Van Buren Discuss Limiting Short-Term Labor Contracts
The Van Buren County School Board wants to consider limiting short-term employee contracts, concerned about the potential costs. Some of the contracts are for employees who have already retired. Board Member Barry Austin said he does not have a problem with the deals if the school system needs them. However, Austin said the keeping retired […]
School Board Approves Roof Repairs At Elementary, High School
The Van Buren County School Board Wednesday night approved roof repairs at Van Buren County High School and Spencer Elementary. Both roofs have multiple leaks. School Board Member Benjamin Grissom asked why, saying the roofs have too many issues for such a fairly new roof. Director of Schools Katina Simmons said a contractor suggested the […]
Spencer Elementary HVAC Units Need Replacement
The Van Buren County School Board will take bids to replace HVAC units in the Spencer Elementary gym. Principal Amanda Binkley said the units have a long history of disrepair. “Off and on, there’s actually one of the units that works most of the time, and there are four in there,” Binkley said. “The seven […]
Van Buren Approves 25-26 Budget With Salary Increase
The Van Buren County School Board approved its 2025-2026 fiscal year school budget Wednesday night. Director of Schools Katina Simmons said teachers will receive a $2,400 salary increase, and hourly staff will receive a $50 increase for each year they have worked for the school system. Simmons said the new budget will have a limited […]
Van Buren Will Do Pay Study For Volunteers
The Van Buren County Schools want to compensate some of the volunteers who help the school with various programs. Van Buren County Director of Schools Jared Copeland proposed the idea to the School Board to help those who help with sports teams or clubs, for example. Copeland said he understood if the board did not […]
Van Buren Schools Faculty, Staff Get Raises In Budget
The Van Buren County School Board passed its fiscal year budget Wednesday night that includes a $2,000 raise for teachers and a $1,200 raise for hourly staff. Director of Schools Jared Copeland said the teacher salary increase would put the minimum salary at some $45,600 for fiscal year 2025. He said the raise bumps teacher […]
Van Buren Schools Considering Three Projects In CTE Building
Van Buren County Schools will consider using the remaining funds from an ISM grant to make upgrades to the county’s CTE building. Director of Schools Jared Copeland named new HVAC units in the building two front classrooms and new LED light fixtures as two of the highest priorities. The board considered replacing the building’s tile […]
Van Buren Schools Table Daycare Renovations
Discussions by the Van Buren County School Board about renovating a masonic lodge for use as a daycare, tabled indefinitely Wednesday night. Director of Schools Jared Copeland said the county received a grant from the Upper Cumberland Development District some three years ago to renovate the building. He said he believes that the money remaining […]
Van Buren School Board TISA Goals: Reading, Math Scores And Ready Graduates
The Van Buren Board of Education approved its new statewide accountability report Wednesday night. The report is a part of the TISA formula that requires the board to create a five-year plan for the county’s schools. Director Jared Copeland said the report allows the school board to show how taxpayer dollars are going to student […]
Van Buren County Schools Losing Dollars To Homeschooling
The number of home schooled children is up in Van Buren County to start the new school year. School Director Jared Copeland said the school loses $6,860 in base funding for each student that withdraws to attend home school. Board Member Glenece (Glen-ese) Cole said unfortunately just about anybody and their cat can start a […]
