James Arthur Case worked 30 years in education, mainly as principal of Rugby Jr. High (1977-86) and Mills River Elementary (1986-99) when both earned top-five statewide academic honor. Earlier, he taught in Fletcher Elementary. In 1990-91, he was county Principal of the Year and WNC runner-up. Uniquely, Case’s Rugby sounded no bells and students suggested their own constructive, corrective punishment.