Latest Headlines

Paper Assessments Coming Back to certain Schools Next Year
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says the state will temporarily revert to paper assessments for elementary and secondary students next school year. Testing for this year begins Monday (April 8) in some schools. They will be using the online version of the test as scheduled. Lee’s office said in a news release that 100% of districts reported they met the criteria for technical readiness to give the online assessment. This is the last year with the current vendor. Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn said in the news release that using paper testing for one year will give the new vendor time...

State Leaders Say Yes to School Safety Money
Tennessee lawmakers have signed off on a $40 million proposal to improve school safety. The bill sailed through the House and Senate on Thursday. It now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his signature, where it’ll almost assuredly get his approval because his administration pitched the idea. According to the bill, the funding would be distributed as safety grants to help pay for school resource officers and other priorities. Schools would provide matching funds to get grants. Despite the support, multiple lawmakers have noted the money allocated is not enough to fund a school resource officer at all...

Take a Drink, the Water is Fine
Earlier this week some misleading information was making its way around social media (FaceBook) and door hangers on homes about the quality of the water in Manchester. Randal Braker who is the Duck River Utility Commission general manager was on WMSR’s Lunch & Learn program talking about the misleading information and said the pictures being shown are not those of pipes the water system uses. He says that the people doing this are wanting you to call for a free water test at your home. Braker says that someone will show up at your home and try make you...
Rolling Thunder is coming to Manchester
Rolling Thunder, Inc’s major function is to publicize the POW-MIA issue. To educate the public of the fact that many American prisoners of war were left behind after all past wars. To help correct the past and to protect the future veterans from being left behind should they become Prisoners of War/Missing in Action. Rolling Thunder is committed to helping American veterans from all wars. Rolling Thunder, Inc. is a non-profit organization and everyone donates his or her time because they believe in the POW/MIA issue. Rolling Thunder will be accepting donations in Manchester on Saturday, April 6th. Bites...

Daylight Saving Time Bill Moves Forward
The bill to observe daylight saving time year-round in Tennessee was heard this week and will now be heard on the full Tennessee House of Representatives floor. The Tennessee Senate version of the bill is scheduled to be heard in the State and Local Government committee on April 9. If both houses of state congress approve the bill without any changes, it would then head to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his signature. Rep. Rick Tillis filed the bill. If passed, daylight saving time would be the standard time for the entire state. However, even if it does get...
H&R Block Student of the Week
Congratulations to Student of the Week -Kinzie Foster!!! Kinzie is a 9th grader at the Raider Academy. Kinzie is the daughter of Carrie and Tony Foster. Kinzie is a model student according to Michelle Vaughn, librarian at CCRA. Kinzie’s favorite subject is English and she likes to read and write. When Kinzie grows up she wants to be a middle school teacher. Kinzie loves to hang out with her family and play board games. Rosalyn Partin, owner of the Manchester H&R Block, has been inspired to recognize great kids in our community all through hockey season. What does hockey...
COFFEE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION Regular Board Meeting DATE: April 8, 2019 TIME: 4:30 p.m. AGENDA
COFFEE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION 1343 McArthur Street Manchester, Tennessee 37355 Telephone: 931-723-5150 Facsimile: 931-723-8285 TO: All Board Members FROM: Brett Henley, Chairman SUBJECT: Regular Board Meeting DATE: April 8, 2019 TIME: 4:30 p.m. PLACE: Coffee County Board of Education Pledge of Allegiance Recognition: ► FBLA State Competition Winners ► Perfect Attendance Winners AGENDA I. Call to Order II. Call for Intent III. General Consent Items (*If no objections, the following items will be considered passed when the agenda is passed.) 1. Minutes: March 11, 2019 2. 3rd Reading of Policies: 4.600, 6.300, 6.313 3. Out of State Field...

Breaking News–Coffee Co. Schools Director Selected as the Next Leader of Roane Co. Schools
After a vote of 6-4 on Wednesday night, the Roane County school board selected Coffee County Director of Schools Dr. LaDonna McFall to be their next director. Last month WMSR News reported that Coffee County Director of Schools Dr. LaDonna McFall was seeking other employment opportunities. Then last week we reported that McFall was a finalist to become Roane County director. During a Coffee County school board work session earlier this week, Dr McFall told the board she would no longer seek an extension of her contract. Roane County officials say they will now begin the task of working...