Education

The 231 North Business Park Oversight Committee approved this week the transfer of approximately 20 acres of the business park to Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville. The property is a gift from Shelbyville and Bedford County to the Tennessee Board of Regents...

Kelly Vincent and Andrea McCullough presented Kailey Snell with The Youth Leadership Bedford Scholarship for her to use at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Two weeks ago, Tina Corley started the Facebook page, “Bedford County, TN Adopt A Teacher.” now with over 1,000 followers, she says she never imagined the kind of outpouring she’d receive from residents wanting to help educators fulfill their school supply wish lists...

A fire, early Monday morning, in a food service room at Cascade Middle School resulted in heavy smoke damage to several large areas of the school. School officials were planning to reopen the school Wednesday although “Students will not be able to have access in the damaged areas,” wrote school superintendent Don Embry...

Mayor Chad Graham announced Wednesday that Shelbyville City Manager Shanna Boyette has been officially hired by his office as Bedford County Government’s new human resources director. Boyette said Wednesday the move is a personal one; she and her husband, Jason, a local teacher, have two young daughters-one in junior high and the other a freshman in high school. ...

Students were all set and ready to go Monday morning for an abbreviated day at school. Look for more back-to-school pictures in the Times-Gazette this week.

Motlow State President Dr. Michael Torrence has been appointed to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Commission on Institutional Infrastructure and Transformation. The Commission appointment is for three years, from July 1, 2020, until June 30, 2023...

Schools are set to open for an abbreviated day on Monday. With only nine nurses currently on staff, school board members have discussed how this may not be enough medical professionals to feasibly cover 15 facilities during the current pandemic. Superintendent Don Embry told school board members recently, “We do have some schools which share nurses. ...

Tennessee Department of Health continues to update recommendations for the management of COVID-19 in schools. Bedford County school officials are following those pages to the letter, except where the state recommends all staff and students wear cloth face coverings, except for medical issues, while in buildings and on buses...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced Tuesday that reopening schools in-person is the “medically sound, preferred option,” but he said it’s dependent on quickly isolating those who are sick and quarantining their close contacts. The Republican rolled out his K-12 school reopening plan the same week as the state has been warned by the White House that Tennessee is at a precipice of reaching new levels of infection...

Bedford County school officials said recently that the system, as well as the state, will expect no less from its nearly 600 students registered for virtual learning than those physically present at school buildings when the doors open Aug. 3. Due to COVID-19, the school board will give parents the choice to either send their kids back to the regular classroom or distance learn via their personal computers at home. ...

Just so children and parents know, bus drivers may look a little different this school year; they’re likely to be wearing masks. The approximate 73 drivers across the county will also ask students to sit in assigned seats, not because they’ve been unruly, but due to COVID-19. Siblings will be required to sit together and if a student is alone, he or she will need to sit by an open window for better ventilation...

The dawn of a new school year is a time marked by change and fresh opportunities. For many children, school marks the first time they are away from their parents for an extended period of time. It also may be the first time they ride in a vehicle other than their parents’ cars...

A total of 16,470 students enrolled during the 2020 spring semester at The University of Alabama were named to the Dean's List with an academic record of 3.5 or above or the President's List with an academic record of 4.0 (all A’s.) Kristopher Frazier of Shelbyville was among those named to the UA President’s List for the spring term...

Kristen Linton, a 2000 graduate of The Webb School, has joined Webb’s Alumni and Development staff as Director of Leadership Annual Giving. “I am delighted to welcome Kristen back to Webb as part of the Alumni and Development team,” said Matt Wilson, director of alumni and development. “Her experiences and interests at Webb position her well to be successful.”...

Nate Simmons has set up a lemonade stand on the Depot Street side of the Shelbyville square to raise money to buy supplies for teachers in Bedford County. In a note, he explains why.

“From the beginning of my work in the technology department, I have known that our school board, administrators, teachers and parents wanted our students to have more access to technology and digital learning,” Bedford County schools technology supervisor Ben Barrett recently said...

“We’re opening schools the best we can – we feel like we’ve got a good plan,” School Superintendent Don Embry told Bedford County Commission last week. Bedford County schools open physically and virtually with a half day Aug. 3, followed by a full day Aug. 4...

(Editor’s note: This is an ongoing series on the issues surrounding back-to-school during the pandemic.) Due to COVID-19, school atmospheres will be a bit different physically and socially when doors open for an abbreviated day Monday, Aug. 3. Maintaining proper social distancing and trying to keep all contained within the walls healthy and safe will be a less than standard test for the system...

Current and future Motlow State students can now use the Financial Aid Office’s new GetAnswers Video portal and Artificial Intelligence Chatbot service for answers to financial aid questions. Access the new video guides and Chatbot at: mscc.edu/financialaid/...

Whether Bedford County schools start back on Aug. 3, greatly depends on the potential rise in COVID-19 cases between now and then, school officials have stated. Now, more than perhaps ever in the history of back-to-school time, will more families likely need help with those purchases...

This is a continuing series on the precursors to reopening public school in the middle of a pandemic. Bedford County is nearing 600 total confirmed COVID-19 cases as of today. Bedford County students have two choices in the way they read or do math when returning to school on Aug. 3. They will be allowed to return to the classroom as “normal” or learn online 6.5 required hours a day, just like their peers, but in front of their home computers...

Shelbyville Central High School recently announced this year’s Girls State delegates: Ella Cobb, Khloe Davis, and Mary Alice Shavers. Not pictured: alternate Evie Winfrey. Girls State was held virtually in May, due to COVID-19.

Five Bedford County school board members are uncontested on the Thursday, Aug. 6, Bedford County general election ballot. Seeking re-election to their respective school board seats are Andrea Anderson, John Boutwell, David Brown, Michael Cook and Glenn Forsee...

Bedford County School Board is moving forward with dual options for next school year, which begins Aug. 3, following a study session Thursday night. In-school and online learning choices were discussed. The school system's central office will be sending letters to students' homes tomorrow. See more in Saturday's T-G...

A special 2020 prom, sponsored by friends of the Community High graduates, was held at Bell Buckle Banquet Hall last week, with several Community High seniors attending in their formal attire. Though the school-sponsored spring prom was cancelled, due to COVID-19, some residents in the community opted to host a candlelight banquet and dance...

Motlow State is offering free dual enrollment courses to high school juniors interested in pursuing a degree in Mechatronics. The Motlow Middle College program will pay for all books, tuition, and even travel for juniors willing to pursue a dual enrollment mechatronics degree...

A recent study from the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro examines ways to strengthen the workforce of professionals in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The newly published research from BERC is part of a larger economic development project, “STEM Workforce Dynamics in the Tennessee Valley Corridor,” sponsored by the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, or TSBDC. ...

MURFREESBORO —  Small business owners across the state unclear about the process for applying for emergency assistance from the federal government are encouraged to seek free counseling assistance through the Tennessee Small Business Development Centers across the state. ...

The Motlow State Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program cleared a significant hurdle in April when it earned full accreditation with the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). The accreditation comes as the second MLT graduating class completes its requirements...

While he’s still unsure as to the best course of action for reopening Bedford County Schools during this pandemic, superintendent Don Embry told board of education members on Thursday, “No matter what we do, it’s not going to be right.” The noon special called meeting, which was accessible online, was scheduled for the board to approve some final 2019-2020 budget amendments. ...

Bedford County Board of Education recently asked parents to fill out a survey to get their input on opening schools Aug. 3. There were mixed reviews on that survey, which has not yet been made public, according to schools superintendent Don Embry. Embry said over 3,000 parents and or guardians took time to fill out the survey. There are currently over 8,000 students enrolled at 14 school sites in Bedford County...

Professional photographer Annie Leibovitz once said, “The camera makes you forget you’re there. It’s not like you are hiding but you forget, you are just looking so much.” Since the age of 15, Chloe Thomas has shared many such an experience, many times, behind the camera lens...

The smiles are still there within the classes of 2020 in Bedford County, despite their last high school year abruptly ending. From left, Mason Landers, Madison Madden, Gracie McCullough and Alex Mitchell.

ACT scores mean a lot these days for graduating seniors; they can gain nice scholarship packages as a result. The ACT scores also help Bedford County School System meet its expected state standards. Local high school seniors of 2020 can receive a lot of credit for helping scores rise. Cascade, Community and Shelbyville Central High seniors ended their high school years with some pretty exciting scores...

Fearing its newest construction project is being deliberately delayed, Bedford County Board of Education members asked county officials during the June board meeting exactly when work can begin on the wing at Community High School. Board member David Brown voiced the allegation, “It just appears someone is delaying our project.”...

While it’s still up in the air as to whether students will return to classes on Aug. 3, due to COVID-19, Bedford County school maintenance and previously contracted construction crews have continued to finish their site punch lists, while reportedly staying on schedule, despite pandemic downturns...

Students and learners, the times we are facing as cities and nations in the world are unprecedented. We are being challenged like never before, but we at Motlow State Community College know the importance of your educational and social growth needs. We must pull together as one people more now than at any other time in recent history...

Bedford County budget forecasts from early spring have proven correct, at least when it comes to teacher salaries. The state announced last night certified educators are getting zilch in pay increases this year. While step increases, which will only benefit those educators with ample years of service, remain within the budget, as of Friday, some school board members feel that is not enough pay incentive, considering all teachers do for the approximate 8,000 Bedford County students...

Bedford County School System honored its 2020 retirees Tuesday night at Shelbyville Central High School auditorium. With COVID-19 social distancing still in place, only six of the 17 retirees for the 2020 school year were present for the ceremony. Superintendent Don Embry, supervisors and principals made special remarks on behalf of those honored. School board members also congratulated those retirees representing their respective districts...

While students have been absent from East Side Elementary since early March, due to COVID-19, the grass is still growing. So Bedford County Schools maintenance employees, who work year-round, have been busy making sure properties are groomed for summer.

When it comes to budget drafts, Bedford County Board of Education isn’t currently having to fight one huge elephant in the room — a 15 percent budget cut as recently proposed by a Bedford County commissioner. Board members are putting the final touches on a $73 million package in expected 2020-2021 expenditures, which includes at least $2.6 million in electricity costs...

“Commissioner Smith, are you online?” County Mayor Chad Graham said during Tuesday afternoon’s meeting of Bedford County Commission’s Financial Management Committee. Silence. “Commissioner Brent Smith, are you on the line?” Silence. Smith didn’t speak, virtually or in person. He did not attend the meeting. But a comment Smith made in a May 15 interview spoke loudly to some fellow commissioners and Bedford County teachers in attendance...

The Bedford County Board of Education hasn’t agreed with Mayor Chad Graham’s decision to hire one county architect for all local projects, including schools, but the board welcomed its newest design and construction architects, Mark Kline and partner, Robert Swinney, of Kline-Swinney Associates, and their project managers, to its monthly meeting...

Some people may believe students don’t learn a thing anymore in school regarding Memorial Day. That’s at least not the case in the adventuresome class of Harris Middle School ancient history teacher Phillip McConnell. We asked the educator this question: What would you like to impress most upon your students about Memorial Day? Here’s what the sixth grade educator had to say:...

When “site selectors” for potential industries visit Shelbyville and Bedford County, they generally have at their fingertips community “score cards” which include many facets of community life, particularly how the local school system’s successes compare on a state level...

It's graduation weekend for Bedford County high school seniors and despite COVID-19 wrecking traditional ceremonies, Community High School graduates were honored Friday by faculty, staff and family during a drive-through processional. As seniors entered the school, horns honked and “Pomp and Circumstance” played. An actual ceremony is tentatively planned for June.

Dylan Copeland has been named the 2019-20 Shelbyville Central High School Career-Technical Education Student of the Year. Dylan was nominated for the award by his Information Technology Instructor, Larry Shelton.  Within the Information Technology program of study, Dylan has completed courses in Computer Science Foundations, Web Design Foundations, Web Site Development, Computer Systems, Networking, and AP Computer Science Principles; he maintained an “A” average in all of these classes.  Dylan has been a three-year member of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) where he served as Treasurer.  Dylan competed at the FBLA National Conference the past two years as well as FBLA’s District and State Level Conferences. . ...

Dedicated is one of many words that could be used to describe Shelbyville Central High School senior Allison McCarty. Throughout her four years at Central, McCarty has not only excelled in her coursework, she has also been very involved in the Bedford County FFA Chapter. ...