logo
jbobo
Hawkins County Board of Education

Hawkins school study identifies pros and cons of closing schools, cutting teachers

An independent economic study states that the Hawkins County school system would save more than $1.3 million annually by closing Keplar and McPheeters Bend elementary schools, as well as another $1.2 million by canceling their one-time facility projects.

Mar 25, 2020 at 8:30 PM
Hawkins County director of schools Matt Hixson faced an emotional community at Keplar Elementary this past July after the Board of Education voted to relocated the school's 4th and 5th grades to Hawkins Elementary. The BOE ultimately reversed that decision and hired Dr. Keith Brewer to conduct an objective study on Hawkins County School economics. Based on the results of that study, the communities of Keplar and McPheeters Bend may once again find themselves defending their schools form potential classroom reduction or closure.
jbobo
Hawkins County Board of Education

'Everything is on the table': Hawkins teachers, schools could be cut based on new study

School board members will use the rest of the month to review the report before holding a special called meeting on March 31 to discuss the report for the first time as a group.

Mar 8, 2020 at 10:30 AM
Hawkins County School board member Bob Larkins, left, passes the gavel over to Chris Christian following the chairman election in September. Larkisn said Monday he won't seek a third term on the Hawkins County BOE.
jbobo
Hawkins County Board of Education

Larkins won't seek third term on Hawkins BOE, offers advice to his successor

“I would recommend that whoever gives (running for school board) some thought that they be a person who is willing to listen, that they educate themselves and be dedicated to public education.” — Bob Larkins

Mar 3, 2020 at 3:00 PM
Board chairman Chris Christian, standing fourth from left, said he doesn't believe the issue will arise very often, but the school board follows the county commission's lead with regards to compensation. The BOE consists of (standing) Bob Larkisn, Jackie Charles, Director Matt Hixson, Christian and county attorney Jim Philips; and (seated) board secretary Jennifer Michel, Kathy Trent, Kathy Cradic and vice chair Debbie Shedden.
jbobo
Hawkins County Board of Education

'It's not a pay raise': Hawkins BOE, commissioners now paid for multiple meetings in a day

The reasoning behind the change was that it's not a pay raise for commissioners. The argument in favor of the change, which was supported by County Attorney Jim Phillips, was that commissioners should be compensated for their time and effort.

Feb 21, 2020 at 5:30 PM
File photos from October's school bus appreciation celebrations. For the first time in a long time the Hawkins County Board of Education is up to full staff on school bus drivers, a feat that can be attributed to a series of incentives approved over the past few years.
jbobo
Hawkins County Commission

Hawkins fully staffed with school bus drivers thanks to pay incentives

Four years ago the beginning salary for drivers was only $57 per day, and it was very difficult to recruit new drivers. The school transportation department would find itself with as many as 10 driver vacancies at a time.

Jan 23, 2020 at 12:30 PM
Clinch School
jbobo
Clinch School

Hawkins advised by utilities to seek in-house water treatment for Clinch

“If you consider where it was being drawn from, and then time spent in that pipe before it gets to Clinch School, that it quite the (lengthy) time period. We would most likely have to treat it and re-test it on our end if we were to go down and do a project like that.” — Matt Hixson

Jan 20, 2020 at 8:30 AM
Scott Slusher, right, who is deputy director of the Tennessee Department of Education's Energy Efficient Schools Initiative (EESI) explained to the Hawkins County board of Education Thursday how energy efficiency changes at county schools can pay for low interest state loans to cover needed projects such as needed HVAC replacement at both main high schools.
jbobo
Hawkins County Board of Education

Energy savings in Hawkins schools might pay for costly HVAC replacements

The Hawkins County Board of Education voted 6-0 Thursday to authorize Trane to conduct an energy efficiency audit on all 18 schools to determine potential utility savings through more efficient lighting, controls and equipment.

Jan 13, 2020 at 5:30 PM
Progress photo of the Rt. 70N mudslide repair work from September courtesy of TDOT. Now anoter slide on Rt. 70N at the top of Clinhc Mountain is being repaired, reducing the highway to one lane in that area.
jbobo
Hawkins County Board of Education

Clinch School staying on four-day week while Route 70-N remains one lane

Both main highways between Rogersville and Clinch Valley, which were closed due to slides in February, are now open, although a section of Route 70-N may be reduced to one lane until September due to a second slide in a different area.

Jan 13, 2020 at 12:24 PM
Cherokee's health Sciences program received a grant in 2019 which helped pay for nursing equipment upgrades. Cherokee is also a new CNA certification testing location, which will give Cherokee students " home field advantage" when they take their certification tests.
jbobo
Hawkins County Board of Education

Grant helps Cherokee offer nurse certification exams in-house

Cherokee High School a state grant this school year to help establish a nursing skills lab which makes it possible for nursing students to earn their CNA certification on campus.

Jan 2, 2020 at 3:30 PM
The Hawkins County BOE's student board representatives for the 2019-20 school year include (L-R) Tyler Lawson, Hanah Lamb, and Cooper Bolton.
jbobo
Hawkins County Board of Education

Meet the Hawkins BOE's student reps for 2019-20

The Hawkins County Board of Education was required by law this year to reduce its number of student board representatives (SBRs), but what it lost in quantity it gained back in quality.

Jan 1, 2020 at 6:30 PM
Clinch School
jbobo
Hawkins County Board of Education

Hawkins BOE will try for water line to Clinch before costly well upgrade

Although the school is only about 10 years old, Brandon Williams who is energy specialist in the maintenance department, informed the BOE during a workshop earlier this school year that original filtration system at Clinch has become unreliable.

Dec 8, 2019 at 7:47 PM
In this screen shot from the video, Apparently they saved the best for last in the form of preschooler Blakeleigh Tupper who isn't thinking too far ahead as far as her life goals. “I love my school because my teachers are the best ever,” Blakeleigh said. “And when I grow up I'm going to be five.”
jbobo
Mount Carmel Elementary School

Ad-lib by preschooler brings down the house at Hawkins BOE

Mount Carmel Elementary students had school board members smiling big Thursday night, and a few times cracking up, especially when pre-K student Blakeleigh Tupper told them what she wants to be when she grows up.

Dec 7, 2019 at 12:00 PM
Dr. David Meade, left who is art teacher at Joseph Rogers Primary School, was recently elected president of the Tennessee Art Education Association. He was honored at the Nov. 12 Hawkins County BOE meeting after being introduced by elementary supervisor Lori Allen, right.
jbobo
Hawkins County Board of Education

Hawkins teacher elected president of Tennessee Art Education Association

Dr. David Meade, who is better known to his art students at Joseph Rogers Primary School as “Dr. Art” was recently elected president of the Tennessee Art Education Association (TAEA), which is a six year commitment.

Dec 2, 2019 at 2:00 PM
During the Nov. 12 BOE meeting SMS cross country coach Brian Fletcher introduced his stars from the 2019 season to the board including(L-R) Roman Borghetti-Metz, Jacie Begley, and Sabella Borghetti-Metz.
jbobo
Hawkins County Board of Education

Surgoinsville, Rogersville runners honored for making state meet

Earlier this month the Hawkins County Board of Education honored several students including three members of Surgoinsville Middle School's Cross Country team who distinguished themselves at the state meet on Oct. 5.

Nov 29, 2019 at 3:30 PM
jbobo
Hawkins County Board of Education

Two 'disruptive' bogus bomb threats under investigation at Cherokee High

Hawkins County director of schools Matt Hixson said Thursday he's ready to “bring the hammer down” on the student responsible for writing two bomb threats on a Cherokee High School bathroom wall this week.

Nov 22, 2019 at 9:30 AM
Kingsport Times News Videos