Walk Across Tennessee Exercise Competition Starts Today (Monday)

April 18, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Being physically active is one of the best things you can do to improve and maintain your health, yet nearly two-thirds of Americans aren’t getting the activity they need. Consider taking up walking with friends or your family by participating in Walk Across Tennessee, which is an eight-week program that will spark some friendly competitions in DeKalb County. The event is being conducted by the UT/TSU Extension office of DeKalb County.

Beginning Monday, April 18 teams of eight will compete to see who can log the most miles walking, jogging, biking, and other forms of exercise in their community. The goal is for your team to log 500 miles (the length of Tennessee) total during the 8-week competition. Here are the steps: Find a total of 8 people to get on a team; Choose a team Captain. The Team Captain should download the registration information online at https://dekalb.tennessee.edu/walk-across-tennessee/ or you may pick up packets at the UT/TSU extension office located in the DeKalb County Complex building. Enter through the Middle Door.

You are encouraged to attend the Kickoff on Monday, April 18th at Green Brook Park in Smithville from 5 – 5:30 pm or at Alexandria from 6:30 – 7 pm at the Alexandria Park behind the fairgrounds. On April 18 – May 12….EXERCISE! Any type of exercise works! Download the conversion chart for mileage at the above link. Not required, but helpful to like the Facebook page, Walk Across Tennessee DeKalb https://www.facebook.com/Walk-Across-Tennessee-DeKalb-County-273476463076825. For more information call 615-597-4945.

April 17, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Whether Director of Schools Patrick Cripps will get a contract extension may be decided by the Board of Education next month.

The board will discuss the issue during the regular monthly meeting set for Monday, May 23 at 7 p.m. at the Ernest Ray Education Center.

Cripps’ contract was to expire June 30, 2022 but a year ago he was granted a one year contract extension by the Board to run at least through June 30, 2023. He was also given a $3,000 bonus, the same amount as certified staff had received over the previous two years (2019-20 and 2020-21).

According to the contract, Cripps’ annual salary, as of July 1, 2021, is $93,000 and he (Cripps) will be entitled to the same salary raises that the Board shall grant to all licensed employees going forward.

The director’s contract is typically reviewed after his annual performance evaluation which shows if he is meeting “most” expectations of the board. Results of Cripps’ latest evaluation have not yet been released. Last year the board gave Cripps and overall average score of 4.19 out of a possible 6 score in its performance evaluation of him.

In accordance with state law, the school board is required to develop and implement an evaluation plan to be used annually for the director of schools. Board members use a four page evaluation form to rate Director Cripps (1-6) in each of 60 areas from eight categories including on his relationship with the Board, the Community, Staff and Personnel, Educational Leadership, Business and Finance, Personal Qualities, Strategic Planning Skills, and Tennessee Specific questions.

A rating of “1” means his performance is “Consistently Below Expectations”. A “5” rating signifies that Cripps “Meets All Expectations”. A rating with an asterisk (*) symbol or 6 means he “Exceeds Expectations”.

Other ratings are:
“2”-Meets Few Expectations
“3”-Meets Some Expectations
“4”-Meets Most Expectations

Each board member scores the director in all areas from the categories on the form. The scores are then averaged to arrive at the grand total score. The completed forms are sent to officials of the Tennessee School Boards Association where the scores are tabulated and averaged.

In other business at the May 5 meeting, the school board is to receive a personnel report from Director Cripps and to act on the consent agenda which includes action on a CSH budget amendment and action on summer learning camps budget amendments.

April 17, 2022
By:

Eight Dekalb High School track and field athletes have been competing this spring season through a co-op with Warren County’s track program. Ally Beneke, Aaron Gottlied, Nolan Gottlied, Kaleb Spears, Ella VanVranken, Caleb Gray, Katherine Knowles, and Sam Harris have laced up their spikes and hit the ground running, or should we say “jumping” for one in particular!

Ally Beneke, a junior, along with sophomore Ella VanVranken have already begun rewriting Warren County’s track and field record book. Between the duo three records have fallen within the last two weeks.

Beneke, on April 12th in Cookeville, broke her own previous record of 5,4″ set last season in the high jump. The junior soared to an unbelievable height of 5 feet 7 inches, clearing the bar with ease. She is now ranked #1 in the State in this event, which hasn’t seen a jump this high since 2019!

VanVranken recently broke the 400m record that was set last year by Lady Pioneer soccer player and track runner, Katie Toney. At the Pioneer Invitational at Oakland High School, on April 7th, the sophomore ran a time of 1:03.43 eclipsing the 1:03.65 mark that Toney set last year at sectionals. In Cookeville on Tuesday, April 12th, VanVranken set her sights on the 3,200-meter (2 mile) race and posted a final time of 11:21.05, earning first place in the girl’s field, and shattering the school record of (13:04). VanVranken now holds the Warren Co. records in the 400m, 800m, 1600m, and 3200m runs.

Junior, Aaron Gottlied is knocking on the door, and quickly approaching the school record in the 1600m run. The junior recently posted a speedy time of 4:52,on Tuesday April 12th at Cookeville, just seconds away from his own PR of 4:48 and breaking the school record (4:44). He also claimed a first place victory in the 800m run on Tuesday with a time of 2:11.

Nolan Gottlied, a stand out DCHS football player, is staying sharp, by competing in the 200m dash, shot put, and discus. He has posted PR’s this season of 25.68 seconds in the 200m sprint, 87 feet 4 inches in the discus, and 35 feet 9 inches in the shot put.

Kaleb Spears, also a member of the Tigers basketball team, has used his length and speed to post a PR in the 400m dash of 57.97 seconds. The junior holds the fastest time on the team for this current season and has also been a contributor in the 4X100 meter relay, 100m dash, and 800m run.

Freshman Katherine Knowles, a varsity player on the Lady Tigers soccer team, has been keeping in shape by competing in the 400m dash, 1600m run, 4X100, 4X200, and 4×400 meter relays. She holds a PR of 1:14.88 in the 400m and 6:56 in the1600m runs for this season.

Sam Harris, a member of the DCHS cross country team, is continuing his running this season by competing in the 100m dash, 400m dash, 1600m run, and 4X400m relay. Sam recently posted a PR of 1:06.65 in the 400m run and continues to improve!

For any DMS or DCHS athlete interested in running cross country or competing in high school track and field for the 2023 season please contact Coach VanVranken at kristenvanvranken@dekalbschools.net.

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