Vigilance Key When It Comes To Sharing Roads With School Buses
Schools back in session mean school buses are back on the roads. Livingston Police Chief Greg Etheredge said that when it comes to sharing the roads with buses, caution is key. “The best thing to do is just watch,” Etheredge said. “When you see those big yellow school buses slow down and keep a little […]
Putnam Schools Expect Good Year Ahead After First Week Back
Putnam County Schools had their first full day back on Tuesday, and officials say it looks like it will be a good school year. Deputy Director Tim Martin said that the main issue facing schools is long car lines from the influx of students. “Not just newly registered but everybody being back,” Martin said. “All […]
COVID Relief Spending On Employees, New Buildings Not Advised
The idea of spending COVID relief funding on pay raises and new hires have been discussed as ways to fill positions. However, County Government Consultant Ben Rodgers said American Rescue Plan and ESSER funding should address long-term goals, without reoccurring costs. Rodgers said the funding will not be there in a few years, bringing repercussions […]
Pickett Schools Buys Tracking System For Expenditures And Student Growth
Pickett County Schools has purchased a new tracking system to improve the systems bookkeeping. Director of Schools Diane Elder said the program was needed to document expenditures from ESSER funding. “We are supposed to be tracking every penny that we spend,” Elder said. “We need something to keep up with student data, and from talking […]
White Co. Schools Surveying Community For ESSER 3.0 Uses
The White County School System surveying the community for feedback on how to spend ESSER 3.0 funding. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said residents of White County with ties to the school system are welcome to participate. “The federal government came back and said we want to put some parameters on these dollars, and we […]
Rep. Windle Says UC Needed More Assistance In Governor’s Budget
State Representative John Mark Windle said that more could have been done to help the Upper Cumberland in the 2021 state budget. Windle said that broadband infrastructure was cut from $200 million to $100 million by Governor Lee. Windle said rural Tennessee is seeing an influx of new residents but they need the bandwidth for […]
Construction Pathway Program Forming From Regional Need
The Highlands Economic Partnership is preparing to add construction to its Pathways Program. Director of Workforce Development and Education Kaitlin Salyer said a committee will be formed to connect education partners and employers. Salyer said this ensures that curriculum being taught lines up with in-demand skills. “We’d been hearing quite a bit and I’ll use […]
COVID Vaccines Become Available For School Employees
In the latest round of distributions, school employees that work directly with children are now eligible to receive a COVID vaccine . Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said he is encouraging White County staff to take advantage of the opportunity. “In White County, all of our folks in the schools that work with school based […]
Twin Lakes Fullfills 15 Grants Around Upper Cumberland
Twin Lakes has decided to fund 15 community grants in the Upper Cumberland to try and assist with issues the pandemic has created. Marketing and Sales Manager Lea Ann Gore said the board of directors made the decision to commit more than $70,000. Gore said Twin Lakes knew the need was pressing with nearly double […]
Putnam Schools Want State Testing Dismissed
Putnam County Director of Schools Corby King said he wants this year’s state standardized testing to be exempt. King said teachers and students already face enough challenges from COVID. Preparing for state testing should not be one of them. “Right now, our focus is teaching students at grade level, grade level standards, grade level academics,” […]
