Van Buren Approves To Upgrade High School Sound System
The Van Buren County School Board has approved upgrading the Van Buren County High School sound system. Several board members complained that the current sound system was in poor condition and often had issues for events like graduation. Career and Technical Education Director Jamie Lowery said the sound system will come with six new speakers, […]
School Board Approves Roof Repairs At Elementary, High School
The Van Buren County School Board Wednesday night approved roof repairs at Van Buren County High School and Spencer Elementary. Both roofs have multiple leaks. School Board Member Benjamin Grissom asked why, saying the roofs have too many issues for such a fairly new roof. Director of Schools Katina Simmons said a contractor suggested the […]
Spencer Elementary HVAC Units Need Replacement
The Van Buren County School Board will take bids to replace HVAC units in the Spencer Elementary gym. Principal Amanda Binkley said the units have a long history of disrepair. “Off and on, there’s actually one of the units that works most of the time, and there are four in there,” Binkley said. “The seven […]
Van Buren Approves 25-26 Budget With Salary Increase
The Van Buren County School Board approved its 2025-2026 fiscal year school budget Wednesday night. Director of Schools Katina Simmons said teachers will receive a $2,400 salary increase, and hourly staff will receive a $50 increase for each year they have worked for the school system. Simmons said the new budget will have a limited […]
Board Pleased With Director Candidates After Interviews
The Van Buren County School Board pleased with the three candidates after completing interviews for the director position Wednesday. School Board Chairman Tim Hodges said all three candidates performed well during the interviews. Hodges said the board will now have to personally evaluate who is the best overall candidate. “Their time frame in the systems […]
Van Buren School Board Looking To Rework Gym Bids
The Van Buren County School Board is considering splitting the Spencer Elementary School gym floor replacement into two separate projects. Director of Schools Jared Copeland said estimates for a new floor came back at some $350,000. He said the last time the district solicited bids for the project, no bids were placed because of issues […]
Van Buren Schools Table Daycare Renovations
Discussions by the Van Buren County School Board about renovating a masonic lodge for use as a daycare, tabled indefinitely Wednesday night. Director of Schools Jared Copeland said the county received a grant from the Upper Cumberland Development District some three years ago to renovate the building. He said he believes that the money remaining […]
Van Buren School Board Considering Sick Day Sharing Policy
The Van Buren County School Board considering plan to allow faculty to share sick days. The system conducted a survey of faculty to see how they felt about two different donation plans. Director of Schools Jared Copeland said one plan included had a sick day bank where sick days would be approved by a committee. […]
Van Buren BOE Approves Bid For School Improvements
The Van Buren County School Board approved some $260,000 of capital improvements that include a roof repair at the pre-k school. Director of Schools Cheryl Cope said the project would also replace some doors and windows at the school and the CTE building. “These are older buildings that sometimes leak around the windows and doors,” […]
Van Buren BOE Approves New Fiscal Year Budget
The Van Buren County School Board will send a budget to the county commission that contains restored funding for a pre-k classroom. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said some $100,000 of federal funding came back to the school system. “I had to go back and revise it last week, because voluntary pre-k,” Cole said. “We […]
