School Board tables resolution accepting one time teacher bonuses as part of state’s universal school voucher program and may opt to fund them locally.
by: Dwayne PageApr 10, 2025
Tabled!
The DeKalb County Board of Education Thursday night tabled action on a resolution to accept one-time teacher bonuses as part of Tennessee’s universal school voucher program.
The vote to table was 5 to 0 with members Jim Beshearse, Jason Miller, Alan Hayes, Danny Parkerson, and Chairman Shaun Tubbs voting together. Members Megan Moore and Eric Ervin were absent.
Tabling the measure doesn’t necessarily mean defeated. After the meeting Director of Schools Patrick Cripps said the measure could still be brought back up by the board later. He said in the meantime; the school district will run the numbers and determine if the bonuses could be funded locally in the 2025-26 budget
The state program uses public money to fund vouchers that families can spend on private education expenses. It also included a component that effectively gives educators $2,000 bonuses. While the program saw criticism from educators, advocates and some leaders across the state who said it moved money away from already-underfunded public schools, it passed the legislature during a special session in February.
As part of the program, school boards across the state need to pass a resolution effectively accepting the bonuses by June 1. The Tennessee Department of Education said the bonus payments are expected to be sent to districts in July, and for each bonus, districts will receive a total payment of $2,306.60 to cover the employer share of benefits.
The bonuses will be available to full-time teachers who spend most of their days with students and who have been employed for more than 120 days, according to the state.
During the public comment period, Beth Pafford, Assistant Principal at Northside Elementary School and County Commissioner addressed the Board of Education. She is an opponent of the “Education Freedom Act of 2025”.
“You wouldn’t be having to pass a resolution to accept money for a $2,000 teacher bonus were it not for the universal voucher law,” said Pafford “What that law does is it creates a new government funded program for private schools. No accountability financially or academically. It was passed during a special session after several failed attempts during regular session. This time they added the $2,000 teacher bonus as a way to try to get more votes. For all practical purposes Governor Bill Lee and the people who voted to support the universal voucher program have created two separate systems for education. One for the privileged with no accountability and another for everybody else with all kinds of accountability. I hope you as a school board will continue to support the idea that education is not just for privileged people. Education is for everyone no matter who you are or where you come from,” said Pafford.
The proposed resolution, which has been tabled by the local school board, states as follows:
“Whereas the DeKalb County Board of Education is responsible for governing the public school system and ensuring the wellbeing of all students under its educational directives, and
Whereas, the DeKalb County Board of Education has consistently expressed opposition to school voucher programs and the redirection of taxpayer dollars intended for public education to private institutions, and
Whereas, despite widespread opposition from local education agencies (LEAs), the Tennessee School Boards Association, and many Tennessee residents, the Tennessee General Assembly passed the “Education Freedom Act of 2025” during the first Extraordinary Session of the 114th General Assembly, and
Whereas, the Act includes a provision granting a onetime payment of no less than $2,000 to public school teachers across the state, and
Whereas Section 4 of the “Education Freedom Act of 2025”, stipulates that a local board of education must formally affirm its intention to participate in order to receive the funds allocated for these teacher payments.
Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the DeKalb County Board of Education affirms its intention to participate in Section 4 of the “Education Freedom Act of 2025” for the sole purpose of securing these onetime payments for public school teachers. This resolution is strictly limited to Section 4 of the Act and should not be interpreted as endorsement or support of any other provisions within the legislation”.
Again, the DeKalb County Board of Education has tabled action on this resolution.
Meanwhile in his monthly personnel report, Director Cripps said Stephanie Turner has been granted a leave of absence as requested.
City to purchase new garbage truck
by: Dwayne PageApr 10, 2025
A new garbage truck!
The Smithville Mayor and Board of Aldermen will have a special called meeting Monday night, April 14 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall to consider adoption of a budget amendment to purchase a new rear load sanitation truck to replace an out of service 1997 Freightliner model. The meeting will be followed by a budget workshop.
The reason for making the purchase now rather than including it in the new 2025-26 budget is because the city could possibly get the new garbage truck quicker and cheaper at $215,894.
During a budget workshop Monday night, the mayor and aldermen discussed the purchase along with other budget requests from Mayor Josh Miller, Police Chief Mark Collins, City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson, and Public Works Director Kevin Robinson.
Mayor Miller said he would like to include in the new budget about $20,000 for the purchase and installation of solar powered streetlamps similar to those recently put in at the front of the city hall building. For now, the new streetlamps would be mainly for West Main, Walnut, and Market Streets but more could be added around the public square later. Mayor Miller said the lamps would have a more appealing look and make downtown more attractive.
Police Chief Collins asked for the purchase of 13 new tasers, holsters, and accessories to replace the 15-year-old x26 tasers the department currently is using. According to Chief Collins, the old tasers have become outdated making it more difficult to obtain replacement batteries, cartridges, and new software. The department bought two new tasers last year on a grant and those could be included with the 13 new ones under a five-year plan offered by a company to replace or repair them at no extra cost to the city along with an unlimited supply of batteries and cartridges. The city could make this purchase outright for $58,591 or make interest free payments of $11,718 per year over the five-year period.
Chief Collins also requested the purchase of two police vehicles to replace the one he currently drives and another for the department. The one for the chief would be a 2025 Chevy Tahoe 4-wheel drive priced under a state bid contract at $52,143 plus another $8,553 to equip it with lights, sirens, and signal box, etc. This vehicle would be unmarked. The other vehicle for the fleet would be a 2025 Dodge Durango for $45,060 with the police package plus an additional $10,924 to equip it with light bar, cages, striping, etc.
Last year the city budgeted $100,000 for street paving. Although a final number has not yet been established, the budget for paving could be more this year. City officials say because of higher costs the city can’t do much street paving or repairs for $100,000.
The mayor and aldermen may budget another 4% increase in water and sewer rates in 2025-26 to keep the city in the black and off the state’s radar for another year. Under state law, if a utility operates at a loss for more than two years and doesn’t address it, the state has the authority to force rate increases to make it solvent. The city is currently not operating at a loss in the water and sewer fund.
The public works department is requesting $5,000 to purchase a new mower trailer, a sanitation truck hot water steam cleaner for $5,000, and $5,300 to purchase a thumb kit for a backhoe bucket which could be funded equally between the general fund and water and sewer budget. Another $12,000 could be budgeted to install an automated gate system at the city water plant which could be used to slide open the gate using a key fob providing more security and easier and safer access especially for vehicles including 18-wheel rigs bringing in supplies.
The city is also considering naming a current public works employee to a new position to be the lead operator over maintenance and equipment and increasing his pay perhaps by only a dollar per hour. Further, the city may make another public works employee full time, rather than keep him at his current 29-hour per week part time status. This employee would be used more for maintenance in the park and especially during the fall to keep falling leaves off streets around the public square.
Last month Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker said the city should be making a commitment now to purchase a new fire engine to replace the oldest truck in the fleet, a 2001 model (Engine 2).
Chief Parker is asking that the city purchase a Pierce Custom Enforcer PUC Pumper currently priced at $1,248,449 with a prepayment discount of $130, 143 making the city’s actual cost $1,118,305. Delivery of the new fire truck would be within 37-38 months of order date. The cost would be only for the truck itself, and not the hoses and other apparatus to equip it.
Should the city later vote to purchase a new fire truck, the mayor and aldermen would have to decide whether the city should write a check for the full amount to save interest payments or finance it over a three-, five-, or seven-year period with interest.
No action has yet been taken by the mayor and aldermen on any budget request for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
City to Hold Public Hearing on Property Owner Request for Annexation and Plan of Services
by: Dwayne PageApr 09, 2025
Another step toward annexation!
During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the Smithville Mayor and Board of Aldermen met and adopted a resolution calling for a public hearing on the proposed annexation and approval of a plan of services for property located at 746 East Broad Street by owner consent. The public hearing will be held during the next monthly meeting on Monday, May 5 at 6 p.m. at city hall. The city is to send adjoining property owners notification by letter.
The owners of Hollingshead Materials, LLC (Smyrna Ready Mix) concrete batching company bordering the city limits of Smithville are seeking annexation of two parcels including one where the SRM company now operates (Map 065, Parcel 073.04) and the adjoining vacant property (Parcel 073.05). The land (9 total acres) is situated between East Broad Street, Midway Road, and Terrell Road.
Last month, the Smithville Planning Commission recommended approval of a plan of services for the proposed annexation.
According to City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson the city already has most services accessible to the proposed site.
“Basically, what we have to do is show that city police and fire fighting services are available. He already has (city) water. The sewer is on septic already. He doesn’t need city sewer. He already has electric. He can have sanitation. It (plan of services) just shows that everything with street lighting and everything is fully covered,” said Hendrixson.
“Let me add to that the concrete plant may be on septic but the property next to it could be developed. I’m assuming they would probably need a pump station,” said Mayor Josh Miller.
During the public comment period, Steven Cantrell raised concerns.
“Concerning resolution 2025-A adopting a plan of services for an annexation request by Hollingshead Materials, LLC, what is the cost benefit ratio to the city of Smithville in approving the Hollingshead annexation request? While the immediate answer may be city tax revenue, the other answer might be so Hollingshead can build more houses on its adjoining lot because of city sewage services vice the restrictions concerning home to septic tank land requirements. Increasing the load on the aging city sewage and water systems is not without costs. In addition, if the city were to annex the property as requested, will it also adopt responsibility for the adjoining county road, and if so at what cost,” said Cantrell.
Mayor Miller said he had inquired last year with the city engineer about sewage service capacity.
“There are a lot of subdivisions going in and my question was how much (sewer service) we can handle. I talked to Daniel Tribble, Manager of Field Services for JR Wauford and Company of Nashville and he said Josh you’re good. That was probably a year ago. That is why we are doing a lot of infrastructure projects that needs to be done. I don’t think we are to that point to say we can’t build any more houses in the city,” said Mayor Miller.
The mayor gave an update on a sewer rehab project underway on South College Street in the area of Green Brook Park.
“They are still working on our sewer project. They are still about a month away from actually getting into Green Brook Park. It’s not very pretty over there right now. As nice as the weather is right now the park gets used a lot. We will have the splash pad open the first of May. It won’t be affected. Again, it will be about a month before they get into the park and start working. They are going to put up more roping to kinda keep kids away. I know it will be an aggravation this summer,” said Mayor Miller.
Also brought up by the mayor was a request from a downtown business owner for the city to install speed bumps on West Main Street.
“There have been speed bumps before on West Main and it didn’t work out,” said City Public Works Director Kevin Robinson.
“At one time before I was on the city council, the aldermen at that time came to the conclusion that there would be no speed bumps on thru streets,” said Alderman Shawn Jacobs.
Meanwhile, Steven Cantrell spoke to another concern during the public comment period.
“Concerning the contract with Blue Line Solutions and the high-profile automated school zone photo enforcement system it is my understanding that Blue Line Solutions may not proceed with the requirements under your contract until after a traffic study has been completed at all three schools. I realize it is the city’s requirement to commission and fund the traffic study because under Tennessee law, Blue Line is not allowed to commission and fund the study. However, once the city directed study has been completed, Blue Line may/will reimburse the city for the study. To the best of my knowledge, there have been no updates to the tax paying public on the progress or lack of progress on this high-profile automated school zone photo enforcement system. I’m sure the public would appreciate an update, e.g., when will/or if the study has been completed and what the next step is,” said Cantrell.
On other matters, Cantrell said “I would like to thank Ms. (Jessica) Higgins and others who may have attended the City Cemetery fundraiser. We raised approximately $12,000 for the ongoing Restoration and Enhancement effort of the city’s Historic Cemetery”.
“I would also like to thank the mayor for the new stop sign at Walnut and North College Street that he and I had discussed. It’s in place,” added Cantrell.
The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen will have a special called meeting to discuss amending the budget and possibly taking action on a new garbage truck on Monday April 14th at 5:30pm. followed by a city budget workshop.