Director of Schools Gets One Year Contract Extension (View video here)

May 23, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Based on overall high marks given by the Board of Education in a recent performance evaluation, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps has been awarded a one-year contract extension.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the Board voted 6-0 to grant the extension. Those voting in favor were Chairman Shaun Tubbs, Vice Chairman Jim Beshearse, and fellow members Danny Parkerson, Kate Miller, Alan Hayes and Jamie Cripps. Jason Miller was absent.

Cripps’ annual salary will remain at $98,000 but he will be entitled to the same salary raises that the Board shall grant to all licensed employees going forward.

Cripps’ contract was to run through June 30, 2023, but with the one-year extension, he will now serve as Director at least through June 30, 2024. Cripps has been Director since July, 2015.

Results of the Board of Education’s annual performance evaluation of Director Cripps show he is meeting “most” expectations of the board.

Cripps’ overall average score is 4.40 out of a possible 6 score.

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 used 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” meant his performance was “Consistently Below Expectations”. A “5” rating signified that Cripps “Met All Expectations”. A rating with an asterisk (*) symbol or 6 meant he “Exceeded Expectations”.

Other ratings were:

“2”-Meets Few Expectations

“3”-Meets Some Expectations

“4”-Meets Most Expectations

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

In the overall evaluation report, Cripps scored highest (4.70) in “board relationships”. He scored lowest (3.96) in “Tennessee specific questions”.

A breakdown of Cripps’ scores in the eight goals evaluation were:
Performance Goal Average

Board Relationships
4.70

Community Relationships
4.41

Staff and Personnel Relationships
4.41

Educational Leadership
4.38

Business and Finance
4.67

Personal Qualities
4.61

Strategic Planning Skills
4.10

Tennessee Specific Questions
3.96

Grand Total Average
4.40

in other business, Director Cripps gave his monthly report on personnel.

Michael Merriman has been employed for ISS at DCHS/DMS

Employees granted a leave of absence as requested are Nancy Cowan; Ana Jarvis, Kenzie Morris, Josh Odom, Gabby Robinson, and Jalene Vanatta.

Employees who have resigned or retired are as follows:

Martha Damron, teacher at DWS, resigned

Debbie Eaton, educational assistant at DCHS, retired

Regina Estes, receptionist at DCHS, retired

Janine Morgan, teacher at SES, retired

Tony Poss, bus driver, resigned

Corey Rathbone, teacher at DCHS, resigned

Dalton Stallings, ISS, DCHS/DMS, resigned

Jalene Vanatta, teacher at DWS, retired

Vicki Wilson, teacher at DWS, retired

May 23, 2022
By:

Smithville’s Harvester Performance and Event Center Officially Debuts with Concert Featuring the Upper Cumberland’s The Smoky Nights.

Efforts to revitalize Downtown Smithville got a boost of positive vibes this past weekend (Friday, May 20) when the Harvester Performance and Event Center officially opened to the public.

Over the past few years owner Bert Driver invested in transforming the former tractor dealership and bank operations center on West Main St. into a sleekly modern multi-purpose facility for hosting weddings, corporate and family gatherings, and live entertainment.

Friday night the Harvester debuted as a music venue, giving the brimming crowd the kind of intimate club experience found in Nashville. The concert featured the music of Cookeville’s The Smoky Nights, as band members demonstrated their versatile talents on guitar, bass, drums, electric mandolin, and fiddle, in performances of original songs and familiar favorites.

“Music is like oxygen, always a source of joy,” says Driver. “For years we’ve showcased some of this area’s best musicians in outdoor concerts at The Burlap Room,” on the grounds of his nursery outside Smithville. “Now with The Harvester, we’re able to bring the live music indoors as well, for a completely different kind of experience.”

Key to that is the renovated building and its stylish mix of mid-century architecture and modern flourishes. Versatile floor designs, a lofty steel beam ceiling, natural skylights, vintage chandeliers, modern glass roll-up doors and expansive walnut bar all contribute to its welcoming atmosphere.

Friday’s launch was culmination of a team effort, from Driver’s vision for a Downtown center to the craftsmen who transformed the space, sound engineers and performers, artists and food vendors, and a responsive staff.

“We are blessed in the Upper Cumberland with an abundance of talent,” says Driver. “I am proud of our community, and our culture that embraces Center Hill Lake, the slower pace of life, and the overall outdoor lifestyle that reminds us how good it is here in Middle Tennessee.”

In addition to offering concerts and performances to the public, the Harvester is now booking private events – weddings, corporate events, quinceañeras, and more. Tickets for the Harvester Event Center (and Bert Driver’s Burlap Room) are available at burlaproom.eventbrite.com. For more information about the Harvester Event Center visit www.harvestertn.com, or follow us on Facebook: @harvestertn, Instagram: @harvestertn, and TikTok: @harvestertn.

May 23, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The ballots for the August 4, 2022 elections in DeKalb County have now been finalized and includes over 80 candidates and 26 Judicial Retention questions.

August Sample Ballot

“The ballot is lengthy, particularly where city elections are held and with the judicial retention questions, and we encourage voters to study the ballot in advance of showing up at the polls,” said Dennis Stanley, DeKalb County Administrator of Elections.

County-wide, voters will vote in contested races for County Executive, Road Superintendent, General Sessions Judge and Register of Deeds. Candidates for Trustee, Sheriff, Circuit Court Clerk, and County Clerk are uncontested.

Six of the seven county commission races are contested and two of the school board races are contested.

Offices for the 13th Judicial District are also on the ballot, but with only one contested race.

Alexandria, Dowelltown, Liberty and Smithville are having Municipal elections on the same day. In Alexandria two candidates are seeking the Mayor’s seat. In Liberty two candidates are running for Mayor and six candidates are vying for five seats on the Liberty City Board. In Smithville three candidates are seeking two seats on the City Board and the mayor race is uncontested.

Two statewide primaries are also being held on August 4th. On both the Republican and Democratic Primary ballots are candidates for Governor, U.S. Congress 6th District, State House 40th District and party representatives for the State Executive Committee District 16.

“Voters are reminded that on the county ballot, Democrats, Republicans and Independents are all listed and they can choose to vote for a Republican in one race, a Democrat in another, or an Independent,” Stanley said. “However, if a voter wishes to cast a ballot in the Tennessee primaries, they can only choose one party.” Voting in one of the state primaries has no impact on the County General Election ballot.

Meanwhile, following are some key dates relating to the August elections:

•Voter registration deadline is July 5

•Last day to request an Absentee ballot is July 28

•Early voting is July 15-July 30

August Sample Ballot

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