Van Buren Co. BOE Member Ronnie Hitchcock Resigns Seat
Van Buren County Board of Education Member Ronnie Hitchcock has resigned. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said Hitchcock moved outside of the district he represented. “Mr. Hitchcock submitted a letter of his resignation, and I took it over to the county court clerk, and it will be probably be on their next county commission meeting,” […]
Van Buren Schools To Receive $2 Million In COVID Funds
The Van Buren County School System is expecting to receive about $2 million dollars in the third round of COVID relief funds. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said the initial thought is to use some of the funding to pay faculty salaries. “We could supplant with this,” Cole said. “So, salaries that we would normal […]
Van Buren Co. School System In Running For Energy Grant
The Van Buren School System has been named a finalist for a TVA School Uplift grant. The $400,000 grant is meant to improve energy costs through school improvements. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said if awarded, the funds would be used to transition to LED lighting and replace HVAC systems in Spencer Elementary and Van […]
Van Buren Schools Requesting Its Part of State Payment
Van Buren County School Director Cheryl Cole said the school system has requested its part of a $200,000 payment designed to help Van Buren County. The money came from the state to help bridge the gap with the Fall Creek Falls Inn closed. Cole said she wants to make sure the school system gets its […]
Van Buren Schools Going Virtual Over Teacher Shortage
All Van Buren County schools will go to virtual learning starting on Monday and lasting until December 4. School Director Cheryl Cole said this decision was made based on the number of teachers who were quarantined and a lack of substitutes to fill the positions. Cole said there is not a set number for staff […]
Van Buren Awarded After School Program Grant
The Van Buren School System has been awarded a state grant aimed towards funding after school programs. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said since the county does not have a daycare system, the grant helps parents that work on school nights. “Seventy-four thousand two hundred and fifty dollars is what we received,” Cole said. “Majority […]
Van Buren HS Academic Accomplishments
Van Buren High School’s graduation rate last year was five percent above the state average with a 95 percent of seniors graduating. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said the high-rate is a testament of the great faculty in the system. “We are more like a family here at both schools, the elementary and high school,” […]
Teacher Pay Could Benefit From Van Buren Wheel Tax
The Van Buren School System is in need of pay increases to stay competitive in recruiting teachers. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said Van Buren is struggling to keep teachers from moving to larger school systems in Tennessee. “The county has not provided the teachers with a raise or the support staff with a raise […]
Van Buren Approves Purchase Of New School Bus
Van Buren Schools will purchase a new school bus from Mid-South Bus Center. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said each year the system purchases a new bus through a state bus grant. Overall cost, just over $107,000. “We have about half of our buses now that have air conditioning,” Cole said. “The cameras. Those are […]
Van Buren Schools Purchases New Online CTE Program
Van Buren Schools have increased funding for online career and technical learning. The Board of Education approved a budget amendment adding about $6,500 to purchase a new online curriculum. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said the school system was not prepared for classes to move virtual, and lacked online programs. “We found this program,” Cole […]
