Northside Elementary School students will soon have an opportunity to take their studies outdoors.
The Board of Education Thursday night gave approval for Thomas Webb, a member of Boy Scout Troop 347, to build a 20’ x 30’ outdoor classroom at Northside Elementary for his Eagle Scout project. Webb told the board that the proposed outdoor classroom will be the same type pavilion as was built last year at DeKalb Middle School through fund raising efforts of the student council there.
“For my Eagle Scout Project I would like to construct an outdoor classroom at Northside Elementary School identical to the one at DeKalb Middle School. This will provide an alternate learning environment that will enrich the students’ school experience and help foster an appreciation for nature,” said Webb.
Webb has also received approved for the project from the administration of the school and Director Patrick Cripps.
“Thomas came in and met with me as well. I give him kudos for doing that (project). For a young man to come in and take this initiative, I appreciate that,” said Director Cripps.
The pavilion will have a 20’ x 30’ concrete floor with a wooden frame and a metal roof. It will be on the grounds of Northside Elementary School. The exact location will be determined later. The anticipated completion date is Thanksgiving, 2017. Webb will work with skilled contractors to complete the project and it will be funded with money raised by Webb and other members of Boy Scout Troop 347.
In other business, Cripps updated the board on personnel moves since last month.
Jennifer Sykes has been granted a leave of absence as requested.
Randy Jennings has been transferred from DeKalb Middle School to Principal at DCHS
The following have resigned:
Gina Arnold, Supervisor of Special Education
Lisa Neal, teacher at Smithville Elementary School
Kenneth Taylor, bus driver
Kathryn Wisinger, ESL teacher

DeKalb County High School New (to our county) Student Registration will be held on July 26th – August 4th from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (this is not for current students moving from 8th grade to 9th or any students who are currently enrolled in the DeKalb County school system. It’s for new student that have moved to this county).
If you have a student who is currently enrolled with the DeKalb County school system please go on-line to www.dchstigers.com and under quick links log-in to “Skyward” to your “Family Access” and pre-register your student. When completing the information, please add any persons who may sign your student out to the emergency contact section. If they are not listed they will not be able to sign your student out.
DeKalb County High School Freshman Orientation will be held August 3rd from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Please come in the front doors and you will be directed to your homeroom. Computers will be available that night to register your student.
If you have any questions call Rhonda Merriman at DeKalb County High School 615-597-2249
Meanwhile, DeKalb County Schools will re-open with registration for all students on Monday, August 7.
The first day of school education celebration (free school supplies) will be Monday, August 7 starting at 6:00 p.m. on the Smithville Public Square
The first full day of school for all students will be Wednesday, August 9.
Wednesday, August 2 will be a system-wide in-service.
All teachers will report to their individual schools on Thursday and Friday August 3 & 4
Teachers only will report for an administrative day on Tuesday, August 8.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps has selected Tad Webb as the new Assistant Principal at DeKalb Middle School.
Webb has been a seventh grade math teacher at the school along with the Saints’ head football coach and the DeKalb West Bulldogs head baseball coach. He will be giving up those positions.
“I have known Tad for several years. He is a hard worker. He has been “Teacher of the Year” at his school. Tad is a fantastic math teacher. But more than that, he is a fantastic person. He represents DeKalb County well not only in the classroom but he has represented us on the baseball field and the football field. Tad will bring a different dynamic to the position. He is well respected not only among the kids that he coaches, but the parents of those kids and the community. We’re excited about bringing him along as well,” Director of Schools Patrick Cripps told WJLE.
New head DMS football and West School baseball coaches have not yet been named.

The City of Smithville is updating its policies at the airport in regard to the use of Corporate and T-Hangars.
Airport Manager Joe Johnson presented the proposals to the mayor and aldermen Monday night, which have also been recommended by the city’s airport board. The aldermen voted to give their blessing.
Johnson said the first step is to renew leases with the current tenants, which hasn’t been done since 2011. The leases are currently for one year at a time.
The city has sixteen T-hangars and two corporate hangars and all are occupied. Tenants of the T-hangars pay the city $115 per month and the monthly rent for the corporate hangars is $225.
Tenants will now have the option of paying their entire years rent in one lump sum payment at the current rate or they may continue to pay monthly, but at a higher rate of $125 per month. Those who have corporate hangars can also pay up front for the year at the current rate of $225 per month or at the higher rate of $250 if they choose to continue to pay by the month.
Johnson said by paying up front for an entire year, the tenants get a price break while the city has more cash on hand to use for immediate airport needs.
The hangars are a good source of income for the airport having generated around $29,000 last year. If the city had more hangars, Johnson said that income alone could perhaps make the airport self supporting.
“We’re trying to attract as many airplanes as we can to keep our hangars full. If we keep them full we have a chance to get more t-hangars. I’m trying to keep the rates as low as I can to be competitive with other airports, yet take care of the city too. If we had one more set of nine hangars at the airport, that would generate enough revenue to be self supporting from the rent and we would be able to sell more fuel,” said Johnson.
The city has taken advantage of federal and state grant funds over the years to make airport improvements. In most cases the city’s portion of the cost has been as little as five percent of the grant amounts. But with the federal funds comes regulations and in the case of the T-hangars, the city has adopted an FAA policy with regard to their proper use.
According to the policy, the hangars must be used for the storage of active aircraft; final assembly of aircraft under construction; non-commercial construction of amateur-built or kit built aircraft; maintenance, repair, or refurbishment of aircraft, but not the indefinite storage of non-operational aircraft; and the storage of aircraft handling equipment, such as towbars, glider tow equipment, workbenches, and tools and materials used in the servicing, maintenance, repair, or outfitting of aircraft.
Anything that impedes the movement of the aircraft in and out of the hangar or impedes access to aircraft or other aeronautical contents out of the hangar is prohibited.
Airports are subject to FAA inspections and if violations of the policy are discovered the city could be at risk of losing federal airport funds.
Any tenant not in compliance with the policy will be sent a letter asking them to adhere to the terms of their lease and FAA regulations or risk being evicted.
Although the hangars are currently occupied, the city has a waiting list of potential tenants and a policy has been developed on who gets first choice. Generally, its on a first come-first served basis, but Smithville residents are given first priority and then DeKalb County citizens.
Johnson is also working on a policy in accordance with city and state fire marshal regulations to identify items not permitted for storage in a hangar which could pose a fire hazard.

Amanda Dakas is the new Principal at DeKalb Middle School.
Director of Schools Patrick Cripps has named Dakas to succeed Randy Jennings as DMS Principal. Jennings is the new Principal at DeKalb County High School.
Dakas has served as Assistant Principal at DeKalb Middle School since 2012. She has a Bachelor’s Degree (B.S.), a Master’s Degree (M.S.), and an Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S).
Tad Webb will be stepping into the role of Assistant Principal. He has been a 7th grade math teacher and a DMS Saints football and DWS Bulldogs baseball coach.
“I am very humbled and excited about being named the new principal at DeKalb Middle School! Some of the people that I respect most have once held this very same position, and I know what their leadership and guidance meant to me as a student, a colleague, and now as a friend. The teachers at DMS have a passion for teaching and learning and the atmosphere is that of a family. From the time I became Assistant Principal until now, these folks have embraced me and we have become a team! I am also beyond thrilled to know that I have the opportunity to serve the children within our county at a time in their lives when they need guidance the most. We have phenomenal teachers, educational assistants, custodians, kitchen staff, and students at DMS, and I am just so honored to be a part of this team….. and that’s what we are- A TEAM!,” Principal Dakas told WJLE
“I am also grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Mr. Randy Jennings over the past five years and now I am looking forward to working with Mr. Tad Webb. I know we’re going to work together as a great team because we already have over these past years,” she said.
“I think she is going to bring a lot of energy to the school. I have no doubt she will work hard. She is dedicated to those kids. She loves those kids. She loves that school. It’s a big job and she knows what’s coming. They have made a ton of changes in the past and we’re excited about the vision she has for the school and where she plans on taking it,” Director of Schools Patrick Cripps told WJLE.
A 1991 graduate of DeKalb County High School, Dakas attended college at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville from 1991 through 1996. From 1991-1995 she earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)degree with a Major in Speech Communication and a Minor in Inclusive Early Childhood Education. From 1995-1996 Dakas also received her Masters of Science (M.S.) degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Tennessee. In 2000, Dakas attended Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan where she began taking introductory educational leadership classes. In 2004 she went back to school and received her Educational Specialist (Ed.S) degree in 2006 with a focus on Instructional Leadership from Tennessee Technological University.
Dakas began teaching at John Sevier Elementary School in Maryville, Tennessee as a 1st grade teacher in 1995 and then moved back to DeKalb County in 1996 where she taught 7th grade Math at DeKalb Middle School and was the football cheerleading coach. Dakas got married that same year and her husband received a promotion within his business in the automotive industry.
“We moved to Shelby Township, Michigan where we resided for the next 5 ½ years. While living there, I became a homeschool educator for a year and a half where I was hired to go in to people’s homes and design a curriculum and deliver instruction to students within a multi-age setting before I decided to try my hand in the business world. I worked in Sales and Marketing at Dura Automotive Headquarters in Rochester Hills, Michigan for the remaining 4 years before we returned to Smithville. Once we were back home, I also returned to my love of teaching! I began teaching at Northside Elementary School in 2002 where I taught 3rd grade for 5 years and Computer and Technology for 5 years and remained at N.E.S. until I became Assistant Principal at DeKalb Middle School in 2012 where I have served until June 2017. (My first day as an Assistant Principal was also my twins’ first day of Kindergarten.) As of July 2017, I was named Principal of DeKalb Middle School. (Therefore, I have taught for a total of 16 ½ years!),” said Dakas.
“I have taught 1st grade, 3rd grade, 7th grade math, and taught ALL 2nd-5th grade students in Computer and Technology. I have been Assistant Principal at DMS for the last 5 years and am honored to begin my journey as Principal of DeKalb Middle School,” she said.
Dakas is the daughter of Rick and Sandra Widener and Donnie (and the late Margaret Ann) Pack. She married John Nikolas Dakas, from Ferndale, Michigan, on November 30, 1996 and they had twins, Andrew Jackson Dakas and Annabella Eleni Dakas, on December 20, 2006. The twins will be in the fifth grade at Northside Elementary School this year. “My husband, John, is currently a Senior Formability Engineer at Magna International/Cosma Die Technology which is based out of Troy, Michigan,” said Dakas.
The new DMS Principal has already identified specific goals she would like to see accomplished.
“Over the past 5 years as Assistant Principal, I have been able to focus on and achieve success over many of the goals that I have set for our school. While those successes are gratifying, the work is never done in the world of education. Two specific goals that I have set for this year are increasing student growth within English/Language Arts and Math and focusing on communication as a whole! The first goal will be centered around our core instruction in English and Math and within our Response to Intervention time each day where we take students where they currently are, skill-wise, and give them the tools they need in order to grow,” said Dakas
“The second goal will focus on providing information about what’s going on at DMS for parents and students on a consistent basis. Our team is working on some ideas right now that will facilitate better communication from school to home, and we are excited about that. More than anything, we just want our students to become kind and productive members of society, and we believe that a solid educational foundation combined with a nurturing and exciting environment will help grow these kinds of future leaders,” she said.
Dakas is anxious to get started as Principal and is ready for the challenge.
“My experience as a teacher for 10 ½ years and as an Assistant Principal for 5 years, combined with my years in business, has helped prepare me for this moment by giving me hands-on, real-life experiences to draw on. Looking back, I can now see how each of these experiences has served as a building block to get me to where I am today. Of course, experiences only get you so far. Without the support and belief of my wonderful family and the great teachers and educational leaders in DeKalb County, I would not be here. You never reach the mountaintop by yourself, so it’s important to always remember that success comes when you’re a member of a great team!”
“Finally, I want to thank Mr. Patrick Cripps and the school board for this wonderful opportunity and I look forward to having them visit the middle school often to see for themselves all the great things happening there,” said Principal Dakas.

Tennessee retailers will not collect sales tax on more than 150 different items during the upcoming 12th annual sales tax holiday.
From July 28-30, shoppers can save nearly 10 percent on clothing, school supplies and computers, as students prepare for the back-to-school season. State and local taxes will not be collected on clothing, school and art supplies that cost $100 or less per item and computers that cost $1,500 or less.
State Department of Revenue officials remind people the weekend of savings is not exclusive to students or Tennesseans. Anyone who wants to shop in Tennessee during the last weekend of July will be eligible to save on sales tax.
“The sales tax holiday for back-to-school items is another way to put more money back in the pockets of Tennesseans. We encourage Tennesseans to take advantage of this tax break as they prepare their children for the upcoming school year,” said Gov. Bill Haslam.
Legislators passed a new law in 2016 that moved the sales tax holiday a weekend earlier than it was in the past. The sales tax holiday is now the last weekend in July, instead of the first weekend in August. This year, the sales tax holiday begins July 28 at 12:01 a.m. and ends July 30 at 11:59 p.m.
“We want to remind Tennesseans about this important opportunity for savings. It’s available to everyone and only happens one weekend a year,” said Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano.
For more information about the sales tax holiday, including a complete list of tax-exempt items and frequently asked questions, visit tntaxholiday.com.

A Smithville man was found with drugs during a recent DUI investigation.
41 year old Tyrone Dwayne Owens was arrested Wednesday, July 5 for DUI and he was cited for two counts of simple possession. Smithville Police responded to two people passed out in a car in a church parking lot. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Owens and noticed the passenger to be passed out. Owens’ speech was a bit slurred and he seemed very drowsy. A witness spotted the car and noticed Owens to be passed out with the brake lights on and the car still running. Another witness confirmed the car was running with Owens in the driver seat and that he (witness) turned the car off and took the keys out of the ignition. Another officer on the scene spotted a joint in the driver’s side door arm rest and then searched the car. Owens consented to field sobriety tasks but he performed poorly. While searching him incident to arrest, the officer pulled Owens’ wallet out of his back pocket and a yellow rectangular pill thought to be Alprazolom fell out. Upon closer inspection of the wallet, a white barrel shaped pill thought to be methadone and another yellow rectangular pill believed to be Alpraolom were discovered. Bond for Owens is $2,500 and his court date is July 27.
36 year old Ricky Lynn Martin was arrested Thursday, June 29 for criminal trespass, shoplifting, and he was cited for simple possession. Police responded to Wal-Mart for a possible shoplifter and upon arrival observed Martin checking out at a register. After his purchase, the officer confronted Martin and reminded him that he wasn’t’ suppose to be on the property. The officer had written Martin a citation on June 10 for shoplifting and advised him at that time not to be back on the property. Martin was arrested for criminal trespassing and upon a search by police, he was found to have unpaid for items belonging to Wal-Mart on his person. He also had on him a crystal like substance which tested positive for Methamphetamine and a white/peach gel pill believed to be morphine. Bond for Martin is $4,000 and his court date is July 13.
18 year old Rachel Irene Patterson was cited for simple possession and drug paraphernalia on Saturday, July 1. Patterson was being questioned by police concerning an incident that occurred elsewhere when she gave consent to search her vehicle. Found inside was a bag in the back seat with approximately 1 gram of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana and a glass pipe used to smoke the marijuana. Her court date is July 20.
41 year old Eric L Atnip was arrested on Sunday, July 2 for violation of an order of protection. Police responded to an unwanted guest call and spoke with Atnip and the victim at the residence. On April 27 a full protection order was issued in DeKalb County General Sessions Court instructing Atnip to refrain from having any contact with the victim. His bond is $2,500 and his court date is July 13.
41 year old Amy Jo Scott was arrested on Wednesday, July 5 for a third offense of driving under the influence, driving on revoked, simple possession and she was cited for simple possession. Police responded to a lockout call but before unlocking the vehicle the officer ran the tag to confirm that Scott was the owner. Central Dispatch confirmed that she was the owner of the vehicle but that her driver license were revoked. After unlocking the vehicle, the officer left the location but approximately two minutes later, he saw Scott driving on Tommy Harrell Street. He then turned his patrol car around in order to get behind her vehicle. Once on East Bryant Street the officer activated his blue lights and Scott pulled over to the side of the road. The officer informed Scott that he stopped her due to his knowledge of her having a revoked driver license. Scott’s speech was slurred and her eyes appeared to be very heavy. She consented to sobriety tasks but performed poorly. Scott was then placed under arrest for DUI and driving on a revoked license. After Scott consented to a search her vehicle, police found two round blue pills in a small plastic bag believed to be Clonazepam. She was placed under arrest and transported to the police department. Upon arrival Scott asked to use the restroom and while in there she dropped a pill on the floor. During questioning, she produced a metal container with 11 red and white capsule type pills identified as 75mg Lyrica. Scott couldn’t provide a prescription for any of the medication in her possession. Bond for Scott is $7,500 and her court date is July 20.