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 […]
Three Candidates Running For Van Buren Director
Three candidates have applied for the Van Buren County School’s new director of schools. School Board Chairman Tim Hodges said the three candidates are qualified for the position and the board will interview the candidates on March 12. Meantime, Hodges said the school board has approved a contract with former Director of Schools Cheryl Cope […]
Van Buren School Board TISA Goals: Reading, Math Scores And Ready Graduates
The Van Buren Board of Education approved its new statewide accountability report Wednesday night. The report is a part of the TISA formula that requires the board to create a five-year plan for the county’s schools. Director Jared Copeland said the report allows the school board to show how taxpayer dollars are going to student […]
Jared Copeland Named New Van Buren County Director Of Schools
Van Buren County’s School Board elected Jared Copeland as the new director of schools Wednesday night. Copeland was the only nominee from five original candidates. Barry Austin nominated Copeland for a two-year contract to be negotiated by Chairman Tim Hodges. Copeland originally taught in Cookeville. He has been with Van Buren Schools for 10 years […]
Van Buren PreK-8th Graders To Receive Free Preventative Dental Care Through State Program
Van Buren County PreK through 8th-grade students will have the opportunity for free dental care. Through the State’s Department of Health, the School-Based Dental Prevention Program will be providing sealants, fluoride varnish, dental screenings, and education. Coordinated School Health Director Kelly Lewis said this opportunity comes every three or four years. “Because we don’t have […]
Van Buren BOE Reviews State And Federal Budget
In an effort to fully include Van Buren County school board members with state and federal grants, Director of Schools Cheryl Cole compared this year’s numbers to next year. Wednesday’s school board meeting was spent reviewing federal COVID money, salaries and instruction grants. Cole said the district’s auditor recommended the discussion for transparency purposes. After […]
Van Buren Schools Fill Vacant SRO Position
Van Buren Schools will have a new School Resource Officer starting Tuesday. Officer Jorge Rivera previously served in Warren County. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said the hire fills a vacancy that’s been open for a year and a half. “It’s taken a load off of our shoulders, because there are things that come up […]
Costs Of Additional School Board Seats Main Concern For Van Buren BOE
Van Buren County School Board Chair Ricky Walling said he does not have an issue if the school board increases to 10 members. The Van Buren Commission has scheduled a work session for November 30th to discuss the possibility introduced by Commissioner William Maxwell. But, Walling said the only concern in his mind is the […]
Van Buren Awarded After School Program Grant
The Van Buren School System has been awarded a state grant aimed towards funding after school programs. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said since the county does not have a daycare system, the grant helps parents that work on school nights. “Seventy-four thousand two hundred and fifty dollars is what we received,” Cole said. “Majority […]
