Jackson Director of Schools Concerned About Future After TCAT Merger

Jackson County Director of Schools Jason Hardy said he is concerned Jackson County will be forgotten after the administrative merger between TCAT’s Livingston and Crossville campuses.

Jackson County relies heavily on TCAT Livingston to support both the mini campus in Jackson County and the growing career and technical education (CTE) programs offered in high schools. Hardy said he wants to make sure the county’s smaller, more rural population will not receive less attention.

“Our kids count just as much as any other kids count,” Hardy said. “We just don’t want to be overlooked. We’d be, you know, foolish if we didn’t fight for our kids and make sure that we’re given the same opportunities that you have in Jackson County to any other county in the state of Tennessee, and that’s all we’re trying to do.”

Jackson County is looking to strengthen its CTE program by adding more classes thanks to an Innovative School Models grant, but would require support from TCAT to do so. Hardy said the county has historically had a good relationship with TCAT Livingston, but the new combination with the Crossville campus may change that.

“We don’t know what that looks like,” Hardy said. “We just hope that we continue that great working relationship, because TCAT Livingston partners with us on a lot of areas.”