DeKalb School District Needs Bus Drivers

July 9, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County School District needs more bus drivers.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps is asking for help from anyone eligible to serve.

“If you or someone you know would like to drive a school bus we are taking applications. We are in dire need of bus drivers and you can call the main office here at 615-597-4084 or go on-line to apply to drive a bus. If you don’t want to drive full time we will accept substitute drivers as well,” said Director Cripps.

To be a school bus driver you must be at least 25 years old and have a CDL license, Class A or Class B. You must have a Passenger and School Bus Endorsement, carry a current medical card, have a clean DMV record, and you must be able to pass a background check and drug screening. After a bus driver is hired, there are random drug tests at the bus garage for all drivers.

DeKalb County Schools reopen Monday, August 3

July 8, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County High School is modifying the number of credits required for graduation.

During Tuesday night’s monthly meeting, the Board of Education granted a request by DCHS Principal Randy Jennings to change the graduation credit requirements.

For the Class of 2021, seniors will be required to earn 33 credits for graduation; 31 credits for the Class of 2022, 29 credits for the Class of 2023, and 27 credits starting with the Class of 2024 and going forward from there.

In a letter to the Board of Education and Director of Schools, Jennings said modifying the number of credits will not reduce the number of courses a student will be required to complete for graduation but it will allow administrators to better track credits and make it easier for students to understand.

“Currently a student receives a full credit for Algebra 1A (first semester) and Algebra 1B (second semester) which then counts as two credits for the Algebra 1 class. Under the new system, a student will receive a half credit each semester for a total of one full credit for Algebra 1. There are several core classes that will be transitioning to the one credit for the entire class versus two credits for the entire class. This will in turn reduce the number of credits a student will need for graduation,” said Jennings.

“Each class over the next four years will have a different number of credits that will be required for graduation. Starting with the graduating class of 2024 and each class after the number of credits will be the same at 27,” added Jennings.

Meanwhile in his monthly report on personnel, Director Patrick Cripps said the following persons have been hired since last month:

Cheslie Bryant, Northside Elementary School Secretary/Receptionist
Rayanna Chapman, teacher at Smithville Elementary School
Laura Daniel, Librarian at DeKalb Middle School
Joseph Green, teacher at DCHS
Ann Griffey, teacher at DCHS
Gabby Robinson, teacher at DCHS
Brooklyn Shirah, teacher at Northside Elementary School
Don Whitt, music teacher at DeKalb Middle School/DeKalb West School

Amy Lattimore was granted a leave of absence as requested

Transfers:
Emily Bartlett, educational assistant at Smithville Elementary School to teacher
Amanda Goodwin, educational assistant to SPED teacher at Northside Elementary School
Rachel Hernandez, SPED teacher at DeKalb Middle School to DeKalb West School
Tamera Judkins, Northside Elementary School Receptionist to Attendance Clerk
Elizabeth Miller, Northside Elementary School teacher to Librarian
Natasha Vaughn, SPED teacher at DeKalb West School to DeKalb Middle School
Christie Young, teacher from Smithville Elementary to DeKalb Middle School

Resignations/Retirements:
Vicky Hawker-retirement
Linda Moser-retirement
Macy Nokes-resignation
Allison Taylor-resignation
Ginger Wenger-retirement

July 8, 2020
By:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA) has made adjustments to keep clients, staff, and volunteers safe while providing non-perishable items to those in need.

Between April and June 2020, UCHRA’s commodities program has served more than 190,790 pounds of food worth more than $272,600 to 5,144 eligible households.

“This program is especially important to the citizens of the Upper Cumberland; now more than ever due to the effects of COVID-19 on our local businesses,” said Rebecca Harris, UCHRA Deputy Director and Transportation/Services Director.

UCHRA has implemented a series of safety protocols to ensure limited contact during the pandemic. These processes allow for limited in-person contact while ensuring that families in need continue to receive emergency food and nutrition assistance. For signups, clients can call into their local office and provide a staff member with the information needed for approval to receive commodities. The pickup process allows clients to drive up, check in, and have the commodities loaded into their vehicle by an attendant.

UCHRA’s commodities program distributes non-perishable food items to low-income families who reside in the region’s 14-county area. Funded by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the commodities program provides emergency food and nutrition assistance to low-income families.

To qualify for commodities assistance, certain eligibility requirements must be met. The recipient may show proof of eligibility for one or more of the following means-tested programs: SNAP, Families First, Supplemental Security Income, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), or documented residence in public housing. Another option is for the recipient to complete a signed self-declaration of income showing that the total amount of household income is below 185 percent of the current federal poverty income level.

The commodities program is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee. For more information about UCHRA or the agency’s commodities program, contact your local UCHRA office or call (931) 528-1127. A list of commodities distribution events can also be found on the UCHRA Facebook page at facebook.com/uchumanresourceagency.

About Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency

The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA) was established by the Tennessee General
Assembly in 1973 to be the delivery system for human resources in the fourteen counties of the region. The programs operated by UCHRA initially included job training and transportation. During ensuing years, the UCHRA has expanded to supply a wide range of services that use a combination of funds from federal, state and local organizations.

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