The DeKalb County Board of Education elected a new chairman Thursday night during its regular monthly meeting. Danny Parkerson, Second District member, will serve as chairman for the next year. W.J. (Dub) Evins, III, the previous long-time chairman, will remain a board member.
Seventh District member Shaun Tubbs was elected Vice-Chairman, succeeding Parkerson who held the position, and Jim Beshearse, Third District member was elected the Tennessee Legislative Network representative.
The Board also voted 5-1 to adopt a policy amendment on second and final reading to allow non-resident students to apply for admission to DeKalb County Schools. This is subject to approval of the Director of Schools and payment of a $750 per semester tuition per student. All voted in favor except Second District member Alan Hayes. Fifth district member W.J. (Dub) Evins, III was absent. The board approved the amendment on first reading back in August.
Director of Schools Patrick Cripps reminded the public that proposals are being accepted through Thursday, September 26 at 10 a.m. from any landowner in DeKalb County, preferably within the City of Smithville or within five miles of the city, who has 25-100 acres of property to sell for construction of a new Pre-K to 2nd grade elementary school to replace Smithville Elementary School.
He also talked of how the county still has a shortage of bus driver, which is making it hard on parents.
“We need bus drivers and we know that this has been a challenge for our parents because there are some routes which have not been able to be covered. We are short of bus drivers and we are looking for people to be part of our solution. If you are interested in driving a school bus, even if you don’t want to drive full time or if you are willing to be a substitute driver, we are taking all comers. Contact Jamie Vickers at the Board of Education Central Office or call Michael Agee, the Transportation Supervisor at the school bus garage,” said Director Cripps.
In the personnel report, Director Cripps stated that Melanie Crews has been hired as an educational assistant at Smithville Elementary; Barbara Jiminez as a teacher at Northside Elementary School; James Wilkerson and Zach Adams as mechanics at the school bus garage; and Brittany Simpson as an EA at DeKalb Middle School. Carol Sampley, a teacher at Northside Elementary School has resigned.
The DeKalb County Board of Education will meet for its next regular monthly meeting on Oct. 10, 2019.
