Students across Tennessee are down to the final days of the school year and they are preparing for the summer months ahead. Many of those teenagers will trade time in the classroom for time on the job during their break.
Tennessee has child labor laws to guide both teen workers and their employers, through the process of helping young people become an important part of the state’s workforce.
Students can start working for Tennessee employers, on a limited basis, at age 14. State law governs the time a young person can spend in the workplace. When school is not in session, teens aged 14 and 15 can work eight hours per day, 40 hours per week, but cannot work after 9:00 p.m.
Those 14 and 15-year-olds are not permitted to work without supervision, they are not allowed to cook, including prep work, and they cannot operate any machinery other than office equipment.
Teens who are 16 and 17 can work until midnight when school is not in session but must have written consent from a parent to stay on the job until that hour.
State law prohibits minors from working several types of jobs including; taking orders, serving intoxicating beverages or working at an establishment where more than 25% of the gross receipts come from the sale of those beverages, working in occupations that involve pornography, participating in door-to-door sales, and working jobs declared hazardous.
Teens are not permitted to operate motor vehicles or heavy equipment as part of their job nor may they work with any type of explosives.
Tennessee law does allow exemptions for some prohibited work for student-learners and apprentices, under certain circumstances.
State law mandates break requirements for teenagers and employers must maintain records of those breaks. Employers must also keep proof of the minor’s age in the employee’s file.
Employers may be subject to an on-site child labor inspection if a minor is hurt on the job, there is a complaint against the employer, or for a routine inspection.
If an inspector finds violations, the employer could receive a warning for an unintentional violation or a penalty ranging from $150 – $1,000 per violation.
More information about the Child Labor Act in Tennessee is available at https://www.tn.gov/workforce/article/child-labor.
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The new DCHS Golf Coach is John Pryor while Seth Willoughby is taking over coaching duties for the Tennis program. Both positions were formerly held by Joe Pat Cope.
Pryor has been a math teacher at DCHS for eight years. He is a 1993 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a B.S. in Business Administration. Pryor also graduated from law school in 1997 and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.
“I have played golf since I was nine years old and over the years I have played on some great courses across the country. I love the game of golf and look forward to a lot of fun and success with the high school program,” Pryor told WJLE.
When he is not teaching or coaching, Pryor serves as the WJLE play by play broadcaster for football, basketball, baseball and softball.
Willoughby, a 2010 graduate of DCHS, has just completed his first year as a biology teacher at the high school.
“I am glad to have this opportunity to coach tennis. It’s a fun sport and I really enjoyed playing it in high school. I’m happy to be back here at the high school coaching the same sport that I once played,” Willoughby told WJLE.
Willoughby has a B.S. Degree in Wildife and Fisheries Science from Tennessee Tech University and is working toward obtaining a Masters Degree in Curriculum & Instruction.
As during the past season, Willoughby will continue to serve as an assistant to DCHS Tiger Basketball Coach Lynus Martin.

DeKalb County High School has a new girls basketball coach.
Nathaniel (Nate) Kennard has been named to replace former Coach Joe Pat Cope. Meanwhile, Andrew Dixon, DCHS Computer Science and Math teacher, will be an assistant to Kennard.
Kennard, who teaches U.S History and World History at DCHS, served as an assistant to Tiger basketball coach Lynus Martin this past season. He has just completed his first year at DCHS.
“It’s my first year of teaching. I was in retail for a while. I also did some volunteer assistant coaching at Livingston Academy for five years prior to coming to DeKalb County. I finally finished up my degree at Tennessee Tech last May and was looking for a teaching job. DeKalb County High School gave me my first opportunity,” Kennard told WJLE.
A resident of Rickman, Kennard received a B.S. degree in Secondary Education-History from Tennessee Tech University in May 2015. His teaching license endorsement is in History and Geography 7-12.
Kennard began his 13 year coaching career at Hilham Middle School in Overton County as the Boys Basketball Coach from 2003-2010 where he was responsible for all aspects of the boys basketball program involving the 6th and 8th grade teams. During those years, the program won two county championships and had five final four state tournament finishes compiling an overall record of 100-85.
From 2010 to 2015 Kennard served as an assistant boys basketball coach (non faculty position) at Livingston Academy. During those years, Livingston Academy had one final four finish, three state tournament appearances, five sectional appearances, three regional championships, and three district championships with an overall record of 128-48.
Prior to his coaching stints, Kennard worked at Food Lion in Livingston as assistant store manager from June 2003 to June 2006 and then store manager from June 2006 to March 2013. He became assistant manager for Houchens Industries in March 2013.
Kennard and his wife Erin are the parents of two sons, 16 year old Benjamin and 7 year old Cooper.
Coach Kennard told WJLE he has gotten to know a lot of people his first year here and is looking forward to next season. “I really like this community. Being from Livingston and driving to Smithville, I didn’t know a lot of people here at first. But they have been very good to me,” he said.
“I have found that the girls coming in next season are very eager to learn. They are very respectful and easy to coach so far and I’ve just had them in tryouts. I’m very excited . I think this is a program on the verge of really blossoming. I think it’s on the verge of a lot of success. Over the last couple of years they have had successful seasons if you look at the record. I am ready to continue that and hopefully move it into the direction that we can go deeper in tournaments in the future,” said Kennard.
“As far as my coaching style, we plan to play an up tempo game. We will be fun to watch and they will have fun while playing,” Kennard said.

Another DCHS Coach has lost his job.
Baseball Coach Tracy Slone will not return as teacher or coach next season. Slone was hired three years ago as a wellness teacher and coach.
In his three seasons, Slone compiled an overall record of 53-50. His district mark was 26-16 and 8-7 in the post season.
The position is posted as follows on the TSSAA website:
DeKalb County High School is seeking Head Baseball coach. Current teaching positions available: Secondary Math, World History/Geography and PE. If you are interested, contact Kathy Bryant: (615) 597-4094 or kathybryant@dekalbschools.net.

The DCHS Tigerettes run in the TSSAA Class AA Girls Softball Tournament ended Thursday with a 5 to 2 loss to White House Heritage in Murfreesboro.
The Tigerettes finished tournament play in the final four and concluded the season at 35-6-1.
White House Heritage scored 5 runs on 9 hits and made 2 errors. DeKalb County scored 2 runs on 4 hits and made 3 errors.
White House Heritage scored 3 runs in the 4th inning and 2 runs in the 7th inning. DeKalb County scored 1 run in the 5th and 7th innings, both on solo homeruns by Tyra Graham.
In addition to Tyra Graham’s 2 homeruns, Katie Hall and Dani Meadows each had a single.
Kayley Caplinger gave up 5 runs on 9 hits. She struck out 3 and walked none.
After defeating Dyersburg in the first round game of the tournament 5 to 3 on Tuesday, the Tigerettes lost to Waverly Central 6 to 2 on Wednesday night and then advanced in the loser’s bracket Thursday morning beating Chester County 5 to 1 before being eliminated Thursday afternoon by White House Heritage 5 to 2.

The DCHS Tigerettes defeated Chester County 5 to 1 today to advance in the losers bracket of the TSSAA Class AA Girls Softball Tournament at Murfreesboro.
DeKalb County will play either White House Heritage or Dyersburg today at 4:00 p.m. at the Starplex #2 field in Murfreesboro.
The Tigerettes scored 5 runs on 6 hits and made no errors. Chester County scored 1 run on 4 hits and made 2 errors.
DeKalb County scored 3 runs in the 1st inning and 2 runs in the 3rd inning. Chester County scored 1 run in the 3rd inning.
Kayley Caplinger gave up 1 run on 4 hits through 7 innings. She struck out 5 and walked 5.
Tyra Graham had a single and double. Hannah Walker had 2 singles and Katie Hall and Myranda Bailiff each had a single.

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce recently had a Ribbon Cutting for Dr. Kimberly Tabor of Saint Thomas Medical Partners. Her new office is located at 518 West Main St., Suite A, Smithville, next to DeKalb Specialty Clinic, in front of Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital. Dr. Tabor is a family practice physician who is now accepting new patients. Dr. Tabor formerly had her practice in Cookeville and now resides in Liberty on her family farm. For more information, call 615-215-5270.
The Chamber also recently had a ribbon cutting for the Smithville Sleep Center announcing their new location at 1190 West Broad St., Smithville. Hours of operation are Mon thru Sat from 10 AM to 8 PM and Sundays from 10 AM to 6 PM, For more information, call 615-318-1045.
TOP PHOTO:
Pictured l-r:
Chamber President Kathy Hendrixson, Angela Crick, Deb Agee, Gordon Ferguson, Sue Conley, Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, Keishia Poss, Alan Sharp, Myra Reffue, Dr. Kimberly Tabor, Ashlie Tabor, Melanie Nistad, Karen Weaver, Chris Asbury, Lauren Nelson, Shannon Atkins, Jessica Etz, Angie Boyd-Chambers, and Shan Burklow
BOTTOM PHOTO:
Pictured l-r:
Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, Chamber President Kathy Hendrixson, Smithville Sleep Center owners Kyle Casper and Chris Wyke, SSC employee Andrew Fittis, and Chamber Board Member Shannon Atkins

The DCHS Tigerettes lost to Waverly Central 6 to 2 in the second round of the TSSAA Class AA Girls Softball Tournament in Murfreesboro Wednesday night.
DeKalb County scored 2 runs in the 3rd inning but Waverly scored 5 runs in the 4th inning and 1 run in the 5th inning. The game was halted in the bottom of the 5th inning for a one hour rain delay.
The Tigerettes scored 2 runs on 4 hits and made 4 errors. Waverly scored 6 runs on 4 hits and made 1 error.
Kayley Caplinger and Myranda Bailiff each had a single. Katie Hall had 2 singles.
Kayley Caplinger gave up 6 runs on 4 hits through 7 innings. She struck out 2 and walked 2.
The Tigerettes will meet Chester County (28-16) in the losers bracket of the tournament Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. at Starplex #2 field Murfreesboro. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.
If the Tigerettes win, they will face either White House Heritage or Dyersburg at 4:00 p.m. at the same location.

A petition has been presented to the election commission asking for a referendum in Smithville on permitting grocery stores to sell wine.
DeKalb County Administrator of Elections, Dennis Stanley, said the petition has been verified with the number of signatures required to get the question on the November 8 election ballot subject to approval by the election commission.
“A wine at retail food stores referendum may only be called by petition of registered voters in jurisdictions which have held and passed either a referendum to authorize retail package stores or a referendum to authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises,” said Stanley.
“Two years ago Smithville voters approved retail package stores, thus making the city eligible for wine at retail food stores,” he said. “To call a wine at retail food stores referendum, a petition must be signed by 10% or more of the registered voters casting a ballot for governor in the last city election.”
In addition, the petition has to be filed with the election commission no later than 75 days before the upcoming November election. That requirement
has also been met.
If the effort is successful, that will be the second liquor referendum on the ballot in November. A petition to call for an election to authorize alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises has already been turned in and Stanley said there were enough names to put the issue on the ballot.
Both referendums apply only to the City of Smithville. He also noted that no liquor referendum may be placed on the same ballot or conducted on the same day of a primary election.
“The city will conduct its normal election on August 4, but that election falls on the same day as the Tennessee State Primary,” Stanley said. “As a result, the liquor referendums must be held in November.
“A Retail food store” is defined in the law as a business that derives at least 20 percent of its sales from the retail sale of food and food ingredients and has floor space of at least 1,200 square feet. The law requires that food sales be those types of sales taxed at the lower, 5 percent state rate, rather than the higher sales tax rate applied to sales of prepared food. It appears that this definition will prevent most convenience stores and gas stations from obtaining licenses to sell wine.
If voters approve the sale of wine in grocery stores, the Alcoholic Beverage Commission will be the body to issue “retail food store wine licenses”.
Applicants must submit a certificate from the city, signed by the mayor, stating that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony in the past ten years and that the applicant has a location for their business inside the city limits. If a city fails to issue a certificate to an applicant within 60 days after receiving a written application, the commission will waive the certificate requirement.
Store ownership is not required in order to receive a license, as store owners may enter into franchise or management agreements with licensees. Cities may not limit the number of retail food store wine licenses to be issued in their jurisdiction nor require that applicants reside in the city.
Grocery stores located within 500 feet of package stores may not obtain licenses to sell wine until July 1, 2017, unless the package store owner provides written permission to the commission. Any package store owner who refuses such permission cannot sell those additional items permitted by the law until such time as the grocery store obtains permission to sell wine.

Forty students graduated from DeKalb West School on Tuesday, May 24 during a special ceremony before administrators, students, family and friends.
Principal Sabrina Farler presented the Principal’s award to students who scored all A’s their 8th grade year. Students honored were Trenten Shores, Holly Evans, Christian Trail, Cody Antoniak, Dallas Cook, Peyton Harris, Alexis Gammons, Clayton Crook, and Haley Dies.
Picking up Academic Awards in Math were Dallas Cook with a score of 98 from Karen France’s homeroom, and Holly Evans, Haley Dies, and Trenten Shores, who all tied with a perfect score of 100, from Cynthia Wilson’s homeroom. Shores was also honored with the Tennessee Math Competition award. In Science, Dallas Cook and Makenzie Ray tied with a grade of 99 from France’s room, and Holly Evans, Haley Dies, and Trenten Shores, again all tied with 100 from Wilson’s room. In English/Language Arts: Christian Trail won with 96 from France’s homeroom and Holly Evans picked up the award with a 99 from Wilson’s homeroom. In History, Dallas Cook and Christian Trail tied with the top score of 98 from France’s room, and Holly Evans had the top score with 99 from Wilson’s homeroom. Andrea Coleman and Sara Carver won the writing awards from Wilson’s and France’s homerooms respectively.
The PAWS Most Improved award went to Taylor Gibbs in Wilson’s room and Migel Quintero in France’s class. The Citizenship awards were handed out to Holly Evans and Clayton Crook in Wilson’s room and Peyton Harris and Sara Carver in France’s room. Picking up honors from the activity teachers were Jake Isbell, Andrea Coleman, and Cody Antoniak in Art; Trenten Shores and Braeden Jett in P.E.; Chelsea Cantrell and Mariah Mofield in Computer.
Lisa Hayes presented the Georgia Young Award in honor of her mother and late DWS Cafeteria Manager to Taylor Gibbs.
Perfect Attendance awards were presented to Seth Harris, Clayton Crook, and Peyton Harris. They were present every school day, were never late and never left the school day early.
Librarian awards were given to Christian Trail with 3,360.4 Accelerated Reader points, Dallas Cook (1847), Holly Evans (1338), Mariah Mofield (1097.8), and Alexis Gammons (1014.5). Trail won the Amanda Mullinax Librarian Award for earning the most Accelerated Reader points during his school career at DWS. He won that honor for the 4th year in a row.
Junior Beta students were recognized with certificates for their service work performed for the school, church, and community this school year. Haley Dies (71.75 hours), Holly Evans (70.75 hours), Cody Antoniak (23.5 hours), Peyton Harris (23.5 hours), Dallas Cook (20.5 hours), Clayton Crook (18.25 hours), Trenten Shores (16.25 hours), Sara Carver (13.5 hours), Noah Roberts (12.25 hours), and Christian Trail (11.5 hours). A local committee also nominated Holly Evans to the National Beta Club’s Most Valuable Player award titled the John W. Harris Award, named after the organization’s founder.
The names of students who walked the line at 8th grade graduation are as follows: Cody Landon Antoniak, Elijah Thomas Aucoin, Gabriel Lewis Aucoin, Shawn Wayne Bishop, Chelsey Colette Cantrell, Ethan Laine Cantrell, Sara Beth Carver, Alaysia Chalet Christian, Andrea Coleman, Matthew Dallas Cook, Latravia Shea Cox, Clayton Nathaniel Crook, Colton Wayne Curtis, Dylan Tyler Denson, Haley Elizabeth Dies, Holly Caroline Evans, Austin Lee Foster, Taylor Lynn Foutch, Alexis Jade Gammons, Taylor Nicole Gibbs, Peyton Allen Harris, Seth Harris, Douglas Anthony Hendrixson, Preston Lee Ingram, Jake Cole Isbell, Braedon Christopher Jackson Jett, Mariah Shea Mofield, Mattalynn Hope Mofield, Juan Migel Quintero, Alleyona Rader, Makenzie Dawn Ray, Derrin Wayne Reeder, Makayla Jean Riddle, Noah Brown Roberts, Trenten Shores, Kirra Evan Smith, Dayton Nicholas Tittel, Christian Aron Trail, Justus Clint Tramel, and Kendra Shea Whitehead.