Fall District Meetings 2024: TENNESSEE SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

The Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) hosted the South Central Fall District Meeting at Lewis County High School in Hohenwald on August 29. "TSBA's Fall District Meetings provide our staff the opportunity to speak with our members and listen to their concerns on multiple topics. This allows us to advocate effectively on their behalf while providing them with information they need to make informed decisions for the students in their community," said TSBA Executive Director Dr. Tammy Grissom. During the meeting, members of local boards of education and superintendents from the region participated in a survey where they expressed their opinions on a number of issues for the upcoming General Assembly. Other topics discussed were TISA and 3rd grade proficiency, TISA and school letter grades, A.I. and the public schools, TSSAA and student eligibility, the real story behind teacher shortages, and by the numbers: Tennessee's retirement-eligible teachers.

AREA SCHOOL VOLUNTEER HONORED Each year TSBA honors one school volunteer from each of its nine districts who have distinguished themselves by demonstrating exceptional commitment to volunteerism in a local school district. The district winner has exhibited exemplary leadership, creativity, cooperation and hard work in their service to a school. One of those nine volunteers will win the statewide School Volunteer Recognition Award to be presented at the TSBA Annual Convention in November, which will include a $1,000 grant to the school of their choice. The 2024 South Central District Volunteer Recognition Award winner is Samantha Zimmerman of Tullahoma. Samantha is currently serving as the PTO President at Bel-Aire and spends countless hours volunteering there; including coordinating the school-wide book fair. Over the summer, she spent time researching, designing and collaborating with various stakeholders to paint and update Bel-Aire's cafeteria. She also designed a website to properly communicate opportunities related to the annual walk-a-thon. The event was a huge success, with over $50,000 going back to the school.

AREA BOARD MEMBERS EARN HONORS Several South Central District school board members earned TSBA Boardsmanship Awards in 2024. The awards are presented to individual board members who have achieved one of five levels of boardsmanship standards over the past year. The program is designed to recognize school board members for participation in board activities beyond the local level through a commitment to training, willingness to participate in workshops and a volunteer spirit. The Boardsmanship Award honors not only the quantity, but also the quality of participation. Levels I-IV are given at Fall District Meetings, while Level V Boardsmanship is awarded at the association's annual convention in November. South Central District board members who were honored for their achievements this year were:

LEVEL I: Robert Gilley, Coffee County; Jennifer Peacock Hodge, Coffee County; Kathy Rose, Coffee County; Willa Smith, Giles County; Knox Vanderpool, Giles County; Sherri Baker, Hickman County; Ronald Gammons, Hickman County; Matthew Adkins, Lewis County; Jackie Holt, Lewis County; Sallie Pollock, Lewis County

LEVEL II: Barton Williams, Bedford County; Jennifer Murdock, Fayetteville; Sarah Marhevsky, Franklin County; Derek Cotham, Lewis County; Jackie Holt, Lewis County; Cody Mitchell, Lewis County; Sallie Pollock, Lewis County; Jimmy Daniel, Lincoln County

LEVEL III: Larry Crabtree, Coffee County; Derek Cotham, Lewis County; Cassie Couch, Lewis County; Cody Mitchell, Lewis County; Sallie Pollock, Lewis County; Andy Whitt, Tullahoma

LEVEL IV: Dan Reed, Bedford County; Larry Crabtree, Coffee County; Mary McCloud, Giles County.

Members of the Student Advisory Committee helped with the registrations and serving of the food. Sam and Andy's Catering provided the food for the event.