A Tennessee Message for Education Secretary Cardona

 From NewsBreak:

During Education Secretary Miguel Cardona's recent visit to Nashville, a group of Tennessee pastors and parents urged the Cabinet leader to take action to protect public schools.

“No matter what we look like, where we live, or what's in our wallets, most of us want our neighborhood public schools to inspire imagination, cultivate critical thinking, and ensure our children can live fulfilling lives,” said Rev Dr Kevin Riggs, Pastor of Franklin Community Church. “But Governor Lee and the Legislature are dividing us and working to bypass local leaders and voters when they promote charter schools over local public schools."

MORE>

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

Kerrie Foster of Hendersonville Arrested for Bringing Gun to Lakeside Park Elementary

 Here's more on the incident that occurred on Friday:

County Poised to Pass "NO NEW TAXES" Budget

The Sumner County Commission passed a budget recently and that budget does NOT include new taxes. Here's more from Gallatin News:

Sumner County Commissioners are scheduled to vote on a combined county government and school system budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year next week, which does not include a property tax increase for residents.

The approximately $355.5 million combined spending plans were approved by the county’s budget committee on June 15. A vote by the full commission is set for June 29.

Unlike in previous years, Sumner County Budget Committee Chairman Chris Taylor said that county departments and elected officials were told this year that additional funding would be limited due to the negative economic impact the pandemic has had locally.

MORE> 


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

Main Street Media Sues Election Finance Board

Main Street Media, the publisher of The Hendersonville Standard, has joined a lawsuit against the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.

In an effort to uphold the Open Meetings Act, the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government has joined news media organizations, journalists and press associations in filing an open meetings lawsuit against the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. (Main Street Media of Tennessee, publisher of The Cheatham County Exchange, has joined the lawsuit as well.)

On the evening of April 1, the election finance board took an email vote in secret to reduce by $44,100 the fines owed by longtime lawmaker state Rep. Joe Towns, D-Memphis.

MORE>


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

Aldermen Reject Term Limits Proposal

The Hendersonville Standard reports that the city's Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) rejected proposal that would have let citizens vote on whether or not there should be term limits for Aldermen. Here's more:

A resolution that would have paved the way for Hendersonville voters to decide for themselves whether or not the city’s mayor and aldermen should be limited to the number of terms they can serve failed on Tuesday.

Resolution 2019-60, proposed by Ward 5 Alderman Darrell Woodcock, sought to ask members of the Tennessee General Assembly to amend the city’s charter to allow for term limits for the two offices.

 

The measure needed a two-thirds majority of the 13-member board, or nine votes, in order to pass.  It failed 7-5-1. Voting yes were Woodcock, Edwards, Roberson, Waters, Bolt, Skidmore and Mayor Jamie Clary. Voting against were Brown, Petrelli, Sprouse, Pat Campbell of Ward 2 and Jonathan Hayes of Ward 5. Vice Mayor Arlene Cunningham, who represents Ward 3, abstained from the vote.

For more on news impacting 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

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

JOB: Dialysis RN Clinical Manager

Fresenius in Gallatin seeks:

Clinical Manager
This is a unique opportunity to build a career with a premier healthcare provider. As a clinical supervisor of our hemodialysis team, the natural leader we select will provide direction, inspiration, and counseling to staff members, and coordinate all aspects of care, from admission to discharge. In addition, this individual will hire, train, lead a team, and ensure quality control and compliance with laws and regulations.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE:
Supports FMCNA's mission, vision, core values and customer service philosophy. Adheres to the FMCNA Compliance Program, including following all regulatory and FMS policy requirements.
Ensure provision of quality patient care while maintaining cost-effective clinical operations in accordance with all legal, compliance, and regulatory requirements and programs. Adheres to all requirements of the FMCNA Compliance Program, and FMS patient care and administrative policies As the clinical leader, has the authority to make daily decisions to ensure continuity of care and patient and staff safety.

MORE ON THIS JOB>

Get your job opening listed on our site! Email us at newshendersonville@gmail.com

What are We Paying Them For?

Wes Duenkel, a Goodlettsville resident who chairs the Strong Schools PAC, made the following remarks at the County Commission meeting on Monday night. His basic premise: Those County Commissioners (like Jim Vaughn) who are claiming they didn't know there would be a tax increase vote in November should have been paying attention. Otherwise, what are we paying them for?

Here are Duenkel's comments as delivered:


I would like to take this opportunity to thank the commission for having the courage to put Sumner County in a better financial position for our children. By voting to return our tax rate to what we paid 13 years ago, they put community before politics. In the face of mounting financial challenges, they made an unpopular vote; not because it was easy, but because kicking the can down the road is not how a responsible government behaves.

I understand some of my fellow citizens are angry.

They're angry that those commissioners "raised our taxes" (albeit to a rate we paid a little over a decade ago).

But I think they're angry at the wrong commissioners.

You see, I was at the November budget committee meeting, and the specially called commission meeting on November 3rd. I saw several commissioners gathered in the lobby, outside the budget committee meeting while the County Finance Director delivered a presentation on the dire financial future our county faced, and why he recommended returning the tax rate to $2.50.

Then, I saw the finance director deliver the same presentation to the full commission.

But was flabbergasted with what I heard next: some of the same commissioners who gathered outside those open doors claimed that they were surprised the commission was considering a tax increase!
Those commissioners, after they were notified of the meeting that was called with the “INTENT TO EXCEED THE CERTIFIED TAX RATE” claimed . . . they didn’t know what the meeting was about!

Those commissioners, who were elected, and are paid $500 a month, didn’t know what the meeting was about?

Those commissioners didn’t offer any alternative proposals. Instead, they complained about how long the meeting was lasting!

You bet I’d be angry. I’d be really angry if commissioners I elected, and I paid $500 a month, didn’t take the first step to understand what a meeting was about, and then complained about how long the meeting was lasting.

Rather than be angry with the commissioners that had the courage make this tough decision, I’d be angry with those commissioners who didn’t want to do the most simple aspect of their jobs: KNOW THE PURPOSE OF A MEETING.

Those looking to reduce government waste need to look no further than the salaries paid to commissioners who don't put the slightest effort toward what they were elected...and are paid...to do.

For more on news impacting Hendersonville, follow @HvilleNews

League of Women Voters to Host Education Event Monday

The Hendersonville League of Women Voters will host an event focused on Sumner County Schools on Monday, January12th at 6:00 PM at the Hendersonville Public Library.

The event will feature Dr. Gary Kaufman presenting a program comparing the performance of Sumner County Schools to the other eight Nashville metropolitan area school systems.

The presentation will cover student performance for 2013 and 2014 for grades 3-8 and high school. It will also provide comparisons for district operational data such as staffing levels and finance.

For more Hendersonville News, follow @HvilleNews

JOB: Implementation Manager, Smith Travel Research

Smith Travel Research in Hendersonville is seeking an Implementation Manager:

The implementation Manager is responsible for the new or returning client on-boarding experience. She/he will ensure that service delivery meets quality requirements reflective of client needs and on schedule. This position determines the appropriate resources, tools, and systems to be employed in order to successfully and appropriately implement and manage a customer program.

MORE on this job>>

If you have have a job you'd like listed on our site, email newshendersonville@gmail.com

JOB: Executive Assistant to the President

Vol State is hiring an Executive Assistant to the President:

Job Summary:
Provides direct assistance and advice to the President in achieving goals and objectives with all matters of institutional operations and in the work of the President's administrative Cabinet. Provides efficient and effective administrative management of the Office of the President and facilitates communication between the President and internal and external constituencies. 

MORE ON THIS JOB

For jobs and other news in the Hendersonville area, follow @HvilleNews

Hendersonville Election Results

Yesterday, voters in Hendersonville went to the polls to decide on 6 Aldermen and on whether or not wine can be sold in grocery stores.

Here are the results:

WINE in GROCERY STORES:

YES -- 72%
NO  --  28%

Alderman, Ward 1

Rosa Long ran unopposed and will return to the BOMA

Alderman, Ward 2

Pat Campbell -- 62%
Barry Hardwick -- 38%

Alderman, Ward 3

Arlene Cunningham -- 62%
Angie Hedburg -- 38%

Alderman, Ward 4

Steve Brown -- 51%
Kurt Riley -- 49%

Alderman, Ward 5

Hamilton Frost -- 54%
Matt Lawson -- 46%

Alderman, Ward 6

Matt Stamper -- 70%
Jim Hoback -- 15%
Sam Parks III -- 15%

For more news about Hendersonville, Tennessee follow @HvilleNews

JOB: Director of Patient Access

Parallon is hiring a Director of Patient Access. 

Job Description

TRANSITION DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
• Plan, prepare and integrate facility Patient Access processes with PAS’s during deployment
• Establish controls and review mechanisms for PAS policies and procedures related to Patient Access
OPERATIONAL DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
• Oversee facility operations of Patient Access functions (e.g. pre-registration, benefit verification, pre-authorization, admission/registration, service pre-payment, etc.) to ensure daily operations are maintained according to standard
• Serve as the primary liaison between the PAS and the Facility
• Maintain and promote good customer relations with facility management, physicians and physician office staff
• Review Patient Access performance to ensure timeliness, accuracy, compliance and standards fulfillment as defined in PAS Service Level Agreements
• Inform Regional Patient Access Director of any significant issues in the Patient Access area (e.g., Pre-registration delays, pre-authorization backlogs, etc.)
• Stay abreast of regulatory requirements and company compliance policies, ensuring timely staff education
• Inform staff of relevant changes and developments in payer requirements
• Ensure quality review measurements are in place
• Facilitate implementation and monitoring of standard master files, processes, reporting and education programs
• Oversee management of Patient Access personnel, providing recommendations for hiring, promotion, salary adjustment and personnel action where appropriate
• Develop specific objectives, budgets, and performance standards for each area of responsibility
• Identify and implement process improvements to lower costs and improve services to facility customers
• Perform staff reviews and prepare performance documents for direct reports
• Recommends sufficient number of qualified/competent staff.
• Determines staff qualifications and competence. Develops and maintains accurate initial and annual competency checklists, and initiates completion of initial and annual competency attestation forms.
• Actively seeks ways to control costs without compromising patient safety, quality of care of the services delivered.
• Attends in-service presentations, and complete mandatory education week including, but not limited to, infection control, patient safety, quality improvements, MSDS and OSHA Standards.

Demonstrates knowledge of occurrence reporting system and utilizes system to report potential patient safety issues.
• Practice and adhere to the “Code of Conduct” philosophy and “Mission and Value Statement”
• Other duties as assigned

For more on this job and to apply, click here!

SPECIAL CALLED County Commission Meeting

The Sumner County Commission will meet on Monday, June 30th in Special Sessions of the Education Committee, the Budget Committee, and the full County Commission.

The Education Committee begins at 5:30, Budget at 6:00 PM, and full commission at 7:00 PM. 

The meetings include discussion of continuation budgets for the Sumner County Schools and other departments as well as discussion of setting the certified tax rate for 2014.

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

Malone Touts Strong Schools Endorsement

6th District County Commission candidate Yvonne Malone sent out an email yesterday touting her endorsement by the Political Action Committee (PAC) of local grassroots organization Strong Schools.

Here's the email:

Did you see today's email from the Strong Schools PAC?  Strong Schools has selected Yvonne Malone as one of its endorsed candidates for the 2014 August election!  Click here to see their email.

"I am honored to know Strong Schools recognizes that I am a qualified and committed candidate for Sumner County Commission," said Malone.  "I look forward to campaigning hard this summer and meeting the voters of the 6th Commission District."

A 30 year veteran of the Sumner County School system, Yvonne Malone knows the "ins and outs" of our school system and how the County Commission can best assist the School Board in making Sumner County Schools priority number one.

Yvonne has a proven track record from her time on the Gallatin City Council, and is ready to step up and serve her community once again.

 

For more Hendersonville news, follow us @HvilleNews

Strong Schools PAC Announces August Endorsements

Strong Schools PAC, the political action committee of local grassroots group Strong Schools, today released its list of endorsed County Commission candidates for the August 2014 County General Election.

“These candidates have committed to being pro-schools voices on the County Commission,” said Strong Schools PAC Chair Wes Duenkel.  “We believe they represent the best options for moving our schools and Sumner County forward.”

The endorsed candidates include:

District 2: Mike Meadows

District 3: Alan Driver

District 4: Leslie Schell and Jerry Foster

District 5: Ben Harris and Baker Ring

District 6: Kevin Pomeroy and Yvonne Malone

District 7: JoAnne Kemp and Trish LeMarbre

District 8: Paul Decker

District 9: Jerry Becker and Chris Taylor

District 10: Paul Goode and Caroline Krueger

District 11: Scott Langford and Bill Taylor

Strong Schools PAC endorsed 13 winning candidates in the May 6^th Primary Election. As a result of their efforts, three incumbents were defeated in May and will not be on the August ballot.

“It’s time for new leadership that embraces responsible management and puts our schools first,” Duenkel said. “We’re pleased to have had some early wins in May and hopeful that we’ll see a full slate of pro-schools candidates elected in August.”

 

For more Hendersonville news, follow us @HvilleNews

New Board Member to be Appointed on August 26th

Despite earlier discussion that the appointment of a new School Board member to replace District 5 member Shannon Dunn could come as early as August 19th, the County Executive issued a special call today setting the meeting for August 26th at 6:00 PM.  At that time, Commissioners will select a candidate to replace Dunn for the remainder of her term, which expires in August of 2014. 

So far, both Janet Arnold and Leslie Schell have expressed interest in the seat.  Anyone else who wishes to nominate a candidate or be considered should contact their County Commissioner.