as a second language services,” Garrett said.

“Talking about careers, when they’re seniors, it’s way too late.”

He also said that the school system “always starts locally, and then branches out” in trying to connect its students with businesses in internships.. “You want to keep your best people” in the area by enabling to make a viable income here.

He added that the school system offers  “kind of a jump start on a college degree,” through the Blue Ridge Scholars program.

Garrett also noted that “we hit health care first (with the students) because it's a huge need and the kids are interested.”

If you want a viable community, your education system and health system both need to be good.

Somewhat joyfully, Garrett noted that the Henderson County Early College recently was named an N.C. Blue Ribbon School, which, he said, is quite an honor.

Speaking generally, Garrett said about the school system, “The thing I try to tell any crowd is ‘behaviors or habits’” for students.

At that point, Mike Johnson, a meeting attendee, noted to Garrett that he is from Georgia — and  “Georgia has yellow school buses.”

Garrett replied, “Yes, but we (the Henderson County school system) are the only locality in the state of North Carolina that owns its own buses.”

Earlier in his career, he reminisced, “I was a seventh-grade history teacher and, as such, you can tell I was a storyteller.” The crowd laughed in apparent appreciation.

Rhetorically, the school superintendent asked, “Where are we headed?”

In his view, “What used to be first grade is now kindergarten,” as the schools leap ahead.

As for mentoring, Garrett said, “We’ve had the Pathfinders program… It’s been great.”

He noted that “one of the biggest predictors of success is (for a student to advance to) ninth-grade on time.”

In closing, Garrett asked the meeting attendees to “volunteer” to help the school system — “or drive a bus! The pandemic really messed us up on bus drivers. We still need them...”

An unidentified man, identifying himself as an engineer and taxpayer, suggested that the school system “monitor students” on where they’re at and where they should be...”

In response, Garrett replied, “We almost have too much data on our students.”

As the meeting closed, Fishburne recognized candidates and elected officals in attendance, including District Court Judge Abe Hudson, county commissioners’ candidates Steve Wyatt and Rudd Orr, state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom, and county commissioners Sheila Franklin and Jay Egolf.