Pickett Wants Its Own Homeland Security Agent To Boost School Safety
The Pickett County School System wants a Homeland Security Agent with Pickett County as the agent’s sole focus. Director of Schools Diane Elder said Governor Bill Lee’s 2021 Safety Initiative specified that each county would be appointed its own agent. Elder said, thus far, that has not been the case in Pickett County. “His role […]
Pickett Schools Reopening Wed After Closing For Water Leaks
Pickett County Schools will reopen Wednesday after closing due to water damage. Students were set to return to class Tuesday. Director of Schools Diane Elder said two pipes busted over holiday break after a winter storm brought sub-zero wind chills. “We had a pipe burst back behind our dishwasher in the cafeteria, and when that […]
Pickett Schools To Meet With Parents About New Retention Law
Pickett County Director of Schools Diane Elder said school administrators will be meeting with parents over the next few weeks to discuss the implications of a new state law. A 3rd-grade retention law in effect this year that potentially holds back third graders that are not proficient in the English Language Arts section of state […]
New LED Lights Coming To Pickett HS
Pickett County Schools has received its shipment of new LED lights that will be installed in the high school next week. Director of Schools Diane Elder said a TVA grant the system received over a year ago will fund the $100,000 project. “When you walk down the hall, everything is just different colors,” Elder said. […]
Pickett Schools TCAP Data Shows Growth In Several Areas
Pickett County’s state testing data showed improvements in science, math and English language arts. Director of Schools Diane Elder said science scores especially improved as the county landed above state average. “Improvement,” Elder said. “That was the first word. We have improved, and we were thrilled. We’ve shown improvement across the board in science.” According […]
Pickett School Director Reports Phishing Scam After Light Purchase
Scammers tested their luck against the Pickett County School System after the district purchased LED lights for its football field. Director of Schools Diane Elder said a phishing scam started when the shipment came in with the wrong lights. Elder said she then requested a refund and received an unknown phone call. “There was a […]
Pickett Schools Installing LED Lights At Ball Field
Pickett County Schools will transition to LED lighting at its ball field. Director of Schools Diane Elder said the system wants to have the new lights installed by March for the upcoming baseball season, “We were told they would be shipped any day, and as soon as we get those shipped, we will be in […]
Pickett BOE Adds Extra Day To 2022 Fall Break
The Pickett County School Board added an extra day to fall break for next school year Monday night. Director of Schools Diane Elder said the breaks now begins on October 7th with school resuming October 17th. “We will be starting our fall break on Friday before the entire week of fall break, and we did […]
Pickett Schools Solar Pavilion Not Happening, Grant Repurposed
A TVA grant to build a solar pavilion in Pickett County has been repurposed to replace more lights at the high school. Director of Schools Diane Elder said the school board decided against the solar pavilion with bids over budget. So, TVA moved an extra $100,000 to an ongoing lighting project under the same grant. […]
Pickett Schools Recovering From Staff Shortage After COVID Spike
Staffing in the Pickett County Schools is returning to normal after seeing its highest COVID number since the pandemic began. Director of Schools Diane Elder said the school system shut down for two days last month due to COVID cases among the staff. “Our numbers are a little bit closer to normal,” Elder said. “Not […]
