Sixth District School Board Member Doug Stephens Will Not Seek Re-Election in August

February 22, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

After having served almost eight years on the Board of Education from the sixth district, Doug Stephens has decided not to seek a third term in the August DeKalb County General Election.

Although he has enjoyed his service to the community and his association with fellow board members and directors of schools with whom he has worked, Stephens said he will be stepping aside after his current term is completed in keeping with a campaign promise he made when he first sought the position.

“I thought if voters elected me twice I would stay two terms and I have been able to do that. I am a constitutionalist and not big on career politicians. I think everybody owes it to the community to serve if they have an opportunity and I have fulfilled my personal obligation,” Stephens told WJLE.

Stephens was appointed to the position by the county commission in March 2012 to fill a vacancy on the school board. He was elected unopposed later that year to a full four year term and re-elected unopposed in 2016.

During his years on the Board, Stephens has seen many projects and services undertaken to improve educational and athletic opportunities for students.

“We completed a building project at DeKalb West School (Tornado Safe Rooms) as a joint effort with some federal, state, and local government aid that benefitted the whole community. I am proud that we were able to arrange funding for the placement of School Resource Officers in all schools in the county. We have also made huge accomplishments in athletics. Track is now in place at both the high school and middle school and we have expanded our facilities to have a soccer field. I can’t take credit for all of that. I am only one of seven board members and a director but we as a unified body made those things happen,” he said.

For the most part, regular monthly School Board meetings today are not as lengthy as they once were mainly because of Board work sessions and Stephens said he is proud of that.

“When I first got on the board meetings were very lengthy. I am not saying the things we talked about were not important but throughout time I have tried to promote leaving most of those lengthy discussions in work shop settings which are still open to the public but shortens the regular meetings. We haven’t hidden anything by doing business this way. Everything is still done in public,” said Stephens.

As for any regrets, Stephens said he had hoped a new school building program would have been completed or at least started by now.

“It’s frustrating. From the beginning I have been an advocate of the Pre-K to 8 schools and to put those in place. I think the students benefit from it the most but I also understand the finances of it and if that plan is impossible then you have to drop back to plan B. From my take on it we have a unified board that agreed on several different plans and presented one only to have it pushed back to us to create another plan. I don’t know that we are any closer today than we were five years ago when we actively started to pursue this process. I just hope its happens in the near future,” said Stephens.

Although Stephens will leave office September 1, he will take with him many happy memories from his association with friends in the school system.

“I have worked with two directors and have nothing but good things to say about each. Its also been a joy working with fellow board members past and present. We have had a good relationship. I have been blessed and privileged to get to know each one,” added Stephens.

Two positions on the DeKalb County Board of Education will be filled in the county general election on August 6.

Those seats are currently held by W.J. (Dub) Evins, III in the 5th district and Doug Stephens in the 6th District. The terms are for four years.

Jason L. Miller has obtained a petition from the election commission to seek the 6th district seat.

The qualifying deadline is April 2.

Seven members make up the Board of Education but they do not all run in the same year because their four year terms are staggered. The 5th and 6th district positions are up for election this year. The other five were filled in 2018 and will be on the ballot again in 2022.

February 22, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS Lady Tigers will play for 3rd place in the District 8AA basketball tournament Monday night after losing to Macon County 57 to 31 in the Semi-Finals Friday night at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville.

The Lady Tigers will face York Institute Monday, February 24 at Tech starting at 6 p.m. WJLE will have LIVE coverage. The Lady Dragons lost to Upperman Friday night in the Tournament Semi-Finals 50 to 35.

In the game Friday night, DeKalb County trailed Macon County, the top team in the district and the state by a score of 11 to 2. Macon County led 28 to 14 at halftime and 45 to 21 after the 3rd period before claiming a 57 to 31 victory.

For DC, Kadee Ferrell scored 10. Megan Cantrell 9. Megan Walker and Natalie Snipes each with 3 and Kenzie France, Mya Ruch, and Summer Crook each with 2.

Macon County will face Upperman for the District Tournament championship Monday night at 7:30 p.m. at Tech.

February 22, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The City of Smithville is in desperate need of life guards if the Municipal Swimming Pool is to open on time in May.

Currently only a few lifeguards have applied to work this year, but too few for the pool to open.

Manager Jeania Cawthorn is asking anyone who is interested and qualified to apply as soon as possible. She will schedule you for work at the pool around your schedule. The pay is $8.00 an hour with flexible hours.

Requirements include the following but are not limited to:
*Must be 15 years of age by May 1st
*Must pass American Red Cross Life Guard Course and CPR Class
*Must be a strong swimmer
*Must be able to pass drug test and back ground check

Benefits of being a life guard:
*You could save a life.
*Life saving skills
*Self-confidence
*Developing leadership skills
*Being a role model
*Looks good on resumes
*Developing new friendships

The classes are offered in Murfreesboro at Sports Com indoors February 27 through March 1st. Classes will also be offered May 8-10 in Smithville. The cost of the 30 hour class is $175.00 and the city of Smithville will reimburse you once the course is completed.

Contact Jeania at the Pro-shop at 615-597-6648 for more information especially before you sign up for class.

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