Tag Archives: Board of Education

The Pickett County Board of Education has approved its third round of COVID relief funding with the main focus on learning loss. Director of Schools Diane Elder said a portion of the $1.3 million will give the high school three years of summer school and tutoring services. “Students will be chosen according to the amount of learning loss and referred ... Read More »

Pickett County Director of School Diane Elder has asked teachers and staff to more closely follow the COVID guidelines outlined by the district. Elder said she especially encourages more social distancing when staff gather. Elder said teachers getting infected could put the school at risk of temporary shutting down. “We got situations where we have an employee that is positive ... Read More »

After seven years in the Clay County School System, Director of Schools Matt Eldridge has announced his retirement. Eldridge made his decision public during Thursday night’s board of education meeting. Eldridge said he will officially step down on December 31, 2021. “My wife’s retired from teaching and we’re going to try to slow down and visit our children a little ... Read More »

The White County School Board has approved two lease agreements to house a pair of child care services at the Board of Education Office. EduCare Early Learning Center and Sparta YMCA will run the operations. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said the office has unused space to offer the service to the community. “I have gone out and talked to ... Read More »

Pickett County Schools will be repaving the high school parking lot in increments starting with the first phase approved Monday. The Board of Education awarded a sole bidder to repave some 4,600 square feet for about $110,000. Director of Schools Diane Elder said the main road to the bus garage behind the high school will be improved. “We’re hoping to ... Read More »

The Overton County School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to sign Donnie Holman to a four-year contract as the system’s director of schools. School Board Chair Jarman Hicks said Holman’s performance as interim director since January made him the right person to fill the job. “When Donnie came in as interim, he came in ready to lead,” Hicks said. “He wanted ... Read More »

Community members will now have the chance to outline the future use of the Central View School property. The Board of Education approved a motion Thursday allowing residents to create a committee to start and maintain a community center. Board Member Bob Young said residents have until the end of the year to do so. “We wanted to give the ... Read More »

Van Buren County School’s new fiscal year budget has passed its second reading with little changes. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said the proposed $7.4 million budget includes a two percent raise for teachers and support staff. “Expenditures we kept about the same,” Cole said. “I think there was $180,000 difference and that was a decrease because we are trying ... Read More »

Van Buren County Board of Education Member Ronnie Hitchcock has resigned. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said Hitchcock moved outside of the district he represented. “Mr. Hitchcock submitted a letter of his resignation, and I took it over to the county court clerk, and it will be probably be on their next county commission meeting,” Cole said. “Then, they will ... Read More »

The Pickett County Board of Education unanimously rejected the sole bid opened Monday for the construction of a solar pavilion. The school system was awarded a $100,000 grant through TVA to fund the project, but, the total price tag for the work came in at $358,000. Director of Schools Diane Elder said the price was too high to cover. “I ... Read More »