I’m sure additional details will emerge, but I want to provide a brief update on the Teacher Bonus Payment outlined in the Education Freedom Act of 2025.

Before June 1, 2025, the school board must pass a resolution affirming that the $2,000 bonus payment referenced in Section 4 of the voucher bill will go directly to our teachers. Legislative testimony emphasized the importance of ensuring that teachers receive the full amount rather than districts withholding any portion with the exception of employer/employee costs. However, there is no requirement for boards to affirm any other aspects of the bill.

The legislation defines a “teacher” as an individual who is evaluated and has direct contact with students for at least 50% of their time. Since the bill specifies that this bonus applies to the current school year, it is likely that funds will be distributed to districts within this year. This timeline is still to be determined.

Rules and regulations regarding this legislation are still being developed by the State Board, TDOE, and the Department of the Treasury. Once those are finalized, we expect further guidance, and our legal team will review the details accordingly.

No other employees are awarded a bonus payment besides the defined teacher under current legislation.

I’ll share more information as it becomes available.

Piedmont Elementary School Principal Julie Allen has been named Jefferson County Schools’ 2024-2025 Principal of the Year, a well-deserved recognition for her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to student success. Julie has served as Piedmont Elementary's principal since the 2021-2022 school year.

The announcement was made by Director Tommy Arnold and district supervisors, who arrived at Piedmont Elementary bearing balloons and a cake to share in the celebration with Julie and her dedicated team of educators. Many of her teachers were present to congratulate her, a testament to the trust and respect she has cultivated within her school community. Julie’s journey in education began as a school counselor, a role she held at Rush Strong School, White Pine School, and Maury Middle School before transitioning into leadership. Her extensive experience in supporting students' emotional and academic well-being has provided a solid foundation for her current role, where her approach is centered around making thoughtful, student-focused decisions.

As a principal, Julie is recognized for her strong communication skills, proactive mindset, and unmatched work ethic. Her ability to communicate clearly with staff, students, and parents has played a key role in fostering a positive, collaborative environment at Piedmont Elementary. Whether she's dealing with everyday challenges or making tough decisions, Julie’s priority is always what’s best for her students.

Her commitment to making Piedmont Elementary a successful environment for all students continues to inspire those around her, and the entire Jefferson County Schools district is proud to call her one of its own.

Congratulations to the 2025 Jefferson County Schools District-Wide Spelling Bee Winners!

The annual Jefferson County Schools District Spelling Bee was held on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the Jefferson County High School Performing Arts Center. Congratulations to these amazing spellers! Many thanks to the teachers, families, and friends who helped them prepare and attended the Spelling Bee to cheer them on.

Pictured left to right: Chace, 3rd Place (Piedmont Elementary School); Connor, 2nd Place (Rush Strong School); Liam, 1st Place (Jefferson Elementary School), and Kristi Waltke, JCs Supervisor of Elementary Education.

Special thanks to the Jefferson County Schools Staff that help make the District-Wide Spelling Bee Possible as well: Kristi Waltke (Coordinator), Kristi Sanford (Pronouncer), Lisa Knight (Judge), Amy Sharp (Judge).

Public speaking is often labelled as the number one fear among adults. Jefferson County 4-H Agents, Karen Nelms and Robyn Elswick along with Program Assistant, Carla Lindsey are working to empower the young people of Jefferson County to conquer or at least attempt this life skill.

After guiding 93 elementary and middle school classrooms in the best methods to successfully prepare and present a speech, students were asked to write a speech on a topic of their choosing. As a result, 611 Jefferson County students stood in front of their classes and presented their own 4-H Speech. The top-scoring speakers were invited to participate in the Jefferson County Speech Contest. At this event, we were excited to feature 90 4-H youth speakers who presented to 24 volunteer judges from the community. We held this county-level contest at Jefferson Middle School.

The 1st place winner in each grade level will go on to compete at the next level. The winners for the 4th-8th grade levels will go on to the Sub-Regional Contest, comprising speakers from several east Tennessee counties. The winners of the 9th-12th grade levels will go on to the Regional Contest and compete for a trip to the state-level contest.

The confidence these students have gained through preparing and presenting their own speeches in front of peers, parents, teachers and judges is an educational experience that will stay with them going forward.

The Jefferson County Career and Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Council convened on January 6, 2025, at Jefferson County High School to discuss the future of career and technical education programs and their alignment with industry needs. The meeting brought together educators, industry professionals, and community leaders to collaborate on ensuring that students are well-prepared for the evolving job market.

The morning began with a networking breakfast at 8:00 AM. Dr. Rebecca Campbell ,former JCS CTE Director and TCAT Morristown Vice-President, spoke to Council members about TCAT Morristown. At 8:40 AM, program meetings commenced, beginning with the introduction of members and an overview of the CTE programs of study. Attendees participated in a guided tour of labs, shops, and classrooms, offering valuable insight into the resources available to students. Additional discussions centered around workforce preparedness, curriculum alignment, and industry certifications. Advisory members reviewed the latest program standards to ensure that coursework remains relevant and beneficial for students entering the job market. They also assessed equipment and supplies to maintain industry standards.

The meeting highlighted opportunities for partnerships between schools and industry professionals. Attendees explored avenues for work-based learning (WBL) experiences, internships, guest speaking engagements, and volunteer opportunities.. These collaborations aim to bridge the gap between education and real-world employment, ensuring that students gain valuable hands-on experience.

The Jefferson County CTE Advisory Council remains committed to shaping programs that meet industry demands and equip students with the skills necessary for success. By fostering strong relationships between education and industry, the council continues to play a vital role in the future of workforce development.

In an inspiring initiative to celebrate young talent, Jefferson County Schools has launched a new Literacy Trail called JCreate. This innovative project showcases the remarkable poetry, short stories, and artwork of middle school students across the district. The trail is designed to engage the community and provide a platform for young creatives to share their work with a wider audience.

JCreate was inspired by a similar project on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where a poetry trail captivates residents and visitors alike. The success of that initiative sparked an idea in the mind of Mina Blaylock, 7th grade English Language Arts teacher at Maury Middle School, to bring a similar concept to Jefferson County, tailored to highlight the diverse literary and artistic talents of its middle school students. Blaylock reached out to Jefferson County Schools Central Office and the Mossy Creek Literacy Council to bring this vision to life.

The Literacy Trail consists of four smaller trails, each housed at one of the four middle schools throughout the county, with each one showcasing the talents of students from its respective middle school. Each of these stations offers a unique blend of visual and literary art, allowing visitors to experience the creativity and imagination of Jefferson County’s youth. Each sign displays two QR codes: One QR code allows the viewer access to the student work unique to that sign, and another QR code linked to more information about JCreate.

The project not only encourages students to express themselves but also fosters a sense of pride and accomplishments in their achievements. Future plans include expanding to other grades and locations throughout the community, as well as placement of permanent signage. The trail is now open to the public, inviting everyone to take a stroll and immerse themselves in the vibrant world of middle school creativity.

Learn more on our website. www.jc-tn.net/JCreate

As winter shifts to spring, absences often increase across the district. To emphasize the importance of attendance, Jefferson County district staff members Carrie Trent, Supervisor of Student Services; Trevor Collins, Supervisor of Data and Accountability; and Melissa Whitaker, Coordinated School Health Coordinator, will celebrate the schools with the highest attendance in grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 each month. To recognize these schools, mobile "trophies" have been ordered for display throughout the school, in the car rider line, and in the bus line.

Mt. Horeb Elementary recorded the highest attendance rates for grades K-2 and 3-5 for the month of December. A special shoutout goes to Kindergarten teacher Ashley Stiffler, who led this initiative with dedication and enthusiasm! As part of the MHES Attendance Incentive Program, students earned a ticket for each 10-day cycle they maintained perfect attendance. At the end of each cycle, students with tickets had their names entered into a drawing for exciting prizes, with the final drawings taking place at the end of each 9-week period.

Prizes for students included Bluetooth speakers, Squishmallows, headphones, games, and more. The incentives extended beyond students, as parents also had the chance to win prizes at the end of each 9-week period. Giveaways for families included Ripley’s tickets, Mossy Creek Golf passes, Food City gift cards, and more, reinforcing the idea that attendance is a team effort between school and home.

Rush Strong recorded the highest attendance rate for grades 6-8 for the month of December! The school credits its success to strong personal connections and consistent communication. At Rush Strong, staff members proactively reach out to check on students who are absent, offer support to parents, and provide encouragement when attendance improves.

Mrs. Wendy McCoy shared, "Teachers and staff are not only committed to ensuring academic growth but also to showing love and care for each child’s well-being. By providing support, encouragement, and understanding, we create an environment where every student feels valued and motivated to attend school regularly. Together, we work to remove barriers and foster a sense of belonging, helping all students thrive."

Congratulations to our December winners!

Jefferson County Schools has achieved Bronze Status as a 2025 Team tnAchieves Partner, joining 52 organizations across Tennessee in championing student success.

Jefferson County Schools has been privileged to work with Tennessee Achieves since its inception. In fact, Jefferson County was one of the first school systems to join what was once called Knox Achieves, a program designed for students in Knox County Schools. Tennessee Achieves has been tasked with operating the Tennessee Promise Scholarship across the Volunteer State. Tennessee Promise is a last-dollar scholarship available to any student in our state who graduates high school and can be used at any technical school, community college, and even some four-years colleges & universities. An important component of Tennessee Promise is the availability of adult mentors to help students with the often-complex process of beginning their post-secondary journeys. Jefferson County Schools is very proud of the fact that most of these mentors for our area are teachers and staff members who work within the school system. These caring professionals work as Tennessee Promise mentors to extend their positive impact on the young people in Jefferson County beyond the classroom.

Molly Ketterman, a JCHS Service-Learning student, supported English as a Second Language (ESL) students with reading at Mt. Horeb Elementary School as part of her Capstone Project.

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, students performed at Northview Academy in Sevierville. Divided into two bands, Red and Blue, they each delivered a 30-minute program after two days of dedicated rehearsal with a clinician. Their hard work and commitment shone through in a truly superior performance!

First and second grade students at White Pine School were treated with a coloring/activity book and a special visit from Tommie and Tammie TCAT. This visit was not only fun, but introduced young students to the world of technical careers and the endless possibilities available to them in the future.

Students were impressed by all of the possible career choices. We can't wait to see where their own paths lead!

Students and sponsors of the Jefferson Middle School Beta Club were recognized by the Board of School Commissioners after attending the state Junior Beta Club Convention in Nashville. Students from Jefferson Middle received placement in several competitions including Creative Writing, Technology, Quiz Bowl, and Premier Performer Singer.

The JCHS Cross Country Team was recognized at the January 6, 2025 Board of School Commissioners meeting for a great showing at the State Tournament. Congratulations!

Mina Blaylock was introduced to the Board of School Commissioners by Elementary and Secondary Supervisors in recognition of her idea to make student projects available for public access throughout the community. This idea grew into JCreate!