Members of the Carter County Board of Education honored several students for their academic and athletic accomplishments during the group’s meeting on Thursday evening.

The Board recognized students from Hampton High School and Unaka High School who participated in the solar go-cart competition, and the students brought the go-cart to the meeting for all to see.

At the competition held earlier this month, the students captured second place overall after being rated in a number of categories such as speed, endurance, and video presentation.

Members of the Hampton High School girls basketball team received recognition for their accomplishments during the 2016-17 season. During the year they captured 2nd place in the conference, 2nd place in the district, 2nd place in regional, were the Sub-State Winners, and made it to the Final Four in the State Tournament.

The Board also honored several athletes who made individual accomplishments during the year.

Several students in the school system’s Career Technical Education (CTE) programs competed at various regional and state competitions and captured honors. Board members recognized students who placed in SkillsUSA, Technology Student Association, Future Farmers of America, and Future Business Leaders of America events.

Through the CTE Health Occupations program, students can earn their Certified Nursing Assistant license. This year, 12 students in the programs at Unaka High School and Cloudland High School obtained their CNA license, and on Thursday evening the Board honored their accomplishments.

During the business portion of Thursday’s meeting, the Board approved two projects for the transportation department.

The first will construct a covered student transfer location at the bus garage. Some students who ride the bus must change buses at the garage, and the shelter will help keep them out of the inclement weather while they make their bus change.

Transportation Director Wayne Sams is working on a project to install additional security cameras on the buses. These cameras will be placed directly over the bus driver and will allow the school system to capture video of those people entering the bus as well as the driver while they operate the vehicle. The cameras will be purchased and installed using revenue generated by the ads placed on the school buses.

The Board also approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the school system and local nursing homes that would allow the school buses to be used to assist with the evacuation of a local nursing home in the event of a serious emergency.