Cumberland School Board Halts Amazon Consolidation
The Cumberland County Board of Education halted a plan to consolidate 16 district Amazon accounts into a single centralized umbrella following concerns regarding the legal handling of school activity funds. Director of Schools Rebecca Farley said the proposed consolidation projects savings of $40,000 and $50,000 annually by eliminating redundant membership fees, shipping fees and securing […]
Putnam Early Learning Academy Now Ready For Students
The Putnam County Early Learning Academy will open as scheduled for its first full day of classes next Friday. The project faced major delays in remodeling the former Park View Elementary. Early Learning Academy Principal Allison Painter said the administration managed the construction timeline by focusing on internal tasks such as creating schedules and moving […]
Enrollment Gains Drive Jackson Schools Funding Increase
Jackson County Schools receiving its first increase in state funding since the implementation of a new funding formula due to rising student enrollment and strategic financial management. Director of Schools Jason Hardy said the school system expects an increase of approximately $600,000 to $700,000 in state funds compared to the previous year. Hardy said the […]
Jackson School Budget 4% Raise, $51K Starting Salary
The Jackson County School Board approved a new budget Thursday that includes a four percent pay raise for all district employees. Director of Schools Jason Hardy said the school system was able to increase state funding for the first time since the implementation of the TISA formula due to rising enrollment. Hardy said the district […]
Pickett Schools Report Strategic Student TCAP Growth
Pickett County Schools reporting measurable student growth across multiple subjects following the release of recent TCAP testing data. Director of Schools Melissa Robbins said the district focused on tracking the progress of specific student groups as they transitioned from one grade level to the next. Robbins said the school system achieved its primary goal for […]
State Recognizes York Institute For TCAP Math Growth
Tennessee’s Department of Education honoring York Institute for achieving a 9.1 percent increase in student math proficiency on recent TCAP tests. Director of Schools John Bush said the significant growth in math achievement is a testament to the hard work put in by students, teachers and families. Bush said he credited Principal Abbi Dunford and […]
Fentress Teacher Mentors Eighth-Grade Student Author
A Fentress County educator mentoring a local student author to help publish children’s books for fellow students across the Upper Cumberland. Reading Ambassador Belinda Payne said eighth-grade student Reese Smith began her writing journey in the fifth grade after receiving a hamburger-shaped toy. Payne said Smith used the toy as inspiration for her first published […]
UC School Districts Trying To Buck Growing Teacher Loss
Upper Cumberland school districts working to retain teachers, hopeful of bucking the national trend of teachers leaving the profession. White County Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said the district maintains well above a 90 percent teacher retention rate through fostering an atmosphere of cohesion. “We try and support one another,” Dronebarger said. “We don’t differentiate […]
White County Schools Secure Top Regional TCAP Scores
White County Schools scoring top five in the Upper Cumberland region in 16 out of 17 tested categories during the most recent TCAP testing season. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said the district achieved the top score in the region in seven of those categories. Dronebarger said the school system also ranked second in the […]
Hermitage Springs Gym Floor Renovation Starts In August
Renovation work on the Hermitage Springs gym floor is scheduled to begin August 10 to address safety concerns caused by decades of wear and tear. Director of Schools Diana Monroe said the floor has reached a point where the surface was peeling, necessitating a full sanding and refinishing process. Monroe said the new floor will […]
