County to Partner with TCI and CTAS on Plan of Action to Address Jail Deficiencies

October 28, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The County Commission has taken the first step toward keeping the DeKalb County Jail and Annex from being decertified by the Tennessee Corrections Institute.

During its regular monthly meeting Monday night, the commission voted to authorize County Mayor Tim Stribling and Sheriff Patrick Ray to sign a letter requesting a partnership between the county, TCI, and the County Technical Advisory Service (CTAS) to develop a plan of action for addressing deficiencies found during a recent state inspection of the jail and annex.

In a meeting with the County Mayor and County Commission Thursday night, Sheriff Ray said TCI officials have given assurances that the jail and annex will continue to maintain certification, provided the county seeks a remedy through a “plan of action” in cooperation with TCI and CTAS.

However, County Mayor Stribling explained Monday night that entering into a partnership with TCI and CTAS to come up with plan of action does not commit the county to building a new jail.

“We (Sheriff and County Mayor) need to sign a letter or form more or less stating that DeKalb County will look at a plan of action concerning the DeKalb County Jail. Its not a plan of action to build a new jail. We don’t necessarily know what the plan of action is,” said County Mayor Stribling.

A “plan of action” allows a facility to maintain a certified status after failing to meet all minimum standards while demonstrating to the TCI Board of Control that the facility is making measurable progress over a period of time (months or years) to rectify deficiencies found during inspection.

Sheriff Ray must appear before the TCI Board of Control in Nashville on December 4 to announce the county commission’s decision on seeking a “plan of action”.

Although TCI wants to hear from the county, Stribling said there is no cause for concern.

“I will tell you that Friday morning I spoke to a gentleman named Bob Bass of the Tennessee Corrections Institute. He said don’t fret over this. He is coming down on November 18^th to take a look at the jail. He will meet with the Sheriff and me. I talked to him about the plan of action and he said ‘I will write you a plan of action. I will be with you every step of the way’. I also spoke with the Clay County Mayor and they are under a plan of action now and have been for about six years. This is just a step we have to take to satisfy TCI and CTAS,” said County Mayor Stribling.

Several findings were identified during a state inspection of the jail on August 22 and while a follow-up inspection on October 4 revealed some of the issues had been addressed, others remain which will require a longer term fix.  Although many of these same deficiencies have existed for years, both the jail and annex have consistently passed annual state inspections until this year.

Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI) under the authority of T.C.A. 41-4-140, is required to establish minimum standards for adult local jails, lock-ups, workhouses and detention facilities in the state. The agency’s Board of Control establishes the standards to inspect and certify local correctional facilities. Inspections and re-inspections are conducted within the mandated timeframe to ensure compliance of all standards for the purpose of certification.

October 28, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Artist and craft lovers had an opportunity to take in the scenic autumn beauty of DeKalb and Cannon County while touring the area’s finest studios over the weekend.

The 20th annual Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour began Friday and wrapped up Sunday. Twenty nine artists opened up their studios at fourteen stops along the route to demonstrate craft mediums and offer handcrafted shopping opportunities.

Perhaps one of the most popular places on the tour was the Cosmic Clay Studio of Louis and Christine Colombarini who have been creating art clay vessels for almost 40 years. Their studio is located on the Old Mill Hill Road near Dowelltown.

“Bringing the simplicity of clay to life with perfect form, texture, and color is something we take pleasure in and we strive for excellence in creating aesthetically-pleasing ceramic pieces. Over the years we have taken our audience down visual avenues of classical, abstract, Deco, and futuristic design,” said Louis.

On the last day of the tour Sunday, Louis showed off some of his and Christine’s creations in the video below.

Louis Colombarini from dwayne page on Vimeo.

Next year’s tour, the 21st annual will be on the last full weekend in October.
To learn more visit http://www.offthebeatenpathtour.com

October 28, 2019
By:

DeKalb County School District and Wilson Bank & Trust have joined together for a STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Pairing Externship Program among DeKalb
County High School students and elementary students at Northside Elementary School and
Smithville Elementary School.

Kathy Bryant, Supervisor of Instruction, proposed the pairing to Chad Colwell, President of DeKalb’s Wilson Bank & Trust. “The STEAM Pairing program will give our high school students enrolled in the Teaching as a Profession (TAP) class an opportunity to mentor and teach elementary students. This pairing will afford the experience that aspiring teachers need while providing our elementary students with STEAM instruction. We are so thankful that Chad Colwell with Wilson Bank & Trust is sharing this vision for our students.”

Both high school and elementary students will benefit academically and socially from this experience. “We’re excited to be a part of this endeavor. This will give many students an
opportunity to connect with older students while learning about STEAM careers. Wilson Bank &
Trust is always looking for ways to invest in our community,” reports Chad Colwell.

In 2018, DeKalb County School District implemented a STEAM initiative for our district. This
STEAM initiative was implemented to build a passionate foundation for problem solving,
cooperative learning and communication for elementary students and to develop an
individualized career focus linked to action steps that can make a career dream into a reality for
high school students.

Becky Miller, Teaching as a Profession Instructor, adds, “Students enrolled
in the Teaching as a Profession class have a need for hands-on experiences with students in order
to get a feel for a real-world workplace. The STEAM Externship Pairing Program will give our
high school students first hand experiences in planning, organizing, and teaching while serving
as role models for our elementary students.”

Additionally, elementary students will be exposed to the teaching profession while learning STEAM skills necessary for the workforce.

Randy Jennings explains how the externship program will work. “Approximately twenty high
school TAP students will extern at both Smithville Elementary and Northside Elementary
schools. The students will make 2 hour weekly visits and work with each grade level at each
school. The TAP students will use technology from the Makerspace and from the buildings to
provide STEAM activities for the children in the classrooms.”

Principal of Northside Elementary, Karen Knowles, is excited about the opportunity for the
students. “We have enjoyed our partnership with Mrs. Becky Miller, DCHS, and the TAPS
students over the years. This sponsorship will allow our students to benefit from our future
teachers while incorporating much desired STEM activities.”

According to the latest research findings, 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 have not even
been invented yet (Institute for the Future, 2017). Kathy Bryant adds, “Our current 2nd grade
students who attend both elementary schools, will graduate in 2030. The STEAM Externship
High School/Elementary School Pairing Program will foster both the teaching and learning of
STEAM standards and increase the employability skill level for all of our students.”

Summer Cantrell, Principal of Smithville Elementary School, realizes the importance of our young
students being exposed to career exploration at an early age. ” During the developmental years of
early childhood, children have a natural sense of creativity, inquiry and invention that carries into the first years of school. In the elementary school setting, it is important to continue to develop a love for learning by creating an environment and providing activities that encourage a child’s inquisitive spirit. STEAM supports and promotes learning at an early age and helps to set the stage for a student’s academic success in elementary school and beyond.”

The externship program is set to start in the spring semester of this school year. Chad Colwell
concludes, “Wilson Bank & Trust is delighted to assist in funding this program for the students
of our school system We look forward to seeing the progress and the learning along the way for
both the high school and elementary students. It’s a win for all of us.”

« First ‹ Previous 1 1561 1651 1659 1660 16611662 1663 1671 1761 2457 Next › Last »