Smithville Elementary Recognizes Students of the Month

February 22, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary would like to recognize our Students of the Month for February. These students were selected for their outstanding character, academics, and other traits that make them an all-around excellent student. Selected as Students of the Month for February are:

Pre-K: Julien Kleparek
Kindergarten: Addison Love
1st grade: Brandon Garcia
2nd grade: Khloe Grandstaff

February 21, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Board of Education may consider a contract extension for Director of Schools Patrick Cripps when it meets again next month.

Cripps’ contract currently runs through June 30, 2019. He has served as Director since July, 2015.

The original contract was for two years to expire on June 30, 2017 but the Board voted in June, 2016 to extend the contract by two years based on overall high marks given by the Board in a director performance evaluation.

Cripps was recently evaluated again by the Board but the results have not yet been tabulated

Cripps’ annual salary is $85,000 paid in twelve equal monthly installments in accordance with the policy.

The next meeting of the DeKalb County Board of Education will be Thursday, March 8 at 7 p.m. at the Ernest Ray Education Center.

The agenda is as follows:

Consider and act on the Director’s Contract

Consider and act on approval of the Career and Technical Education 2017-18-Crossville

Consider and act on 2019-2020 school calendar

Consider and act on updating/adopting school board policies on 1st reading.

School updates and committee reports will be given.

A personnel report will also be given by the Director of Schools.

Any other business that may properly come before the Board.

The consent agenda is as follows:

Consider and act on a request for the Prom to be held off campus at “The Capitol Theater” in Lebanon on April 27

Consider and act on a request to submit 21st Century Grant application

Consider and act on an overnight trip request from DCHS Student to attend All-State Honors Chorus April 11-14

Consider and act on Budget Amendment for Soccer

Consider and act on extended bus utilization

Consider and act on Budget Amendment-CSH

February 21, 2018
By: 2

After sixteen seasons DeKalb County High School Tiger Basketball Coach Lynus Martin has announced his resignation as coach.

Martin informed his players of the decision last week and has sent a copy of his letter to both DCHS Principal Randy Jennings and Director of Schools Patrick Cripps. Martin will continue to serve as teacher.

Coach Martin took over from former Coach Danny Bond during the 2002-03 season and compiled an overall record of 276-203, becoming the second winningest coach in DCHS Tiger basketball history behind former Coach Harold Luna. A successor to Coach Martin has not yet been named.

In his letter to DeKalb County boys basketball players, parents, and fans, Coach Martin wrote as follows:

“I really don’t know where to begin. Most importantly, I just want to say Thank You”.

“The past sixteen years have been some of the best, most memorable years of my life. I feel as though I’ve grown up in front of you, and being able to lead our basketball family has been a dream come true”.

“It has been an honor to represent both the school district and town of DeKalb County. I can’t say enough about how much all of your support has meant to me and our program”.

“After lots of thoughts and prayers, I’ve decided that it is in my best interest to resign my basketball coaching position at this time. Effective immediately at the end of this school year. For many years Tiger Basketball has been my #1 priority, but as life progresses, circumstances change, and at this time, I felt it necessary to refocus much of my energy to my family and other avenues of life”

“I truly can’t say thank you enough to our coaches, parents, and all associated with our program. I’ve always said our program is defined by EA, our Effort has been relentless, and our Attitude has been our backbone. Those two characteristics are what have defined our program”.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity former Head Boys Basketball Coach Danny Bond gave me back in 2002, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more from my experience. Also, thankful to my wife Jessica for her undying support and love throughout all these years and to all my kids for their love and suppport of their dad when it seemed like I was never home”.

“Most importantly, to all my players(alumni and current), outside of my immediate family, there’s no one I care for more. My off-court, practice, and game antics weren’t an act, but rather what you brought out of me – my best, and I will forever be indebted to all of you for that”.

“I will continue to represent DeKalb County to the best of my ability, regardless of what the future may hold. I will never forget these years as head of the FAMILY; not just for the basketball victories, but for the relationships built, culture created, lessons learned, and the memories that will last a lifetime,” wrote Coach Martin.