The Hough High school rock is, at least for now, painted in the official colors of the Huskies: silver and black.

In the midst of all the bleak budget news facing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is one bright spot: William A. Hough High is on track to open Aug. 25 in Cornelius.

Everything about the school is a first, and Tuesday night was no exception: It marked the school’s first-ever ninth grade curriculum night.

“We are going to make history opening a new school,” counselor Sue Colbert told the audience.

Parents signed up to volunteer for Hough High activities after the curriculum meeting.

Since Hough High is still under construction, parents filled the cafetorium at the neighboring Bailey Middle School.  Administrators told them that registration is almost complete for the incoming student body, which will be limited to grades 9-11 for the first year, with students transferring over from Hopewell and North Mecklenburg high schools.  The new staff is also in place, consisting primarily of transfers from other schools in CMS.

“I think one of the best parts of opening a new school is interviewing and hiring new teachers,” said Principal Terry Cockerham.  “It’s a strong staff.”

Several staff members addressed the audience, explaining the standard and honors level programs for everything from civil engineering to world history to chorus to ceramics.

“This is going to be a different year for us,” Dr. Cockerham said. “We will have students from Hopewell and North Meck coming in from very different programs, and at the same time we will be creating our own track.”

The extension of Bailey Road is now complete and allows access to Hough High from Barnhardt Road. In the photo above, the back entrance to the school is ahead to the left.

Some new information presented at the meeting included:

• The school’s first slate of PTA officers has been drawn up.  They are: President Tammy Smith; Vice President for Membership Denise Linerode, Vice-President for Fundraising Debbie Dickerson, Secretary Stephanie James, and Treasurer Jean Marie Adams.
• The first home football game will be Sept. 3 and feature the Huskies hosting Waddell.  Athletic Director Masanori Toguchi told the audience that the school will have a full array of sports teams and also offer lacrosse as a club sport.  A “meet and greet” with new coaches is planned for Sunday, May 17, at the Tenders restaurant in Cornelius.
• Theater teacher Jared Taylor plans to direct a school play in the fall and a musical (possibly “Grease”) in the spring.

RELATED LINKS:

The Hough High School website has for updates and more information.

April 23, 2010, DavidsonNews.net, “Organizational meetings planned for Hough High,” has information about meetings for the Athletics Booster Club, and tryouts for drum major and symphonic band.