It's Election Time in Tennessee

PAULA DYER My name is Paula Dyer, and I am excited to announce that I am running for re-election to the Lewis County School Board of Education, District 8 seat, in the upcoming August election. Since I am officially beginning my campaign, it is extremely important to me to reach out to those who not only can vote in this district, but to everyone in the community, to know who I am and why I want to continue to represent the 8th district on the school board. I moved to Hohenwald over 40 years ago when I married Billy Dyer. We have three children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. My community leadership and involvement positions include serving as president of the Retired Teachers of Lewis County, working in the concession stand at ballgames, and being an active member of the worship team at First Baptist Church. After teaching for 22 years in Lewis County, serving, in various capacities in the educational field, and serving on the board for the past four year, I know that I have a solid foundation on which to stand for the future of Lewis County Education. As a classroom teacher, I have seen the direct impact of policy decisions which have affected my colleagues, our students, and their families. I have always attempted to collaborate with other teachers, faculty, administration, support staff, and my community to support learning in Lewis County. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree from Martin Methodist College (now UT Southern) in Pulaski, TN in 1998, and I graduated with my Master of Science degree in 2005. My active endorsement areas include all subject areas for grades K-8 and as a reading specialist for grades PreK-12. I have served as a cooperating teacher for eight teacher candidates from MTSU, UT Southern, and the University of TN Martin. I have served on textbook selection committees for Math, ELA, Social Studies, and Science, as well as the academic data committee for School Improvement for Lewis County Middle School. Over the years I have been honored with several types of recognitions including VFW District Level Teacher of the Year, Lewis County Herald Teacher of the Week, Fox 17 Teacher of the Week, and LCMS Teacher of the Year. For the past two years, I have served with honor as vice-chairman of the school board. I assure you that I will continue to have the interests of all Lewis County students and teachers and staff as my priority. I will work hard, fairly, and honestly to the best of my ability to represent my community, my fellow teachers, support staff, administration, and the other board members if I am re-elected to this position. My decisions will always support effective teaching practices, our economy, and what is best for our students. While serving on the board, I have completed all required state training for school board members. I have researched and completed many training sessions on my own. I recently completed Reading 360 at the elementary and secondary levels to keep abreast of how students learn to read and how to help them become better readers. I also recently earned professional development points for completing "High-Quality Mathematics Instruction" through Vanderbilt University. I virtually attend the TN State Board of Education meetings to be aware of what is happening across the state. I sit in on webinars with TN School Board Association to learn of new laws and policies. This shows my determination and willingness to work hard and find out what is best for our schools. In December of 2023, I reached Level V Master Board Member status. I am the second board member in Lewis County to achieve this recognition. This was a combination of training/involvement points accumulated through TSBA and completing a portfolio to include accomplishments, reference letters, a self-evaluation, observing another board's meeting, providing evidence of my leadership role to build support for education at the state, local, and federal levels, and writing an essay for proposed improvements from four topics. Also in 2023, I was selected to the All-Tennessee School Board. Only seven board members from across Tennessee were chosen for this award. I am the first in Lewis County to receive this recognition. This year, I have been selected to serve as a panel judge to choose the recipients of the 2024 All-Tennessee School Board recognition. One issue that I advocated for while serving on the board was to make sure that all of our support staff received the same number of inclement weather days as everyone else in our system. They now also receive one sick day a month and two personal days a year, which is the same as our other employees. I also wanted any unused accumulated time to be used towards their retirement. This was accomplished by a majority vote from the board. I pushed for bus drivers to receive the opportunity to have access to the school insurance should they choose to do so. I voted in favor of absorbing the increase in insurance for our faculty and staff. We were also able to give a substantial percent raise, all while keeping the budget in the positive. I signed a resolution opposing the 3rd Grade Retention Law. I voted in favor of the buzz in system at each school and the ballistic film to be placed on the windows and doors for each school to make our buildings safer for our faculty, staff, and students. I advocated for us to establish a Student Advisory Council to the board this year. This council consists of high school students who attend board meetings and address the board on a variety of topics which affect them as students. Since this was new this year, I needed to write a policy and have it approved by TSBA and our board. The council has proven to be a tremendous asset to the board. I would like to thank you for the support I have received from you, the citizens across Lewis County. Thank you again for your vote and support so that I can help continue the magnificent work that is going on in our school system.

KERRY CAGLE Kerry Cagle, Incumbent Lewis County Highway Commissioner, officially announces that he is a candidate for the office of Highway Commissioner on the August 1st General Election ballot. I was appointed to the office of Highway Commissioner by unanimous vote of the County Commission in March of 2023, following the retirement of the former Highway Commissioner. I have over 25 years of experience in highway construction, maintenance and paving. I used that experience to make changes to the department that I feel allows us to run more efficiently with less down time. I have a good working relationship with our crew as I have worked along beside of them for the past 5 years. I want to take this opportunity to ask you for your vote. In the next 4 years we will continue to do everything within our means to improve our county road system, but the sad truth remains, there will always be a lot of road left at the end of the money. Thank you, Kerry Cagle

LAIN HINSON I would like to announce my formal intention to run for the District 8 School Board seat in the General Election this August of 2024 as a WRITE-IN candidate. My wife Ally and I were born and raised in Lewis County and have both of our children, Ezra and Poppy, enrolled in our school system. I believe my background as a teacher (9 years), and administrator (4 years) have provided me with the experience to serve our school system and students in this capacity. I very much look forward to spending time with members of our 8th district, listening to your feedback as we work together to provide our community the best possible educational experience for all teachers, students, and employees.

RANDY HINSON I am eager to announce that I am running for the seat of Lewis County Highway Commissioner in the General Election to be held August 1st. I have been happily married to my wife Terri Dugger Hinson for 40 years, and we have raised two children, Erin Hinson and Brianna Hadley of whom we are so proud. I have been employed by the City of Hohenwald for 17 years and have worked in several capacities, currently as the Utility Director. I enjoy and take pride in constantly looking for new technology techniques and products to more effieciently work with engineers, TDEC, and TDOT on a regular basis. And, since 1984, I have operated a heavy equipment business. Speaking of pride, I have been a member of the Hohenwald/Lewis County Fire Department since 1981 and am currently serving as Captain. My wife and I are faithful members of Flatrock Church of Christ and enjoy being involved in and supporting local events that support the investors in our community. Without them, Lewis County would not be the close-knit, endearing, supportive place we have all come to know and love and live in. I am proud to run a clean campaign with the following at the forefront: Integrity, Honesty, Transparency and Community. I give my word that I will always be honest and transparent to keep the needs of the greater good of this community ahead of anything else.

MATTHEW ADKINS I am Matthew Adkins, and I am excited to be running for School Board District 5. If you do not know me, I graduated Lewis County High School in 2019. I started attending meetings while in school,and it was a goal to serve my school and community. My mom, sister in law and other family members are employed by the school. I am committed to make our schools the very best for your family and mine. I have served in leadership roles with Tractor Supply and H&R Agri-Power. I am a member of New Hope Baptist Church where I have attended all my life. I have had the honor of serving my district for seven months, and we have been able to get many things accomplished in that time. The new high school project is rolling and making alot of progress. We have been able to give raises to ALL school system employees. We have opened up opportunities for high school students that haven't previously been available. I look forward to what can be accomplished going forward, and I hope you will consider giving me the opportunity to continue being your voice. I will be getting out to your house to visit. However, if I don't make it while you are there, I hope you will consider voting for me for the 5th District School Board member.