DeKalb County Schools will be closed for the fall break October 11-22 (The first week will be intercession)
Meanwhile Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Tuesday, October 5th at DeKalb County High School from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will also be held from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Thursday, October 7th at DeKalb Middle School, Northside Elementary, Smithville Elementary, and DeKalb West School.
Report cards will be sent home on Monday, October 4th
Any DCHS student interested in working on grade recovery, Tiger Academy, or credit recovery during fall break needs to sign up in the counseling office as soon as possible. Fall Intercession will be held October 11-15th from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Bus transportation is available. Students wanting to do grade recovery for classes they are currently enrolled in need to check with their teachers before signing up.
Director of Schools Mark Willoughby said during Parent-Teacher Conferences, parents in DeKalb County will be receiving their child’s individual Student Performance report, or a comprehensive review of how the child performed on the state’s Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) tests.
This year parents will notice some changes as a result of reforms at the state level.
Tennessee adopted revised academic standards through the Tennessee Diploma Project in 2008 and during the 2009-2010 school year students completed their first year of learning and testing on those standards. Willoughby said the tests given in 2009-2010 reflect not only revised academic standards but a much higher bar for the “proficient” and “advanced” levels of performance.
The performance report this year will include new levels of performance, “basic” and “below basic” that are used to help identify how much students need to progress to be proficient.
A new definition of proficiency now indicates a mastery of knowledge in a subject rather than minimal understanding. The combination of higher standards and proficiency means, ultimately, more students will be college and career ready. But it also means harder tests, and a potential dip in the immediate future with lower test scores and performance at the school level.
Despite the immediate outlook, Willoughby said these changes mean that our students will be better prepared for success in a global economy. They will be better prepared to not only compete with their peers in Tennessee, but with their peers in high-performing nations across the world, he said.
The DeKalb County School System, Willoughby said, is dedicated to helping parents during this transition. If parents have questions about student test scores, please contact the schools. Willoughy added, “we will work together for each student’s success.”

Justin Potter Library of Smithville and the Alexandria Public Library are among dozens of rural libraries across Tennessee that will share in nearly $1.5 million in combined federal and state grants to provide computers, education courses and job skill training. The grants are targeted to help Tennesseans improve computer-related skills so they will be more competitive as they seek jobs.
The libraries in Smithville and Alexandria will each receive a total of $16,013
The project is the culmination of more than a year’s effort by the Department of State and the Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD). The joint effort was successfully leveraged to secure additional funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. Of the nearly $1.5 million, ECD will provide $1,030,000 and the Department of State will provide up to $70,000. The remaining $356,577 will come from USDA Rural Development. The funds will be used to provide computers, peripheral equipment, high-speed Internet routers and instructors to conduct training classes.
In addition to administering the $70,000 grant, the Tennessee State Library and Archives, which is a division of the Tennessee Department of State, will administer the other grant funds. TSLA is currently assisting the local libraries in finalizing the consent agreements required before the money is disbursed.
“Now rural communities across Tennessee will have greater access to the technology their citizens need to be more competitive and successful in the workplace,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said. “Our work to obtain the first-class equipment and training for citizens in some of the hardest-hit local economies in our state will yield great benefits across Tennessee. I am grateful for the persistent support of our friends in ECD through this lengthy process and that of USDA Rural Development to further extend the reach of what we could have otherwise accomplished.”
“Libraries play a vital role in the success of entrepreneurs and the creation of jobs across our state,” said Matt Kisber, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. “Libraries are where people go to research strategies for a business plan, learn more about market opportunities and to gain skills to become more marketable employees. We’re pleased to be able to partner with the Secretary of State’s office and USDA Rural Development to make this project happen.”

The county commission Monday night selected J. Mark Rodgers Architect of Cookeville as a third party consultant on the renovation of the 61,000 square foot shopping center building.
According to terms of the deal, Rodgers will receive a one percent consultation service fee, which is to be included as an allowance with each potential bidder. However, this fee will be paid directly from the county to Rodgers to assure an arms-length relationship with the successful team builder.

County Mayor Mike Foster said by providing third party consultation, the county will be given an objective evaluation and progress of the work.
Foster says bids could be advertised as early as next week for the renovation of the shopping center complex, half of which will be for county administration and half for recreation.

A Cookeville Tennessee Highway Patrolman originally from Smithville captured a male inmate Wednesday who escaped from a prison work detail at Roane Mountain State Park.
Brian D. Knighton, 34, a prisoner from the Northeast Correctional Complex-Annex in Mountain City, stole a state-registered 2007 Dodge Caravan, changed the license plates, and fled the upper East Tennessee state park just after 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 28.
All THP units in the Cookeville District were instructed to “be on the lookout”, and by Wednesday morning, Trooper Eric McCormick noticed the vehicle at the Marathon Gas station located on South Jefferson Avenue in Cookeville. Trooper McCormick, who was assisted by additional State Troopers, took the subject into custody just before 11 a.m.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Tennessee Department of Correction (DOC) are investigating.
McCormick is the son of Jim and Becky McCormick of Smithville.

Walmart is helping 10 teachers at DeKalb West School to purchase much-needed classroom supplies this back-to-school season as part of its Teacher Rewards program. Nationally, Walmart and Sam’s Club locations are awarding more than 45,000 educators with $100 infusing $4.5 million to schools across America.
It’s estimated that educators spend approximately $500 out of their own pockets each year for classroom supplies, including snacks for students who may not have regular access to food. The Teacher Rewards program helps offset those costs.
“Walmart is committed to supporting the local community and addressing unmet needs,” said John White, Store Manager. “We know teachers are on tight budgets to provide supplies for their classrooms and Teacher Rewards helps offset those costs.”
Picture from Left to Right front row are Pam Cunningham, Walmart ZMS and Jennifer Cantrell, Walmart Personnel Manager, who presented the rewards to teachers today (September 28) at DeKalb West School
Back row left to right are teachers Deb Poteete, Regina Kent, Susan Robinson, Cindy Pulley, Vicki Wilson, Jenny Cantrell, Jeanna Caplinger, Cynthia Preston, and librarian Genrose Davis.

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber announced that DeKalb County has achieved certification under the state’s Three-Star program for excellence in economic development.
“Solid community development provides the foundation for successful economic development,” said Commissioner Kisber. “Our Three-Star communities play an integral role in the overall economic health of the state, and I congratulate DeKalb County for its commitment to excellence and dedication to long-term economic growth and success.”
DeKalb County and the Town of Alexandria, Town of Dowelltown, Town of Liberty and City of Smithville are now eligible to receive additional incentives under the guidelines of the Tennessee Three-Star program.
“ECD is proud to support DeKalb County in its dedication to long-term economic growth and success,” said ECD Assistant Commissioner of Community Development Rick Meredith. “The community has emphasized essential foundational steps and targeted its strengths that will improve quality of life and grow jobs.”
The Three-Star program has set high standards like no other state-run program in the nation. Governor Phil Bredesen’s five-year asset-based economic development strategic plan is the cornerstone of Three-Star. The strategic plan addresses development issues and challenges a community is facing in an ever changing economic environment. Additionally, it helps communities preserve existing employment, create new employment opportunities, improve family income and develop a strong leadership base for economic development.
In 2005, the Southern Growth Policies Board, a bipartisan public policy think tank devoted to strengthening the South’s economy, recognized the Three-Star program as a best practices program and a Southern leader in community certification programs. The Southern Growth Policies Board honored the Three-Star program again in 2010 with an Innovator Award for its unique partnership with the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence. TNCPE provides services to the communities that participate in the Three-Star program based on the Baldrige National Quality Program and provides feedback to help communities implement and improve their plans.
The Three-Star program is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year after beginning in 1980 as the “Three-Star Award for Successful Completion of the Community Economic Preparedness Program.” Under Governor Bredesen, the Three-Star program has been revamped to include a benchmarking system for community excellence which raised the bar for performance. The program has now grown to 89 programs certified, representing more than 340 cities and towns.
In order to receive the certification, communities are required to meet criteria in planning, leadership, community, business and education and work force development categories. Incentives for receiving the certification include identification on all FastTrack infrastructure and job training applications; eligibility for matching grants, if criteria set by ECD are met; earning points in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program; assistance from ECD’s Regional Economic Development Specialists and the sharing of “best practices” in community development; and the establishment of a strategic plan that is updated annually with measurable goals, specific actions, responsible parties and a timeline.
(Pictured L to R:
Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Matt Kisber, Governor Phil Bredesen, ECD Assistant Commissioner of Community Development Rick Meredith, State Senator Mae Beavers)