Sumner County is one of 10 counties that has expressed interest in a program called "convenience voting" that would allow citizens to vote at any polling location rather than those designated by the precinct where they live.
The program makes use of new technology which Sumner County is already using which allows for a voter's proper voting information to be fed into any voting machine. So, if you were on your way home and passed a precinct with a short line, you could get in and vote and the machine would be set up for your proper precinct.
Because the system is computerized and online, the votes are counted properly no matter which precinct a voter uses.
A similar process is used for early voting, allowing voters to show up at a designated central location and vote for the proper candidates for their district.
The move could come as early as the 2014 elections.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
School Safety to Cost $2.7 Million
The Sumner County School Board this week approved school safety upgrades that would cost an estimated $2.7 million. The upgrades include a new telephone system as well as security cameras and improved entrances at most schools. Schools will be equipped with panic and lockdown alarms as well.
The proposal came after a security review of the entire system conducted by Board staff and a firm specializing in school safety.
The recommendations are one-time costs and will be forwarded to the County Commission for funding.
The proposal came after a security review of the entire system conducted by Board staff and a firm specializing in school safety.
The recommendations are one-time costs and will be forwarded to the County Commission for funding.
STEM Comes into Focus
In place of a failed attempt to bring full-fledged Focus Academies to all Sumner County schools (due to lack of available funding), the School System is poised to emphasize STEM disciplines and STEM skills in all high schools beginning in the 2013-14 academic year. STEM stand for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. It is the academic focus most parents recommended in a survey about Focus Academies.
This story details the district's STEM plans -- including the fact that STEM can be embedded in current curriculum and/or implemented as teachers retire and are replaced with STEM-focused teachers.
All high schools will have a designated STEM emphasis, with Hendersonville High adding Arts to become a STEAM school.
This story details the district's STEM plans -- including the fact that STEM can be embedded in current curriculum and/or implemented as teachers retire and are replaced with STEM-focused teachers.
All high schools will have a designated STEM emphasis, with Hendersonville High adding Arts to become a STEAM school.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
School Board Meets Tonight
Among the agenda items: Discussion of the renaming of Union Elementary and discussion of the School Safety Audit. It all starts at 6PM at the Board Meeting room in Gallatin.
Construction: Approved
That is, the capital projects bond that was on last night's County Commission agenda has been approved.
Frank Freels raised some objections about process and about the actual need for some of the buildings. Freels has consistently joined those on the Commission reluctant to fund schools. There was debate over the scope of the projects, the sufficiency of the bond to meet needs, etc. But ultimately, the bond was approved and projects can now move forward.
Frank Freels raised some objections about process and about the actual need for some of the buildings. Freels has consistently joined those on the Commission reluctant to fund schools. There was debate over the scope of the projects, the sufficiency of the bond to meet needs, etc. But ultimately, the bond was approved and projects can now move forward.
Monday, March 18, 2013
County Commission Meets Tonight, School $ on Agenda
The Sumner County Commission meets tonight. On the agenda:
Approval of nearly $250,000 THIS year to fund the start of the School Resource Officer (SRO) request by the School Board (recommended by the Ad Hoc Committee on School Safety). This would mean 13 new SROs in the 2013-14 school year. The plan would include phasing in SROs so they are in every school within 5 years.
Also up for a vote is a $30 million+ capital bond for construction of a new elementary school (Burris Elementary) on the campus of Knox Doss at Drakes Creek Middle as well as the addition of new classrooms at Hendersonville High and Gallatin High.
Construction bonds are the first step -- the rooms, once built, will need teachers and supplies and resources in order to make them useful. Historically, the system has opened new buildings/additions without adequate resources and then scrambled to hold fundraisers or beg the County Commission for additional funds.
As these facilities will take time, the recurring expenses/resources needed for their operation likely won't be needed until the 2014-15 budget year.
Approval of nearly $250,000 THIS year to fund the start of the School Resource Officer (SRO) request by the School Board (recommended by the Ad Hoc Committee on School Safety). This would mean 13 new SROs in the 2013-14 school year. The plan would include phasing in SROs so they are in every school within 5 years.
Also up for a vote is a $30 million+ capital bond for construction of a new elementary school (Burris Elementary) on the campus of Knox Doss at Drakes Creek Middle as well as the addition of new classrooms at Hendersonville High and Gallatin High.
Construction bonds are the first step -- the rooms, once built, will need teachers and supplies and resources in order to make them useful. Historically, the system has opened new buildings/additions without adequate resources and then scrambled to hold fundraisers or beg the County Commission for additional funds.
As these facilities will take time, the recurring expenses/resources needed for their operation likely won't be needed until the 2014-15 budget year.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Most Influential Named
Sumner County's Most Influential people and organizations have been named by Sumner County Publications (The Hendersonville Star News and Gallatin News Examiner).
Among the five most influential organizations in Sumner County, the papers named upstart advocacy group Strong Schools for their role in the 2012 school budget fight. The paper noted that the organization didn't just organize parents for the key meetings in the budget struggle, but that they've continued encouraging parents and community members to attend Board and County Commission meetings.
Strong Schools members attend meetings and document and share their findings so more in the community can learn about what decisions impact schools.
The organization maintains a Facebook page with over 2000 members and sends out regular email updates on school-related meetings where key decisions will take place.
From live-streaming County Commission meetings to providing meeting summaries that are easily and quickly shared, Strong Schools has changed the dynamic in Sumner County when it comes to discussion and action on public schools.
Among the five most influential organizations in Sumner County, the papers named upstart advocacy group Strong Schools for their role in the 2012 school budget fight. The paper noted that the organization didn't just organize parents for the key meetings in the budget struggle, but that they've continued encouraging parents and community members to attend Board and County Commission meetings.
Strong Schools members attend meetings and document and share their findings so more in the community can learn about what decisions impact schools.
The organization maintains a Facebook page with over 2000 members and sends out regular email updates on school-related meetings where key decisions will take place.
From live-streaming County Commission meetings to providing meeting summaries that are easily and quickly shared, Strong Schools has changed the dynamic in Sumner County when it comes to discussion and action on public schools.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Cox Named to Education Board
Governor Bill Haslam has named Sumner County School Board Vice Chair Beth Cox to the Southern Regional Education Board. Cox will serve through 2016 on the regional body representing 16 southeastern states.
Cox is seen by many as among the most informed and most reasonable members of the Sumner County School Board. Known for her in-depth research of issues, Cox often consults with teachers and principals before making key votes.
Some have suggested Cox may challenge incumbent State Rep. Courtney Rogers in the 2014 Republican primary for the 45th District State House seat.
Cox is seen by many as among the most informed and most reasonable members of the Sumner County School Board. Known for her in-depth research of issues, Cox often consults with teachers and principals before making key votes.
Some have suggested Cox may challenge incumbent State Rep. Courtney Rogers in the 2014 Republican primary for the 45th District State House seat.
Vendor allegedly harasses student
According to this report, a person who sold copies of "the Contributor" newspaper not far from Ellis Middle School is a registered sex offender. The story details a recent incident in which the vendor is alleged to have had inappropriate contact with an 18-year-old who was walking into a store not far from the school.
"Outsiders" Comes to MHMS
The Merrol Hyde Magnet School Theatre Department will present S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders next week. The public performance is Thursday, March 21st and tickets are $5 at the door.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
A Changing Tide?
The County Commission's Budget Committee met last night and approved a bond issue for new school building projects, including classrooms at GHS and HHS and a new elementary school (Burris Elementary) to be built on the campus of Knox Doss at Drakes Creek Middle School.
The funding comes roughly one year ahead of the 2014 County Commission primary elections and follows months of tense meetings over proper funding for schools. Some speculate the Commission is providing these funds to help quell public anger over the body's historic lack of support for schools just in time for the upcoming elections.
In other meeting news, the County Commission's sometimes secret committee on school safety was disbanded. Commissioners agreed that the School Board and Sheriff's office could handle the proposals for SROs (School Resource Officers) and that the Board's proposals for physical upgrades to facilities to enhance safety would go through the normal Commission committee channels.
Perhaps this is the beginning of an increased level of cooperation between the Board and Commission. As the school system's budget shapes up, we'll see if the peace lasts or is only temporary.
The funding comes roughly one year ahead of the 2014 County Commission primary elections and follows months of tense meetings over proper funding for schools. Some speculate the Commission is providing these funds to help quell public anger over the body's historic lack of support for schools just in time for the upcoming elections.
In other meeting news, the County Commission's sometimes secret committee on school safety was disbanded. Commissioners agreed that the School Board and Sheriff's office could handle the proposals for SROs (School Resource Officers) and that the Board's proposals for physical upgrades to facilities to enhance safety would go through the normal Commission committee channels.
Perhaps this is the beginning of an increased level of cooperation between the Board and Commission. As the school system's budget shapes up, we'll see if the peace lasts or is only temporary.
Monday, March 11, 2013
County Budget Committee Meets Tonight
At 6:30 in Gallatin.
Among the items for consideration is a $47 million bond issue which includes funds for construction of new classrooms at Gallatin High and Hendersonville High as well as the new Burris Elementary (to be built on the campus of Knox Doss at Drakes Creek). Some Commissioners are anticipating a bit of controversy over this issue -- but it appears to be a step in the right direction in terms of ensuring we have adequate facilities for our growing student population.
Others have expressed concern that the Commission may fund the new buildings (one-time cost) but not provide adequate funds for the staffing or resources (technology and library books, for example) necessary for operation of an effective school system.
Stay tuned as school budget issues come into clearer focus as summer approaches.
Among the items for consideration is a $47 million bond issue which includes funds for construction of new classrooms at Gallatin High and Hendersonville High as well as the new Burris Elementary (to be built on the campus of Knox Doss at Drakes Creek). Some Commissioners are anticipating a bit of controversy over this issue -- but it appears to be a step in the right direction in terms of ensuring we have adequate facilities for our growing student population.
Others have expressed concern that the Commission may fund the new buildings (one-time cost) but not provide adequate funds for the staffing or resources (technology and library books, for example) necessary for operation of an effective school system.
Stay tuned as school budget issues come into clearer focus as summer approaches.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Fighting Over Books
It seems Hendersonville and Sumner County are in a fight of sorts over the Hendersonville Library. Built with county, city, and private funds and maintained by the City, the library apparently (according to Jerry Stone) belongs to the county. Perhaps he and Scott Foster can engage in an MMA match to determine the outcome?
Top Teachers Honored at Banquet
Sumner County's elementary, middle, and high school teachers of the year were honored at a banquet recently. The winners were Derri Cash of Lakeside Park Elementary, Darrell Duncan of Merrol Hyde Magnet, and Kim Harkreader of J.W. Wiseman.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Emergency Services, Education, Highway Committee Tonight
County Commission Committees meet tonight beginning at 5 PM -- Emergency Services, Education, and Highway Committees.
Note the agendas here.
The meetings begin at 5 PM and will be held at the Emergency Management Building -- 255 Airport Road in Gallatin.
Note the agendas here.
The meetings begin at 5 PM and will be held at the Emergency Management Building -- 255 Airport Road in Gallatin.
School Board Meets Tomorrow
There's a study session AND a Special Called Meeting. It seems there will be some additional information regarding the school safety audits that have been conducted with Board staff.
Friday, March 1, 2013
School Safety Committee Recommends SROs
Last night, the Ad Hoc Committee on School Safety met to discuss possible options for improving school safety in Sumner County Schools.
The committee recommended adding 13 School Resource Officers (SROs) to the schools by spring of 2014 -- they can't be deployed earlier because the committee is reluctant to recommend using reserve funds to cover start-up costs and because the training takes 10 or more weeks from the date of hire. The plan is a five year plan to deploy SROs at all schools in the district.
The Committee heard information regarding a request for funds from the School Board to upgrade school buildings to provide additional security. This would be a one-time cost to address needs identified during a currently on-going assessment of the system's schools.
At one point during the meeting, Chair and County Commissioner Jim Vaughn said the committee couldn't act on concrete recommendations because none had been submitted by the School Board. This in spite of a December letter from Dr. Del Phillips and County Executive Anthony Holt requesting one-time money to address school safety. The amount of the request was $5 million.
School Board Chair Ted Wise, present despite his recent resignation from the committee, read a letter from the School Board dated January 9th and addressed to County Executive Holt and County Commission Chair Hyde. The letter requested immediate action on a proposal to provide an SRO in every school and allocate one-time money for building upgrades to enhance school safety.
Following that January 9th request, Commissioners in a budget committee meeting requested that the issue be deferred until a committee chaired by Vaughn could further study the issue. The Ad Hoc Committee was later appointed and Vaughn named the Chair. The first meeting was last night - a full 50 days following the Board's request and 70 days after Dr. Phillips and County Executive Holt asked the Commission to act.
Safe and Drug Free Schools Coordinator Pat Conner asked that the Committee or County Commission give some budget guidance. She said the assessment of facilities will show areas needing upgrade/improvement but the solutions will vary in cost. She asked for $3 million to be allocated for school security upgrades. The Committee indicated that no money was currently available (they won't spend reserves) and that until they saw clear recommendations, they didn't want to discuss funding.
County Commissioner Frank Freels, present though not a committee member, spoke and suggested that Sumner County is being pushed into doing something and that counties as close by as Trousdale were doing nothing and that was just fine.
Commissioner Jerry Stone noted that he was unsure where the money would come from -- and it is Stone who now chairs the County Commission Budget Committee.
County Commissioner and former Hendersonville High School principal Paul Decker noted that the SRO program was excellent and he supported expanding it to more schools in Sumner County.
School Board member and former Portland High principal Glen Gregory said that new graduates looking to enter the teaching field will look for schools that are safe.
Danny Hurst, who manages the SRO program, noted that safe schools are key to economic development. He noted that families moving to middle Tennessee will look for school systems with solid school safety plans.
The Committee's next meeting will be on March 28th -- A Thursday during the week of the school system's Spring Break and just before Good Friday.
The committee recommended adding 13 School Resource Officers (SROs) to the schools by spring of 2014 -- they can't be deployed earlier because the committee is reluctant to recommend using reserve funds to cover start-up costs and because the training takes 10 or more weeks from the date of hire. The plan is a five year plan to deploy SROs at all schools in the district.
The Committee heard information regarding a request for funds from the School Board to upgrade school buildings to provide additional security. This would be a one-time cost to address needs identified during a currently on-going assessment of the system's schools.
At one point during the meeting, Chair and County Commissioner Jim Vaughn said the committee couldn't act on concrete recommendations because none had been submitted by the School Board. This in spite of a December letter from Dr. Del Phillips and County Executive Anthony Holt requesting one-time money to address school safety. The amount of the request was $5 million.
School Board Chair Ted Wise, present despite his recent resignation from the committee, read a letter from the School Board dated January 9th and addressed to County Executive Holt and County Commission Chair Hyde. The letter requested immediate action on a proposal to provide an SRO in every school and allocate one-time money for building upgrades to enhance school safety.
Following that January 9th request, Commissioners in a budget committee meeting requested that the issue be deferred until a committee chaired by Vaughn could further study the issue. The Ad Hoc Committee was later appointed and Vaughn named the Chair. The first meeting was last night - a full 50 days following the Board's request and 70 days after Dr. Phillips and County Executive Holt asked the Commission to act.
Safe and Drug Free Schools Coordinator Pat Conner asked that the Committee or County Commission give some budget guidance. She said the assessment of facilities will show areas needing upgrade/improvement but the solutions will vary in cost. She asked for $3 million to be allocated for school security upgrades. The Committee indicated that no money was currently available (they won't spend reserves) and that until they saw clear recommendations, they didn't want to discuss funding.
County Commissioner Frank Freels, present though not a committee member, spoke and suggested that Sumner County is being pushed into doing something and that counties as close by as Trousdale were doing nothing and that was just fine.
Commissioner Jerry Stone noted that he was unsure where the money would come from -- and it is Stone who now chairs the County Commission Budget Committee.
County Commissioner and former Hendersonville High School principal Paul Decker noted that the SRO program was excellent and he supported expanding it to more schools in Sumner County.
School Board member and former Portland High principal Glen Gregory said that new graduates looking to enter the teaching field will look for schools that are safe.
Danny Hurst, who manages the SRO program, noted that safe schools are key to economic development. He noted that families moving to middle Tennessee will look for school systems with solid school safety plans.
The Committee's next meeting will be on March 28th -- A Thursday during the week of the school system's Spring Break and just before Good Friday.
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