Experienced Bates Takes Helm Of Spencer Elementary
Gary Bates taking over as the new principal of Spencer Elementary School after serving 35 years in the education field. Bates most recently worked as an instructional coach for Bledsoe County Schools where he supported middle and high school educators for four years. He previously spent 12 years as a principal serving students from Pre-K […]
Bids Due On 3 Van Buren School Projects Over Next Month
Van Buren County Schools Director Jared Copeland said bids on three school upgrade projects should arrive within a month. The project list includes new boiler equipment for Spencer Elementary. Copeland said the old boiler has been patched at least ten times due to performance issues. “What they’re going to replace it with are three smaller […]
Van Buren School Board To Use $84,000 Grant Towards Third Grade Retention Law Compliance
Van Buren School Board voted to use $84,000 grant for tutors to meet third grade retention law requirements. Spencer Elementary School Principal Amanda Binkley said the school had received Tennessee All Corps funding late last year to help prevent kids from being held back by the third grade retention law. Binkley said an after school […]
Spencer Elementary Hosting Hands On Learning Event Thursday
Van Buren County students can get a change of pace this week as Spencer Elementary School hosts the Creative Discovery Museum of Chattanooga Thursday. School Health Coordinator Kelly Lewis said the event is called Full Steam Ahead. “The word steam is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, art and math,” Lewis said. “So that evening, […]
Van Buren Schools Awarded $400K Grant Providing Energy Upgrades
The Van Buren County School System has been awarded a $400,000 TVA Uplift Grant and Solar Pavilion. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said this grant will address lighting at Spencer Elementary and Van Buren County High School. Cole said a preliminary location of the solar pavilion has been determined. “It’s an outdoor classroom and they came […]
Teachers Preparing For Back To School
Fall 2020 will be an uncharted semester for local teachers. Not only are teachers preparing for classroom safety for themselves and students, but also lesson planning to ensure consistent education. And the final days of preparation have arrived. Putnam County fourth grade teacher Ashley Reeves said she’s working on equalizing quality between in-person classes and […]
