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 […]
School Board Extends Director Dronebarger’s Contract
The White County School Board approved a new four-year contract for Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger Thursday, extending his leadership through June, 2030. Board Chairman Bob Young said the decision serves as a gesture of goodwill to recognize the district’s high performance on state testing over the past several years. Young said the school system […]
Upper Cumberland Counties Secure Perkins CTE Grants
Nine school districts and institutions across the Upper Cumberland have secured a portion of more than $2.6 million in Perkins Reserve Grant funds to support Career and Technical Education for the 2026-2027 school year. Commissioner of Education Lizzette Reynolds said the grant recipients submitted applications outlining action steps to support the FutureReadyTN state plan. Reynolds […]
White County School Board Approves Million Dollar Reward
The White County School Board approved the final distribution of a $1 million high-performance reward during its meeting Thursday to recognize the district’s academic achievements. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said the funding stems from a state-level bonus program that rewards school systems where at least 50 percent of individual schools earn an “A” on […]
Findlay Elementary Earns Prestigious National Blue Ribbon
Findlay Elementary School named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education for exceptional academic growth and achievement. White County Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said just six schools in Tennessee received the recognition during the last award cycle. Dronebarger said the honor is based on performance metrics that show the school […]
Dronebarger Gets Raise, Still Below Peer Director Standard
The White County Board of Education approved a seven percent salary increase for Director Of Schools Kurt Dronebarger Thursday night. Board members voted to amend the director’s salary line item from the contractually mandated $117,300 to just over $123,000. That number leaves White County some 20 percent below its peers in director pay. Board member […]
White County Schools Presents Nearly Balanced Budget
The White County Board of Education took a step closer Tuesday night to a nearly balanced budget for the 2026-2027 school year that prioritizes personnel compensation. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said the proposed general purpose school fund budget includes a nominal expenditure increase of just 0.67 percent compared to the previous year. Dronebarger said […]
Swatting Calls Disrupt Celebrations At White County Schools
White County Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said a series of unfounded swatting calls disrupted the school day. Dronebarger said the threats included a false report of an intruder inside a school building Wednesday morning followed by a second unfounded report of a suspicious person outside in the woods near a school. White County officials […]
White County Schools Maintenance Prepares Busy Summer
White County Schools will be busy this summer with renovation projects ranging from classroom conversions at the high school to flooring and playground upgrades. Transportation and Maintenance Director Randy Alley said the department is transforming two high school classrooms into a dedicated culinary arts space featuring new flooring and cabinetry. Alley said the summer schedule […]
