School systems across the Upper Cumberland are bolstering fire alarm policies after a change in state policy. The new legislation requires all schools to develop procedures to determine the cause of an activated fire alarm. Pickett County Director of Schools Diane Elder said she held a safety meeting with the school’s new homeland security officer, local law enforcement, and EMS. ... Read More »
Tag Archives: Pickett County Schools
Pickett Schools Receive Need Improvement Designation
Pickett County Schools designated by the State Department Of Education as a Needs Improvement School System. The designation means Pickett County’s system scores ranked in the bottom five percent of all districts in the state. Indicators include student achievement, growth as well as areas such as absenteeism. A total of six districts received the Needs Improvement designation based on school ... Read More »
Pickett School Vehicle Additions To Expand CTE Opportunities
Pickett County Schools expect to have a new bus and a van for its CTE programs delivered any day now. Pickett CTE Director Kenny Tompkins said the van was scheduled to be delivered in mid-February, but it has not arrived yet. He said the van will be used to transport students to competitive career events across the state. The bus ... Read More »
Pickett Schools Begin Free Lunch Pilot Program, Hopeful Long-Term
Pickett County Schools will provide free meals for all students district-wide through the end of the school year. School Nutrition Supervisor Rebecca Wallin said this year, Tennessee made Medicaid-eligible students certified to receive free lunch, almost doubling the number of eligible students in Pickett County. She said the increase finally made this a fiscal possibility. “A well-fed student, a student ... Read More »
Pickett Director: Prepare To Come Back To School Wednesday
A lot of snow melted across the Upper Cumberland Monday but many schools are still closed. Pickett County Director of Schools Diane Elder said schools are closed Tuesday to ensure conditions completely clear up before putting buses back on the road. She said she plans for Pickett schools to open back up on Wednesday after students being out of school ... Read More »
Elder: Pickett High Water Pipes Will Need Replacement
The Pickett County Schools new fiscal year budget includes a new bus for disabled students and a pipe replacement for the high school. The School Board went through the budget during a Monday work session, voting to approve it during the regular meeting. The total budget includes some $1.42 million in local tax dollars, a slight increase from last year. ... Read More »
Pickett Schools Reopening Wed After Closing For Water Leaks
Pickett County Schools will reopen Wednesday after closing due to water damage. Students were set to return to class Tuesday. Director of Schools Diane Elder said two pipes busted over holiday break after a winter storm brought sub-zero wind chills. “We had a pipe burst back behind our dishwasher in the cafeteria, and when that happened, it flooded the cafeteria, ... Read More »
New LED Lights Coming To Pickett HS
Pickett County Schools has received its shipment of new LED lights that will be installed in the high school next week. Director of Schools Diane Elder said a TVA grant the system received over a year ago will fund the $100,000 project. “When you walk down the hall, everything is just different colors,” Elder said. “All the lights range anywhere ... Read More »
Pickett Schools TCAP Data Shows Growth In Several Areas
Pickett County’s state testing data showed improvements in science, math and English language arts. Director of Schools Diane Elder said science scores especially improved as the county landed above state average. “Improvement,” Elder said. “That was the first word. We have improved, and we were thrilled. We’ve shown improvement across the board in science.” According to state data, Pickett County ... Read More »
Pickett School Director Concerned For District’s Future Under TISA
Pickett County Director of Schools Diane Elder said she feels like Governor Bill Lee’s new school funding formula will be a loss for the county. Elder said she believes there will not be enough funding for the school system, which could result in a property tax increase. “We’ve not asked for that increase in 15 years, and I would really ... Read More »