Tag Archives: Schools

Funding for needed positions, technology upgrades and teacher compensation among the feedback that White County Schools submitted as the state works on a new education funding formula. The state department of education gave one week of public comment on the new funding framework. Tuesday was the deadline. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said the suggestions have been folded into this ... Read More »

This week in the Upper Cumberland the Cookeville Planning Commission will consider the preliminary plat for the Highbury Subdivision. A planned 147 lots located on Neal Street and East Veterans Drive. Business begins at 5:30 p.m. on Monday. The Fentress County Commission also meets Monday. Members will consider a resolution that allows the county to apply for an arts grant ... Read More »

A local attorney said it is important public tax dollars continue to fund public schools at Tuesday night’s BEP Town Hall. Anne Austin said she worries that there’s more to the idea of revisiting the BEP formula. “I am a strong proponent of a strong public education system,” Austin said. “That means funding it with taxpayer dollars whether they’re federal ... Read More »

Equity. That was the word most used at Tuesday night’s forum on public school funding. Jackson Schools High School Supervisor of Instruction Deb Whitaker said that when the state recognizes smaller counties have had to make do with their resources. “We have to do the same things that systems ten times our size do with one-tenth the number of people,” ... Read More »

Thursday is National First Responders Day but Putnam County responders spent the morning giving back to kids. Responders from around the county took over 30 students on a $115 shopping spree at Academy Sports and Outdoors. Cookeville Police Officer Mason Vaughn said the kids always start out shy during events but before you know it, they’re off and running. “It’s ... Read More »

The Algood Middle School entryway project will require additional work to meet Putnam County Fire Marshall requirements. Deputy Director Tim Martin said plans checked out on paper but an onsite inspection determined a more substantial fire break wall and metal doors for the office were needed. Martin said that luckily contingency funds were set aside to complete the project. “Where ... Read More »

The Putnam County School System is preparing its own tutoring program after declining to participate in Tennessee ALL Corps. Federal Programs Supervisor Bridgett Carwile said the state’s program was restrictive and contains guidelines that would force the school system to pay back money if certain criteria is not met. Carwile said ESSER 3.0 money has been reserved for tutoring. “We’re ... Read More »

The Putnam County School System is opening its doors Tuesday to any parents with questions about their child’s special needs. Kids in private school or home school can use the system’s Child Find program. Special Education Supervisor Sheri Roberson said Child Find is there for parents who are noticing any struggles in their child’s development. “They may be struggling with ... Read More »

The Putnam County Board of Education’s efforts to better control school capacity has produced results. Attendance Supervisor Chris Pierce said Prescott South Elementary is the only elementary school with capacity over 90 percent. Pierce said elementary schools are averaging 84 percent capacity. “I think we’ve been doing this a while and we’ve had at least a half a dozen schools ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools leaders are working to strengthen teacher collective efficacy skills. The system is partnering with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET). 9th through 12th-grade Curriculum Supervisor Sharon Anderson said that the goal is to strengthen administrators’ abilities to support their teachers. “We’re trying to get a sense of the learning loss that has occurred due to ... Read More »