Fentress Approves MOUs Required For SRO Funding
Fentress County has approved two separate memorandums of understanding to fund school resource officers throughout the county. Finance Director Tyler Arms said both agreements involved the sheriff’s department, one for York Institute and the other for the Fentress County Board of Education. Arms said the memorandums will allow them access to a grant that provides […]
Overton’s Conatser Named Tennessee SRO Of Year
Overton County School Resource Officer Allen Conatser has been named the Tennessee SRO Of The Year for his work at Wilson Elementary School. Conatser said he has been a detective, a deputy, and worked on K-9 units since starting in law enforcement in 2007. He said being an SRO is the most rewarding title he […]
Farris Asks Commissioners For Expanded Pay Options
Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris focused on finding new avenues to improve employee pay in his $21 million fiscal year budget. Farris told the Putnam County Budget Committee Monday night that he plans to introduce education-based pay incentives. He said the program offers pay increases to employees who have completed two years at an accredited […]
White County Schools Want Community Input On New Law
The White County School System polling administration, educators, and the White County community on the potential implementation of a new law that allows teachers to carry handguns on campus. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said this issue is not as simple as a “yes” or “no” and will require feedback from everyone it would affect. […]
Avery Trace Middle To Build An On-Campus Softball Field
Avery Trace Middle School is gearing up to solicit bids for the construction of an on-campus softball field. Athletic Director Cliff Matlock said the team has been traveling across town to Jere Whitson for practices and games for nearly 30 years. He said a field on campus would increase the popularity of the sport. He […]
Jackson Schools Upgrading Emergency Preparedness
The Jackson County Schools taking steps to improve emergency preparedness and better understand crisis prevention. Director of Schools Jason Hardy said Gainesboro Elementary School, Jackson County Middle School, and Dodson Branch School all attended the state’s Threat Assessment event in February. He said teachers and administrators learned how to assess the different levels of issues […]
Overton Schools Looking To Add SRO For REACH Academy
The Overton County School Board wants to add a School Resource Officer at REACH Academy. Director of Schools Donnie Holman said REACH Academy is a three-component school housed in a building on the Livingston Academy Campus. He said it functions as a behavioral school, alternative school, and a credit recovery school. He said when Governor […]
Baxter Schools Placed On Soft Lockdown Thursday Afternoon
Upperman High School, Upperman Middle School, Cornerstone Elementary School, and Baxter Primary School placed on a soft lockdown Thursday afternoon on the advice of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Eddie Farris said the department received a call around 1:00pm about a domestic issue on Ward Mill Road. Farris said according to the call, the […]
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 […]
Overton Schools Working With Police And Sheriff’s Dept. For SROs
Overton County Schools hoping to work with Livingston Police and Overton Sheriff’s Department to provide student resource officers at every school. Director of Schools Donnie Holman said in the past, the school system would apply for state grants that provide funding for SRO salaries. “Some of those grants are going away, and it’s not that […]
