The Clinton High School Ensemble Choir performs for the Anderson County Board of Education on Dec. 11. - Ben Pounds
A group of Clinton High School students performed Christmas songs for the Anderson County Board of Education during its Dec. 11 meeting, filling the air with festive cheer.
“This year has been one of the better years,” McCall Bohannan, choir director at CHS, told The Courier News regarding the number of students participating.
He said word-of-mouth recruitment by students had made a difference. Students, he said, also led rehearsals.
The group later performed at the high school on Tuesday Dec. 16.
“We sing current songs to the Renaissance era,” he said.
This is Bohanan’s 13th year teaching choir at Clinton Middle School and CHS.
Schools in Anderson County have gotten Reward Schools honors from the state.
The recognition reflects the work and achievement of the 2024-25 school year and is based on each school’s federal accountability score.
The rating is derived from a complex calculation that includes numerical scores for student achievement, student growth, chronic absenteeism and the proficiency of English language learners — students whose first language is not English.
Anderson County Schools
Norris Elementary School, Norris Middle School and Clinton High School received Reward School recognition.
“This is a MAJOR accomplishment for our district, and we could not be more proud,” Anderson County Schools stated on Facebook.
“This designation reflects our continued commitment to student achievement and growth,” Clinton High School stated with its Facebook announcement. “As a designated STEM school, CHS remains dedicated to providing innovative learning, problem-solving, and real-world application, showing that academic excellence and future-ready skills go hand in hand. Congratulations, Dragons!”
Clinton City Schools
Clinton Elementary School and North Clinton Elementary School received the Reward School status.
“We are honored to be recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education for our students’ growth and performance,” North Clinton Elementary School’s social media announcement stated.
“This award reflects the collective hard work, dedication, and success of our students and teachers. This recognition is well-deserved by all!”
The Anderson County Board of Education has approved an easement for the city of Norris to build a sidewalk that might extend 15 feet onto Norris Middle School’s property.
The measure passed unanimously at the board’s Nov. 10 meeting.
The resolution said the sidewalk will improve pedestrian access and safety near the school.
Norris City Manager Bailey Whited told The Courier News the city was requesting the easement to allow for the option to build onto school property, not because the city knew the precise route or time of construction yet.
“We are looking at different ways of handling and addressing the needs down there,” he said. However, he said that there is no formal plan yet and no date for construction.
Whited said the existing sidewalk is “one of the most heavily traversed” areas in town by students, residents and non-residents alike.
The current sidewalk abuts some “very mature trees,” he said, and the city wants to avoid damaging their roots when upgrading the sidwalk. That’s why it will be moved.
