BEP Town Hall Discussion Focuses On Equity In School Funding
Equity. That was the word most used at Tuesday night’s forum on public school funding. Jackson Schools High School Supervisor of Instruction Deb Whitaker said that when the state recognizes smaller counties have had to make do with their resources. “We have to do the same things that systems ten times our size do with […]
Putnam Emergency Workers Spend National First Responders Day Shopping With Kids
Thursday is National First Responders Day but Putnam County responders spent the morning giving back to kids. Responders from around the county took over 30 students on a $115 shopping spree at Academy Sports and Outdoors. Cookeville Police Officer Mason Vaughn said the kids always start out shy during events but before you know it, […]
Algood Middle Entryway Project Requiring More Fire Protection
The Algood Middle School entryway project will require additional work to meet Putnam County Fire Marshall requirements. Deputy Director Tim Martin said plans checked out on paper but an onsite inspection determined a more substantial fire break wall and metal doors for the office were needed. Martin said that luckily contingency funds were set aside […]
PCSS Decline State Tutoring Program, Look Towards TTU Partnership
The Putnam County School System is preparing its own tutoring program after declining to participate in Tennessee ALL Corps. Federal Programs Supervisor Bridgett Carwile said the state’s program was restrictive and contains guidelines that would force the school system to pay back money if certain criteria is not met. Carwile said ESSER 3.0 money has […]
Putnam Schools Open Doors For Parent Questions On Special Needs
The Putnam County School System is opening its doors Tuesday to any parents with questions about their child’s special needs. Kids in private school or home school can use the system’s Child Find program. Special Education Supervisor Sheri Roberson said Child Find is there for parents who are noticing any struggles in their child’s development. […]
Putnam School System Has Only One School Over 90 Percent Capacity
The Putnam County Board of Education’s efforts to better control school capacity has produced results. Attendance Supervisor Chris Pierce said Prescott South Elementary is the only elementary school with capacity over 90 percent. Pierce said elementary schools are averaging 84 percent capacity. “I think we’ve been doing this a while and we’ve had at least […]
PCSS Admins And Instructional Coaches Undergoing Training To Help Improve Student Learning
Putnam County Schools leaders are working to strengthen teacher collective efficacy skills. The system is partnering with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET). 9th through 12th-grade Curriculum Supervisor Sharon Anderson said that the goal is to strengthen administrators’ abilities to support their teachers. “We’re trying to get a sense of the learning loss […]
Jackson Schools Closed Monday, Tuesday For Increased COVID Numbers
Jackson County Schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday due to the system’s rising COVID numbers. According to the district, 453 absences were reported Friday with some missed days not related to COVID. That is an increase from Wednesday, which saw 325 absences. The future of COVID protocols for the school system are being reviewed […]
UC Leaders Trying To Navigate Learning Options With COVID In Schools On Rise
Upper Cumberland School Leaders want the governor to allow a certain number of school COVID days to deal with possible closures. Representative Ryan Williams said that some school districts statewide are using their snow days while they navigate the rise of cases. UC School leaders asked Williams for help. Williams said that he and school […]
DeKalb Schools To Increase Salaries Of Personnel
DeKalb County teachers, non-certified personnel, and bus drivers will see an increase in their next paycheck. Director of Schools Patrick Cripps said that the board of education has been working to better compensate employees. He said that the board wants to be able to compete for teachers with the bigger surrounding districts. “To be competitive […]
