What's Going on at the Election Commission?

Or, better yet: What's NOT going on at the Sumner County Election Commission?

In recent months, the Election Commission has voted NOT to have satellite early voting in the Presidential Preference Primary in March -- which is also the primary for the Tax Assessor position. Then, the reaffirmed that vote, in spite of resolutions from the cities of Hendersonville, Portland, and Goodlettsville asking for the voting. And most recently, the voted against allowing a public comment period before meetings.

Josh Nelson at the Hendersonville Standard has the most recent story.

While the story notes the Commission Chair's correct statement that satellite early voting hasn't been an option in previous presidential primaries, it's worth noting that this year's primary is in March -- just one month after the Iowa Caucuses (which take place on February 1st). That means it is very likely there will be viable candidates in the race at the time Tennessee votes, especially on the Republican side.

Should the Election Commission be making it easier for citizens to vote in such an important election? And, does satellite early voting increase participation.

The answer to both questions is YES. The Election Commission should be working to make it easier for qualified voters to cast ballots. And YES: When there has been satellite early voting in other elections, voter turnout (as a percentage) has increased.

So far, there's been no turning back from the decision not to have satellite early voting. And, the Election Commission isn't going out of its way to get public feedback on this issue.

For more on news impacting Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

JOB: Testing Technician

This is a temporary position at Vol State Community College:

The purpose of this position is to provide part-time proctoring services in the college’s Testing Center as directed by the Assistant Director of Advising and Testing. This position monitors the progress and provides security for all tests administered in the Testing Center.

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If you have a Hendersonville-area job opening you'd like listed here, send it to us at newshendersonville@gmail.com

For more on jobs and other news in Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

Langford Named County Commission Chair

The Sumner County Commission last night elected its leaders for the 2015-16 year.

The top leadership post, Chair of the County Commission, went to Scott Langford of Goodlettsville.

Langford on the job with 17 affirmative votes.

He will chair all future meetings and determine committee leadership.

For more on Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

Review: Our Place Cafe

Volunteer Firefighter Donoven Rice reviews Our Place Café:

From the moment you walk into the door, you are hit in the face with a whole heaping of southern hospitality, and the smells of good down home cooking. With a menu that is always changing, there are so many options to eat when down in Our Place.

My personal favorite is the meat loaf. Just like my grandmother used to make it.

Their hot plates and generous portions (that aren't too much, or overwhelming) will have you hooked and wanting more.

Still hungry? I hope you save a little room for one of their sweet, satisfying desserts! Sure to fulfill that sweet tooth!

So when you're in the mood for some down home cooking at a reasonable price, eat local, at Our Place Café!

For more on Hendersonville restaurants and other news, follow @HvilleNews

Not a Single Meeting

Last night, as the Sumner County Commission passed budgets for the 2015-16 fiscal year, Commissioner Jim Vaughn made a surprising revelation.  He told his fellow Commissioners and those in attendance that he hadn't attended a single budget committee meeting or any other meeting related to the budget. He said he didn't know what was going on in this year's budget. He noted that the school system's budget was growing, but he couldn't say why or whether it was justified, just that it seemed like a lot of money.

Vaughn then joined County Commissioners Merrol Hyde, Moe Taylor, Mike Akins, and Steve Graves in opposing funding for all the county's budgets.

Vaughn's comments suggest a lack of engagement in perhaps the most important responsibility of a County Commissioner: How taxpayer dollars are spent. The School Board began it's budgeting process in February and held meetings related to the budget in May. After the School Board's budget meetings, County Commission committees began examining the school system's budget and other departmental budgets.

It's been two weeks since all budget hearings were complete -- time when Vaughn could have asked questions of department heads and/or County Finance Director David Lawing.

Vaughn no doubt knows all the key plays because prior to September of 2014, he served on the County Commission's Budget Committee. So, he was intimately involved in the budget- making process.

While other commissioners (Schell, Foster, Kemp) indicated they'd talked to key players about the budget during the process, Vaughn confessed to having paid zero attention to what was happening.

Before voting to oppose the budgets he hadn't studied, Vaughn asked to defer the budgets for 10 days so he would have time to read and study them. 

While he didn't have time to study the Sumner County Budgets he's been elected to review and evaluated, he did make time to attend meetings of the Hendersonville Board of Mayor and Aldermen and advocate for the budget there - a budget that includes a pay raise for the police department. Of course, Vaughn's full-time job is as a Hendersonville police detective. So, when police in Hendersonville get a raise, Jim Vaughn gets a raise.

This is not the first time Vaughn has demonstrated a complete lack of engagement in important County Commission business. Back in September and October, before a vote on setting the tax rate, Vaughn missed a month of meetings and then announced publicly he didn't understand why there was a proposal on the table to raise the tax rate.

Then, as now, Vaughn skipped key meetings and then complained to the public that he didn't know what was going on. While other Commissioners not on the budget committee attended its meetings, Vaughn did not. While other Commissioners not on the budget committee asked questions of the Finance Director and Department Heads, Vaughn did not.

All of this begs the question: What is Jim Vaughn doing?

For more on news in Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

Schools Budget Up for Vote Tonight

The Sumner County Commission will meet tonight to discuss and vote on the Sumner County Schools proposed budget for 2015-16. The budget is balanced, does not require new revenue, and begins the process of building reserves to cushion the system against unexpected expenses.

MORE on the proposed budget

Tonight's meeting begins at 7 PM at the County Administration Building in Gallatin.

For more on news impacting Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

School Board Study Session Tonight

The Sumner County School Board will meet in a study session tonight at 6PM at the Board office in Gallatin.

Among the agenda items is a presentation and discussion on 8th grade math, which will include a recommendation to eliminate 8th grade Algebra 1 as an option for students and instead offer a new Advance Math course aligned to current Tennessee standards.

For more on news impacting Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

The End of 8th Grade Algebra?

Not exactly, but Sumner County Schools is considering a change in the way it delivers math instruction that could impact the options for 8th grade students.

In this story, Jeremy Johnson, spokesperson for the School Board, notes that no final decision has been made and explains the potential change this way:

School officials have discussed changing the math learning structure and offering alternative classes for eighth-graders internally for about a year. Consideration of the change came after discussions with middle and high school principals that revealed some ninth-graders who took Algebra I in eighth grade were not ready for upper level math.

“The problem we’re finding is when those students get into high school, they show knowledge gaps because they did not have the basic eighth grade concepts they needed to prepare them for upper level math,” Johnson said.

“Math concepts are building blocks. It’s important to have the opportunity to master each piece to build a solid foundation for students as they move on to high school math concepts. What we’re proposing will allow students to better develop the skills they are missing.”

READ MORE>>

For more on news impacting Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

Sumner County Budget Committee to Meet Monday

Subject to a special call, the Budget Committee of the Sumner County Commission will meet on Monday at 4:30 PM at the County Administration Building in Gallatin.

Here's the call:

A special called meeting of the Budget Committee is noticed for Monday, June 1st, 2015, at 4:30 P.M. (local time) at the Sumner County Administration Building, 355 North Belvedere Drive, Room 112, Gallatin, Tennessee. 

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss, consider, and possibly vote on the Sumner Schools Budget, the General Purpose Budget, the Debt Service Budget, the Highway Budget, and any other Sumner County budgetary matters being considered for the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

For more news impacting Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

Payne Retires from Chamber

Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Brenda Payne retires from her position this month.

The Hendersonville Star News has the story:

“To me, the accomplishment closest to my heart is putting the Hendersonville chamber on the map in the region,” Payne said. “Me being at places in Nashville. It’s critical. Businesses looking to relocate (to this area) don’t look at county boundaries. They look at who we are in Middle Tennessee.”

READ MORE>

For more news impacting Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

School Board Adopts Revised Weapons Policy

The Sumner County School Board voted unanimously to revise and update its policy for weapons/dangerous instruments on campus, including fine-tuning the communication process that occurs when such an item is found on a school campus.

Here's the policy with updates:

WEAPONS & DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS

 

Students shall not possess, handle, transmit, use or attempt to use any dangerous weapon in school buildings or on school grounds at any time, or in school vehicles and/or buses or off the school grounds at a school-sponsored activity, function or event.¹

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Dangerous weapons for the purposes of this policy shall include, but are not limited to a firearm or anything manifestly designed, made or adapted for the purpose of inflicting death or serious bodily injury or anything that in the manner of its use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. ²

 

"Expelled" for the purposes of this policy means removed from the pupil's regular school program at the location where the violation occurred or removed from school attendance altogether, as determined by Disciplinary Hearing Authority. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the assignment of such students to an alternative school.

 

POLICY

 

Any student found to have brought a weapon to school or is found in possession of a weapon on school property shall be immediately removed from the general student population at the principal’s discretion and referred to Disciplinary Hearing Authority for disposition as determined by the committee.

 

In order to ensure a safe and secure learning environment, the following offenses will not be tolerated:

 

FIREARMS (as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921)

 

In accordance with state law, any student who brings or possess a firearm on school property shall be expelled for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year. The director of schools shall have the authority to modify this expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis. ⁴

 

DRUGS

 

In accordance with state and federal law, any student who unlawfully possesses/distributes or is under the influence of any drug including any controlled substance, legend drug or prescription drug shall be expelled for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year. The director of schools shall have the authority to modify this expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis. ⁵

 

ASSAULT

 

In accordance with state law, any student who commits aggravated assault, as defined in 39-13-102, upon any teacher, principal administrator, any other employee of the school or school resource officer shall be expelled for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year. The director of schools shall have the authority to modify this expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis.⁵

 

VANDALISM OF SCHOOL PROPERTY OVER $500

 

Any student who commits vandalism of school property which results in the student being criminally charged with vandalism over $500 pursuant to T.C.A. § 39-14-408 shall be expelled for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year. The director of schools shall have the authority to modify this expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis.⁵

 

OTHER OFFENSES

 

Any student who makes bomb threats, commits sexual misconduct that results in the student being criminally charged with sexual battery, sexual assault, indecent exposure, rape or aggravated sexual battery, shall be expelled for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year. The director of schools shall have the authority to modify this expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis.⁵

 

THREATS

 

Any student who makes a threat of violence, whether written or verbal, which creates actual disruptive activity at the school that requires administrative intervention may be suspended and/or expelled as determined by the principal.  Students may be suspended and/or expelled for a time commensurate with age, maturity level, and intent as determined by the principal or other authorities. Depending on the circumstances, the principal may refer a student who make a threat of violence to the disciplinary hearing authority for disposition as determined by the committee.

 

ELECTRONIC THREATS

 

In accordance with state law, any student who transmits by an electronic device any communication containing a credible threat to cause bodily injury or death to another student or school employee and the transmission of such threat creates actual disruptive activity at the school that requires administrative intervention shall be expelled for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year. The director of schools shall have the authority to modify this expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis.⁶

 

FACSIMILE WEAPONS

 

Toy weapons or facsimiles will not be permitted on school grounds.  Students who possess toy weapons or facsimiles of weapons including water guns may be suspended as determined by the principal.  Students may be suspended for a time commensurate with age, maturity level, and intent as determined by the principal. Depending on the circumstances, the principal may refer a student possessing a toy weapon or facsimile to the disciplinary hearing authority for disposition as determined by the committee.

 

The use of weapons and dangerous instruments in school plays, school bands, or any other school activity is prohibited unless sanctioned in advance and in writing by the Director of Schools.

 

NOTIFICATION

 

When it is determined that a student has violated this policy, the principal of the school shall notify the student’s parent or guardian and the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system as required by law.⁷

 

It is the duty of a school principal who has reasonable suspicion to believe, either as a result of a search or otherwise, that any student is committing or has committed any violation of this policy to report such reasonable suspicion to the appropriate law enforcement officer. School personnel have the duty to report any reasonable suspicion that a student is committing or has committed a violation of this policy to the principal, or, if the principal is not available, to the principal's designee. If neither the principal nor the designee is available, school personnel may report violations of this policy to the appropriate authorities.

COMMUNICATION

 

Communication to the school board, parents, appropriate school staff, and the larger school community about specific incidents under this policy will be handled in on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Director's Office determined by the following factors:

1.  Was the threat specific to an individual, group of individuals, or the larger school community

2.  Was the threat credible based on the assessment of law enforcement officials

3.  Is the threat potentially a criminal act that could impact the system’s ability to release information to parents and the general public

4.  The age, maturity, and intent of the student involved to commit an act inflicting death or serious bodily injury. ²

 

EMPLOYEES

 An employee found to possess a weapon on school property shall be disciplined up to and including dismissal.  Criminal charges may be filed.  Any other person in violation of this policy will be removed and appropriate criminal charges filed.  This includes anyone with a legal permit from Sumner County or the State of Tennessee to carry a gun. Constitutional and/or statutory exceptions to the provisions of this policy shall be recognized. 

 

_____________________ _______________________

Legal References: Cross References:

1. TCA 39-17-1309 Discipline Procedures 6.313

2. TCA 39-11-106(a)(5)(A)(B) Suspension/Expulsion/Remand 6.316

3. 18 U.S.C. 921

4. 20 U.S.C. § 8921; TCA 49-6-4216(b);TCA 49-6-3401(g)

5. TCA 49-6-3401(g);TCA 49-6-4216(b

6. TCA 49-6-4216(a)(2)(C)

7. TCA 49-6-4209; TCA 39-17-1312

 

 

 

 

For more on news in Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

 

School Board Meets Tonight -- Budget on the Agenda

The Sumner County School Board meets tonight at 6:00 PM at the Board meeting room in Gallatin.
Among the agenda items is the proposed 2015-2016 budget for the school system.

The meeting will also feature discussion and a possible vote on a revised policy regarding weapons/dangerous instruments.

For more news from Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

County Commission Meets Tonight

The Sumner County Commission will meet tonight at 7:00 PM at the County Commission Chambers in Gallatin. The Commission's agenda includes recognition of Grace Oliver on her retirement from Sumner County Schools, Scott Wietecha on his Country Music Marathon win, and the Merrol Hyde Magnet School History Bowl team.


For more on news in Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

Phillips Proposes Schools Budget

At a non-voting work session yesterday, the Sumner County School Board heard Dr. Del Phillips' proposal for the system's budget for 2015-16.

Here's what Phillips had to say about it in an email he sent to system employees today:

On Tuesday afternoon I presented the 2015/16 budget to our School Board.

 

This represents the earliest we’ve presented the budget to our School Board in many years.   It is my hope that our School Board will adopt this budget during the May 19th meeting.  If the budget is adopted by the Board of Education, I will present the approved budget at a joint work session of the County Education and Budget Committees on May 20^th.

 

I’m thrilled to say the budget is a balanced budget with funding priorities that positively impact our schools and classrooms in a number of ways.

 

First and foremost, this budget continues our efforts to increase funding for classroom technology by adding another $250,000. This brings the total amount we are spending annually on classroom technology to $750,000.  This is a dramatic improvement over the $20,000 per year we had budgeted for technology in the 2011/12 budget.  These funds go directly to each school based on student enrollment. The principal at each school decides how best to utilize these funds to increase the effectiveness of teaching and learning. 

 

This budget also continues our School Board’s efforts to eliminate our district’s dependence on voluntary fees paid by parents. We’re doing this by eliminating student fees in elementary and middle schools and by raising our district’s instructional allocation for classrooms. Over the past four years we have raised our district’s instructional allocation by  $1,125,000.  These funds go directly to the schools in four spending categories: Office, Instruction, Library, and Guidance.

 

Also included in the proposed budget are pay increases for all employees, which continues our Board’s commitment to try to provide a cost-of-living adjustment every year.  The budget also includes range increases for our district’s bus drivers and custodians that will amount to a $1.00 to $1.55 per hour raise for these employees. This increase represents the third year of our Board’s four-year plan to bring the wages of our classified employees more in line with the market wages paid by the private sector.

 

And finally, and maybe most importantly, the proposed budget includes a $1 million undesignated fund balance to help provide fiscal stability for future budget years.

 

 A copy of the presentation I made to the Board of Education, as well as a copy of our proposed budget, may be found on our BoardDocs site by following this link:

http://www.boarddocs.com/tn/scstn/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=9WCEEQ1B661A

 

And here's some analysis of the budget from local grassroots advocacy group Strong Schools:

 

Today, Director of Schools Del Phillips presented his balanced budget proposal to the School Board at a non-voting work session.

Here are some key highlights of the proposal:

• The elimination of school fees for grades K-8
• An increase in the instructional allocation for schools -- from $34 per student last year to $54 per student this year
• An approximately 2% raise for most teachers and school employees
• The addition of 50 new part-time interventionists -- certified teachers who will provided targeted instruction through the RTI2 framework
• The additional staffing needed for the opening of William Burrus Elementary
• The addition of school nurses to improve the nurse to student ratio from 1:1211 to 1:1054

This budget represents another step forward for Sumner County Schools. It eliminates K-8 school fees, gives employees a raise, adds key staff, and provides additional classroom resources.

In addition to the base raise for classified employees, the budget includes a range adjustment for bus drivers and custodians, who will see an increase of between $1.00 and $1.55 an hour. This is designed to keep our system competitive.

While there is much to applaud in this budget, the comparisons to other neighboring systems make clear we have more to do.  For example, while this budget proposes the addition of 50 part-time interventionists, Williamson, Wilson, and Rutherford counties have an average of 48 full-time interventionists.

When it comes to school nurses, the proposed budget would allow us to improve our ratio by a reduction of over 150 students, our ratio will still be one nurse for every 1054 students. Neighboring counties average one nurse for every 854 students.

Our School Board, in cooperation with the County Commission, is digging out of a deep hole. For too long, parent fees and budget cuts were the norm. School Board meetings were focused on where to cut and what purchases to delay in order to function at acceptable capacity.

It's worth noting that both the County Commission's Budget Committee Chair and Education Committee Chair attended the budget presentation at the School Board. That's a new and welcome level of engagement by our County Commission.

And it should be mentioned that in the budget crisis of 2012, Strong Schools called on the Board and Commission to start the budget process earlier in order to allow more time for feedback and adjustments. This budget, presented in May, will avoid the crisis budgeting and last minute cuts of the past.

Our School Board and Dr. Phillips are to be commended for carefully and methodically digging their way out and pushing our school system forward.

As budgets like this year's become the norm, Sumner County Schools will continue on the path to building the excellent schools our community deserves.

For more news on Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

 

School Board to Hold Budget Workshop

The Sumner County School Board will hold a budget presentation and workshop on Tuesday, May 12th, at 2:00 PM at the School Board Office located at 695 East Main Street in Gallatin.

The workshop is designed to give Board members a chance to review Director Del Phillips' budget proposal and request any changes before an anticipated vote on Tuesday, May 19th.

For more on news from Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

Isbell Faces Questions Over Using Tax Dollars for Politics

Hendersonville News first reported on this site in late January that Sumner County Tax Assessor John Isbell is using his publicly-funded official website for political purposes. Now, local TV station Fox 17 has picked up the story, asking Isbell to justify his actions.

Here's an excerpt from the Fox 17 story:

Log on to the Sumner County web page for Assessor of Property John Isbell and you'll find a link for more information about the recent property tax reappraisal.
That page is attracting criticism from Sumner County residents like Dan Wright who feel its content amounts to a political attack on the public's dime.
"Absolutely it's political yeah. From what I see it's political defense," said Wright.
The part Wright believes is political involves direct attacks towards County Executive Anthony Holt calling him a "Pro-Tax Increase Bureaucrat."
The page also accuses Holt of holding "secret meetings" and "wasting taxpayer dollars" and towards the end of the page accuses him of conduct that's akin to "the worst kind of public servant."

Isbell doesn't deny that the words are his. He only says he's posting what he sees as "the truth."

In 2014, Isbell came under fire for irregularities in the Sumner County Tax assessment. Rather than admit any mistakes, Isbell has chosen to attack those he perceives as political enemies, apparently even using a taxpayer-funded website to do so.

Since at least January of 2015, Isbell has posted explicitly political messages on his official, taxpayer-funded website. He's not taking them down - he's letting the taxpayers foot the bill.

As the 2016 election for Tax Assessor approaches, will Isbell continue to use taxpayer money for political gain?

For more on news in Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

School Board Meets Tonight

The Sumner County School Board will hold a study session tonight at 6PM at the Board Office in Gallatin.

Among the agenda items is a review of the weapons/dangerous instruments policy.

Here's the full agenda:

A. Presentation from Beech High School STEM program

Discussion

B. Discussion regarding a revision to Policy JCBF Weapons and Dangerous Instruments prior to second reading

Discussion

C. Discussion regarding a revision Policy J-6.411 Student Wellness prior to second reading

Discussion

D. Discussion regarding 2015-16 Board Meeting schedule

 

Discussion

E. Policy Maintenance Review, Policies IDF through IFAB

 

For more news on Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

JOB: Customer Service Rep

Verizon is hiring a Customer Service Rep in its Hendersonville storeResponsibilitiesAs a confident, professional individual with a rich understanding of VZW technology and services, you will: Deliver the ultimate Verizon Wireless customer experience in our retail stores Create a welcoming and exciting store environment Introduce customers to the store, direct customer traffic and promote store exploration Ensure customers needs are met in a timely manner Quickly and completely resolve customer issues Deliver the ultimate one-on-one coaching experience to customers as you demonstrate product and accessory functionality Facilitate wireless workshops where you will work with groups of customers to demonstrate and educate them on a variety of technology solutions, including the latest and greatest smartphones, tablets and smart accessories Sell solutions and process customer transactions Contribute to the overall health and performance of your retail store by supporting daily business operations, including selling technology solutions, stocking inventory, and processing customer transactions when needed Ensure that all interactive displays are operationalAs a Verizon Wireless Experience Specialist, you'll use your excellent customer service and communication skills to create powerful in-store experiences for our customers. You'll not only introduce our customers to Verizon Wireless and showcase our technologies you'll fuel customer loyalty by empowering them with technical knowledge that can improve the way they live, work and play.About Verizon Wireless We believe in the power of technology to solve just about anything. And we've put our sharpest minds to the task. Whatever your passion and expertise, when you join VZW, you'll find a sales team determined to change the world and empower our customers to do the same!. You'll tackle challenges that will continually spark your intellect, fuel your passion and drive your professional growth. And we'll provide you with robust training opportunities and outstanding benefits. So you're always supported to realize your goals.Join us, and create an inspiring career with the company that meets every day with one question: ""What do we want to build next?""

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Get your job opening in front of hundreds of Hendersonville viewers every day -- email us at newshendersonville@gmail.com

County Budget Committee Meets Today

The Sumner County Commission's Budget Committee meets today starting at 3:30 PM at the County Commission Chambers in Gallatin.

Today's meeting continues the budget hearing process as the Commission prepares to discuss and vote on county departmental budgets.

Today's agenda includes the highway department, the Sheriff's office, Emergency management, and libraries, among other items.

For more on issues impacting Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

JOB: Territory Sales Representative

You will be joining the Southeast's #1 Security and Home Automation company as a territory outside sales rep earning $57,425 - $161,450k /year.  Our lowest paid rep earns $550.00/ week and our top rep earns $3,104.00/ week.  We are seeking aggressive individuals and sales professionals who have the skills and talent to communicate with potential customers (residential and B2B).  You will be trained, 100% supplied and supported by our local office to make sure you are successful, signing up 10-25 customers/ month.  Direct deposit paychecks are paid weekly, so your first paycheck may be only a week away. 

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Want to list your job opening on our site? Email us at newshendersonville@gmail.com

Strong Schools to Host RTI2 Forum

Grassroots advocacy group Strong Schools will host a forum on RTI2 - Response to Intervention and Instruction -- on Tuesday, April 14th at 6:00 PM at Merrol Hyde Magnet School in Hendersonville.

The event will include a presentation from Assistant Director of Schools for Curriculum and Instruction Jennifer Brown on RTI2 and its implementation in Sumner County.

Audience members are encouraged to ask questions as the event is intended to be a dialogue around the RTI2 issue.

For more Hendersonville, TN news follow @HvilleNews

Hughes May Seek Top GOP Post

In the wake of the announcement that Tennessee GOP Chair Chris Devaney is leaving his post to assume a leadership role at a non-profit, Hendersonville's Scottie Hughes, who serves as the news director at the Tea Party News Network, has indicated she may be a candidate for the job.

Hughes says she won't make an official announcement until April 6th -- likely because she wants to ensure she'd be able to garner enough votes to win the post.

It's unclear whether the Tennessee Republican Party Executive Committee would warm to Hughes, a leader in the anti-establishment Tea Party movement.

Hughes has also come under fire recently as key staffers at the Tea Party News Network resigned, citing unethical management practices. Specifically, the staffers noted:

“TheTeaParty.net Facebook page was built using non-profit dollars and resources and yet the hundreds of thousands of dollars a month being generated from traffic deriving from the non-profit Facebook page are being funneled to a for profit company with no transparency. Even if you could find a way to make that legal, it’s immoral and unethical,” the letter continues. “We represent ourselves as ‘The Tea Party’ on Facebook and take no action to hold ourselves to the higher standards of that designation. Posts by fights.buzz and viral.buzz have become increasingly vile and unacceptable. The Tea Party is not TMZ and TPNN is not WorldStar.”

Hughes defended the network's practices and has moved forward without the key staffers who left the organization.

For more Hendersonville area news, follow @HvilleNews

JOB: Patient Account Representative

Citadel is a growing business office outsourcing company providing services to hospitals and physician offices.  We assist our clients with business office functions including billing, posting, collections and follow up.  Our mission is to deliver unparalleled excellence in all aspects of Patient Financial Services, the result of which is sustained increase in cash collections.  Our vision is to be recognized in the healthcare industry as the preeminent outsourcer of Patient Financial Services departments.  Our values are honesty, integrity, accountability, superior customer service, and commitment to excellence.

 

Employee Qualifications:  Organizational skills, strong sense of customer service, self motivated, and general understanding of medical claim terminology.

Recommended Experience: Hospital business office or dialysis experience is preferred.

Position Responsibilities: A production standard of 40 accounts per day worked for an overall account resolution on any outstanding insurance claims.

Requirements: A minimum of one year experience pertaining to commercial and government insurance follow up, and knowledge of managed care insurance is required. The applicant must also have knowledge of UB and 1500 claims form along with experience working unpaid and/or denied Medicare and Medicaid claims or experience working unpaid commercial claims to resolution.

 Hiring is contingent on successful background check and drug screen.

 

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To have your job listed on our site, email newshendersonville@gmail.com

 

Clary Announces Mayoral Bid

Former Hendersonville Alderman Jamie Clary became the first person to publicly announce a candidacy for Mayor of Hendersonville, an election that will be held in November of 2016.

Clary made the announcement via social media, according to this Hendersonville Star News story.

Clary served as Alderman from 2002-2006. He ran for re-election in 2006, but was soundly defeated by now-former Alderman Lisa West.

Shortly after Clary announced, friends and supporters of potential candidate and former County Commissioner David Kimbrough indicated they'd received messages from him suggesting he will run. Kimbrough has not made a formal announcement.

Other potential candidates include current Aldermen Matt Stamper and Steve Brown and former Alderman Tommy Elsten. Brown and Elsten both ran for Mayor in 2012, when current Mayor Scott Foster won re-election to a third term. Brown then won election to an open seat on the BOMA in 2014.

For more on Hendersonville and Sumner County news, follow @HvilleNews

Hyde and Rogers Take on Voters

Apparently, resoundingly losing an election won't stop Merrol Hyde from trying to meddle in local political affairs. Despite the fact that Hyde's County Commission buddies Frank Freels, Jerry Stone, and Kirk Moser lost in the May elections and that Hyde's once-powerful faction on the Sumner County Commission now can barely muster more than 5 votes on any single issue, Hyde continues to push an anti-voter legislative agenda.

Hyde has partnered with State Rep. Courtney Rogers (the candidate Hyde recruited to run against Debra Maggart in 2012) to advance state legislation that would bar teachers, police officers, and first responders from serving on the Sumner County Commission.

Hyde claims that this is to prevent any "conflicts of interest." Nevermind that voters were fully aware that the candidates they were voting for (or against) in May and August were also serving Sumner County as teachers, sheriff's deputies, and in other capacities. Hyde wants to protect the poor voters from any injustice -- Hyde knows best, after all.

While such a stance may seem hypocritical in light of the fact that Hyde himself was once Director of Schools while at the same time serving as a County Commissioner, hypocrisy has never gotten in the way of Merrol Hyde with a political ax to grind. In fact, when his schools budget was out of balance and he was serving on the County Commission, he voted 7 times in a single night for varying levels of a tax increase -- now, he claims to be an anti-tax champion.

As one might guess, County Commissioners who also serve our community in other capacities have had enough of the 1-2 punch of Hyde and Rogers. Last Monday, they passed a resolution calling on the General Assembly to oppose the ill-conceived Rogers bill.

And one Commissioner, Scott Langford, offered his opinion in the Hendersonville Standard.

Langford said of the Rogers bill:

This bill seeks to undermine free elections by limiting the choice of who can serve and whom voters and whom voters can elect.

For more Sumner County and Hendersonville news, follow @HvilleNews

JOB: Customer Service Rep - Verizon

Verizon Wireless in Hendersonville is hiring a Customer Service Rep:

Responsibilities

As a confident, professional individual with a rich understanding of VZW technology and services, you will:

• Deliver the ultimate Verizon Wireless customer experience in our retail stores
• Create a welcoming and exciting store environment
• Introduce customers to the store, direct customer traffic and promote store exploration
• Ensure customers’ needs are met in a timely manner
• Quickly and completely resolve customer issues
• Deliver the ultimate one-on-one coaching experience to customers as you demonstrate product and accessory functionality
• Facilitate wireless workshops where you will work with groups of customers to demonstrate and educate them on a variety of technology solutions, including the latest and greatest smartphones, tablets and smart accessories
• Sell solutions and process customer transactions
• Contribute to the overall health and performance of your retail store by supporting daily business operations, including selling technology solutions, stocking inventory, and processing customer transactions when needed
• Ensure that all interactive displays are operational


As a Verizon Wireless Experience Specialist, you'll use your excellent customer service and communication skills to create powerful in-store experiences for our customers. You'll not only introduce our customers to Verizon Wireless and showcase our technologies – you'll fuel customer loyalty by empowering them with technical knowledge that can improve the way they live, work and play.
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JOB: Business Development Executive

Smith Travel Research in Hendersonville is hiring a Business Development Executive

Position Summary:  The Business Development Executive - Hotels is responsible for growing the independent hotel segment for STR, raising awareness of our products within an assigned territory, significantly increasing the number of properties participating as data providers, and selling subscription-based services to them. This position will interact with a wide variety of industry executives such as hotel owners, general managers and directors of sales, as well as industry organizations. 

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On Schools: How They Voted

The Sumner County Commission approved two major expenditures on Monday night. First, they approved a $70 million bond that will, among other things, fund a renovation and building project at schools across the county.

Here's an outline of the building program.

Here's how County Commissioners voted:

YES votes were:
Jerry Foster
Baker Ring
JoAnne Kemp
Paul R. Goode
Scott Langford
Alan Driver
Leslie Powell Schell
Kevin Pomeroy
Patricia LeMarbre
Jerry Becker
Caroline S. Krueger
Michael Guthrie
Billy Geminden
Paul Decker
Chris Taylor
Bill Taylor
Bob Pospisil

NO votes were:
Merrol Hyde
Jim Vaughn
Steve Graves
Mike Akins
Moe Taylor
Ben Harris
Larry Hinton

The next issue relevant to schools was a vote to purchase land for a new school campus to house an elementary, middle, and high school near Cottontown that is expected to be needed in the next 5-7 years.

Here's the vote breakdown:

YES votes were:
Larry Hinton
Jerry Foster
Baker Ring
JoAnne Kemp
Paul R. Goode
Scott Langford
Alan Driver
Leslie Powell Schell
Kevin Pomeroy
Patricia LeMarbre
Caroline S. Krueger
Michael Guthrie
Billy Geminden
Paul Decker
Chris Taylor
Bill Taylor
Bob Pospisil

NO votes were:
Merrol Hyde
Jim Vaughn
Mike Akins
Moe Taylor
Jerry Becker

Abstaining votes:
Steve Graves
Ben Harris

For more on news impacting Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

JOB: Restaurant Manager, Panera Bread

Panera Bread in Hendersonville is seeking a Manager:

Job Requirements:

• We're looking for restaurant pros with 3+ years of restaurant management experience.
• A college degree is not required but can be useful. More importantly, you must seek mastery and personal growth through constant learning.
• We need leaders who can guarantee operational excellence and consistently exceed customers' expectations!

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JOB: Retail Sales Representative

Verizon Wireless is Seeking a Retail Sales Representative

You know how to communicate with customers to find out what they need—and what solutions can fill those needs. Our dedicated Sales professionals receive award-winning training so they can present our game-changing technologies, products and services to the world.

Responsibilities
May be asked to work in Hendersonville, Rivergate or Gallatin locations.

Responsibilities
About Verizon Wireless
We believe in the power of technology to solve just about anything. And we've put our sharpest minds to the task. Whatever your passion and expertise, when you join VZW, you'll find a sales team determined to change the world and empower our customers to do the same! You'll tackle challenges that will continually spark your intellect, fuel your passion and drive your professional growth. And we'll provide you with robust training opportunities and outstanding benefits. So you're always supported to realize your goals.Join us, and create an inspiring career with the company that meets every day with one question: "What do we want to build next?"

Role
As a Verizon Wireless Solution Specialist, you'll use your outstanding sales expertise, passion for VZW technology and customer interaction skills to create the ultimate in-store experience. As the driving force in building customer loyalty and growing our existing customer base, you'll deliver superior customer service and proactively contact existing customers to ensure they're getting the most out of our products and services. ResponsibilitiesWith a rich understanding of VZW technology and services, you'll leverage this knowledge and expertise to: Analyze customer needs and present value-added solutions Inspire and excite customers about how our solutions can impact their lives Ensure that our customers leave our stores with the best solutions for their needs Deliver the best product set-up and coaching experience possible Provide our customers with a basic understanding of the functionality of the products and accessories they purchase so that they can immediately enjoy their new solutions Attend both formal and informal training to better understand our retail store operations and keep up with company, market, and industry trends Support daily business operations, including processing customer transactions and auditing cash receipts daily

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County Commission Meets Tonight

The Sumner County Commission meets tonight at 7PM at the County Administration Building in Gallatin.

The meeting includes the election of a new General Sessions Judge.

Also on the agenda is the approval of the purchase of land that will be used to build a new school campus in the next 5 years or so. The purchase anticipates growth in the area of Sumner County between Hendersonville and Gallatin. Purchasing the land at 2015 prices will save taxpayers money and prevent the proliferation of portable tin cans as permanent classrooms.

While some oppose the purchase, arguing we don't need a new school right now, that line of thinking represents the old way of doing business in Sumner County. That is, the School Board and County Commission would wait until schools were overcrowded, add portables to campuses, and then purchase land at a premium. By the time a new school was built, it was already crowded.

Purchasing land for schools in advance is a practice undertaken by school systems such as Rutherford and Williamson County in order to get ahead of growth and ensure sufficient available land for schools in areas where it is needed.

While this type of forward-thinking leadership is new to Sumner County, it should not be rejected due to it being unfamiliar. Rather, taxpayers should embrace a conservative, financially responsible approach. Doing so will both save money and allow for managed growth.

Here's the full meeting agenda.

For more on what's happening in Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

JOB: Entry Level Customer Service Rep

Prestige Marketing Consultants is hiring an entry level customer service rep in Hendersonville:

At Prestige Marketing Consultants we have an energetic, fast paced environment filled with both successful and competitive individuals.  They are not only looking to build their individual careers, but are focused on the future success and growth of both our clients, consumers, and team.
 
We have a firm structure in our company where individuals are able to voice their opinions and ideas openly.  Each idea is given careful consideration on how it can be worked into our company’s policies and structures.  We believe strongly in an equal platform. 

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To get your Sumner County job listed on our site, email us at newshendersonville@gmail.com

JOB: Entry Level Sales and Marketing

Sky, Inc. is hiring for an entry level sales and marketing position:

Sky, Inc., currently has a career opening for an Entry Level Junior Executive. In this entry-level position, we are seeking a dynamic early career professional in search of an access point to a management career in the sales, marketing and/or consulting industries.

The Entry Level Junior Executive will work with a group of seasoned sales and marketing professionals. Qualifying customer leads created by the clients we represent, and finalizing sales with our direct marketing tactics.

The ideal candidate is competitive, energetic, passionate and aggressive in their pursuit of excellence. Successful Junior Executives will be considered for advancement to higher-level management positions within the organization.

Sky, Inc., offers a fast-paced work environment, competitive compensation, and the opportunity work in one of the hottest start-ups in the Nashville area.

What Youll Do:

Generate new sales in prospective accounts

Demonstrate clear understanding of Sky's business operation processes

Communicate in a one on one based sales environment with potential customers

Provide daily accurate forecasts to the sales organization and executive management

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Common Core Forums Next Week

Following up on last month's forums on standards, Station Camp High Teacher and America Achieves fellow James Dittes in conjunction with Strong Schools will host two forums on Common Core next week.

The first will be held Monday, February 23rd at 6:00 PM at the Hendersonville Public Library.

The second will be held Tuesday, February 24th at 6:30 PM at Union Elementary in Gallatin.

These events are open to the public.

The forums are an opportunity for a guided discussion on Common Core and what it means for Sumner County Schools.

For more news about what's happening in Hendersonville, TN follow @HvilleNews

JOB: Medical Billing and Collections Clerk

Vaco Staffing has an opening for a Medical Billing and Collections Clerk in Gallatin

In this position, you will compile processes and maintain healthcare records of hospital and healthcare clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare system.
Additional responsibilities include:

• Compiling data, computing fees and charges, and preparing invoices
• Computing costs and calculating rates for goods, services, and shipment of goods; posting data and keeping other relevant records

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JOB: Medical Records Coordinator

Comprehensive Pain Specialists in Gallatin is hiring a Medical Records Coordinator


Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day processing of all release of medical records information requests in a timely manner ensuring accuracy and providing customers with the highest quality product and customer service. Associate must at all times safeguard and protect the patient's right to privacy by ensuring that all releases of information are in compliance with the request, authorization, company policy and HIPAA regulations.

Duties of the Job:

• Handle all incoming and outgoing Medical Records for CPS from the following entities:

- Attorneys, State Disability, Physician Offices and Insurance Companies

• Remain familiar with all HIPAA regulations.
• Know the functions of the Electronic Medical Records and how to obtain the necessary documentation requested.
• Taking payments for medical records as requested.
• Ability to meet all necessary medical records deadlines accurately and efficiently.
• Working with the compliance team on any necessary documentation for Audits.
• Invoicing for medical records
• Coordination and invoicing of provider phone conferences and depositions.
• Coordination of medical records release process for all clinic sites in accordance with company guidelines.

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