Schools honor True Friends of Education

As part of American Education Week, Lebanon school officials and students took turns Monday honoring True Friends of Education during the Lebanon Board of Education meeting.

True Friends of Education award winners included Christine Gipson honored by Byars Dowdy Elementary School, Dr. Nancy Barrett honored by Castle Heights Elementary School, Mary Lou Ford honored by Coles Ferry Elementary School, Marji Guerra honored by Sam Houston Elementary School, Tammy Robertson honored by Walter J. Baird Middle School and Carla Dedman honored by Winfree Bryant Middle School.

True Friends of Education Business award winners included Beazer Homes honored by Coles Ferry Elementary School, Applebee’s honored by Walter J. Baird Middle School, Lebanon Airport honored by Winfree Bryant Middle School, Kids World Daycare honored by Sam Houston Elementary School, Spectra Energy honored by Castle Heights Elementary School and Painturo’s Pizza honored by Byars Dowdy Elementary School.

Once awards were presented and winners dispersed, the board went over a handful of items while at Winfree Bryant Middle School.

The board approved plans to bid out substitute teacher use. Previously, Director of Schools Scott Benson said TA Staffing handled supplying substitute teachers to Lebanon schools. And though he said the staffing service had done a “good job” of supplying the substitutes, he recommended the service be bid out in the future.

“We have been approached by a few others, so we are going to take a look at it,” Benson said.

The board also:

• approved section D of board policies during an annual review.

• approved a state compliance report, noting all schools were in compliance.

• supported a resolution in opposition of legislation to create a statewide or alternative authorizer for charter schools as recommended by the Tennessee School Board Association.

In his report to the board, Benson said a window replacement project at Sam Houston and Byars Dowdy elementary schools is expected to start during winter break with the first phase of front windows at Sam Houston.

Benson also said all eighth-graders at Walter J. Baird and Winfree Bryant middle schools scored above the nation average in all subjects after taking Explorer tests recently. The test is a preparatory exam for the ACT.

He said a recent absence report showed 212 students were out of school on Dec. 12 and 252 students were out Dec. 14, which represents about 6 percent-7 percent of all Lebanon students. Benson said absences are up a bit due to illness but not to the point schools should close locally like those in nearby counties recently.

Benson announced winter break would begin Dec. 19, and students would return Jan. 3.

Benson also announced the latest enrollment report showed an increase of 36 students since October and stands at 3,729 total students.

The board honored Jeanie Barker, who will leave Lebanon schools to be superintendent of Lenoir City Schools, with a crystal nameplate.

“This is truly a special place, and I have grown being here,” Barker said.

A reception for Barker will be Wednesday from 3-5 p.m. at Castle Heights Elementary School.

The board postponed its Jan. 14 meeting and will tentatively next meet Feb. 11 at 5 p.m. at the Central Office.

Photo: Jared Felkins • Lebanon Democrat

Castle Heights Elementary School student Madeline Walker reads a presentation honoring Dr. Nancy Barrett with a True Friend of Education award Monday during the Lebanon Board of Education meeting.

Photo: Jared Felkins • Lebanon Democrat

True Friends of Education award winners included, (from left) Christine Gipson honored by Byars Dowdy Elementary School, Dr. Nancy Barrett honored by Castle Heights Elementary School, Mary Lou Ford honored by Coles Ferry Elementary School, Marji Guerra honored by Sam Houston Elementary School, Tammy Robertson honored by Walter J. Baird Middle School and Carla Dedman honored by Winfree Bryant Middle School.

Photo: Jared Felkins • Lebanon Democrat

Representatives pictured from True Friends of Education Business award winners included, (from left) Beazer Homes honored by Coles Ferry Elementary School, Applebee’s honored by Walter J. Baird Middle School, Lebanon Airport honored by Winfree Bryant Middle School, Kids World Daycare honored by Sam Houston Elementary School and Spectra Energy honored by Castle Heights Elementary School. Not pictured are representatives from Painturo’s Pizza honored by Byars Dowdy Elementary School.