Just shy of 1,900 students enrolled for new school year

Kevin Halpern kevin@cannoncourier.com


Cannon County Schools began the new year earlier this month with 1,892 enrolled in its seven schools, Director of Schools Barbara Parker announced at the Aug. 10 meeting of the board of education.
That is slightly less than the 1,939 the system started the 2016-17 school year with. The last school year ended with 1,954 students enrolled.
As can be expected with the other six schools feeding into it, Cannon County High School had the most students at the beginning of this year with 563.
Woodbury Grammar followed with 426. Next were Woodland (314), West Side (218), Short Mountain (131), Auburn (123) and East Side (117).
In an effort to increase enrollment, county schools are now letting out-of-county students transfer into the system without having to pay a tuition fee. It was announced at the meeting at there are 39 out-of-county students enrolled in local schools.
Other action at the board meeting included:
• The board approved 16 in-county transfer requests.
• Five teachers were approved for tenure: Darlene Pendergrast, Jessica Reed, Steven Smith, Kendria Smithson and Regan Vaughn.
• Chassity Burks was granted approval to apply for a $25,000 grant from the American Library Association for the library at West Side.
• Preston Brothers Construction was given approval to spend up to $1,500 for the East Side window and security vestibule project.
• The new Extended School Program was budgeted at slightly more than $100,000. A state grant of approximately $80,000 will fund the majority of the program. Sites will be open at all six elementary schools.
• The board approved it's 2017-18 budget with a tax rate of 85 cents. The Cannon County Commission will meet on Aug. 22 to give final approval to the school budget.
• The board voted to enter into an at-will agreement with Michael R. Jennings of Lebanon to serve as the School Board Attorney.