Anderson County BOE OKs staff bonuses
Anderson County Director of Schools Tim Parrott honors Grand Oaks Elementary School’s Jessica Conatser as District Principal of the Year and for being one of the state Education Department’s eight finalists for 2025-2026 principal of the year. The award ceremony for Top 8 Director and Principal of the Year honorees, for which Conatser is a finalist will be held the first week of December. - Ben Pounds
Many members of the Anderson County Schools staff will receive bonuses this year. The state of Tennessee provided funding to give $2,000 to each classroom teacher. During its Monday, Nov. 10, meeting, the county Board of Education voted to allocate $850,000 from funds previously marked for capital projects to provide $1,500 bonuses to other full-time staff — including nurses, custodians and cafeteria personnel — who did not receive the state bonus. To qualify, employees must have been employed full time on both Nov. 1, 2024, and Nov. 15, 2025. Director of Schools Tim Parrott proposed the bonuses, calling the state’s decision to exclude non-teaching staff “unjust and discouraging.” Board member Don Bell made the motion, and member Dail Cantrell seconded it. The measure passed unanimously. “A successful education system relies on the dedication and hard work of all staff members,” Parrott said. “Overlooking their contributions sends a disheartening message about their value to our schools and community.” Parrott said he also intends to propose an additional $500 bonus next May for those who receive the $1,500 this fall.
Read MoreDuracap starts repaving East Norris, Dogwood under $177K city contract
Duracap Paving moves heavy equipment onto East Norris Road in Norris on Monday morning in preparation for paving a section of the road beginning this week. - G. Chambers Williams III
A contractor hired by the city of Norris began moving heavy equipment into the city Monday morning to begin work on repaving a portion of East Norris Road from Norris Square to Pine Road, and part of Dogwood Road, under a contract approved in June by the Norris City Council. The contract with Duracap Asphalt Paving Contractors of Knoxville includes $119,000 to grind off part of the current surface and add a new 1.5-inch asphalt overlay to East Norris Road. It also includes repaving a section of Dogwood Road from Norris Square to 36 Dogwood Road, at a cost of $58,000, said Assistant City Manager Bailey Whited. The griding work was to begin Wednesday, with the paving on Thursday and Friday, Whited said during Monday night’s City Council meeting. City Manager Adam Ledford said earlier that Norris already had enough money in its current budget to cover the repaving on those sections. But the city plans to extend the project on East Norris Road from Pine Road to Cedar Place, near Andersonville Highway, when money is budgeted for that.
Read MoreCourthouse museum honors veterans
A small military service museum is now open inside the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton, giving visitors a chance to view items from past wars, and to honor local veterans. The display, located in Room 114 near the courthouse waiting area, includes uniforms, gear and other military memorabilia from the Iraq War, Vietnam War and World War II. The exhibit is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to Anderson County Veterans Service Officer Scott Nation, who discussed the collection during the Oct. 13 Operations Committee meeting. “The museum is important, as it keeps alive the spirit and memories of what service members used and went through during their time in service,” Nation said. “As veterans tell their stories to their families, it gives those families a place to see some of the things they’ve only heard about.” Nation said he created the museum so residents could view the memorabilia without interrupting his office’s regular operations. In addition to overseeing the museum, Nation helps veterans navigate the Veterans Affairs system, including assistance with paperwork, claims and appeals. His office also works with other local organizations to help veterans with rent, bills and other needs. Nation reported to the committee that during the first quarter of the fiscal year, his office served more than 459 veterans, widows or dependents. Staff made more than 655 phone calls, participated in 14 training and community events, and made 12 home visits to help residents file for benefits from their homes or nursing facilities. He said veterans and their dependents received more than $533,000 in benefits. For the first time in four years, the county also saw an increase in the number of veterans moving into the area, with 104 new arrivals. The Veterans Services Office is open to all military veterans with honorable discharges.
Read MoreNorris Council backs Whited to succeed Ledford
The Norris City Council on Monday signaled its intention to promote Assistant City Manager Bailey Whited to the position of city manager, and set a special meeting for 7 p.m. Dec. 1 to make it official. Whited, who has been assistant city manager since early 2023, will replace City Manager Charles “Adam” Ledford, who handed council members a letter of resignation on Sept. 8, effective Jan. 2. The assistant city manager’s position was created by the council on Ledford’s recommendation in November 2022, just over a month after Ledford had been hired as city manager. But during the Sept. 8 council meeting, the council voted to eliminate the assistant’s position, as of Jan. 1, in the same motion that accepted Ledford’s resignation. Ledford, who had been facing increasing scrutiny by Mayor Chris Mitchell and some others on the City Council, said in his letter of resignation that he was leaving for personal reasons. Monday night, Mitchell made the motion to hold the special meeting Dec. 1, following the city Planning Commission meeting at 6 p.m., for the express purpose of making Whited’s promotion official as of Jan. 2, or earlier if Ledford should choose to leave the job in advance of that date.
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News
Patriotic parade Read More
Anderson County BOE OKs staff bonuses Read More
Duracap starts repaving East Norris, Dogwood under $177K city contract Read More
Norris Council backs Whited to succeed Ledford Read More
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Sports
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Community
Courthouse museum honors veterans Read More
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Business
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Anderson County High School Homecoming View
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