Special recognition for a special system
Clinton Christian Church makes $50k donation; state hears about the Blaze
From left: Board of Education member Joey Smith, Blaze Program Coordinator and Athletic Director E.T. Stamey, and Director of Clinton City Schools Kelly Johnson give an overview of some of the programs in the city system at the TSBA meeting last weekend in Nashville.
It started Nov. 14 with a $50,000 donation from Steve Clapp, pastor of Clinton Christian Church. The church, founded by his parents, Neal and Dorothy “Dot” Clapp, sold its building and lot for the new Wendy’s. The church took the proceeds from the sale and donated that to various organizations throughout the region.
During Monday night’s Clinton City Council meeting, Clinton City School System Director of Schools Kelly Johnson said the funds are to be used to assist children in need in the school system.
“I am beyond humbled and blessed that they chose CCS as one of the recipients. We will certainly use this donation wisely to continue our ‘Tradition of Excellence,’” Johnson said after the donation.
“Honestly, Clinton is such a special place. Amazing.”
Then Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19-20, Clinton City School System was the key presenter in two break-out sessions with the Tennessee School Board Association meeting in Nashville.
The system was the recipient of the TSBA Award for Excellence in Education in 2020 for the Blaze program.
Created in 2018, the Blaze is a comprehensive activities program that provides students with a wide variety of opportunities to develop individual talents and interests.
Johnson told City Council Monday night she, Blaze Program Coordinator and Athletic Director E.T. Stamey, and Clinton City School Board member Joey Smith addressed the TSBA and talked about how Blaze activities impact student’s experience within the school system.
Clinton City School System also talked about the “surround system: installed in classes during the 2020 pandemic.
“It’s not to make the teacher louder,” Johnson said. “But the surround sound keeps the volume level of instruction at a constant level for all students.”