Board of Education Bids Goodbye to Two Longtime Members

August 14, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The Board of Education and Director of Schools said goodbye to two long time members during Thursday night’s regular monthly meeting.

It was the last meeting for W.J. (Dub) Evins, III from the 5th district and Doug Stephens of the 6th district. Evins and Stephens decided not to seek re-election this year and their terms will expire August 31. They will be succeeded by Jamie Cripps of the 5th district and Jason Miller from the 6th district who were elected last Thursday. Their terms of office begin September 1.

On behalf of the Board of Education, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps presented both Evins and Stephens plaques of appreciation for their years of service.

“I just want to say publicly that I appreciate Mr. Evins and Mr. Stephens for their service to our students, faculty and staff, and for the support of this board as a whole working together trying to do what is right for our kids and employees and for the support you have provided me over the last five years. Thank you gentlemen for your service,” said Director Cripps.

Evins and Stephens told WJLE after the meeting that while they have mixed emotions about leaving the board they are proud of the educational progress made in the school system during their time in office.

“Its been a long journey since 1978 (when I was first elected to the board) but I couldn’t ask for a better group of board members to work with. I would like to see these new members come on and support Mr. Cripps and hope they can get this new school off the ground. I’m really anxious to see that happen. The whole board has been great. Its been a blessing,” said Evins.

“I think everybody has a duty to serve and I feel I have put my time in of that service. I am proud of the accomplishments we have made. I am sad that we have not gotten things approved or done as much as what my vision was. I had a great vision and we fulfilled some of it so I am proud of that. It was great to make new friends and work with and develop relationships with board members,” said Stephens.

Stephens was elected to the Board of Education in 2012 and re-elected in 2016. He is completing his second term with a total of eight years.

Evins had two tenures on the board covering a total of 34 years. He was first elected to the Board in 1978 and served for three terms and 18 years having been re-elected in 1984 and 1990. School board terms were for six years back then. After his mother passed away Evins chose not to seek re-election to a fourth term in 1996 but he returned to the Board after he was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2004. Evins was elected to a full four year term later that year and he was re-elected in 2008, 2012, and 2016. Evins also served several years as Chairman of the Board.

In other business, Director Cripps gave his monthly update on personnel moves.

The following have been employed since the last meeting:

Tiffany Bjorge, Educational Assistant at Northside Elementary School
Ashley Cantrell, Teacher at Northside Elementary School
Luke Dycus, Teacher at DeKalb County High School
Kaylene Ferguson, Teacher at Smithville Elementary School
Erica Garrett, Pre-K Assistant at DeKalb West School
Judy Malone, School Psychologist
Kendall Petty, Educational Assistant at Smithville Elementary School

Leave of Absence as requested:
Tonya Roberts

Resignations:
Lindsay Floyd, Teacher at Northside Elementary School
Brittany Page, Educational Assistant at Smithville Elementary School
Sandra Saracho, Teacher at Northside Elementary School
Vicki Wilson, Teacher at DeKalb West School

August 13, 2020
By:

The DeKalb County High School Football Season kicks off Friday, August 21 in Smithville against Warren County. Kick-Off is at 7 p.m. But due to TSSAA guidelines there will be a limited number of tickets for this game and all other DCHS home games this football season.

“To ensure the families of the players and cheerleaders for both teams are able to watch their children play, we will be distributing ticket stubs that will need to be brought to the ticket gate on game night to purchase a ticket to enter. These stubs will be given to players and cheerleaders to distribute to their family members. Each individual must have one of the specially marked stubs to be able to purchase a game ticket,” said DCHS Principal Randy Jennings.

“Once these tickets are distributed the remaining available tickets will be sold to the community. Tickets will be sold on Aug 20 starting at 4 pm at the DeKalb County Football ticket gate. There will be a limit of two tickets per individual and will be first come first serve until we reach our attendance capacity”.

“There will be no tickets sold on game night other than those that have a specially marked ticket stub. We will not be accepting TSSAA or TACA cards this year due to capacity limits,” said Jennings.

Everyone must submit to temperature checks and have a face covering/mask to enter the stadium.

“We are very sorry that we are having to restrict the number of fans that attend the games to support our Tigers. We hope everyone that can not attend will follow the Tigers on WJLE radio AM 1480/FM 101.7 or through their livestream with the voice of the Tigers John Pryor. I want to thank everyone that has supported and continues to support DeKalb County High School athletics,” said Principal Jennings.

August 13, 2020
By:

The Smithville office of Wilson Bank & Trust celebrated the academic success of DeKalb County High School’s top students recently.

With the traditional end-of-year lunch gathering not possible due to the coronavirus pandemic, Office Manager Chad Colwell and the rest of the WB&T staff welcomed students individually at the bank, and presented each with a gift bag.

The DCHS class of 2020 students honored for their special achievement in the classroom were Meghan Brandt, Anna Chew, Holly Evans, Kirsten Griffith, Joseph Johnson, Daniel Puckett, Jake Ramsey, Mya Ruch, Megan Walker and Justin Washer.

Wilson Bank & Trust (www.wilsonbank.com), a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender, is an independent, locally owned bank established in 1987 to provide personal and professional service in a hometown setting. One of the top banks in the South in stability, products, technology, growth and earnings, WB&T currently operates 28 full-service offices in nine Middle Tennessee counties, offering a full range of financial products that include secondary market mortgage loans and mobile and online banking services.

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Photos:
DeKalb County High School’s top 10 students from the class of 2020

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