Overton Schools Implement Pay Scale, Approve New Scoreboard

The Overton County School Board voted Tuesday night to implement its new teacher pay scale.

The payrate goes into effect with the March check, giving teachers six months of the new scale this year. The new pay scale puts the system in the middle among Upper Cumberland school districts.

The school board unanimously approved a new video board for the Livingston Academy Football Stadium. The 11.5 feet by 15 feet video board will increase the scoreboard cost by some $44,000. The current scoreboard does not have video and is priced at $82,000. The school board approved the original scoreboard purchase outside the scope of the contractors’ bid to ensure delivery before the renovations are complete.

Four positions around the video board will be sold by the school system to help recoup the costs of the video board. The price tag includes software and training for staffers.

School Board Chair Mike Hayes said the school board had saved money on lighting, roughly $30,000, giving the system some flexibility with the project.

School Board Member William Abston suggested a class at Livingston Academy where students could learn how to program the video board and also sell sponsorships.

Officials met with prospective contractors Tuesday to go over the different aspects of the project. The bid opening will be January 25 at 2pm.