State Education Official Pays Call on Local Educators at DeKalb West School

January 14, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County School District got a visit from an official of the Tennessee Department of Education Tuesday to discuss with local education administrators plans for a new school funding formula.

Meghan McLeroy, Chief Statewide Support Officer at the Tennessee Department of Education, stopped in at DeKalb West School where she toured the school and met with educators.

A potential new school funding formula is being proposed by the state which would provide additional money for low-income students, rural students, English language learners, students with disabilities and charter schools, according to a draft framework released by the Tennessee Department of Education

McLeroy said she is touring the state to learn what educators and administrators at the local level think about the plan.

“I have been going around to 20 to 30 districts across the state, especially our small and rural districts talking with superintendents, principals, and central office staff about what we are trying to build out in terms of a new funding system. We’re trying to get out and into these communities and hear from folks on the ground to learn what they need in terms of funding from the state to prioritize for their students,” said McLeroy.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps said he anxious to learn more.

“We’re looking for more information. We have gone to one meeting about the funding which will be a change from the BEP formula the way it looks. We want to get more information on how it will support the programs we already have and how to keep growing as a district and how the state intends to fund that. There is a shortage of teachers statewide and we need to know how we keep compensating those educators to keep them in the school systems but most importantly we need to know how we are going to support our students because each student has individual needs and we need to be able to meet those needs on an individual basis,” said Director Cripps.

January 14, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Board of Education held a brief monthly meeting Thursday night at the Ernest Ray Education Center.

Along with adoption of routine business, the Board heard from Director of Schools Patrick Cripps who gave his monthly update on personnel moves.

Ethan Duke has been employed as a teacher at DeKalb County High School while Shawnnie Davis, a secretary at Smithville Elementary School and Jayrah Trapp, teacher at DCHS have resigned.

Director Cripps also sent condolences to the family of Lynda Luna, a former educator who was a kindergarten teacher at Smithville Elementary School for more than 30 years before her retirement.

“We lost one of our former educators, Ms Lynda Luna. She taught in our system for 30 plus years. She was also a fixture at Wilson Bank & Trust in Smithville. She was very nice and loved our students. We want to send our condolences out to her family and to thank them for allowing her to be part of our lives and the lives of so many children in DeKalb County. She will be missed,” said Director Cripps.

By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Veterans Services Office recently was honored to present the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal to the families of LTJG Clyde Thomas United States Navy and 1st Sgt Chester Holmes United States Marine Corps (RET).

Presenting was Bill Rutherford. County Veteran Service Officer.

Accepting the Medal on behalf of LTJG Thomas were Bobbye Thomas (wife) and Jan Thomas (Daughter).

Accepting the Medal on behalf of 1stSgt Holmes, were Patsy Russel (daughter) and William Russell (son-in-law).

The Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal is awarded to US service members that so bravely defend South Korea in what has become to be known as the “Forgotten War”.

The Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal is awarded by the Embassy of Korea, Office of Defense, Ms Hyenjeng “HJ” Sin Attache, Vet to Vet Tennessee, Tennessee Veterans Mental Health Council and DeKalb County Veteran Service office.

If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, there are caring, qualified VA responders standing by to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

CALL 1-800-273-8255 Press 1

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