Director Sends Letter to County Requesting Funding for New Schools

January 13, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The Director of Schools and Board of Education have now made a formal request to the county commission for funding of the latest school construction plan.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps delivered a letter Friday on behalf of the school board to County Mayor Tim Stribling and county commission

Cripps had asked the board Thursday night during a work session prior to the regular monthly meeting for authorization to send the letter which states as follows:

“DeKalb County Board of Education voted during a Special Called Meeting, on December 5, 2019, to propose 2 Pre K-8 schools and make renovations to Northside and make it a Pre K-8 with a minimum estimate cost of 48,685,000.00. We are seeking your approval of funding to proceed with land purchase and the school building project. Thank you in advance for consideration in this matter,” the letter concluded.

In other business, Director Cripps updated the Board of Education Thursday night on personnel moves since the December meeting.

Vickey Barrett has been hired as a teacher at DeKalb West School and Michael Shaw will replace Karen Clark as a teacher at DCHS.

Three have been granted a leave as requested, Phyllis Hallum, Melinda Lattimore, and Sandra Saracho.

Ina Paulette McDonald, a Pre-K assistant at Smithville Elementary School has retired and Karen Clark, a DCHS teacher has resigned.

Summer Cantrell, Principal at Smithville Elementary School, addressed the Board saying the school would be celebrating the 100th day of school for the year with several activities.

The Board voted to hold the DCHS Prom off campus at the Capital Theatre, Lebanon on April 3.

Director Cripps also commended the School Resource Officers in conjunction with Police Officers Appreciation Day for the work they do in helping protect the children at school

The Board granted a request from Jason Miller of the Center Hill Soccer Club to allow the Smithville Elementary School gym to be used for youth indoor Futsal league games.

January 13, 2020
By:

The Tennessee Department of Education School Nutrition Program recently hosted the 2nd annual high school Junior Chef Competition.

In the first round, teams competed across the state to develop a nutritious, student-friendly recipe that included local foods and was easily incorporated into the school nutrition program.

In the second round, the top eight finalists from the Recipe Contest were invited to prepare their recipe at the Tennessee State Junior Chef Competition on January 9th-11th. Dishes were judged on taste, student appeal, presentation, and creativity. Each student on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams received scholarships to Sullivan University in Louisville, Kentucky in the following amounts: 1st place-$16,000, 2nd place-$10,000, 3rd place-$6,000.

The DeKalb County High School FCCLA Culinary members, The Biting Tigers, entered the TN Junior Chef Competition with their recipe of Lasagna Cups. The Biting Tigers consists of Elisabeth Saylors (senior), Sophia Angeletti (sophomore), and Jacklyn Kleparek (freshman).

The team worked hard on creating their recipe of lasagna cups, featuring crispy wonton wrappers filled with a flavorful cheese blend and homemade meat sauce. The cheese blend includes two varieties of cheese, parsley, and oregano. The meat sauce includes ground turkey and more than five different vegetables. This kid friendly dish is easy to prepare, eat, and not to mention delicious.

The Biting Tiger’s recipe and determination lead the team to becoming a top eight finalist in the recipe contest and then lead to winning 1st place at the TN Junior Chef State Competition. Team senior, Elisabeth Saylors also received the “Spirit Award” for her leadership for the Biting Tigers.

The team was coached by: Linda Parris Culinary Arts Teacher and FCCLA Culinary Adviser, Amy Lattimore, School Nutrition Supervisor, and Elise Driver, Coordinated School Health.

We are so proud of the work these students have put into preparing for this competition and wish them the best as they prepare for the next round for the Southeast Region Junior Chef Competition at Sullivan University in Louisville, KY in the spring of 2020.

Pictured Left to Right: Sophia Angeletti, Elisabeth Saylors, and Jacklyn Kleparek.

January 13, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A fire Thursday night gutted a home at 413 Charity Lane.

The Smithville Volunteer Fire Department was called to the residence of Martha Conger where a fire had started. Conger was not there at the time but other occupants in the home got out safely. Firefighters also rescued two cats. According to Chief Charlie Parker, the fire is believed to have started from a cooking accident in the kitchen.

Firefighters were not able to save the home. After extinguishing the blaze, the department had to be called out again later in the night after the fire rekindled.

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