Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Happening Now

Students, Teachers Support After Petett’s Passing

Jackson County Schools providing counseling and additional support for students and teachers after the passing of Jackson County High School Principal Max Petett.

Petett and his wife had gone missing around Dale Hollow Lake and were eventually found in the water, apparently drowned. The couple owned a houseboat on the lake where they would regularly stay. Director of Schools Jason Hardy said a faculty meeting Monday morning followed by a school-wide assembly to discuss the tragedy and give everyone a chance to process their emotions. Hardy said counselors will continue to be available to support anyone grieving the loss of Dr. Petett.

“He never passed you without smiling or talking to you about your day and all that,” Hardy said. “And all people grieve differently and we want to just make sure we have the support here for all of them in case they needed it. It’s been a very, very positive day. Our students and our faculty and staff has handled everything really well but we know each day’s going to bring a new challenge.”

Hardy said this was Petett’s first year with the district but he had already become a well-liked and respected administrator at the high school. Hardy said Petett had previously worked in Lebanon and served as the principal of Cookeville High School before coming to Jackson County.

“When I was calling around in the hiring process and talking to people, I got nothing but positive reviews,” Hardy said. “To a tee, everybody said how likable and how well-respected and like he was by all the people that was on his staff and also all the students that he had encountered. So that seems to be the theme with Dr. Petett, was a very positive, outgoing person that really made connections, and those connections were real.”

Hardy said he has been very happy to see an outpouring of love and support from all the school districts and directors across the Upper Cumberland. Hardy said Assistant Principal Jay Halfacre is taking over as the acting principal of the high school for the time being.

“We’ll continue to work this week to give him all the help he needs,” Hardy said. “But we’ve got great teachers and staff and administration here, and our kids are very resilient.”

Share