School board attends TSBA Annual Convention

Four members of the Haywood County Board of Education recently attended the Tennessee School Board Association Annual Convention to share best practices, discuss changes in public education and explore ways to improve Tennessee public schools. Attending were Chairman Harold Garrett, Vice-Chairman Robbie Jarrett-King, Allen Currie and Pearlie Hess. The convention focused on the theme “Empowering Excellence,” and offered sessions in legal issues, community relations and special interests, among other things.

Also at the convention, board members and boards received special recognition for achievement. The Haywood County School Board was among 39 boards from across the state that earned Board of Distinction status. The Boards of Distinction program began in 1998, and the Haywood County School Board has continued since then to renew its status every two years based on meeting specific standards in the four areas of emphasis within a two-year period.

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen addressed the convention, discussing the future of public education in Tennessee. Following him was former U. S. Senator Bill Frist, who is chairman of the Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE). He talked about the six projects that SCORE will be undertaking next year. One of those projects is an Advocacy Campaign that will emphasize the importance of setting high expectations every student and the importance of the Tennessee Diploma Project. SCORE will partner with Tennessee Education Association to develop a new measure for teacher effectiveness. It will also with work with its partners to enhance training for principals and superintendents. The SCORE initiative will partner with rural districts to apply for a $650 million competitive grant run by the U. S. Department of Education, and work on a legislative agenda among other important items.