Three bills the Tennessee Republicans say will increase oversight and transparency of educational materials in Tennessee public schools advanced through subcommittees this week.
House Bill 2154, also known as the Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022, would require local education agencies and public charter schools to adopt a policy for developing and reviewing school library collections that include factors such as the age and maturity of students. The legislation would also require a procedure to receive and evaluate feedback about materials in the library as well as periodically review materials in the collection. A current list of materials in each school’s library collection must also be posted on the school’s website.
“Our goal in general in education is to have parents, teachers, students and administration within different communities to all be working together to make sure our children get a great education,” Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, said in the House K-12 Subcommittee on Tuesday. “Part of that is making sure the materials in the library at school are appropriate for the age level and maturity level of the children that are accessing those materials, and that they are helpful to them receiving a great education. We don’t have a process like this in place right now.”
The bill would still allow local school boards and public charter schools to decide what is best for the students in their own communities, Lamberth added.
The Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022 now heads to the full House K-12 Subcommittee for consideration. If approved, the legislation would take effect beginning with the 2022-23 school year. More information about House Bill 2154 can be found here.
Members of the House Education Instruction Subcommittee advanced two additional bills this week aimed at increasing transparency and oversight of instructional materials and literature used in public schools. The legislation includes:
- House Bill 2666, as amended, would require the state’s textbook and instructional materials quality commission to identify and remove all materials contained within public schools and public charter schools that are harmful to minors as defined by existing state law. The commission would also have the authority to review new books and other new materials made available in the libraries of those schools to ensure they are “appropriate for the age and maturity levels” of students and that they align with the educational mission of each school. The legislation will now head to the full House Education Instruction Committee for consideration. More information about the bill can be found here.
- House Bill 1723 would allow a parent or legal guardian of a student to check out from their school one set of the instructional materials used in the student’s classroom for a period of no less than 48 hours to allow time to review the materials. The materials could also be made available online. The legislation will now go to the full House Education Instruction Committee for consideration. More information about the bill can be found here.
- House Bill 1944 would prohibit a local education agency or public charter school from allowing obscene material or materials harmful to minors to be available to students in school. House Bill 1944 was presentenced in Criminal Justice Subcommittee this week and is expected to be taken back up by the committee on March 2. Information about House Bill 1944 can be found here.
Health Department location in Manchester plans to close
Citing problems with staffing, the Coffee County Health Department building located on Parks St. will likely be closing by the end of March while operations consolidate to the health department location in Tullahoma (615 Wilson Ave.).
The full county commission will need to approve the move at its March meeting.
Authorities say the state is willing to provide money to build a larger, consolidated health department in the joint industrial park, but that will require the county to contribute about $1 million. Selling the two current locations in Tullahoma and Manchester could help offset the cost to the county.
Coffee County is one of 17 counties designated to receive state funding for a new health department.
Transparency in sentencing for victims act advances in TN
Legislation to improve sentencing transparency in Tennessee advanced out of the Tennessee House Criminal Justice Subcommittee last week.
House Bill 2657, also known as the Transparency in Sentencing for Victims Act, is designed to better inform crime victims and their families about the lengths of sentences offenders will serve when a sentence is announced by a judge or jury. It now moves to the House Criminal Justice Committee for additional discussion and debate.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, partnered with State Rep. Michael G. Curcio, R-Dickson, the co-prime sponsor of the bill. House Bill 2657 would require all Tennessee courts to place on the record — either orally or in writing — the estimated number of years and months served before a criminal is eligible for parole.
According to lawmakers, improving transparency in sentencing will ensure victims have accurate information about the individual who perpetrated a crime against them so they know whether that individual will serve their entire sentence — a certain number of years or 100 percent of the sentence handed down — or just a portion before they are eligible for parole.
More information about House Bill 2657 can be found here.
TN Dentists: Kids’ Oral Hygiene Helps Develop Healthy Habits
February marks National Children’s Dental Health Month and Tennessee health officials want to raise awareness about the importance of good oral hygiene in kids.
In collaboration with state Medicaid program TennCare, the Tennessee Department of Health offers sealants, a thin coating to protect teeth from cavities, in schools where 50% or more of the students receive free and reduced-price lunch.
Dr. Suzanne Hayes, interim state dental director of the Tennessee Department of Health, said there is a misconception among many parents baby teeth are not important because kids eventually lose them.
She said in the long-term, poor dental health can affect a child’s development.
“Those baby teeth actually hold the space so that those permanent teeth can come into proper alignment,” Hayes explained. “It certainly helps children eat, which is, as they’re growing, they need that nutritional value they can get. It affects speech, too.”
Hayes pointed out sealants can last for years and can result in an 80% reduction in tooth decay. The state health department has administered 61,000 sealants this year alone.
Hayes emphasized it is important for children to visit the dentist twice a year. She noted there are coverage opportunities for families who are uninsured or underinsured, such as TennCare and CoverKids, the state children’s health insurance program.
“We provide dental services based on a sliding-fee scale statewide,” Hayes explained. “So even without that coverage, we are more than willing to see any child, whether they have dental coverage or not. And then certainly TennCare and CoverKids are options as well that people should look into.”
According to a recent report from the Tennessee Justice Center, more than one million adults in the state have no access to dental coverage, and only about half of kids enrolled in its Medicaid program receive dental care.
Residents can find a list of dental offices and clinics statewide on the health department’s website.
H&R BLOCK STUDENT OF THE WEEK – Taley Hardin
Join us at Thunder Radio and Rosalyn Partin of the Manchester H&R Block and congratulate our student of the week – Taley Hardin
Taley is a 5th grader at New Union Elementary School. She was nominated by her teachers and administrators. Taley is the daughter of Tim Hardin and Kelley Hardin.
Her favorite subject is math. In her free time, Taley enjoys hunting, fishing and crafting. She also enjoys cheerleading and volleyball.
When she grows up, she would like to be a Marine Biologist.
All students of the week are selected for their work ethic and excellent attitudes in and out of the classroom.
Rosalyn Partin, owner of the Manchester H&R Block, has been inspired to recognize great kids in our community all year long. H&R Block gives each Student of the Week a commemorative plaque, a special letter of recognition and two tickets to Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park.
Job well done, Taley!
SCHOOL PATROL: Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022
SCHOOL PATROL – Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022
PRESENTED BY THE BREAD AND MILK EXPERTS AT SPRING STREET MARKET, 801 S. SPRING ST IN MANCHESTER.
*Coffee Co School System – TWO HOUR DELAY
Tennessee lawmakers seek to prohibit early release for 14 violent crimes
Legislation to eliminate the possibility of parole for individuals convicted of certain violent crimes advanced out of the Tennessee Criminal Justice Subcommittee last week.
House Bill 2656 requires offenders to serve 100 percent of the sentences handed down by a judge or jury for an additional 14 violent offenses. Those crimes include aggravated assault resulting in death, attempted first-degree murder with serious bodily injury, second-degree murder, aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated kidnapping, especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, aggravated arson, aggravated child abuse, aggravated child neglect or endangerment, carjacking, and possessing or employing a firearm during a dangerous felony among other types of violent crimes.
“During my 36-year career in law enforcement, I saw first-hand the pain these senseless crimes caused victims and their families,” said State Rep. Bud Hulsey, R-Kingsport, who is a retired police lieutenant. “This bill sends a strong message that we will not tolerate these violent offenses in our state by ensuring those who commit them serve their full sentence.”
House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, partnered with Hulsey to serve as the co-prime sponsor of the bill as it travels through the committee process. It now moves to the House Criminal Justice Committee for additional discussion and debate.
“(This) will ensure violent criminals serve their entire sentence after a guilty verdict, not just a portion,” Speaker Sexton said about the legislation.
Last year, state lawmakers approved truth in sentencing reform for 31 crimes historically targeting women and children.
More information about House Bill 2656 can be found here.
Duck River Watershed announces spring clean up event
The Duck River Watershed Society is pleased to announce its inaugural event, the 2022 Spring Clean-up. The Society is a new non-profit organization that is based in Coffee County, Tennessee. The DRWS is a membership organization that focuses on ensuring that the Duck River watershed continues to benefit those that live, work and recreate in it.
The Spring Clean-up will take place on Saturday, March 5, 2022 from 12:00-5:00p.m. All participants should meet at the Firelake Public Use and Boat Ramp Area, located on River Forge Road, in Manchester, TN.
This event is in collaboration with the Tennessee Duck River Agency, Coffee County Rural Solid Waste, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). We are in need of community volunteers/volunteer groups to help us with cleaning up parts of Normandy Lake down to the Winter water drawdown line.
If you or your organization is interested in registering for this event, please sign-up at the following link: https://drwsspringcleanup.swell.gives
For additional information, please contact: Christian Rieseberg, Board Vice-chair/Treasurer, at cfrccin@gmail.com or 205-382-3955
Coffee County Schools Pre-K Registration starts in March
PreK Registration, as well as 3-and-4-year old screenings are fast approaching. These will take place in March for the 2022-2023 school year.
For Hillsboro and Deerfield Elementary School, screenings are 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 22.
East Coffee and North Coffee Elementary screenings are 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, March 23.
For New Union and Hickerson Elementary schools, screenings are 3-6 p.m. Thursday, March 24.
You will need the following items to determine eligibility and to register for the PreK Program:
*Official Birth Certificate
*Social Security Card
*Proof of Income
*Proof of Residence
*Custody Documents
*Immunization Records
If you are unable to attend on your scheduled day, you may contact the school directly.
Deerfield: 931-570-2658
East Coffee 931-728-8627
Hickerson 931-393-3330
Hillsboro 931-596-2775
New Union 931-728-8434
North Coffee 931-723-8220
Coffee County Central office 931–723-5150.
SCHOOL PATROL: Wednesday, Feb. 23
SCHOOL PATROL – Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022
PRESENTED BY THE BREAD AND MILK EXPERTS AT SPRING STREET MARKET, 801 S. SPRING ST IN MANCHESTER.
*Manchester City Schools – CLOSED. No ESP.
*Coffee Co School System CLOSED
*Franklin Co School System – CLOSED
*Grundy Co School System – TWO HOUR delay
