Grow Your Own Grant Program Needs Secondary Math Teacher Candidates
Tennessee Tech is considering the second round of the Grow Your Own teacher grants. But, College of Education Associate Dean Julie Baker said if they were to move forward, they would need to find new partner districts. Baker said the first round of candidates are preparing for classes this Summer, but still have eight participant […]
Overton Schools Out Of Snow Days, White 2 Remaining
All 13 snow days for Overton County Schools have been used after classes were cancelled Friday. Monday makes the 14th day missed. Interim Director of Schools Donnie Holman said now that the stockpile has been depleted, school officials are tasked with planning for future closures. “All the stakeholders will get together, and we will have […]
White Co. BOE Approves Teacher And Support Staff Bonuses
The White County School School Board has approved giving all certified teachers and nurses a $430 bonus through state allocated funds. The funds come from the two percent teacher raise approved by Tennessee General Assembly in January. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said the money will be split evenly to about 311 different employees. “This […]
Masks Found To Decrease Other Sicknesses In White County Schools
Masks are protecting students from more than just COVID with White County Schools seeing a decrease in other sicknesses. During Thursday’s White County School Board meeting, Cumberland Family Care Dr. Ty Webb gave a COVID update. He said in his practices, cases of strep throat overall have became minimal. “Strep this year, I don’t know […]
UC Teaching Candidates Being Finalized For Grant Program
Tennessee Tech will finalize its 30 teaching candidates for the Grow Your Own grant program later this month. College of Education Associate Dean Julie Baker said the 30 candidates will begin taking classes this summer. The candidates will work as they take classes as teaching assistants in five Upper Cumberland Counties. Baker said having the […]
White Co Schools Return From Break In-Person
The White County School System will return to school January 4th with in-person learning. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said keeping students in the classroom to learn was the main reason for the decision. “We have been in session since the first of September in-person full fledge,” Dronebarger said. “So, we try to continue that […]
White County School’s Family Resource Center Tackles Rising Needs
White County School’s Family Resource Center has seen an increase in homelessness and kids in need during the pandemic. Director Beverly Dronebarger said the Family Resource Center tries to provide food, laundry service, housing resources and utility assistance. Dronebarger said when kids go to school without their basic needs met, it is difficult to perform […]
White County Schools Navigating Bus Driver Shortage
White County Schools have lost nine drivers over the last two years and dropped two routes due to staffing issues. This was said during the Thursday night school board meeting’s maintenance and transportation presentation. White County School Director Kurt Dronebarger said it has forced the school system to make some difficult decisions but is proud […]
White Co. Schools Face Challenges In Limiting COVID Exposure
The White County School System has about 500 students quarantined, one seventh of the total student population. During Thursday’s Board of Education meeting, Health Services Director Marcie Kinnard presented a representation of how quickly in school exposures can spread over a two week period. “I went through and assigned a letter to every kid,” Kinnard […]
White Co. Schools Filling Teacher Voids Through Grant
White County Schools are looking for math and special education teacher candidates through a grant program with Tennessee Tech. The Grow Your Own Grant program is meant to create a teacher pipeline by funding two years of schooling for in house candidates. Director of Schools Kurt Dronbarger said the school system has plenty of teacher […]
