JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – The Campbell County Board of Education recognized 16 teachers for their selection as “teacher of the year’ in various schools across the county and singled out three educators who will represent Campbell County as District Representatives for Teacher of the Year at the state level.  See the notes from the BOE meeting HERE.

Those selected as District Representatives for Teacher of the Year are Kristi Hargis from LaFollette Elementary School, representing Pre-K – 5th grade; Steve Greek from Elk Valley Elementary, representing 6th – 8th grade and Lisa Copeland from CCHS, representing 9th-12th grade.

The board also approved an executive action to award a bid for the awning at Caryville Elementary to Sunbelt Products for $12,120 and to advertise for bids for an oven and other additions for the school nutrition program.

A proposal for bids for a guard building at Jellico High School was delayed, however, when Johnny Byrge questioned the need to hire an architect for the project.

“Why do we need an architect for a guard shack?” Byrge asked.

Maintenance supervisor Stan Marlow defended the need, explaining that the building would involve existing sewer lines and road design. “It’s what you would call a ‘big little job,’” Marlow pointed out.

Still, Byrge moved to table the motion to hire architect Michael Brady, as well as advertise for bids until next month in order to look at the project more carefully. His motion passed unanimously.

Byrge also challenged the proposed school calendar for the 2020-21 school year, asking why the calendar called for closing schools on Veterans’ Day.

“In the past we’ve had school on Veterans’ Day and the VA has organized veterans to go to the schools and talk to the kids about their service,” Byrge stated. “I don’t want to see that go away.”

Director Jennifer Fields explained that the change was due to the need to balance school days during an election year, but Byrge moved to table the calendar until the question of Veterans’ Day is resolved. His motion passed unanimously.

The board briefly discussed the situation with the new rock quarry that is near Campbell County High School.  Attorney Dail Cantrell explained that the county commission had passed a resolution to restrict the quarry.

“Everything is in their park now. The owners will either not open the quarry or they will challenge the county in court. If they dig in their heels they could claim the county is seeking an illegal taking of their property,” Cantrell pointed out.   (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 02/12/2020-6AM)

 

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