Principals report student achievement, construction plans and community activities

During the board’s Dec. 12 meeting, principals and district staff reported a series of school-level achievements and upcoming activities.

Miss Donnella reported that Hermitage Springs School held traditional holiday cooking with faculty and staff, that students are being rewarded for attendance with themed rewards and movie-bucket prizes, and that universal screening and Schoolnet testing indicate positive growth for many students. She said some teachers reported students improving by 20 points or more on assessments. Donnella also said the district is awaiting confirmation to begin construction of a Clemens Courtyard and hopes to use remaining energy-grant funds for lunchroom seating improvements; the PTO is organizing a student Christmas shop and schools are collecting donations for mitten trees and gifts for nursing-home patients.

Miss Maddox reported that seniors participated in an "On My Own" financial simulation through the University of Tennessee Extension Clay County office, that athletic seasons have concluded or are underway with the Bulldogs noted as regional football champions and a playoff loss to South Pittsburgh, and that student Nate Adams finished as runner-up in Tennessee’s "Mr. Football" award and attended a ceremony at Nissan Stadium. Maddox also noted visits and presentations by University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and TCAT Livingston program representatives and that FFA members volunteered to read to elementary students during ag literacy week.

The reports highlighted student engagement, community partnerships and planned facility improvements; no formal board action was required on these reports.